Self-powered illumination assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016010818-A1
Application number	US-201414326068-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 8, 2014
Priority date	Jul 8, 2014
Publication date	Jan 14, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle includes a closure panel and a sill protector mounted adjacent to the closure panel. An energy harvesting device is configured to convert ambient energy to electrical energy. A storage device is electrically connected to the energy harvesting device to store the electrical energy. An illumination member is electrically connected to the storage device and is configured to be illuminated by electrical energy supplied from the storage device. A sensor is connected to the sill protector and is configured to supply the stored electrical energy to the illumination member when movement of the closure panel is detected.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
a closure panel; a sill protector mounted adjacent to the closure panel; an energy harvesting device configured to convert ambient energy to electrical energy; a storage device electrically connected to the energy harvesting device to store the electrical energy; an illumination member electrically connected to the storage device and configured to be illuminated by electrical energy supplied from the storage device; and a sensor connected to the sill protector and configured to supply the stored electrical energy to the illumination member when movement of the closure panel is detected.

2 . The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein
the sensor comprises a magnetic sensor connected to the sill protector and a magnet connected to the closure panel.

3 . The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein
the sensor comprises a proximity sensor.

4 . The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein
the energy harvesting device is a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) array configured to convert vibration energy to electrical energy.

5 . The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein
the storage device is a super capacitor.

6 . The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein
the energy harvesting device, the storage device and the illumination member are disposed in a housing connected to the sill protector.

7 . The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein
the illumination member comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

8 . The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1 , further comprising
a resistor electrically connected to the storage device configured to control a discharge rate of electrical energy from the storage device.

9 . The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein
the vehicle structure is a rear bumper.

10 . The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein
the MEMS array comprises a plurality of piezoelectric sensors.

11 . The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein
the MEMS array includes a plurality of sensors configured to harvest vibration energy from a plurality of frequency ranges.

12 . The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1 , further comprising
an indicator electrically connected to the storage device to indicate a charging status of the storage device.

13 . A self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
a vehicle structure; a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) array connected to the vehicle structure and configured to convert vibration energy to electrical energy, the MEMS array including a plurality of sensors configured to harvest vibration energy from a plurality of frequency ranges; a storage device electrically connected to the MEMS array to store the electrical energy; an illumination member electrically connected to the storage device; and a proximity sensor connected to the MEMS array, the stored electrical energy being supplied to the illumination member by the storage device when activated by the proximity sensor.

14 . The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 13 , further comprising
a resistor electrically connected to the storage device configured to control a discharge rate of electrical energy from the storage device.

15 . The self-powered illumination assembly for a vehicle according to claim 13 , wherein
the MEMS array comprises a plurality of piezoelectric sensors.

16 . A method of illuminating an illumination member of a vehicle, comprising the steps of
harvesting ambient energy with an energy harvesting device and converting the harvested ambient energy to electrical energy; storing the electrical energy in a storage device; sensing movement of a closure panel of the vehicle with a sensor; and supplying the stored electrical energy to the illumination member to illuminate the illumination member when the sensor is activated by movement of the closure panel from a closed position to an open position.

17 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein
the energy harvesting device comprises a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) array configured to harvest vibration energy and convert the harvested vibration energy to electrical energy.

18 . The method according to claim 16 , further comprising
controlling the rate at which the stored electrical energy is supplied to the illumination member.

19 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein
the stored electrical energy is supplied to the illumination member until the storage member is discharged.

20 . The method according to claim 16 , further comprising
stopping the supply of electrical energy to the illumination member when the sensor is activated by movement of the closure panel from the open position to the closed position.

Assignees

• Nissan North America Inc

Inventors

• Johnson Randall
• Sura Bhargav

Classifications

• B60Q3/30

  for compartments other than passenger or driving compartments, e.g. luggage or engine compartments · CPC title

• B60Q3/82 Primary

  Switches specially adapted for vehicle interior lighting, e.g. switching by tilting the lens · CPC title

• B60Q3/217

  Doors, e.g. door sills; Steps · CPC title

• B60Q3/51

  for mounting lighting devices onto vehicle interior, e.g. onto ceiling or floor · CPC title

• H02N2/186

  Vibration harvesters · CPC title