Exit warning system for a motor vehicle having a sliding door

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016207448-A1
Application number	US-201514600938-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 20, 2015
Priority date	Jan 20, 2015
Publication date	Jul 21, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An exit warning system is provided for a motor vehicle having a sliding door. That exit warning system includes a sliding door status sensor, a projector and a warning signal. The warning signal is projected by the projector onto pavement laterally adjacent a motor vehicle when the sliding door is opened in order to warn oncoming drivers that someone could potentially be leaving the vehicle through the open sliding door.

First claim

1 . An exit warning system for a motor vehicle having a sliding door, comprising:
a sliding door status sensor; a projector; and a warning signal projected by said projector onto pavement laterally adjacent the motor vehicle when the sliding door is open.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said warning signal is an icon.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein said icon is an animated image.

4 . The system of claim 1 , further including a controller configured to activate said projector to project said warning signal upon receiving a signal from said sliding door status sensor indicating that the sliding door is open.

5 . The system of claim 4 , further including an actuator connected to said controller for manually activating and deactivating said projector.

6 . The system of claim 5 , further including a speed sensor, said controller configured to deactivate said projector upon receiving a signal from said speed sensor indicating that the motor vehicle is exceeding a threshold ground speed.

7 . The system of claim 4 , further including a speed sensor, said controller configured to deactivate said projector upon receiving a signal from said speed sensor indicating that the motor vehicle is exceeding a threshold ground speed.

8 . The system of claim 7 , further including a warning light on said sliding door.

9 . The system of claim 1 , further including a warning light on said sliding door.

10 . A method of alerting a driver of a first vehicle to a potential of an individual exiting an open sliding door of a second vehicle, comprising:
detecting opening of said sliding door; and projecting a warning signal onto pavement beside the second vehicle outside said open sliding door after detecting opening of said sliding door.

11 . The method of claim 10 , including using an icon as said warning signal.

12 . The method of claim 11 , including using an animated icon as said warning signal.

13 . (canceled)

14 . The method of claim 10 , including confirming said second vehicle is stationary before projecting said warning signal onto said pavement.

15 . The method of claim 10 , further including flashing a warning light on said sliding door when it is open.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Galicia Badillo Juan Manuel

Classifications

• B60J5/06

  slidable; foldable · CPC title

• B60Q2400/40

  Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle · CPC title

• B60Q2400/50

  Projected symbol or information, e.g. onto the road or car body · CPC title

• B60Q1/323 Primary

  on or for doors (illuminated exterior door handles B60Q1/2669; illuminated door locks E05B17/10) · CPC title

• B60Q1/324 Primary

  for signalling that a door is open or intended to be opened · CPC title