Luminescent vehicle molding

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016258591-A1
Application number	US-201615006648-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 26, 2016
Priority date	Mar 6, 2015
Publication date	Sep 8, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A lighting apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The lighting apparatus comprises a cover portion mounted to a body panel and forming an opening extending along a perimeter of the body panel. The apparatus further comprises at least one light source disposed within the opening and configured to emit light outward through the opening. A reflective portion is disposed proximate the opening. The light is projected from the reflective portion to illuminate a region proximate the vehicle.

First claim

1 . A lighting apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:
a cover portion mounted to a body panel and forming an opening extending along a perimeter of the body panel; at least one light source disposed within the opening and configured to emit light outward through the opening; and a reflective portion disposed proximate the opening, wherein the light is projected from the reflective portion to illuminate a region proximate the vehicle.

2 . The lighting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the cover portion corresponds to a molding portion.

3 . The lighting apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the molding portion comprises a carrier disposed between the cover portion and the body panel, the carrier having an exposed portion configured to luminesce in response to the light from the light source.

4 . The lighting apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the molding portion extends substantially around a perimeter of the vehicle illuminating the region.

5 . The lighting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the reflective portion corresponds to a reflective strip extending substantially coextensive to the cover portion.

6 . The lighting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the reflective portion corresponds to a layer of reflective material disposed on a surface of the panel.

7 . The lighting apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the reflective material corresponds to a reflective paint disposed on the panel configured to reflect the light to illuminate the region proximate the vehicle.

8 . A monitoring system for a vehicle, comprising:
a lighting apparatus comprising:
a cover portion proximate a perimeter of a body panel; and
a light source concealed by the cover portion and configured to output an emission; and
an imaging device configured to capture a field of view; and a controller in communication with the imaging device and the light source, wherein the controller is configured to:
receive image data from the imaging device; and
control the light source to illuminate a region proximate the vehicle with the emission, the region corresponding to the field of view.

9 . The monitoring system according to claim 8 , wherein the imaging device corresponds to a plurality of imaging devices configured to capture the image data corresponding to a panoramic scene extending at least 180 degrees around the vehicle.

10 . The monitoring system according to claim 9 , wherein the light source corresponds to a plurality of light sources extending around a belt-line of the vehicle.

11 . The monitoring system according to claim 10 , wherein the controller is configured to selectively activate a portion of the light sources corresponding to one or more of the fields of view of the imaging devices.

12 . The monitoring system according to claim 8 , further comprising a reflective portion disposed on the body panel proximate the cover portion.

13 . The monitoring system according to claim 12 , wherein the emission is projected from the reflective portion to illuminate the region proximate the vehicle.

14 . The monitoring system according to claim 8 , wherein the cover portion forms an opening extending along the perimeter of the body panel and the light source is configured to output the emission through the opening.

15 . The monitoring system according to claim 8 , further comprising
a carrier disposed between the cover portion and the body panel, the carrier having an exposed portion configured to luminesce in response to the emission from the light source.

16 . A lighting system of a vehicle configured to illuminate a field of view of an imaging system comprising:
a cover portion at least partially covering a seam of a body panel of the vehicle; a carrier disposed between the cover portion and the body panel, the carrier having an exposed portion configured to luminesce in response to a light excitation; and at least one light source configured to emit light for exciting the exposed portion.

17 . The molding according to claim 16 , wherein the carrier is arranged as an optical waveguide and is injection molded to the molding.

18 . The molding according to claim 16 , wherein the at least one light source is disposed on a flex circuit snapably engaged to the carrier.

19 . The molding according to claim 16 , wherein the body panel corresponds to a plurality of body panels comprising at least a side panel and a rear panel and the molding extends along the plurality of body panels.

20 . The molding according to claim 16 , wherein the at least one light source comprises a plurality of light source configured to selectively illuminate a portion of a region proximate to and extending around the vehicle.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Salter Stuart C
• Surman James J
• Dellock Paul Kenneth
• Maciuca Dragos
• Walawender Chester Stanislaus

Classifications

• F21S43/16

  Light sources where the light is generated by photoluminescent material spaced from a primary light generating element · CPC title

• B60Q1/44

  for indicating braking action {or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal} · CPC title

• B60Q1/26

  the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic · CPC title

• B60Q2400/40

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

• B60Q2400/20

  Multi-color single source or LED matrix, e.g. yellow blinker and red brake lamp generated by single lamp · CPC title