Vehicle roof rack system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017334344-A1
Application number	US-201615157971-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 18, 2016
Priority date	May 18, 2016
Publication date	Nov 23, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A vehicle is provided that includes a body defining a roof. A roof rack is operably coupled to the roof through a plurality of mounting features and configured to support cargo. A load cell is positioned on each of the mounting features and configured to sense a load on the roof rack associated with the cargo. A controller is in communication with the load cells and an electronic device and a light source is positioned proximate each of the mounting features. The light source is configured to emit light based on the load sensed by the load cell.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A vehicle comprising:
a body defining a roof; a roof rack operably coupled to the roof through a plurality of mounting features and configured to support cargo; a load cell positioned on each of the mounting features and configured to sense a load on the roof rack associated with the cargo; a controller in communication with the load cells and an electronic device; and a light source positioned proximate each of the mounting features, the light source configured to emit light based on the load sensed by the load cell.

2 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is located external to the vehicle.

3 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to output a signal to the electronic device indicative of the placement of the cargo.

4 . The vehicle of claim 3 , further comprising:
a display positioned within the vehicle, wherein the controller is configured to output the signal to the display indicative of the placement of the cargo.

5 . The vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising:
a wireless transceiver positioned within the mounting feature.

6 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the controller communicates with the electronic device in real time.

7 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to store information about the electronic device.

8 . A vehicle comprising:
a body defining a roof; a roof rack operably coupled to the roof through a mounting feature and configured to support cargo; a load cell positioned on the mounting feature and configured to sense a load on the roof rack; and a controller in communication with the load cell and an electronic device, the controller configured to output a signal to the electronic device indicative of the load placement of the cargo.

9 . The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the electronic device is positioned external to the vehicle.

10 . The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the controller is in communication with an accelerometer within the electronic device.

11 . The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the controller is configured to communicate cargo placement suggestions to the electronic device.

12 . The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the controller is configured to communicate cargo loading instructions to the electronic device.

13 . The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the controller is in electrical communication with at least one of an automatic brake sensor, a steering wheel angle sensor and a vehicle accelerometer.

14 . The vehicle of claim 8 , further comprising:
a light source in communication with the load cell and configured to emit light indicative of the loading of the load cell.

15 . A vehicle comprising:
a body defining a roof; a roof rack operably coupled to the roof through a plurality of mounting features and configured to support cargo; a load cell positioned on the mounting feature and configured to sense a load on the roof rack; and a light source positioned proximate each of the mounting features, the light source configured to emit light based on a load sensed by the load cell.

16 . The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the light source comprises a red-green-blue light emitting diode.

17 . The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the light source is configured to be turned off after a predefined condition occurs.

18 . The vehicle of claim 17 , further comprising:
a controller in communication with the load cell and an electronic device, the controller configured to output a signal to the electronic device indicative of the placement of the cargo.

19 . The vehicle of claim 18 , wherein the electronic device is a mobile communication device.

20 . The vehicle of claim 19 , wherein communication of the electronic device is performed using a Bluetooth low energy transceiver disposed within the mounting feature.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Salter Stuart C
• Surman James J
• Buttolo Pietro
• Dellock Paul Kenneth
• Lobo Harry

Classifications

• G01G23/32

  Indicating the weight by optical projection means · CPC title

• G01G19/12

  having electrical weight-sensitive devices · CPC title

• B60Q2900/30

  Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions · CPC title

• B60R9/04 Primary

  Carriers associated with vehicle roof (B60R9/08 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G08B5/36

  using visible light sources · CPC title