Illuminated running board

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018141486-A1
Application number	US-201615360229-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 23, 2016
Priority date	Nov 23, 2016
Publication date	May 24, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A vehicle includes a running board operable between deployed and undeployed positions. The running board includes a light source. An energy storage device is electrically coupled to the light source. An inductive receiving coil is electrically coupled to the energy storage device. A transmitting coil is positioned proximate an exterior surface of the vehicle. The transmitting coil is configured to transmit a magnetic field to the receiver coil.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A vehicle comprising:
a running board operable between deployed and undeployed positions, the running board comprising:
a light source;
an energy storage device electrically coupled to the light source; and
an inductive receiving coil electrically coupled to the energy storage device; and
a transmitting coil positioned proximate an exterior surface of the vehicle, wherein the transmitting coil is configured to transmit a magnetic field to the receiver coil.

2 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein reception of the magnetic field by the receiving coil generates electrical energy.

3 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the transmitting coil is configured to transmit the magnetic field when the running board is in the undeployed position.

4 . The vehicle of claim 3 , wherein the transmitting coil is configured to not transmit the magnetic field when the running board is in the deployed position.

5 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the energy storage device comprises a battery.

6 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the energy storage device comprises a capacitor.

7 . The vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising:
a rectifier electrically coupled between the inductive receiving coil and the energy storage device.

8 . A vehicle comprising:
a running board operable between deployed and undeployed positions, the running board comprising:
a light source; and
an energy storage device electrically coupled to the light source; and
a wireless charging system comprising a transmitter coil and a receiver coil, wherein the receiver coil is electrically coupled to the energy storage device.

9 . The vehicle of claim 8 , transmitter coil is positioned proximate an exterior surface of the vehicle.

10 . The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the transmitter coil is configured to transmit a magnetic field to the receiver coil.

11 . The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the transmitter coil is configured to transmit the magnetic field when the running board is in the undeployed position.

12 . The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the receiver coil is positioned on the running board.

13 . The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the energy storage device comprises a battery.

14 . The vehicle of claim 8 , further comprising:
a rectifier electrically coupled between the receiver coil and the energy storage device.

15 . A vehicle comprising:
a running board; a light source positioned on the running board; and a wireless charging system configured to power the light source.

16 . The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the wireless power supply comprises a transmitter coil and a receiver coil, the receiver coil electrically coupled with the light source.

17 . The vehicle of claim 16 , further comprising:
an energy storage device electrically coupled with the receiver coil.

18 . The vehicle of claim 17 , wherein the energy storage device is a battery.

19 . The vehicle of claim 18 , further comprising:
a rectifier electrically coupled between the receiver coil and the energy storage device.

20 . The vehicle of claim 19 , wherein the wireless charging system is an induction charging system.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Stinson Scott
• Beilman Mark

Classifications

• H02J7/82

  Control of state of charge [SOC] · CPC title

• F21V23/06

  the elements being coupling devices {, e.g. connectors} · CPC title

• B60Q2900/30

  Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions · CPC title

• H02J7/345

  using capacitors as storage or buffering devices · CPC title

• B60Q2400/40

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