Vehicle illumination systems and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021316656-A1
Application number	US-202117208643-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 22, 2021
Priority date	Mar 8, 2018
Publication date	Oct 14, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

Various implementations of an illumination system include a light guide, a housing having a ceiling and defining a window, and a base coupled to the housing. The light guide is supported between the base and the ceiling. At least one light source is disposed adjacent a first end of the light guide. The light guide transmits the light from the light source through at least a portion of the outer surface of the light guide and the window. One or more tabs extending from the base each define at least one opening, and the at least one opening defined by each tab is alignable with an opening in a spoke portion of a frame. The openings receive a fastener to couple the base to the spoke portion. The housing may be integrally formed with a trim cover coupled to the frame.

First claim

1 - 18 . (canceled)

19 . An illumination system for a steering assembly of a vehicle, the illumination system comprising:
a base; a housing having a ceiling and defining a window that faces an occupant of the vehicle; a light guide having a first surface and a second surface that extend between a first end and a second end of the light guide, the light guide further comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface and outer surface being spaced apart from each other and extending between the first and second ends and the first and second surfaces; and at least one light source disposed adjacent the first end of the light guide, the light source emitting light into the first end of the light guide, wherein:
at least a first portion of the first surface of the light guide is disposed adjacent a surface of the base, and the base is coupled to the housing such that the light guide is disposed within the housing and such that at least a portion of the outer surface of the light guide is adjacent the window and the light guide transmits light from the light source through the portion of the outer surface of the light guide and through the window, and
one or more tabs extend from the base, each tab defines one or more openings, and one or more openings of the one or more tabs are alignable with at least one opening defined by a spoke portion of a frame of the steering assembly for receiving a fastener to couple the base to the spoke portion.

20 . The illumination system of claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a first surface and a second surface that are opposite and spaced apart from each other, the second surface comprising a support surface on which the light guide is disposed.

21 . The illumination system of claim 2 , wherein the second surface further includes a sidewall that extends in a plane that is transverse to the support surface, and a portion of the inner surface of the light guide abuts the sidewall.

22 . The illumination system of claim 2 , wherein the first and second surfaces of the base define at least one opening that extends between the first and second surfaces of the base, and the housing defines at least one opening, wherein the openings in the base and the housing are alignable for receiving a fastener to couple the base and the housing.

23 . The illumination system of claim 2 , wherein the one or more tabs extend from the first surface of the base.

24 . The illumination system of claim 1 , further comprising a lens disposed between the outer surface of the light guide and the window.

25 . The illumination system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more light directing films disposed adjacent the outer surface of the light guide.

26 . The illumination system of claim 1 , wherein:
the base comprises a first end and a second end that are opposite and spaced apart from each other and first and second surfaces that are opposite and spaced apart from each other and extend between the first and second ends, the first end defines at least one opening, the light source comprises a light emitting diode that is coupled to a printed circuit board (PCB), the PCB defining at least one opening, and the openings defined by the first end of the base and the PCB are alignable for receiving a fastener to couple the base and the PCB.

27 . The illumination system of claim 1 , wherein the light guide transmits light through the entire outer surface of the light guide.

28 . The illumination system of claim 1 , wherein the light source is a first light emitting diode, and the system further comprises a second light emitting diode adjacent the second end of the light guide, the second light emitting diode emitting light into the second end of the light guide.

29 . The illumination system of claim 1 , wherein the housing is integrally formed with a trim cover for coupling to a spoke portion of a frame of the steering assembly.

30 . The illumination system of claim 1 , wherein the housing is separately formed from a trim cover for coupling to a spoke portion of a frame of the steering assembly.

31 . The illumination system of claim 1 , wherein the housing and the base are opaque.

32 . The illumination system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light source is coupled to a printed circuit board, and the printed circuit board is coupled to a first end of the base.

33 . The illumination system of claim 1 , wherein the light guide comprises two or more light guide segments, the two or more light guide segments being separately formed, and wherein the at least one light source comprises two or more light sources, each light source being disposed adjacent an end of the respective light guide segment, the light sources being separately controllable for illuminating separately or simultaneously.

34 . The illumination system of claim 15 , wherein adjacent surfaces of the light guide segments abut each other at an interface, and the interface comprises a light blocking material for preventing light from the segments from being emitted into the adjacent segments.

35 . An illumination system for a steering assembly of a vehicle, the illumination system comprising:
a base; a housing having a ceiling and defining a window that faces an occupant of the vehicle; a light guide having a first surface and a second surface that extend between a first end and a second end of the light guide, the light guide further comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface and outer surface being spaced apart from each other and extending between the first and second ends and the first and second surfaces; and at least one light source disposed adjacent the first end of the light guide, the light source emitting light into the first end of the light guide, wherein:
at least a first portion of the first surface of the light guide is disposed adjacent a surface of the base, and the base is coupled to the housing such that the light guide is disposed within the housing and such that at least a portion of the outer surface of the light guide is adjacent the window and the light guide transmits light from the light source through the portion of the outer surface of the light guide and through the window,
the base comprises a first surface and a second surface that are opposite and spaced apart from each other, the second surface comprising a support surface on which the light guide is disposed, and
the second surface further includes a singular sidewall that extends in a plane that is transverse to the support surface, and a portion of the inner surface of the light guide abuts the sidewall.

36 . The illumination system of claim 35 , wherein one or more tabs extend from the base, each tab defines one or more openings, and one or more openings of the one or more tabs are alignable with at least one opening defined by a spoke portion of a frame of the steering assembly for receiving a fastener to couple the base to the spoke portion.

37 . An illumination system for a steering assembly of a vehicle, the illumination system comprising:
a base; a housing having a ceiling and defining a window that faces an occupant of the vehicle; a light guide having a first surface and a second surface that extend between a first end and a second end of the light guide, the light guide further comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface and outer surface being spaced apart from each other and extending between the first and second ends and the first and second surfaces; and

Assignees

• Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition Llc

Inventors

• Lisseman Jason
• Marc Adorian
• Staszak Erick
• Gardner Valerie

Classifications

• B62D1/06 Primary

  Rims, e.g. with heating means; Rim covers (B62D1/11 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60Q3/283 Primary

  Steering wheels; Gear levers · CPC title

• B60Q3/80

  Circuits; Control arrangements (for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47) · CPC title

• B60Q3/62

  using light guides · CPC title

• B62D1/046

  Adaptations on rotatable parts of the steering wheel for accommodation of switches · CPC title