Interior side marker

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9758090-B1
Application number	US-201715449267-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Mar 3, 2017
Priority date	Mar 3, 2017
Publication date	Sep 12, 2017
Grant date	Sep 12, 2017

Abstract

A vehicle includes a seat assembly having a seatback and a seat base. A side marker is positioned on the seat base. A light assembly is configured to emit light toward the side marker. The side marker emits light to an exterior of the vehicle when the vehicle is in a doors off configuration.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An illumination system for a vehicle, comprising:
a seat assembly comprising a seatback and a seat base;
a side marker positioned on the seat base; and
a light assembly separately disposed from the side marker and configured to emit light toward the side marker, wherein the side marker emits light to an exterior of the vehicle when the vehicle is in a doors off configuration.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the side marker comprises a photoluminescent structure configured to be excited by the light from the light assembly.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the light assembly comprises a printed light source.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the light assembly is positioned between the side marker and the seat base.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the light assembly is positioned on a side mirror.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the side mirror is positioned on an A-pillar.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the side marker is positioned on an outboard surface of the seat assembly.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the side marker emits light into a foot well of the vehicle.

9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an auxiliary side marker positioned on a door sill.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the side marker is configured to emit light onto the auxiliary side marker.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the photoluminescent structures comprises a phosphorescent material.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the side marker is configured to emit light onto a door of the vehicle when the vehicle is in a doors on configuration.

13. A vehicle, comprising:
a seat assembly comprising a seatback and a seat base; and
a side marker positioned on the seat base comprising:
a light assembly; and
a photoluminescent structure positioned on the light assembly, wherein the photoluminescent structure is configured to emit light into a foot well of the vehicle, further wherein the side marker is configured to charge a door indicator on a vehicle door.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the side marker emits light to an exterior of the vehicle when the vehicle is in a doors off configuration.

15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the light assembly comprises a printed light source.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the light assembly is positioned between the side marker and the seat base.

17. A method of operating a vehicle, comprising:
removing a door of a vehicle such that the vehicle is in a doors off configuration;
charging a photoluminescent structure within a side marker positioned on a seat assembly from a separately disposed light assembly on the vehicle; and
emitting light from the side marker toward an exterior of the vehicle.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising the step of:
emitting light from the side marker into a foot well of the vehicle.

19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising the step of:
emitting a puddle lamp onto a ground beneath the vehicle from the side marker.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Salter Stuart C
• Dellock Paul Kenneth
• Musleh Michael A
• Gardner Cornel Lewis

Classifications

• B60Q1/247

  for illuminating the close surroundings of the vehicle, e.g. to facilitate entry or exit (for reverse drive B60Q1/22; by opening a side door B60Q1/323) · CPC title

• B60Q3/233 Primary

  Seats; Arm rests; Head rests · CPC title

• B60Q1/323 Primary

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

• B60Q1/24

  for lighting other areas than only the way ahead · CPC title

• B60R1/06

  mounted on vehicle exterior {(B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence)} · CPC title