VEHICLE LIGHTING ASSEMBLY HAVING RETRACTABLE COVER PROVIDING A LIGHTED IMAGE
A vehicle lighting assembly configured as a headlamp is provided. The vehicle lighting assembly includes a housing defining a light output window and a light source arranged to direct light through the light output window. The vehicle lighting assembly also includes a retractable cover actuatable between open and closed positions. The cover covers the light output window in the closed position to define a light image pattern for light output.
1 . A vehicle lighting assembly comprising:
a housing defining a light output window;
a light source arranged to direct light through the light output window; and
a retractable cover actuatable between an open position exposing the light output window and a closed position covering the light output window to define a lighted image pattern.
2 . The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lighting assembly is used as a headlamp and the housing comprises a bezel that defines the light output window.
3 . The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the retractable cover comprises first and second pivoting doors that pivot between the open position and the closed position.
4 . The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 3 , wherein the first and second doors overlap along an edge in the closed position.
5 . The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises a projector lamp.
6 . The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cover has one or more image defining openings defining a shape of the lighted image pattern.
7 . The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the retractable cover is actuated by an actuator.
8 . The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 7 , wherein the retractable cover is spring biased by a spring and is actuated by the actuator.
9 . The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 8 , wherein the spring biases the cover to the closed position, and wherein the actuator actuates the cover to the open position.
10 . The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 1 further comprising a light ring disposed within the housing for generating light when the cover is in the closed position.
11 . The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 10 further comprising a switch actuatable by the cover in one of the open and closed positions to activate the light ring when the cover is in the closed position.
12 . A vehicle headlamp assembly comprising:
a bezel defining a light output window;
a light source arranged to direct light through the window;
a retractable cover actuatable between an open position and a closed position covering the window to define a lighted image pattern; and
an actuator for actuating the retractable cover between the open and closed positions.
13 . The vehicle headlamp assembly of claim 12 , wherein the retractable cover comprises first and second pivoting doors that pivot between the open position and the closed position.
14 . The vehicle headlamp assembly of claim 13 , wherein the first and second doors overlap along an edge in the closed position.
15 . The vehicle headlamp assembly of claim 12 , wherein the light source comprises a projector lamp.
16 . The vehicle headlamp assembly of claim 12 , wherein the cover has one or more image defining openings.
17 . The vehicle headlamp assembly of claim 12 , wherein the retractable cover is spring biased by a spring.
18 . The vehicle headlamp assembly of claim 17 , wherein the spring biases the cover to the closed position, and wherein the actuator opens the cover when energized.
19 . The vehicle headlamp assembly of claim 12 further comprising a light ring disposed within the housing for generating light in the closed position.
20 . The vehicle headlamp assembly of claim 19 further comprising a switch actuatable by the cover in one of the open and closed positions to activate the light ring when the cover is in the closed position.