IP Library Granted Patent US 10,137,825
Granted Patent B1
US 10,137,825 · App. 15/722,059 · Granted Nov 27, 2018

Vehicle lamp assembly

Inventors: Stuart C. Salter (White Lake, MI); Paul Kenneth Dellock (Northville, MI); Ulrich Stuhec (Ann Arbor, MI); Keith Hoelscher (Northville, MI); Stephen Kenneth Helwig (Farmington Hills, MI)
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
B60Q1/2665B60Q1/0023B60Q1/24B60R1/1207F21S43/14F21S43/235B60R2001/1223
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,137,825
App. No.
15/722,059
Granted
Nov 27, 2018
Kind
B1
Abstract

A vehicle mirror assembly is provided herein. The mirror assembly includes a first light source disposed within a housing and is operably coupled with a first light output window disposed on an outboard portion of the housing. A door ajar sensor is disposed within a vehicle. Emitted light is emanated from the first light output window through a window of the vehicle when the door ajar sensor detects a vehicle door is in an open position.

Claims (36)

1. A lamp assembly, comprising:

a first light source disposed within a housing and operably coupled with a first light output window disposed on an outboard portion of the housing, the first light source configured to direct light through the first light output window and through a side window of a vehicle;

a second light source disposed within the housing and positioned substantially perpendicular to the first light source and configured to direct light through a bottom portion of the housing; and

a door ajar sensor operably coupled with the first light source, wherein emitted light is emanated from the first light output window through a window of the vehicle when the door ajar sensor detects a door is open.

2. The lamp assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first light source is illuminated when the door is rotated beyond a predefined magnitude of rotation.

3. The lamp assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:

a light guide optically coupling the first light source with the light output window.

4. The lamp assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second light source is configured to emit light towards a ground surface proximate the vehicle.

5. The lamp assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:

a third light source configured to emit light towards a body component of the vehicle.

6. The lamp assembly of claim 5 , wherein the body component includes a luminescent structure therein, the luminescent structure configured to luminesce upon receiving emitted light from the third light source.

7. The lamp assembly of claim 5 , wherein the first, second, and third light sources are all disposed on a common printed circuit board.

8. The lamp assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:

a second light output window disposed on an outboard portion of the housing, wherein emitted light is emanated from the second light output window through a rear window of the vehicle when the door ajar sensor detects a rear door is open.

9. The lamp assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:

a light guide optically coupling the first light source with the light output window.

10. The lamp assembly of claim 1 , wherein the window includes a light-diffusing element in a portion thereof.

11. The lamp assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:

a heatsink disposed within the housing and configured to capture at least a portion of heat generated by the first light source.

12. The lamp assembly of claim 11 , wherein the heat transferred from the heatsink is configured to warm a reflective element within the housing.

13. A lamp assembly, comprising:

a light source disposed on an opposing side of a reflective element from a pivot assembly and operably coupled with a light output window positioned vertically above the at least a portion of the pivot assembly; and

a door ajar sensor operably coupled with the light source, wherein light is emanated through a front window of an open front door and through a rear window of an open rear door.

14. The lamp assembly of claim 13 , further comprising:

a heatsink disposed within the housing and configured to capture at least a portion of heat generated by the light source.

15. The lamp assembly of claim 13 , further comprising:

a light guide optically coupling the light source with the light output window.

16. A vehicle, comprising:

a first light output window disposed on a housing; and

a second light output window disposed below the first light output window and vertically above at least a portion of a mirror bracket, wherein light is emanated from the first light output window through a first window when a first door is open and from the second light output window through a second window when a second door is open.

17. The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the first and second light output windows are operably coupled with a light source.

18. The vehicle of claim 17 , further comprising:

a door ajar sensor is configured to detect a magnitude of rotation of the first and second doors.

19. The vehicle of claim 18 , wherein the light source is illuminated when the first or second door is opened beyond a predefined magnitude of rotation.

20. The vehicle of claim 16 , further comprising:

a heatsink disposed within the housing and configured to capture at least a portion of heat generated by the first light source.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 2, 2017
From: SALTER, STUART C.; DELLOCK, PAUL KENNETH; STUHEC, ULRICH; HOELSCHER, KEITH; HELWIG, STEPHEN KENNETH
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 043751/0006 →
Cited By (3)
US 12,263,788 US 12,498,102 US 12,601,471