IP Library Granted Patent US 10,155,474
Granted Patent B2
US 10,155,474 · App. 15/086,554 · Granted Dec 18, 2018

Running board illumination system with passive marker light glow

Inventors: Stuart C. Salter (White Lake, MI); Aaron Bradley Johnson (Allen Park, MI); Paul Kenneth Dellock (Northville, MI); James J. Surman (Clinton Township, MI); Terrence Joseph Wilson (Southfield, MI)
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
B60Q1/323B60Q1/0011B60Q1/52B60Q1/34B60Q1/46B60Q2400/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,155,474
App. No.
15/086,554
Granted
Dec 18, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A running board illumination system is provided for a motor vehicle. That running board illumination system includes a first illumination element and an optical lens for directing light emitted by the first illumination element onto a running board of the motor vehicle. That optical lens may further include a fluorescent coating to provide a passive marker light glow when the first illumination element is extinguished.

Claims (15)

1. A running board illumination system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a first illumination element;

an optical lens for directing light emitted by said first illumination element, said optical lens including a fluorescent coating to provide a passive marker light glow; and

a control module configured to control said first illumination element wherein said first illumination element is a light pipe, having a first RGB LED at a first end and a second RGB LED at a second end, and said control module is configured to provide lighting effects from said first RGB LED and said second RGB LED.

2. The running board illumination system of claim 1 , wherein said fluorescent coating is an amber phosphor.

3. The running board illumination system of claim 1 , wherein said control module is further configured to operate said first illumination element as a redundant turn signal.

4. The running board illumination system of claim 1 , wherein said control module is configured to operate said first illumination element as a redundant emergency flasher.

5. The running board illumination system of claim 1 , wherein said control module is configured to operate said first illumination element as a panic mode strobe.

6. The running board illumination system of claim 1 , wherein said control module is configured to operate said first illumination element as a welcome light when an operator approaches said motor vehicle.

7. A running board illumination system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a first illumination element provided adjacent a first door of said motor vehicle;

an optical lens for directing light emitted by said first illumination element, said optical lens including a fluorescent coating to provide a passive marker light glow; and

a second illumination element provided adjacent a second door of said motor vehicle.

8. The running board illumination system of claim 7 , further including a third illumination element adjacent a third door of said motor vehicle and a fourth illumination element adjacent a fourth door of said motor vehicle.

9. The running board illumination system of claim 8 , further including a control module configured to control said first illumination element, said second illumination element, said third illumination element and said fourth illumination element.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 19, 2016
From: SALTER, STUART C.; JOHNSON, AARON BRADLEY; DELLOCK, PAUL KENNETH; SURMAN, JAMES J.; WILSON, TERRENCE JOSEPH
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 038312/0398 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20170282787A1 · Oct 5, 2017
Cited By (6)
US 12,202,438 US 12,291,157 US 12,311,884 US 12,617,335 US 12,686,337 US 12,709,224