Vehicle lighting assembly using a panel having a light reflecting film

Abstract

A vehicle lighting assembly is provided, which includes a window panel disposed on a vehicle body and a light reflective medium disposed on a surface of the window panel. The vehicle lighting assembly also includes a plurality of lighting assemblies, each lighting assembly including a plurality of light sources arranged to direct light onto the reflective medium to reflect toward different areas in the vehicle interior.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to vehicle lighting and, more particularly, to vehicle interior dome lights and map / reading lighting assemblies. Background Art

[0002] Motor vehicles, such as wheeled vehicles, are often equipped with a plurality of interior lighting devices for illuminating the passenger compartment. For example, motor vehicles often include a dome light that provides illumination when one or more doors are open, thereby providing general area lighting for vehicle occupants entering and exiting the vehicle. Additionally, motor vehicles are often equipped with a plurality of reading lights that provide illumination to enable passengers to read, view maps, and otherwise visually assist. Dome and reading lights are typically affixed to the vehicle's headliner or overhead console and direct light in a fixed direction. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an enhanced lighting assembly that allows for dome and reading lights to provide enhanced functionality to passengers in a vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle lighting assembly is provided, comprising a panel disposed on a vehicle, a light reflecting medium disposed on a surface of the panel, and a plurality of light sources arranged to direct light onto the light reflecting medium for reflection inside the vehicle.

[0004] Embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention may include any one or combination of the following features:

[0005] The panel includes a substantially transparent window;

[0006] The light-reflecting medium is placed in the frit area of ​​the window;

[0007] The windows are located on the roof;

[0008] Light-reflecting media include partially reflective and partially transmissive films;

[0009] The plurality of light sources includes: a first plurality of light sources arranged to direct light from the light-reflective medium to a first area of ​​the vehicle interior; and a second plurality of light sources arranged to direct light from the light-reflective medium to a second, different area of ​​the vehicle interior;

[0010] The first area is a first seating area and the second area is a second seating area; and

[0011] The assembly also includes a capacitive switch for activating the plurality of light sources.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle lighting assembly is provided. The vehicle lighting assembly includes a panel disposed on a vehicle, a light reflecting medium disposed on a surface of the panel, and a plurality of lighting assemblies arranged to direct light onto the light reflecting medium for reflection toward first and second areas of the vehicle interior.

[0013] Embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention may include any one or combination of the following features:

[0014] The panel includes a substantially transparent window;

[0015] The light-reflecting medium is placed in the glass frit area of ​​the window;

[0016] The windows are located on the roof;

[0017] Light-reflecting media include partially reflective and partially transmissive films;

[0018] a plurality of lighting assemblies comprising: a first plurality of light sources arranged to direct light from the light-reflective medium to a first area of ​​the vehicle interior; and a second plurality of light sources arranged to direct light from the light-reflective medium to a second area of ​​the vehicle interior;

[0019] The first area is a first seating area and the second area is a second seating area; and

[0020] The assembly also includes a capacitive switch for activating the plurality of light sources.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle lighting assembly is provided. The vehicle lighting assembly includes a window panel disposed on a vehicle body and a light-reflecting medium disposed on a surface of the window panel. The assembly also includes a first lighting assembly and a second lighting assembly. The first lighting assembly includes a first plurality of light sources arranged to direct light onto the reflective medium for reflection toward a first region of the vehicle interior; the second lighting assembly includes a second plurality of light sources arranged to direct light onto the reflective medium for reflection toward a second region of the vehicle interior.

[0022] Embodiments of the third aspect of the present invention may include any one or combination of the following features:

[0023] The windows are located on the roof;

[0024] The first area is a first seating area, and the second area is a second seating area; and

[0025] The assembly also includes a capacitive switch for activating the plurality of light sources.

[0026] Those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate these and other aspects, objects and features of the present invention through a study of the following specification, claims and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In the attached figure:

[0028] Figure 1 is a top view of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle lighting assembly that reflects light from a window panel mounted to a roof of the vehicle according to one embodiment;

[0029] Figure 2 is a rear view of the interior of the vehicle, further illustrating the vehicle lighting assembly;

[0030] Figure 3 is through Figure 2 A cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 1 shows a lighting assembly;

[0031] Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a lighting assembly relative to a window panel; and

[0032] Figure 5 is a block diagram further illustrating vehicle lighting components and their control. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 According to one embodiment, a vehicle 10 (e.g., a wheeled motor vehicle) is generally shown having a vehicle lighting assembly 30 disposed within a vehicle interior 18. Vehicle 10 generally includes a vehicle interior 18, shown configured as a passenger compartment, including a passenger seating area having a plurality of passenger seats 14, each of which is adapted to accommodate a passenger for seating within vehicle interior 18. Passengers may enter and exit vehicle 10 via side doors 16. Each side door 16 operably engages a dome light input switch that switches state depending on whether door 16 is in an open or closed position and activates dome light illumination when the door is in the open position. Additionally, a user input switch may be disposed on the instrument panel or elsewhere in the vehicle and is generally accessible to the vehicle driver to control the interior dome light, including turning on and off one or more lighting assemblies included in vehicle lighting assembly 30.

[0034] The vehicle 10 also includes a body that generally contains a passenger compartment or vehicle interior 18 and a roof 28 that forms a canopy on the top side of the vehicle interior 18. A trim component, such as the headliner 12, is assembled to the inside of the roof 28. The vehicle 10 also includes a window panel 20 in the form of a substantially transparent window located on the roof 28. The window panel 20 may be a sunroof, according to one embodiment, or a panoramic window, according to another embodiment. The window panel 20 is mounted within an opening formed in the roof 28 and allows light to enter the vehicle 10 and allows passengers to observe the external environment through the window panel 20. The window panel 20 may be a panoramic window that is fixed or movable in the roof 28, or a sunroof that is movable or fixed in the roof between an open and closed position relative to the roof 28. The headliner 12 also has an opening defined by a rim portion 22 that forms a border generally around the perimeter of the window panel 20 on the bottom side. Thus, the rim portion 22 extends around the window panel 20 and is slightly below the window panel 20.

[0035] The vehicle 10 also includes a vehicle lighting assembly 30 located on the roof 28 (particularly within the headliner 12) that utilizes light reflections from the window panels 20 to provide dome and / or reading lights (lamps) to illuminate the interior 18 of the vehicle 10. In the field of vehicle interior lighting, the term "dome light" is considered to be a light that provides general area illumination. The term "reading light" is interchangeable with the term "map light," and both terms are known in the art to provide a more focused light to enable passengers to read and view maps.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle lighting assembly 30 includes four lighting assemblies 30 assembled to the edge portion 22 of the headliner 12 within the interior 18 of the vehicle 10, each lighting assembly 30 oriented to output a light beam toward a different area within the interior 18 of the vehicle 10. The vehicle lighting assembly 30 includes a first lighting assembly 30A configured to direct light toward a first seating area where the driver of the vehicle is expected to be seated. The vehicle lighting assembly 30 also includes a second lighting assembly 30B arranged to direct light toward the front passenger seating area. The vehicle lighting assembly 30 also includes third and fourth lighting assemblies 30C and 30D, each configured to direct light toward the left and right sides, respectively, of the rear passenger seating area of ​​the vehicle 10. It should be understood that the vehicle lighting assembly 30 can include one or more individual lighting assemblies, each having multiple light sources, that can generate and direct light onto the window panel 20 for reflection into one or more areas of the vehicle 10 to provide dome light and / or reading light.

[0037] According to one embodiment, each of the individual lighting assemblies 30A-30D includes Figure 1 and Figure 2 2 and 3. A plurality of light sources 32A-32D are shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2 and are arranged in different portions of the edge portion 22 of the headliner 12. Each lighting assembly 30A-30D has four light sources 32A-32D in the form of light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted in the edge portion 22 of the headliner 12 adjacent to and proximate to the window panel 20 and oriented to direct light onto a light reflective medium on the window panel 20 for reflection toward a desired illumination area. Each light source 32A-32D is located within the edge portion 22 of the headliner 12 and is therefore proximate to the window panel 20. According to one embodiment, light output from the light sources 32A-32D may be reflected off of the light reflective medium on a portion of the window panel 20, preferably proximate to the edge of the window panel 20.

[0038] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , one of the individual lighting assemblies 30D is shown, wherein each light source 32A-32D is disposed behind an optical element 36, which may include a lens array. The optical element 36 may have four individual optical elements 36A-36D in the form of four lenses, each aligned with each light source 32A-32D. The optical elements 36 may fill a majority of the gap between the edge portion 22 of the headliner 12 and the window panel 20 from which light is reflected, and may form a wiper on the window panel 20. Each optical element 36A-36D focuses light from a respective light source 32A-32D onto a light-reflecting medium 26 disposed on a surface of the window panel 24. Thus, according to the illustrated embodiment, the window panel 20 includes a substantially transparent window member 24 (e.g., glass), and an underlying light-reflecting medium 26. According to one embodiment, the light-reflecting medium 26 may include a partially light-transmissive and partially light-reflective medium that allows light to pass through the window panel 20 and reflects light. In one specific embodiment, the light-reflecting medium 26 may include a Kurz film that may be disposed on a portion of the bottom surface of the window panel 20, such as within the frit area near the edge of the window panel 20. According to another embodiment, the Kurz film may extend over the entire bottom surface of the window panel 20. According to other embodiments, it will be understood that other light-reflecting media, such as a white film or a silver film, may be employed on the bottom or top surface of the window panel 20. The light-reflecting medium 26 may be in the form of a vacuum metallized film disposed on the surface of the window panel 20 via an adhesive. When the light-reflecting medium 26 is substantially reflective and transmits little light, it is preferred that the light-reflecting medium 26 only covers a portion of the window panel 20, such as the frit area.

[0039] The illustrated light sources 32A-32D are arranged on a circuit board 34 and positioned to align with corresponding optical elements 36A-36D. When light is illuminated by each light source 32A-32D, it is focused by the respective optical element 36A-36D onto a portion of the light-reflecting medium 26 on the surface of the window panel 20 and redirected, via light reflection, to an illuminated area within the vehicle interior 18. Each individual lighting assembly 30A-30D is positioned and aligned with the window panel 20 to direct light to a different illuminated area where passengers in the vehicle are intended to be seated. Each individual lighting assembly 30A-30D is individually controlled to illuminate a different illuminated area. By using multiple light sources 32A-32D aligned with multiple optical elements 36A-36D, increased light output is spread out to provide a lower-contrast beam with less glare. The LEDs forming the light sources 32A-32D can be aligned and connected in series to spread the light and heat generated thereby. It should be understood that other numbers of one or more light sources may be employed.

[0040] Each individual lighting assembly 30A-30D, for example Figure 3 and 4 The assembly 30D shown in FIG. 1 also includes an optical input proximity switch in the form of a capacitive switch 44, shown located on the underside of the circuit board 34. The capacitive switch 44 generates an activation field that extends through the area of ​​the headliner 12 that provides the touchpad and operates to activate the light sources 32A-32D to turn the corresponding lighting assemblies 30A-30D on and off. Additionally, a backlight 38 is located on the underside of the circuit board 34 and directs light rearward through an opening 40 and through a thin layer of fabric 42 in the headliner 12 to illuminate a light switch indicator at or near the touchpad. The surface of the fabric 42 forming the touchpad near the opening 40 in the headliner 12 can include pad printing, such as a logo or text using a long-lasting phosphor. When a blue LED is used as the light source 38, the long-lasting phosphor emits light to provide light illumination for the touchpad of the capacitive switch 44. The fabric surface 42 covering the opening 40 can also act as a light diffuser to diffuse the indicator light. A passenger in vehicle 10 can readily see the light switch input touchpad on fabric surface 42 and can activate capacitive switch 44 to turn the corresponding lighting assembly on or off by placing a finger in contact with or near the pad surface and, therefore, in contact with or near capacitive switch 44. It should be understood that lighting assemblies 30A-30C can be similarly configured similar to assembly 30D.

[0041] refer to Figure 5, the vehicle lighting assembly 30 is generally shown as having control circuitry for controlling the individual lighting assemblies 30A-30D. The vehicle lighting assembly 30 includes a controller 50, which may include a microprocessor or other analog and / or digital control circuitry. The controller 50 can receive a signal from each capacitive switch 44 as a user input to activate or deactivate one or more of the individual lighting assemblies 30A-30D to turn them on or off to produce reading lights and / or dome lights. In addition, a door open signal 46 is input to the controller 50. When a door is sensed to be open, the controller 50 can simultaneously activate all lighting assemblies 30A-30D to operate as dome lights. In addition, a dome light / reading light switch 48 can be installed on the vehicle to allow the user to activate at least one or all of the lighting assemblies 30A-30D. The controller 50 processes each input and generates an output to control the activation of each individual lighting assembly 30A-30D.

[0042] Thus, it should be understood that when a vehicle door is opened or a user activates a dome light switch input, the vehicle lighting assembly 30 can operate as a dome light. Additionally, each lighting assembly 30A-30D can be individually selected to provide reading lights within each desired lighting zone. This can include the user activating a capacitive switch corresponding to the desired lighting assembly to turn the lighting assembly on or off to illuminate an area of ​​the vehicle interior. Other lighting assemblies can similarly be turned on and off to illuminate different lighting zones within the vehicle interior.

[0043] It will be appreciated that the vehicle lighting assembly 30 advantageously utilizes a window panel (e.g., a sunroof) having a light reflective medium 26 to reflect light toward a dedicated lighting area. It will be appreciated that other window panels, such as door windows and windshields, having a reflective medium in the frit area or elsewhere on the window panel to reflect light toward a dedicated lighting area may be employed.

[0044] It should be understood that any described process or steps in a described process can be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as limiting.

Claims

1. A vehicle lighting assembly, comprising: A panel disposed on a roof of a vehicle; a roof lining disposed on the vehicle roof; A light reflecting medium disposed on the surface of the panel; as well as A plurality of light sources are disposed in an edge portion of the headliner and spaced apart below the panel to direct light directly onto the light reflective medium for specular reflection for reflection within the vehicle interior.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the panel comprises a substantially transparent window.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the light reflecting medium is disposed within a frit region of the window.

4. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the window is located in the vehicle roof.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the light reflective medium comprises a partially reflective and partially transmissive film.

6. A component according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the plurality of light sources includes a first plurality of light sources and a second plurality of light sources, the first plurality of light sources being arranged to direct light from the light reflecting medium into a first area of ​​the vehicle interior, and the second plurality of light sources being arranged to direct light from the light reflecting medium to a different second area of ​​the vehicle interior.

7. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The first area is a first seating area, and the second area is a second seating area.

8. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a capacitive switch for activating the plurality of light sources.

9. A vehicle lighting assembly comprising: A panel disposed on a roof of a vehicle; a roof lining disposed on the vehicle roof; A light reflecting medium disposed on the surface of the panel; as well as A plurality of lighting assemblies are disposed in an edge portion of the headliner and spaced apart beneath the panel to be arranged to direct light directly onto the light reflective medium for specular reflection to be reflected toward first and second areas of the vehicle interior.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the panel comprises a substantially transparent window.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the light reflecting medium is disposed within a frit region of the window.

12. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the window is located in the vehicle roof.

13. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the light reflective medium comprises a partially reflective and partially transmissive film.

14. A component according to any one of claims 9-13, wherein the plurality of lighting components include a first group of multiple light sources and a second group of multiple light sources, the first group of multiple light sources is arranged to guide light from the light reflecting medium to the first area of ​​the vehicle interior, and the second group of multiple light sources is arranged to guide light from the reflective medium to the second area of ​​the vehicle interior.

15. The assembly of claim 9, further comprising a capacitive switch for activating the plurality of light sources.

16. A vehicle lighting assembly comprising: Window panels set into the roof of the vehicle; a light reflecting medium disposed on a surface of the window panel; a roof lining disposed on the vehicle roof; a first lighting assembly including a first plurality of light sources disposed in an edge portion of the headliner and spaced below the panel to direct light directly onto the light reflective medium for specular reflection toward a first area of ​​the vehicle interior; as well as A second lighting assembly includes a second plurality of light sources disposed in the edge portion of the headliner and spaced below the panel to direct light directly onto the light reflective medium for reflection toward a second area of ​​the vehicle interior.

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