Illuminated door open warning for portal doors

Abstract

Warning system for a vehicle, which includes the following: a vehicle door-mounted external illuminated signal (206); a door-open indicator (204) associated with the vehicle door (212); and a control (202) designed to actuate the external illuminated signal (206) to emit light in a selected from the multitude of operating modes, wherein the controller (202), upon receiving a signal from the door-open indicator (204), activates the external illuminated signal (206) in a basic operating mode, wherein the controller (202), upon receiving both a signal from the door-open indicator (204) and a signal from a vehicle navigation system (208), activates the external illuminated signal (206) in a different operating mode, wherein the signal from the vehicle navigation system (208) indicates that the vehicle is positioned adjacent to a road, wherein the other operating mode is an enhanced visibility operating mode which differs from the plurality of operating modes in an intensity and / or pattern and / or color of the light emitted by the door-mounted external illuminated signal (206), and wherein the control unit (202) is further designed to activate a vehicle emergency indicator system (210) when receiving the signal from the navigation system (208).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This disclosure relates generally to motor vehicle doors and, more particularly, to an illuminating door open warning signal for portal door designs. BACKGROUND

[0002] Multiple safety features are provided with modern motor vehicles. One such feature is a door-mounted warning indicator, which is provided on the rear inside surface of a front-hinged vehicle door. Examples of such warning indicators include reflectors, interior lights, etc. As described in Fig. 1A, the door-mounted warning indicators 16 become visible for oncoming traffic T, thereby increasing safety when a vehicle 10 stops near a road R very close with the vehicle doors 12, 14 open to the road R.

[0003] Portal or rear-hinged door designs are popular in certain vehicle types due to their improved side design and easy passenger entry / exit. However, with such door designs, conventional warning signals such as door reflectors, interior lights, etc., are essentially nonfunctional because they cannot be seen by traffic approaching the vehicle from behind. As in Fig. 1B in one of the Fig. 1A, where a vehicle 10 is stopped near a road R and a rear-hinged door 18 is opened, a conventional door-mounted warning indicator 16 cannot be seen by oncoming traffic T.

[0004] US 2008 / 0 290 668 A1 discloses a device for opening and closing a vehicle door with control means for detecting the intention of a person.

[0005] Accordingly, a technical need is identified for improved warning indicators for use with vehicle doors. To address this and other problems, the present disclosure relates to a door-mounted warning system. Advantageously, the described system includes a door-mounted warning indicator operable in a variety of modes, including an enhanced visibility mode when it is determined that the vehicle is positioned adjacent to a public roadway. SUMMARY

[0006] In accordance with the purposes and advantages described herein, in one aspect, a warning system for a vehicle is described that includes a vehicle door-mounted exterior illuminable signal, a door open indicator associated with the vehicle door, and a controller configured to actuate the exterior illuminable signal to emit light in a selected one of a plurality of operating modes. The plurality of operating modes may differ from one another in the intensity, pattern, and / or color of the light emitted by the door-mounted exterior illuminable signal. The controller, upon receiving a signal from the door open indicator, actuates the exterior illuminable signal in a base operating mode.Upon receiving both a signal from the door open indicator and a signal from a vehicle navigation system, the controller actuates the exterior illuminable signal in a heightened visibility operating mode that differs from the base operating mode. The door open indicator may be a door ajar sensor and / or a door release switch.

[0007] In embodiments, the vehicle door is a rear-hinged door. In other embodiments, the illuminable signal may be associated with a handle of the door. In still other embodiments, the signal from the vehicle navigation system indicates that the vehicle is positioned adjacent to a road. In still other embodiments, the controller may be configured to actuate a vehicle emergency indicator system upon receiving the signal from the navigation system.

[0008] In another aspect, a warning system for a vehicle is described, including a vehicle door-mounted exterior illuminable signal, a door ajar indicator associated with the vehicle door, a vehicle navigation system, and a controller configured to actuate the exterior illuminable signal to emit light upon receiving a signal from the door ajar indicator and / or the navigation system in a selected one of a plurality of operating modes. The plurality of operating modes may differ from one another in the intensity, pattern, and / or color of the light emitted by the door-mounted exterior illuminable signal. The controller actuates the exterior illuminable signal in an enhanced visibility operating mode upon receiving both a signal from the door ajar indicator and a signal from the vehicle navigation system.The door open indicator can be a door ajar sensor and / or a door release switch.

[0009] In embodiments, the vehicle door is a rear-hinged door. In other embodiments, the illuminable signal may be associated with a handle of the door. In still other embodiments, the signal from the vehicle navigation system indicates that the vehicle is positioned adjacent to a road. In still other embodiments, the controller may be configured to actuate a vehicle emergency indicator system upon receiving the signal from the navigation system.

[0010] In the following description, embodiments of the disclosed door-mounted warning system are shown and described. It should be understood that the system is capable of other embodiments, and that its several details are susceptible to modification in various obvious respects without departing from the apparatus and methods set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawing figures, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate various aspects of the disclosed door-mounted illuminated warning signal and, together with the description, serve to explain certain principles of the invention. In the drawings: Fig. 1A illustrates a state-of-the-art vehicle door-mounted warning indicator; Fig. Figure 1B illustrates an alternative embodiment of the vehicle door-mounted warning indicator of Fig. 1A; Fig. 2 illustrates a door-mounted warning system according to the present disclosure; and Fig. 3 illustrates a vehicle door incorporating an illuminable warning signal according to the present disclosure; Fig. 4 shows a vehicle using the door-mounted warning system of Fig. 2 includes; and Fig. Figure 5 shows in the form of a flow chart the operation of the system according to Fig. 2.

[0012] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosed cargo space assembly, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] As summarized above, the present disclosure describes a door-mounted warning system for a vehicle. Initially, although the disclosure primarily describes the system in the context of a handle of a rear-hinged vehicle door, those skilled in the art will recognize that the described structures may be modified for placement with other parts of a vehicle door and with other types of vehicle doors. Therefore, the descriptions are not to be considered limiting.

[0014] Fig. Figure 2 provides a graphical representation of a door-mounted warning system 200 according to the present description. As shown therein, the system 200 includes a controller 202 in operative communication with a variety of vehicle systems, including, as shown, one or more door open indicators 204, one or more vehicle door-mounted exterior illuminable signals 206, a vehicle navigation system 208, and a vehicle emergency or hazard warning system 210. As is known, the vehicle emergency or hazard warning system 210 includes one or more actuatable lamps, typically emitting an amber light, which, when actuated, flash periodically to indicate a hazardous situation.

[0015] A variety of controllers 202 are contemplated for use herein. In one embodiment, the controller is the vehicle body control module (BCM), which is known to be an electronic control unit responsible for monitoring and controlling various electronic accessories in a vehicle body. Typically, the BCM controls various functionalities of a vehicle, such as power windows, power mirrors, air conditioning, immobilizer, central locking, etc.

[0016] Likewise, numerous suitable vehicle navigation systems 208 are known and contemplated for use herein. At a basic level, a vehicle navigation system 208 utilizes a suitable geographic positioning system, such as a satellite-based Global Positioning System (GPS) or other satellite navigation device, to obtain the geographic coordinates of a vehicle and map them to a location on a road, such as an address, etc. Other navigation devices, such as various powertrain sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, etc., may be included with the navigation system 208 to supplement and enhance the reliability of the system in the event of a temporary failure of the satellite-based technology.

[0017] Various door open indicators 204 are known in the art and contemplated for use herein. In one embodiment, the door open indicator 204 is a door ajar sensor, which is known to indicate a door open status by means of a mechanical or electronic switch that, upon breaking a contact and opening an electronic circuit, outputs a signal to the controller indicating that the door associated with the door ajar sensor has been opened. In another embodiment, the door open indicator is a door release switch associated with an electronic door lock and / or an automatic door. Upon user actuation of the door release switch, a signal is output to the controller indicating that the door associated with the door release switch has been commanded to open.

[0018] Fig. 3 shows a vehicle door 212 including a vehicle door-mounted exterior illuminable signal 206 according to the present disclosure. As shown, the illuminable signal 206 is associated with a handle 214 of the door, although mounting of the signal 206 elsewhere is contemplated. It is understood that the exterior illuminable signal 206 may comprise any suitable light source, including a light-emitting diode (LED), a printed LED, a fiber optic, a light pipe, an incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, a fluorescent lamp, and / or others. Again, the illuminable signal 206 may be configured in any desired shape, including, as shown, a stripe, an arrow, etc.

[0019] It should also be understood that the illuminable signal 206 may be configured to emit light in various operating modes that may differ in the intensity of the emitted light, the emitted light pattern, the emitted light color, and / or other factors. Mechanisms for achieving these differences in emitted light are well known. For example, the light intensity emitted by LEDs, for example, may be varied by changing the number of LEDs actuated, by changing a voltage supplied to the LEDs, etc. Changing an emitted light pattern may be achieved by sequentially actuating a plurality of LEDs in a predetermined pattern to create an appearance of movement / animation.The color of the emitted light can be changed by using LEDs that emit different colored light, by placing a suitable color filter, such as a colored substrate or a photoluminescent dye, over a light source, and others.

[0020] Operation of the door-mounted warning system 200 according to the present specification will now be described. Fig. Figure 4 illustrates a vehicle 400 equipped with the system 200 parked adjacent to a road R, for example, on the shoulder of the road R. Road-adjacent doors of the vehicle 400 are open, such as a front-hinged driver-side door 402, including a conventional reflector 16, as in Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B, and a rear-hinged rear door 404. The door 404 contains the Fig. 3, which is associated with the handle of the door 404. As in the description of Fig. 2, a controller 202 is operatively associated with the illuminable signal 206, with a vehicle navigation system 208, with a door open indicator 204, and with a vehicle emergency or hazard warning system 210.

[0021] Fig. 5 illustrates in flowchart form the operation of the warning system 200. At step 502, the opening of a vehicle door 404, as in Fig. 4, the door open indicator 204, causing it to send a signal to the controller 202 at step 504. Upon receiving the signal from the door open indicator 204, the controller 202 queries the vehicle navigation system 208 at step 506. If the vehicle navigation system 208 determines that the position of the vehicle is not adjacent to a road, for example, that the vehicle is parked some distance from the road in a parking lot or driveway, the controller causes the illuminable signal 206 to operate in a basic mode of operation (step 508), emitting light at a first intensity and / or pattern and / or color. For example, the signal 206 may emit light at the first intensity without flashing. Alternatively, the emitted light may be a first color, such as amber. Of course, combinations of light intensity and / or patterns and / or color are possible for the basic operating mode.

[0022] If the vehicle navigation system 208 determines that the position of the vehicle is adjacent to a road, for example, as in Fig.4, on an edge strip, the controller 202 causes the illuminable signal 206 to operate in another mode of operation, such as an enhanced visibility mode of operation (step 510), in which light is emitted at a second intensity and / or pattern and / or color that is different from that of the base mode of operation. For example, the signal 206 may emit light at a second intensity that is greater than the first intensity. The signal 206 may emit light in a flashing or periodic pattern or by sequentially activating LEDs to create an appearance of animation, as described above. Alternatively, the emitted light may be of a second color that is different from the first color, such as red. Of course, combinations of light intensity and / or patterns and / or color are possible and contemplated herein for the enhanced visibility mode of operation.

[0023] Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, other user-selected or automatic modes of operation could be provided for the described illuminable signal 206 to provide increased or decreased intensity, pattern, and / or color of the emitted light. As non-limiting examples, switches or other dedicated actuators could be provided to allow the user to select between the modes described above or other modes of operation, such as the standard mode of operation, the enhanced visibility mode of operation, a "stealth mode" in which the warning system 200 is blocked, and others. Alternatively, the user could select a mode of operation in which the enhanced visibility mode of operation is actuated but the vehicle hazard warning system 210 is not.Furthermore, the controller 202 could be configured to receive a signal from a daylight sensor of known configuration, whereby if the daylight sensor indicates a sufficient amount of ambient light, the system 200 will not be activated by the controller.

[0024] All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and legally entitled.

Claims

[1] Warning system for a vehicle comprising: a vehicle door-mounted external illuminable signal (206); a door open indicator (204) associated with the vehicle door (212); and a controller (202) configured to actuate the external illuminable signal (206) to emit light in a selected one of the plurality of operating modes, wherein the controller (202) upon receiving a signal from the door open indicator (204) actuates the exterior illuminable signal (206) in a basic operating mode, wherein the controller (202) upon receiving both a signal from the door open indicator (204) and a signal from a vehicle navigation system (208) actuates the exterior illuminable signal (206) in another operating mode, wherein the signal from the vehicle navigation system (208) indicates that the vehicle is positioned adjacent to a road, wherein the another operating mode is an enhanced visibility operating mode that differs from the plurality of operating modes in an intensity and / or pattern and / or color of the light emitted by the door-mounted exterior illuminable signal (206), and wherein the controller (202) is further configured to actuate a vehicle emergency display system (210) upon receiving the signal from the navigation system (208). [2] The warning system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle door (212) is a rear-hinged door. [3] Warning system according to claim 1, wherein the door open indicator (204) is a door ajar sensor and / or a door release switch. [4] The warning system of claim 1, wherein the external illuminable signal (206) is associated with a handle (214) of the vehicle door (212). [5] A vehicle incorporating the warning system according to claim 1. [6] Warning system for a vehicle comprising: a vehicle door-mounted external illuminable signal (206); a door open indicator (204) associated with the vehicle door (212); a navigation system (208); and a controller configured, upon receiving a signal from the door open indicator and / or the navigation system, to actuate the exterior illuminable signal to emit light in a selected one of a plurality of operating modes, wherein the controller, upon receiving a signal from the door open indicator, actuates the exterior illuminable signal in a basic operating mode, wherein the controller, upon receiving both a signal from the door open indicator and a signal from the vehicle navigation system that the vehicle is positioned adjacent to a road, actuates the exterior illuminable signal in another operating mode, wherein the another operating mode is an enhanced visibility operating mode that differs from others of the plurality of operating modes in an intensity and / or pattern and / or color of the light emitted by the door-mounted exterior illuminable signal, and wherein the controller (202) is further configured to actuate a vehicle emergency display system (210) upon receiving the signal from the vehicle navigation system (208). [7] A warning system according to claim 6, wherein the vehicle door (212) is a rear-hinged door. [8] Warning system according to claim 6, wherein the door open indicator (204) is a door ajar sensor and / or a door release switch. [9] A warning system according to claim 6, wherein the external illuminable signal (206) is associated with a handle (214) of the vehicle door (212). [10] A vehicle incorporating the warning system according to claim 6.

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