Supplemental vehicle lighting system for vision based target detection

US9346396B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ford Global Technologies, LLC · US

Inventors

• Christopher Nave · Ypsilanti, US
• Thomas Edward Pilutti · Ann Arbor, US
• Chad Clement · Belleville, US
• Udayakumar Ramasami · Novi, US
• Sleiman N. Adelnour · Chesterfield Township, US
• Stephen Kenneth Helwig · Farmington Hills, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 23, 2014
• Grant date: May 24, 2016
• Expiry date: Jan 23, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F21S45/49
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A supplemental vehicle lighting system that is responsive to a trailer backup assist system is provided. The system includes a rear vehicle fixture defining a keylock hole customarily used in conjunction with a corresponding keylock cylinder. A light assembly is provided in the place of a keylock cylinder and operably coupled to the keylock hole. The light assembly includes a housing having a barrel that is concentrically aligned with the keylock hole and includes a distal end and a proximal end. A lighting device is disposed inside the housing and operable to emit light through the barrel beginning from the proximal end. A lens is coupled to the distal end of the barrel and is disposed to at least partially coincide with the keylock hole, wherein the lens is configured to disperse light emitted from the lighting device to illuminate a rear vehicle area.