Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090196063 | VEHICLE LAMP ASSEMBLY - A vehicle lamp assembly includes a light source unit (e.g., one or more LEDs) mounted to an associated vehicle for providing illumination and a heat sink thermally coupled to the light source unit for dissipating generated heat therefrom. The heat sink has a main body portion, spaced apart fins extending from the main body portion, and an angled surface section on the main body portion disposed between adjacent ones of the spaced apart fins for urging environmental elements to run off the heat sink. | 08-06-2009 |
20090196064 | VEHICLE LAMP ASSEMBLY - A vehicle lamp assembly for a vehicle includes a light source unit (e.g., one or more LEDs) mounted to the vehicle for providing illumination and a heat sink thermally coupled to the light source unit for dissipating generated heat therefrom. An air guide is secured to the vehicle for guiding air to the heat sink to remove heat therefrom. | 08-06-2009 |
20090316421 | VEHICLE INTERIOR LIGHT ASSEMBLY - An interior light assembly for providing lighting in a vehicle includes a light housing mounted in the vehicle interior. The light housing has an open side. At least one main light source is received in the light housing for providing diffuse lighting in the vehicle interior. An outer diffuser lens closes the open side of the light housing and is disposed over the at least one main light source for diffusing light from the at least one main light source throughout the vehicle interior. The outer diffuser lens has at least one opening defined therein. At least one secondary light source is received in the light housing and is directed toward the at least one opening for providing spot lighting in the vehicle interior. At least one focusing lens is disposed over the at least one opening and the at least one secondary light source for focusing light from the at least one secondary light source to a specific limited location of the vehicle interior. The at least one focusing lens has a textured outer surface to reduce color separation from the at least one secondary light source. | 12-24-2009 |
20120062116 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING HEADLIGHTS ON A VEHICLE IN RESPONSE TO WIPER OPERATION - A method for controlling headlights on a vehicle includes detecting for a wiper switch state for a wiper switch on a vehicle, detecting wiper operations, incrementing a counter value by x until the counter value reaches a headlight ON threshold, counting toward a time threshold, decrementing the counter value by x until the counter value reaches a headlight OFF threshold value, and changing a state of the headlights based on the counter value reaching one of the headlight ON threshold and the headlight OFF threshold. Incrementing the counter value by x can occur in response to each detected wiper operation. Counting toward the time threshold can occur in response to detecting a wiper switch OFF state. Decrementing the counter value by x can occur in response to each instance of the time threshold elapsing with no change from the wiper switch OFF state. A plurality of intermediate counter values can be found between the headlight ON threshold and the headlight OFF threshold. A control system is also disclosed. | 03-15-2012 |
20130033361 | AUTOMATIC DETECTION OF VALET MODE FOR SMART ENTRY SYSTEMS - A key fob assembly includes a mechanical key, a key fob, a control in the key fob, Hall effect switches in the key fob, and magnets associated with the mechanical key. The mechanical key is configured to cooperate with a mechanical lock. The key fob is configured to selectively connect with the mechanical key. The control in the key fob is for transmitting wireless signals to a vehicle to actuate components on the vehicle. The Hall effect switches in the key fob are each in electrical communication with the control. At least one of the Hall effect switches changes an operating state based on detecting a positive magnetic field and at least one other Hall effect switch changes an operating state based on detecting a negative magnetic field. Respective poles of the magnets are disposed such that connection of the mechanical key with the key fob in a storage position aligns the poles of the magnets with respective Hall effect switches for changing the operating state of the respective Hall effect switches. | 02-07-2013 |
20130051040 | PUDDLE LIGHT AUTO SHUT OFF - A vehicle assembly includes an external rearview mirror support arm, an external rearview mirror housing, a mirror, a puddle light, a proximity sensor, and a switch. The external rearview mirror housing pivotally connects with the support arm. The mirror mounts to the housing. The puddle light connects with the housing. The proximity sensor includes a first component mounted to the support arm and a second component mounted to the housing. The second component rotates with respect to the first component when the housing is pivoted with respect to the support arm. The switch electrically connects with the puddle light, at least one of the components of the proximity sensor and a power source. The switch is closed when the second component is located in a first position with respect to the first component. The switch is open when the second component is located in a second position with respect to the first component. A method for controlling power to a puddle light is also disclosed. | 02-28-2013 |
20140232322 | SELECTIVE CURRENT REDUCTION ENABLED WITH ELECTRICALLY DEACTIVATED KEY FOB - Smart key fob with an integrated rechargeable battery and a replaceable battery. Transfer of charge from the replaceable battery to the rechargeable battery is configured to occur only during a period of time when the key fob remains motionless to reduce RF interference with polling operation of the key fob's transceiver to determine presence of the mother-vehicle nearby. Optionally, the poling operation of the transceiver is reduced or ceased during periods of motionlessness of the key fob. | 08-21-2014 |
20140265980 | ADJUSTABLE RAIN SENSOR SETTING BASED ON PROXIMITY VEHICLE DETECTION - A system for adjusting the wipers of a vehicle based on the use of rain and proximity detecting subsystem on a given vehicle for detecting the presence of rain and one or more other vehicles in proximity to the given vehicle, such that the wipers of the given vehicle can be automatically operated to better respond to material such as rain, snow, or other material being splashed on the given vehicle by the other vehicle(s). This system may utilize sensor subsystems used for other purposes for use as the proximity sensors. | 09-18-2014 |