Vehicle door light assembly

A vehicle door light assembly includes a base including a cavity and one or more bulb connectors positioned within the cavity; a connector for connecting the one or more bulb connectors to a power source; a lens assembly releasably connected to the base, wherein the lens assembly comprises: a lens, a light source adapted to emit light through the lens to the exterior of the light assembly, and a projector adapted to project an image to the exterior of the light assembly when the door is in an open position; and a bulb connector releasably connected to the one or more bulb connectors to supply power to the lens assembly.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a light assembly for the door of a vehicle. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to door light assembly that includes a projector which projects light onto the ground or other surface beneath the vehicle door and may also include one or more lenses that selectively emit light in one or more colours and/or in a flashing mode.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles have door lights which emit light downward when the door of the vehicle is opened to illuminate the ground or a surface beneath the door of the vehicle. These door lights typically include a base, a light bulb (for example a halogen bulb) and lens covering and are typically designed to emit light in a single colour.

Vehicle door projector lights that project light, often in the form of an image, including but not limited to text, a logo, a picture or a pattern, onto the ground or a surface beneath the vehicle door when the door is opened are also known. However, these door projector lights are typically aftermarket products that are attached to the door of the vehicle (for example by an adhesive, screws or by cutting or drilling a hole in the door) and require separate wiring or an alternative power source (for example a battery) to provide power to the projector.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following summary is provided to introduce the reader to the more detailed discussion to follow. The summary is not intended to limit or define the claims.

According to one broad aspect, a light assembly for a vehicle door comprising a base comprising a base power connector; a power source connector for connecting the base power connector to a power source; a lens assembly releasably connected to the base wherein the lens assembly comprises at least one lens; at least one lens light source to emit light through the at least one lens to the exterior of the light assembly; a projector to project light on a surface under the vehicle door when the vehicle door is in an open position; and a lens assembly power connector adapted to releasably connect to the base power connector.

In some examples, the light assembly for a vehicle door may include the base being adapted to be inserted in a cavity in the vehicle door provided for the original door light assembly installed by the vehicle manufacture; and the power source connector being adapted to connect to an electrical connector installed by the vehicle manufacturer to power the original door light assembly. The base power connector may also comprise a plurality clips; and the lens assembly power connector may also comprise a bulb connector adapted to be releasably inserted in the plurality of clips.

In other examples, the lens assembly may include a first lens and a second lens; and a first lens light source and a second lens light source wherein the first lens light source is adapted to emit light through the first lens to the exterior of the light assembly; and the second lens light source is adapted to emit light through the second lens to the exterior of the light assembly. The first lens light source may comprise a first set of at least one LED; and the second lens light source may comprise a second set of at least one LED. The second set of at least one LED may be adapted to emit light of different colours and the light assembly may further include a controller to change the colour of the light emitted from the second set of at least one LED. The first set of at least one at least one LED may also include a continuously mode wherein light is continuously emitted and a flashing mode wherein light is intermittently emitted and the light assembly may further include a controller to change the first set of at least one LED from the continuously mode to the flashing mode.

In further examples, the projector may include a projector lens; a projector light source for emitting light through the projector lens and onto the surface under the door when the door is open; an image filter through which light emitted from the projector light source partially transmits through thereby projecting an image on the surface under the vehicle door. The image filter may be rotatable relative to the lens assembly such that the orientation of the image on the surface under the vehicle door can be changed. The lens assembly may also include a projector recess and the projector may further include a projector holder wherein the projector holder is at least partially inserted within the projector recess; the projector lens is at least partially inserted within the projector holder; the projector holder and projector recess cooperate to maintain the projector lens at an orientation relative to the lens assembly; and the projector holder prevents interference of at least a portion of the light emitted from the at least one lens light source with the light emitted from the projector lens.

According to another broad aspect, a lens assembly releasably connectable to a base of a light assembly for a vehicle door comprising at least one lens, at least one lens light source to emit light through the at least one lens to the exterior of the light assembly; a projector to project light on a surface under the vehicle door when the vehicle door is in an open position; and a lens assembly power connector adapted to releasably connect to a base power connector contained in the base.

In some examples, the base power connector may comprise a plurality clips; and the lens assembly power connector comprises a blub bulb connector adapted to be releasably inserted in the plurality of clips.

In other examples, the lens assembly may include a first lens and a second lens; and a first lens light source and a second lens light source wherein the first lens light source is adapted to emit light through the first lens to the exterior of the light assembly; and the second lens light source is adapted to emit light through the second lens to the exterior of the light assembly. The first lens light source may comprise a first set of at least one LED; and the second lens light source may comprise a second set of at least one LED. The second set of at least one LED may be adapted to emit light of different colours and the light assembly may further include a controller to change the colour of the light emitted from the second set of at least one LED. The first set of at least one at least one LED may also include a continuously mode wherein light is continuously emitted and a flashing mode wherein light is intermittently emitted and the light assembly may further include a controller to change the first set of at least one LED from the continuously mode to the flashing mode.

In further examples, the projector may include a projector lens; a projector light source for emitting light through the projector lens and onto the surface under the door when the door is open; an image filter through which light emitted from the projector light source partially transmits through thereby projecting an image on the surface under the vehicle door. The image filter may be rotatable relative to the lens assembly such that the orientation of the image on the surface under the vehicle door can be changed. The lens assembly may also include a projector recess and the projector may further include a projector holder wherein the projector holder is at least partially inserted within the projector recess; the projector lens is at least partially inserted within the projector holder; the projector holder and projector recess cooperate to maintain the projector lens at an orientation relative to the lens assembly; and the projector holder prevents interference of at least a portion of the light emitted from the at least one lens light source with the light emitted from the projector lens.

The drawings illustrate examples of aspects of the invention. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention, and/or from the combination of one or more of the figures and the textual description herein, or from portions thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown inFIG.1toFIG.3, a door light assembly30is provided having a base1and a lens assembly2. Base1may be identical or similar in shape and design to the base of the original door light assembly installed by the vehicle manufacturer such that it can fit within a cavity in the door provided for the original door light assembly without requiring modifications to the door or the base. As shown inFIG.2toFIG.8, base1includes a pair of wires3extending from the back thereof having a power source connector4on the opposite end. Power source connector4may be designed to connect to an electrical connector of the type installed by the vehicle manufacturer to power the original door light assembly. Accordingly, once the original door light assembly is removed and detached, the door light assembly can be plugged into the existing electrical wiring system in the vehicle door.

As shown inFIG.3toFIG.8, the pair of wires3are electrically connected to a base power connector comprising a pair of bulb clips5in the interior of base1by means of electrical connectors21on the exterior of base1. As such, power supplied to the power source connector4is transferred to bulb clips5. Bulb clips5may be identical or similar in shape and design to clips contained in the original door light assembly installed by the vehicle manufacturer.

Referring back toFIG.1toFIG.8, lens assembly2may include two lens components, namely a first lens6and a second lens7designed to be positioned in a space provided in the lower portion of first lens6. The first lens6and second lens7may be made of any suitable transparent or translucent material (for example plastic or glass) such that at least some light is permitted to pass through the first lens6and the second lens7.

As illustrated inFIG.4andFIG.5, lens assembly2may include an LED board assembly9comprising a vertical LED board10and a horizontal LED board11. Vertical LED board10has a row of LEDs12positioned on the front surface to emit light through first lens6. Horizontal LED board11includes a row of LEDs13positioned on bottom surface to emit light through second lens7. In the embodiment shown inFIG.4andFIG.5, vertical LED board10has four LEDs12and horizontal LED board11has four LEDs13. However, it would be understood that any number and/or configurations of LEDs may be used. When the lens assembly2is assembled, the LED board assembly9is secured to the lens assembly2by an adhesive, screw or other suitable manner.

Vertical LED board10also includes a switch14on the front surface thereof that extends outward towards first lens6. When lens assembly2is assembled, switch14engages with the back surface of a button8provided in the first lens6. In this arrangement, switch14is activated by pushing button8which triggers different functionality of the lens assembly2as discussed in greater detail below.

As shown inFIG.5, the horizontal LED board11includes a projector LED15positioned in the middle of the bottom surface thereof. The projector LED15is designed to emit light downward through a projector lens16. Projector lens16may be designed to project light onto the ground or other surface beneath the vehicle door when light is emitted from projector LED15. The light projected onto the ground or other surface may take the form of an image, including but not limited to text, a logo, a picture or a pattern. The image may be generated by the light emitted from projector LED15passing through an image filter. The image filter may comprise a film positioned within or on the surface of projector lens16, the image being etched in the surface of projector lens16or other suitable means.

Projector lens16is positioned within projector holder17which is held in a projector recess18in second lens7. Projector holder17may be designed to ensure and maintain the alignment of the projector lens16relative to projector LED15to allow for light to pass through projector lens16and project the image on the ground or other surface under the vehicle door. The projector lens16and projector holder17may also be designed to maintain the axis of the projector lens16substantially vertical in orientation when the light assembly30is installed in the car door.

Projector holder17may also be designed to prevent interference of the light emitted from LEDs13with the light emitted from projector lens16which may result in a fading or blurring of the image projected onto the surface beneath the vehicle door.

The optical specifications of the projector lens16are selected to present a clear an image based upon the distance between the door light assembly30when installed in the vehicle door and the ground or other surface beneath the vehicle door when the door is opened. The image can be 1-2 square feet in dimension.

In addition, the projector lens16and projector holder17may be designed such that a horizontal longitudinal axis of the image is angled relative to the horizontal axis of the door at an angle equal to the angle between the door and the side of the vehicle when the door is in a secure open position. As shown inFIG.9, this arrangement results in the horizontal longitudinal axis of the light projected on the ground or other surface beneath the vehicle door, for example the “Large Car” logo26shown inFIG.9, being generally parallel to the side of the vehicle when a door25in which the light assembly30is installed is in the secure open position, thereby avoiding steps27or other obstructions on the side of the vehicle interfering with the projection of the image onto the surface beneath the vehicle door. By way of example, if the door25is at an angle of 70 degrees from the side of the vehicle when the door is in the secure open position, the projector lens16and the projector holder17will be designed to project an image with a horizontal longitudinal axis at an angle of 70 degrees relative to the axis of the vehicle door.

Alternatively, the image filter may be designed to be rotated within the door light assembly30. In this embodiment, the orientation of the image projected on the ground or other surface beneath the vehicle door can be adjusted as a result of the rotation of the image filter providing the ability for the door light assembly to be used in vehicles where angle of the door in the secure open position varies and/or permits the user to adjust the orientation of image projected on the ground or other surface beneath the vehicle door to a desired orientation. This may be accomplished by the image filter being connected to the projector lens16and the projector lens16being rotatable within the projector holder17such that rotation of the projector lens16within the projector holder17results in a change of the orientation of the image projected on the ground or other surface relative to the lens assembly2. Projector lens16may include a portion thereof which extends beyond the bottom of projector holder17to facilitate the rotation thereof. Alternatively, the image filter may be connected to the projector holder17and the projector holder17being rotatable within the projector recess18in second lens7such that rotation of the projector holder17within the projector recess18results in a change of the orientation of the image on the ground or other surface relative to the lens assembly2. Projector holder17may include a portion thereof which extends beyond the bottom of projector recess18to facilitate the rotation thereof. In a further alternative, the image filter may be connected to an image rotation device which permits the image filter to be rotated relative to projector lens16such that rotation of the image rotation device results in a change of the orientation of the image on the ground or other surface relative to the lens assembly2.

As shown inFIG.4,FIG.5andFIG.7, a lens assembly power connector comprises a bulb connector22is connected to the LED board assembly9by a second set of wires23. Bulb connector22may be designed to have a shape identical or similar to a light bulb used in the door light assemblies installed by the vehicle manufacturer (for example a halogen bulb). In the embodiment shown, the bulb connector22has two metal connectors24positioned on opposite ends with a sealed circuit board (not shown) positioned therebetween providing an electric connection between the metal connectors and the wires23. As shown inFIG.8, power is provided to the LED board assembly9by inserting bulb connector22into bulb clips5of base1such that the two metal connectors24electrically engage bulb clips5.

Alternatively, as a result of the design of the bulb connector22, the lens and light bulb of the original door light assembly can be removed and bulb connector22can be inserted into the bulb clips of the original door light assembly installed by the vehicle manufacturer. Accordingly, lens assembly2may be used with the base of an existing door light assembly without removing the entirety thereof and installing base1in the door of the vehicle. In addition, lens assembly2can be easily removed and replaced with an alternative lens assembly designed to project a different image from projector lens16.

Once the door light assembly30(or lens assembly2) is installed, when the door of the vehicle is opened, power is supplied to LED board assembly9such that LEDs12and13may illuminate first lens6and second lens7respectively and projector LED15emits light through projector16which in turn projects an image on the surface beneath the door vehicle. A variety of configurations of first lens6, second lens7and LEDs12and13can be used to provide different functionalities of lens assembly2. By way of example, first lens6may be red in colour and LEDs12may emit white or red light so first lens6appears red in colour when the vehicle door is opened. LEDs12may also be configured to have a flash mode wherein LEDs12emit light intermittently to provide a flashing or strobing effect in first lens6. The flash mode of LEDs12may be selectively activated by pushing button8.

Second lens7may be clear or colourless and LEDs13may be multi-colour LEDs. In this arrangement, the colour of the light emitted through second lens7may be selected from one of the multi-colour options of the multi-colour LEDS. The colour of LEDs can be selectively changed by pressing and holding button8for a specified period (for example two seconds). As such, selectively changing of the colour of the LEDs13can be distinguished from the other functionality (for example selectively changing the LEDs12to flashing or strobing mode discussed above). Once a colour has been selected, the second lens7will be illuminated in that colour each time the vehicle door is opened.

Lens assembly2may be connected to base1via a snap connection. In particular, as shown inFIG.4andFIG.5, first lens6has tabs19extending from the back thereof. Tabs19are designed to snap into holes20in the side of base1to maintain the lens assembly2in base1. Lens assembly2can be removed from base1by inserting the flat tip of a screwdriver or the like between the lens assembly2and the base1and applying a force to separate the two. The force will cause tabs19to disengage from holes20thereby allowing lens assembly2to be removed from base1. As a result, lens assembly2can easily be inserted and removed from base1. As such, a number of lens assemblies with different projector images can be used with a single base and can be easily interchanged.