Abstract:
An apparatus is provided for illuminating the interior of an automotive passenger vehicle for ingress and egress. The apparatus comprises a lighting device integrated into the periphery of a sun visor or similar object. The lighting device is typically activated by a remote entry device, a door opening, or by an interior switch. The apparatus is particularly applicable where overhead interior lighting is impractical, such as in convertibles and other types of vehicles with removable tops. The lighting device may be customized for color and intensity, as well as for physical configuration. The apparatus can also be used in lieu of conventional interior roof lighting as a manufacturing cost reduction.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to automotive lighting, and more particularly relates to interior lighting in a passenger vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Present-day passenger automotive vehicles are generally equipped with at least two types of interior lighting. One type typically provides general illumination for ingress and egress, while another type usually provides focused light for reading maps and such. For general illumination, dome lamps are commonly located in a conventional roof interior, and/or roof rail lamps may be included along the side roof rail areas. 
     For unconventional roofs, such as convertible tops, targa tops, movable roofs and glass roofs, dome lamps and roof rail lamps may not be feasible. Typically, in these situations, other types of interior lighting are used for ingress and egress, such as rear view mirror reading lights. As previously noted, however, reading lights are typically focused, and do not generally provide a broad pattern of illumination. 
     Therefore, it is desirable to provide an alternative lighting arrangement that would be appropriate for ingress and egress illumination in vehicles with either conventional (fixed) or removable roof configurations. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an interior lighting device that can illuminate a passenger automotive vehicle interior for ingress and egress, regardless of the type of vehicle roof configuration. In addition, it is desirable to provide an interior lighting device that is convenient and economical to install. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     According to various exemplary embodiments, devices are provided for illuminating the interior of a passenger automotive vehicle having any type of roof configuration. One device comprises a lighting tube integrated into the periphery of the sun visor. An exemplary lighting tube is typically energized by the vehicle power source whenever a door is unlocked or opened. The exemplary lighting tube is also typically energized by the vehicle power source when an external entry device or an interior switch is activated. 
     An exemplary lighting tube may be in the form of a flexible light ribbon, or any similar type of lighting device appropriate for attaching to a sun visor. The light emanating from the exemplary lighting tube is typically in the form of general illumination for the interior of the vehicle. The exemplary lighting tube can be configured in a particular color, or may be color adjustable. Moreover, the exemplary lighting tube can be configured for adjustable intensity levels. 
     The exemplary lighting tube can provide general interior illumination for vehicles without conventional roofs, such as convertibles. In addition, the exemplary lighting tube configuration can be used in vehicles with conventional roofs as an alternative or supplemental lighting scheme to the typical dome and roof rail lighting installations. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of exemplary roof rail lighting; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of exemplary dome lamp lighting; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of exemplary overhead console lighting; 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of exemplary vanity mirror lighting; 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of tube lighting integrated into the periphery of a sun visor; and 
         FIG. 6  is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary lighting arrangement. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention pertain to the area of illuminating the interior of a vehicle. It is generally desirable that the vehicle interior is illuminated during passenger ingress and egress, as well as for other appropriate situations. When the vehicle is equipped with a conventional integrated roof structure, overhead lamps and/or side lighting are typically installed in the roof structure itself. When the vehicle is equipped with a removable roof, such as a convertible top, targa top, or other type of removable roof, the installation of overhead lamps or side lighting may not be feasible. Typically, vehicles with removable roofs depend on reading lights, such as rear view mirror lights, for ingress and egress illumination. This type of lighting is generally focused, however, and may not provide adequate illumination of the interior. As such, there is a need for an interior lighting configuration that is adaptable to any type of vehicle roof configuration, in order to provide the level of illumination typically desired for passenger ingress and egress. 
     Typical examples of existing interior lighting schemes are illustrated in  FIGS. 1–4 .  FIG. 1  depicts a lighting installation  100  on a side roof rail.  FIG. 2  shows a dome lamp  200  mounted on the underside of the roof.  FIG. 3  illustrates an overhead console  300  that includes a lighting arrangement  302  in addition to other accessories.  FIG. 4  depicts a lighted vanity mirror  400  installed in a sun visor  402 . Other types of interior illuminating configurations are also used, but they are typically installed in the roof structure, and may not be compatible with a removable roof application. 
     Of the previously described lighting examples ( FIGS. 1–4 ), only the vanity mirror configuration ( 400  in  FIG. 4 ) is independent of a typical roof structure. That is, vanity mirror  400  is integrated within sun visor  402 , which is generally available on any vehicle, regardless of the type of roof arrangement. However, the lighting typically used for a vanity mirror configuration is generally not suitable for illuminating an entire passenger compartment. That is, for ingress and egress lighting, it is desirable to illuminate the seats and floor of a vehicle with a relatively high degree of lighting, e.g., in the approximate range of 5 to 10 lux (lumens per square meter). Therefore, a different type of light configuration is disclosed herein that can be integrated into a sun visor to provide the desired ingress and egress interior illumination, which would be applicable for any type of vehicle roof arrangement. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of an interior illumination scheme for a vehicle with any type of roof configuration, a flexible or pre-configured lighting device, such as a light tube, light ribbon, or light channel, is typically integrated into the periphery of a sun visor, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In the  FIG. 5  example, a flexible light tube  500  is attached by adhesive, or any other suitable technique, to the periphery of sun visor  402 . A typical configuration is depicted in section A, showing light tube  500  positioned between the upper layer  502  and the lower layer  504  of sun visor  402 . Furthermore,  FIG. 5  shows flexible light tube  500  extending along a majority (i.e., 50% or more) of the periphery of sun visor  402 . Upper layer  502  can be any suitable material, such as fabric, while lower layer  504  can be the same material, or may be a different material. 
     Although not illustrated in  FIG. 5 , lighted vanity mirror assembly  400  can also be installed in sun visor  402  without interfering with light tube  500 . Moreover, light tube  500  can utilize the same wire packages and routing as vanity mirror  400 , thereby simplifying the manufacturing process for the two devices. An exemplary lighting device, such as light tube  500 , can be installed at the factory as a standard accessory, or as an option. Alternately, an exemplary lighting device can be installed as an after market option, either by a dealer or an accessory shop. Lighting devices of this type are generally available in a variety of configurations. One such device, for example, is the “dio” light, from Showers International Pty Ltd, which can be configured as a ribbon, a channel, or a tube. This product is currently available in several colors and sizes, and provides a bright lighting effect with relatively little power required. 
     While the exemplary embodiment described above represents one type of lighting device configuration, i.e., a light tube integrated into a sun visor, other embodiments are also possible. For example, an exemplary lighting device could be attached to a different part of the vehicle, other than a sun visor, that is not dependent on a fixed roof structure, such as e.g., a door sill plate, a center stack area, a floor console, and the like. Even when a vehicle has a fixed roof structure, exemplary lighting devices as described herein could be used to replace a conventional dome lamp or roof rail light fixture in order to reduce manufacturing assembly costs, since the conventional roof/rail lights typically require the installation of dedicated brackets during the vehicle assembly process. 
     An exemplary lighting device, such as light tube  500 , is typically energized by a low voltage source, such as a standard 12-volt car battery. A switching arrangement is generally used to connect the voltage source to the light tube, upon the receipt of an appropriate signal. For example, a remote entry device that unlocks the vehicle doors will typically activate the light tube simultaneously. Also, a coded external entry system will typically activate the light tube as well. Other types of actions that would energize the light tube would typically include opening the doors from inside the vehicle, or activating an interior illumination switch. 
     An exemplary embodiment of a simplified lighting scheme is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . An ingress/egress lighting arrangement  600  for a vehicle  602  typically includes a power source  604 , a sensing/switching circuit  606 , and one or more exemplary light tube(s)  608  (e.g., one for each sun visor). When sensing/switching circuit  606  receives an appropriate input  610 , as described above, it electrically couples power source  604  to light tube(s)  608 . Sensing/switching circuit  606  typically includes sensors and logic circuitry suitable for receiving any appropriate activating signal  610 , and for subsequently implementing the electrical connection between power source  604  and light tube(s)  608 . 
     Sensing/switching circuit  606  can also be configured to include logic circuitry capable of adjusting the intensity of light tube(s)  608 , and possibly the color of light tube(s)  608 . As noted previously, light tube(s)  608 , or similar devices, can generally be obtained in a range of colors and physical configurations, in accordance with the desired illuminating effect. 
     Accordingly, the shortcomings of the prior art have been overcome by providing an improved lighting arrangement for a vehicle interior. Where roof lighting or roof rail lighting is not feasible, as in a vehicle with a removable top, an exemplary embodiment of a lighting device can be attached to the periphery of one or more sun visors, or to similar objects, in order to provide general illumination of the vehicle interior. The exemplary lighting device can be activated for ingress and egress, as well as for any other purpose, by appropriately configured sensors and switches. 
     While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.