Abstract:
A lighting system for illuminating the exterior of an automotive vehicle has a remotely controlled lamp or set of lamps mounted to the underside of the vehicle for providing illumination both below the vehicle and under the vehicle when the vehicle is stationary the lamps illuminate upon receipt of a predetermined signal from a transmitter. The lamps may also illuminate upon opening a vehicle door to illuminate the path of an exiting passenger.

Description:
This is a continuation of copending application Ser. No. 08/534,429 filed Sep. 27, 1995. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an exterior lighting system for an automotive vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to security lights for illuminating an area under and adjacent to the vehicle. 
     It is desirable for an area around a vehicle to be illuminated when the ambient light is low. U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,659 describes an exterior vehicle security light mounted in the exterior rearview mirror. The light shines on an area adjacent the vehicle. This approach has several disadvantages. One disadvantage is that significant shadows are formed under the vehicle. Another disadvantage is that the light moves with the vehicle door to which the mirror is mounted. 
     Certain vehicles such as sport utility vehicles have a greater ground clearance which if illumination where attempted using a mirror mounted light such as that described in the &#39;659 patent, would cause significant shadows under the vehicle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One advantage of the present invention is that complete vehicle illumination is provided by illuminating an area adjacent to the vehicle as well as under the vehicle. 
     The present invention includes a transmitter for transmitting a predetermined code and a receiver mounted in the vehicle for receiving the predetermined code. A lamp is mounted to the underside of the vehicle. The light directly illuminates both an area adjacent to and underneath the vehicle. A controller connected to the receiver and the lamp, activates the lamp in response to the receiver receiving a predetermined transmission. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of an automotive vehicle having a lighting system according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 a  is a cross sectional view of a frame-type vehicle with lights mounted according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 b  is a cross sectional view of a unibody type vehicle with lights mounted according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a detailed cross sectional view of a lamp mounted on a bracket in a frame type vehicle. 
     FIG. 5 is a detailed cross sectional view of a lamp mounted in an opening of a unibody type vehicle. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, an automotive vehicle  10  has a lighting system for illuminating under the vehicle as well as areas adjacent the vehicle. The lighting system has a number of lamps  12  mounted under vehicle  10  each of which generate a predetermined light pattern  14 . Light patterns  14  combine to fully illuminate under the vehicle as well as an area directly adjacent to and completely around vehicle  10 . Lamps  12  are preferably centrally controlled by a controller  16  as further described below. 
     Lamps  12  are of the type specifically designed for automotive applications such as that manufactured by Grote Industries of Madison, Ind. Lamps  12  are preferably weatherproof and shock proof so that they may withstand the extreme environmental conditions experienced during the lifetime of a vehicle. 
     Lamps  12  are preferably located in front, behind and to each side of vehicle  10 . Illuminating at least to the sides of the vehicle is the most desirable. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, the under-vehicle lighting system is most effective when incorporated with a remote control system so that the lighting system may be illuminated while approaching the vehicle. Controller  16  is connected to a receiver  18  with a receiving antenna  20 . Receiver  18  is used to receive a transmitted signal from a transmitter  22  having a transmitting antenna  24 . Controller  16  may also be used to control the operation of the locks of the doors of vehicle  10 . 
     A timer  23  may be used to deactivate lamps after a predetermined time. Such a function will prevent the vehicle battery from discharging upon inadvertent operation of lamps  12 . As an example, the predetermined time may be about one minute. 
     Transmitter  22  generates a coded signal via antenna  24 . The coded signal is preferably an RF signal. However, several variations may be substituted. For example, infrared using an LED rather than an antenna may be used. Transmitter  22  has a push button  25  for controlling the transmission of the coded signal. Transmitter  22  may have several buttons for signaling several functions. Lamps  12  are preferably operated in conjunction with power locks  26  so that when push button  25  is operated to unlock power locks  26 , the lamps also illuminate. 
     Receiver  18  receives the coded signal and converts the coded signal into a form usable by controller  16  such as a digital signal. Controller  16  compares the received coded signal to a valid coded signal stored within receiver  18 . If the received coded signal is recognized as a valid signal, controller  16  enables the operation of the lighting system and any other function such as the unlocking of a door. 
     Controller  16  may also have a light detector  27  which will disable the lighting system when sufficient ambient light is available. Such light detectors are currently used in vehicles to control the operation of automatic headlamps. 
     Controller  16  may also have the function of preventing lamps  12  from being activated while the vehicle is running. An ignition detector  28  senses when the ignition is in the “on” position and provides feedback to controller  16  to that effect. Controller  16  upon receiving the ignition “on” signal deactivates lamps  12 . 
     Controller  16  may also have the function of illuminating lamps  12  upon the opening of the vehicle doors. A door open detector  29  senses when the doors are opened and provides feedback to controller  16  to that effect. Controller  16  may control lamps  12  in response to the door opening when the car is stationary. A motion detector may be used. Also, the vehicle is typically stationary when the transmission of the car is in neutral or park. Lamps  12  will illuminate the area around the vehicle where the passengers will be exiting the vehicle. The present invention provides superior results to that of mirror mounted lighting methods, since in prior methods the mirror moves with the door, direct illumination of the area where the passengers are about to exit the vehicle is not possible. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a cross section of vehicle  10  on a horizontal road plane  30  shows more detail of the mounting of a lamps  12 . Vehicle  10  has an underside  32  to which lamps  12  are preferably mounted. Underside  32  is generally planar and parallel to road plane  30 . Vehicle  10  may be either of frame construction or of the unibody type. 
     Referring to FIG. 3B, if the vehicle is frame construction, lamps  12  may be mounted to a frame member  34 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3A, if the vehicle construction is unibody the preferred mounting method is mounting lamp  12  within an opening  36  in the underside of vehicle  10 . 
     Lamps  12  are oriented to disperse light under the vehicle as well as adjacent to vehicle  10 . Lamps  12  may be mounted at an angle with respect to road plane  30  or parallel with road plane  30  as long as the light from lamps  12  is directed under and adjacent to vehicle  10  as is shown by light pattern  14 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, a more detailed mounting of a lamp  12  to a frame member  34  is shown. A bracket  38  is used to secure lamp to frame member  34  on underside  32  of the vehicle in a canted relationship to the horizontal road plane. Bracket  38  has a horizontal portion  40  and an angled portion  42  with respect to the horizontal road plane. Bracket  38  is preferably welded to frame member  34 . Angled portion  42  ensures light generated by lamp  12  illuminates an area under the vehicle and adjacent to the vehicle. 
     Lamp  12  has a light source  44  electrically connected to the controller. Light source  44  preferably illuminates the area with a high intensity white light so that visibility is maximized by the light generated. 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, a lamp  12  is shown mounted in an opening  36  of underside  32  and sealed with a gasket  48  to prevent moisture from entering the vehicle. In this configuration lamp  12  may be mounted in a direction parallel with road plane  30 . In such an orientation, a lens  46  having spreading and bending optics  50  may be used to spread light under the vehicle as well as adjacent to the vehicle. Such a configuration is desirable for a vehicle having unibody construction. 
     As would be evident to one skilled in the art, several modifications of the invention may be made while still being within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the transmitter may continuously generate a passive entry. Also, if the vehicle is a sport/utility vehicle lamps may be mounted on the underside of running boards located on the sides of the vehicle.