Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to interior lighting of an automotive vehicle and, more particularly to selective interior vehicle lighting. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Occupants sleeping within a vehicle, in particular young children, may be startled when a vehicle door is opened and the overhead courtesy lamps shine into their eyes. This is particularly true when it is dark outside and the occupant is sleeping. Prior technologies allowed a driver to disable all courtesy lamps in a vehicle interior with an instrument panel mounted switch, or to disable a single courtesy lamp with a lamp mounted switch. When all courtesy lamps are disabled, the interior of the vehicle is dark when the door is opened making it difficult for a person to collect belongings, to see clearly to exit, and to remove the sleeping occupant from the vehicle, for example, from a car seat. Further, disabling a courtesy lamp using a lamp mounted switch is difficult for the driver if the lamp is in the second or third row of the vehicle. Additionally, the cost of adding such switches to all overhead courtesy lamps is prohibitive on vehicles with multiple overhead lamps. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages by providing a lighting mode selection feature which allows the driver to disable all overhead courtesy lamps from a single instrument panel mounted switch so that when a door is opened, only the courtesy lamps under the instrument panel and/or on the doors or stepwells, are illuminated. This invention allows the driver to see clearly to collect belongings, exit, and remove occupants from the vehicle while preventing the occupant from being startled from the glare of overhead courtesy lamps. 
     The invention includes a selective zonal lighting system for an interior of an automotive vehicle having an upper group of lights mounted in the vehicle interior, a lower group of lights mounted in the vehicle interior, and a switch mounted in the vehicle interior. The switch is movable between a first position in which both the upper and lower groups of lights are illuminated, a second position in which only the lower group of lights are illuminated, and a third position in which neither the upper nor the lower group of lights is illuminated. The switch may have a fourth, variable position in which both the upper and lower groups are illuminated between a maximum intensity and a minimum intensity. Preferably, the lower group of lights are illuminated when the switch is in the second position only after a door ajar condition is sensed and the vehicle is moving below a predetermined velocity. Additionally, when the switch is in the fourth position, the upper and lower groups of lights are illuminated only when a door ajar condition is sensed and the vehicle is moving below a predetermined velocity. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that vehicle occupants may collect belongings and see clearly to exit the vehicle without disturbing other passengers, such as a sleeping child. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that a vehicle driver may select illumination of only a lower group of lights from the driver seat without the necessity of individually disabling each courtesy lamp in an upper group of lights. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is that use of a single, selective zonal switch eliminates the cost of placing a switch on each overhead courtesy lamp in order to disable it. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automotive vehicle utilizing the selective interior zonal lighting system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a driver&#39;s side instrument panel having an interior selective zonal lighting switch for use with the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a roof interior showing a dome lamp and a rear reading lamp in an upper group of lights operated by the selective, zonal lighting system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective interior rear view through a rear opening of the vehicle showing a rear cargo lamp and rear reading lamps as part of an upper group of lights operated by the selective, zonal lighting system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a vehicle door having an interior courtesy lamp as part of a lower group of lights operated by the selective, zonal lighting system of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a vehicle B pillar having a lamp in the vicinity of a stepwell as part of a lower group of lights operated by the selective, zonal lighting system of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 7A-7D are perspective views of a zonal selective switch according to the present invention shown in a first position in which both upper and lower groups of lights are illuminated, a fourth position in which both upper and lower groups of lights are illuminated between a maximum intensity and a minimum intensity, a second position in which only the lower group of lights are illuminated, and a third position in which neither the upper nor the lower groups of lights is illuminated; and 
     FIG. 8 is an electrical schematic diagram showing operation of the selective zonal switch used in the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, an automotive vehicle generally indicated at  10 , having an exterior generally indicated at  20 , and an interior generally indicated at  30 . The exterior  20  has exterior lighting associated therewith, for example, headlamps  22  which provide a vehicle driver the ability to see the road during dark or inclement conditions. As is conventional, interior lighting is also provided to permit vehicle occupants the ability to see within the interior  30  of the vehicle. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, a driver&#39;s side instrument panel is shown having an interior selective zonal lighting switch  40 , or courtesy lamp mode switch, for use with the present invention. The switch  40  is preferably located within reach of a driver, preferably on an instrument panel  40  at a location near other vehicle controls, for example, a steering wheel  44 , a blinker lever  46 , or an exterior light switch  48 . As is further described below, the switch  40  has various positions to select various lighting modes and lighting zones within the interior of the vehicle  10 . 
     Various lights may be operated by the switch  40  including instrument panel courtesy lamps, for example, lamps which illuminate gauges and other vehicle information provided in an instrument cluster  50  on the instrument panel  42  (FIG.  2 ), as well as courtesy lamps which illuminate an area beneath the instrument panel in the general vicinity indicated at  52 , of a front seat occupant&#39;s feet. Such lamps, indicated at  54 , are typically located out of view of the vehicle occupants, as are the instrument cluster lamps, generally indicated at  56  (FIG.  2 ). Those skilled in the art will understand that the placement of the lamps  54 ,  56  are for illustration purposes only, and that the present invention is not limited to the locations identified in FIG. 2, nor to the shapes shown therein. 
     Vehicle  10  has a dome lamp  58  in a roof mounted console  60  attached near a centerline of the roof  62  (FIGS.  3  and  4 ). Vehicle  10  also includes rear reading lamps  64  on opposed lateral lower sides  66  of the roof  62 . The rear reading lamps may be located along the vehicle roof rail, as is known in the art. Additionally, a cargo lamp  68  is mounted in an upper trim piece  70  at a rear end of the roof  62  adjacent the rear opening of the vehicle (FIG.  4 ). The lights  58 ,  64 ,  68  collectively comprise an upper group of lights which, as further described below, are selectively illuminated by the zonal lighting system of the present invention. It should be understood that, for purposes of this invention, a light is included within the upper group of lights if it is located above the instrument panel. In addition, those skilled in the art will understand that lights other than those shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 may be included in the upper group of lights and that the invention is not limited tc those lights shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Further, an upper group of lights need not contain the lights shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, or may include such lights at different locations throughout the interior of vehicle  10 . For example, the dome lamp  58  may be located on the roof  62  off of the console  60 , the rear reading lamps may be located on the B-pillar or C-pillar, or the cargo lamp may be located on a more forward portion of the roof  62  near the rear vehicle access opening. These examples are meant to be illustrative and not limiting. 
     Vehicle  10  also has a lower group of lights which includes a front door courtesy lamp  72  located on an inner trim panel  74  of a door  76  (FIG.  5 ). The courtesy lamp  72  may light up a lower portion of the interior of the vehicle when the door is in a closed position and may illuminate the area near a door opening (not shown) when in an opened position when it is dark. The lower group of lights may also include a stepwell lamp  78  on a rear facing surface  80  of a B-pillar  82  at. a lower portion thereof adjacent a step  84 . Those skilled in the art will realize such stepwell lamps may be located on both sides of a vehicle, for example, in a van-type vehicle with sliding doors on both sides thereof. In addition, there may be other lamps located along lower portions of the B-pillar, C-pillar, and/or D-pillar for illumination of a lower area of the vehicle, for example, along the floor of the vehicle. 
     The lower group of lights, sometimes referred to as “footlights”, also includes the instrument panel courtesy lamps described above. It should be understood that the lower group of lights, for purposes of this disclosure, includes those lights and/or lamps at or below the level of the instrument panel. Those skilled in the art will understand that lights other than those shown in FIGS. 2,  5  and  6  may be included in the lower group of lights. In addition, the lights shown in FIGS. 2,  5  and  6  may be placed at different locations throughout the vehicle interior. Further, it should be understood that the lights shown in FIGS. 2,  5  and  6  need not be included in the lower group of lights, the only requirement being that at least one light be included in the lower group of lights. 
     The selective, zonal lighting system of the present invention is operated through switch  40 , which has four positions, as shown in FIGS. 7A-D. In a preferred embodiment, the switch  40  is a thumb dial rotatable between three detent positions and a variable lighting position, as further described below. Next to switch  40  on the lighting panel  86  is a graphic, which indicates switch position when aligned with an indicator  88  on the thumb dial  85 . When the indicator  88  is aligned with an upper graphic  90 , the switch  40  is in a. first position (FIG. 7A) in which both the upper and lower group of lights are illuminated. This top detent position for switch  40  is sometimes referred to as the “dome” position. All interior lamps are activated in this position regardless of other vehicle conditions, for example, regardless of door position or vehicle speed. 
     When the thumb dial  85  is rotated so that the indicator  88  aligns with the variable lighting graphic  92  (FIG.  7 B), both the upper and lower groups of lights are illuminated between a maximum intensity and a minimum intensity when certain vehicle conditions are encountered. Preferably, these vehicle conditions include a door position and a vehicle speed. In a preferred embodiment, both the upper and lower groups of lights will illuminate when a door is ajar, and when the vehicle speed is less than 10 mph. If the vehicle speed exceeds 15 mph while any door is ajar, all interior lamps will extinguish. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the just-described vehicle conditions for operation of the interior lamps when in the variable position, sometimes called the “dim” position shown in FIG. 7B but may include other vehicle conditions or not include the herein described vehicle conditions. It should be understood that the upper and lower groups of lights will vary in intensity and brightness as the thumb dial is rotated between the dome detent, indicated at graphic  90 , and the floor or foot detent, indicated at  94 . 
     When the thumb dial  85  is rotated so that indicator  88  is aligned with graphic  94  (FIG.  7 C), only the lower group of lights are illuminated when certain vehicle conditions are encountered as described above. In particular, the lower group of lights will illuminate when the courtesy lamp mode switch  40  is in the “foot”, or “floor”, position (FIG. 7C) and any door is ajar while the vehicle speed is less than 10 mph. If the vehicle speed exceeds 15 mph while any door is ajar, the interior lamps will extinguish. 
     When the thumb dial  85  is rotated such that it reaches a third detent when the indicator  88  is aligned with an off graphic  96  (FIG.  7 D), sometimes referred to as the “off” position, no interior lamps will illuminate regardless of any door position or vehicle speed. 
     Turning now to FIG. 8, a schematic diagram of the electronic components of a selective interior zonal lighting system of the present invention is shown. The lighting system may include a front electronics module  100 , a rear electronics module  102 , and an instrument cluster module  104 . The front electronics module (FEM)  100  receives sensor inputs from both a driver door-ajar switch  106  and a passenger door-ajar switch  108 , which can be conventional ajar switches known in the art. The rear electronics module (REM)  102  receives signals from a left sliding door-ajar switch  110 , a liftgate-ajar switch  112 , and a right sliding door-ajar switch  14 . The REM  102  has appropriate electronics for combining these signals and sending a rear door-ajar signal  116  to the FEM  100 . The vehicle speed may be taken from the antilock brake system (ABS)  118 , for both the driven and undriven wheels. Alternatively, for vehicles not equipped with ABS, vehicle speed may be taken from another speed sensing location known to those skilled in the art. In any event, a vehicle speed signal  120  is sent to the FEM  100 . 
     The instrument cluster  104  receives a signal  122  representative of the courtesy lamp mode switch position. This switch position is then passed by the instrument cluster  104  to the FEM  100  as a signal  124 . 
     Logic within the FEM  100  takes the courtesy lamp mode switch position  124 , along with the rear door-ajar composite signal  116 , a driver door-ajar signal  126 , and a passenger door-ajar signal  128 , and the vehicle speed signal  120 , and determines which, if any, interior lamps should be illuminated. If the courtesy lamp mode switch  40  is in the dome position, the FEM  100  sends a signal  130  to both the REM  102  and the instrument cluster  104  to illuminate the upper group of lights  64  and  68 , and the instrument panel courtesy lights  48  and  54 , respectively. In addition, the FEM  100  sends a signal  132  directly to the stepwell courtesy lamps  78  and the driver and passenger puddle lamps  72  (FIG.  8 ). 
     When the courtesy lamp mode switch  40  is in the dim position, and a door-ajar signal is received, either signal  126 ,  128  or  116 , and the vehicle speed signal  120  is less than 10 mph, the FEM  100  sends a signal  130  to both the REM  102  and the instrument cluster  104  to illuminate the overhead lighting in the instrument panel courtesy lamps to the desired intensity as indicated on the thumb dial. In addition, the stepwell courtesy lamps and the driver and passenger puddle lamps are illuminated to the desired intensity via a direct signal  132  from the FEM  100 . If the courtesy mode switch  40  is in the floor position, the FEM  100  sends a signal  130  only to the instrument cluster  104  to illuminate the instrument panel courtesy lamps  48 ,  54  and in addition sends a signal  132  to the stepwell courtesy lamps and the driver and passenger puddle lamps  72 . However, no signal is sent to the REM  102  for overhead lighting illumination. These four groups of lights are illuminated only if a door-ajar signal  126 ,  128  or  116  is received at the FEM  100 , in addition to a vehicle speed  120  of less than 10 mph. 
     Finally, if the courtesy mode switch is in the off position, the FEM  100  does not send any signals to the REM  102 , the instrument cluster  104 , the stepwell courtesy lamps  78  or the driver or passenger puddle lamps. 
     It should be understood that the invention described herein is not limited to the exact construction and/or method which has been illustrated or described above, but that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Category: 7