A courtesy lighting system is provided for a door of a motor vehicle. That courtesy lighting system includes an audio speaker, a light source, a network interface connected to the audio speaker and the light source and a control module. The control module is connected to the network interface. The control module includes a controller configured to operate in (a) an ambient illumination mode, (b) a footwell illumination mode when the door is closed and (c) a puddle illumination mode when the door is opened. A method of lighting a door of a motor vehicle is also provided.

A projector system for a vehicle includes an external member having at least a portion formed of a transparent material, the portion including a translucent surface, and a projector configured to project an image onto the translucent surface.

An integrated lighting insert is provided for multi-function automotive vehicle lighting that has minimal space requirements and provides different lighting functions in a single device with an electronic control module that can easily interface with vehicle electronics. The insert a housing and a plurality of light transmission portions, a plurality of light sources integrated into the housing, each one configured for a different predetermined function associated with a particular use of a condition of or a state of the automobile. An electrical circuit is used along with a communications bus and individual controller circuits associated with the light sources fix controlling the light functions.

A light-producing assembly is provided herein and includes a first portion of LEDs biased to direct light in a first direction, a second portion of LEDs biased to direct light in a second direction that is different than the first direction, and a controller for selectively activating the first and/or second portions of LEDs.

A rear liftgate window assembly for a vehicle includes a glass window panel configured to be pivotally mounted at a rear portion of a vehicle so as to be pivotable between a closed position and an opened position. A lighting device is disposed at an inner surface of the glass window panel and includes (i) at least one light source adhesively attached at the inner surface of the glass window panel, (ii) electrical connectors disposed at the inner surface of the glass window panel, and (iii) electrically conductive traces established at the inner surface of the glass window panel between the light sources and the electrical connectors. The electrical connectors are configured to electrically connect to a power source of the vehicle when the rear liftgate window assembly is mounted at the vehicle.

A door system for a vehicle includes a vehicle door, a closing unit, an operating element arranged on the vehicle door for a vehicle user, a first light source, and a control unit. The first light source is arranged such that the first light source illuminates segments of the vehicle door and/or body in the region of the door gap. The control unit receives signals of an electronic key for the vehicle and controls the closing unit depending on signals of the electronic key, and the first light source depending on the closure state of the vehicle door and/or depending on a communication state of the electronic key with the control unit of the vehicle. For a defined closure state of the vehicle door or a defined communication state of the electronic key with the control unit, the control unit illuminates a location of the segments of the vehicle door assigned to the operating element and/or the segments of the body.

The present invention detects the movements or the open/close status of a door. After detection it flashes warning lights for approaching people or vehicles. In the primary embodiment, the lighting elements are displaced at the edge of the door panel to clearly indicate the edges. In another embodiment, the lighting element is displaced in a door knob that can warn the people of the opening of the door.

This apparatus, system, and method for preventing vehicle door related accidents will help to detect oncoming traffic and/or nearby external objects when an occupant of the vehicle or the vehicle processor demonstrates an intent to open the vehicle door, and it would generate an alert for the vehicle users, or generate an external alert for the outside users, or automatically stop the vehicle door from opening further if there was a possibility of an accident involving the vehicle doors or its users. This invention comprises of an internal alert mechanism to alert vehicle users about the oncoming traffic and/or nearby external objects. This invention also comprises of an external alert mechanism, which would generate alert externally that vehicle door is about to be opened. This invention also comprises of a feature to restrict the vehicle doors from opening further when there is a potential for door related accident.

An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises at least one light source disposed in a portion of a side mirror assembly of the vehicle. The light source is configured to emit an excitation emission at a first wavelength substantially along a side portion of the vehicle. The illumination apparatus further comprises a photoluminescent portion disposed on a surface of the vehicle. The excitation emission is configured to excite the photoluminescent portion to emit an output emission corresponding to a different color of light than the first excitation emission.

A light emission device 20 comprises a light source 21 irradiating excitation light; and a window glass 13 emitting visible light through incident radiation of the excitation light, which is attached to a car door 10, wherein the window glass 13 emits the light by irradiation with the excitation light depending on an opening/closing state of the car door 10. The present invention can provide a light emission device that enables the opening and closing of a vehicle door to be easily recognized by a person in the back, without attaching any separate part to an outer side of the vehicle door or the like.