Nissan North America, Inc.

Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.

Jason Nantais

Chris Prisby

Tom Schumacher

Paul Tyll

Christopher Prisby

Kent Agne

Mark Contardi

Sarah Ford

Chiray Fischer

Takayoshi Harada

The present disclosure describes lighting assemblies (e.g., taillight assemblies) for vehicles that diffuse and block light transmission from a centralized light source, which inhibits (if not entirely prevents) the creation and perception of hotspots from one or more points-of-view (e.g., from the sides and/or the rear of the vehicle) while producing a more homogenous overall appearance. In one embodiment of the disclosure, the lighting assembly includes: a light source; a diffuser that is spaced axially from the light source; a lens that is spaced axially from the diffuser; and a shield that is located axially between the diffuser and the lens. The diffuser includes first and second lateral ends and is configured to receive and disperse light from the light source through the lighting assembly. The shield is configured to interfere with light transmission from the light source through the at least one lens and thereby inhibit hotspot perception.

Lighting assemblies for vehicles

A low profile light assembly for a vehicle. The assembly includes a first lens having an outer profile that provides a portion of an external profile of the vehicle. The assembly also includes a second lens disposed on a side of the first lens that is opposite the outer profile. The light assembly also includes a light curtain that includes a first side that corresponds to a portion of an inner profile of the second lens and a second side, opposite the first side, that includes protrusions evenly spaced along a length of the second side, the protrusions include a first surface that extends a width of the second side. The assembly also includes at least one light source that is directed toward at least some of the first surfaces of the protrusions.

Vehicle light assembly

A vehicle auxiliary lamp unit includes a first circuit board and an elongated light pipe. The first circuit board has a plurality of first light sources and at least one aperture. The elongated light pipe has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is located by the first circuit board and arranged to receive light from a first of the plurality of first light sources. The proximal end of the elongated light pipe includes at least one locating projection that is received by the at least one aperture of the first circuit board.

Vehicle auxiliary lamp unit

A vehicle radiator structure includes a radiator core, a first fluid tank, a second fluid tank, a first lift assist contact member and a second lift assist contact member. The radiator core has a cooling fin portion. The first and second fluid tanks are fluidly coupled to the radiator core. The first lift assist contact member extends from the first fluid tank with at least a portion of the first lift assist contact member being disposed directly vertically beneath the first fluid tank in a vehicle installed position of the vehicle radiator structure. The second lift assist contact member is separate and spaced apart from the first lift assist contact member, and extends from the second fluid tank with at least a portion of the second lift assist contact member being in lateral alignment with the first lift assist contact member and the radiator core.

Vehicle radiator structure

A system controls an auxiliary light for a vehicle. The system includes a cockpit button to activate the auxiliary light, a Hall sensor operable to detect the installation and removal of a magnetized cover for the auxiliary light; a warning indicator; and a controller. The controller activates the warning indicator in response to the output of the sensor and the on/off state of the cockpit button.

Vehicle lighting system and method

An exterior auxiliary lighting system is provided including a light source for generating a beam of visible light, the light source having an aperture through which the beam of light is projected. A cover can be detachably connected to the light source to overlay at least a portion of the aperture. A sensor is provided for detecting whether the cover is attached to the light source. A switch responsive to an output signal from the sensor is adapted to selectively decouple the light source from a power supply when the sensor detects that the cover is attached to the light source.

Growing community of inventors

Royal Oak, MI, United States of America

Jason Nantais