Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Jay H Ovenshire

Daniel E Schmeckpeper

Martin J Davis

Thomas W Jozwiak

Benjamin P Zavala

Jeffrey T Zawacki

Andrzej Wasilewski

Altaf S Imam

Carl B Corman

Catherine A Ostrander

Kenneth V Hollewa

Stanley C Dutt

John D Blanchard, Ii

Mark Drabik

Brian Harrod

David Mitchenall

An exterior lighting and object detection assembly for a vehicle operable in an exterior environment that includes an object includes a housing, a first light source, an inner lens, and an object detection device. The first light source is connected to the housing and emits light for a position light function of the vehicle. The inner lens is connected to the housing and has a first portion that receives and reflects the light from the first light source to the exterior environment of the vehicle to provide the position light function. The object detection device is connected to the housing and is operable to detect the object via an electromagnetic energy. The first portion of the inner lens is disposed between the object and the object detection device and is configured to permit the electromagnetic energy to pass through such that the object detection device detects the object.

Exterior lighting and object detection assembly

A light assembly including two light sources through a single inner lens made of two separate materials includes a first light source that is operable to emit light for a position light function of the vehicle, and a second light source that is operable to emit light for a Daytime Running Light function of the vehicle. The light assembly further includes an inner lens having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is formed from a mixture of polymethyl methacrylate and polyetheresteramide, and is operable to receive light from the first light source adjacent a light receiving edge of the first portion and reflect the light to provide the position light function. The second portion of the inner lens is formed from polymethyl methacrylate without polyetheresteramide, and is operable to receive light from the second light source and direct the light to provide the DRL function.

Automotive light assembly with inner lens for combined daytime running light and position light functions

A light assembly includes a housing defining separate first and second cavities, an illuminable outer lens constructed from a homogenous multi-polymer material, and a first lighting source within the first cavity. A second lighting source may be positioned in the second cavity. An opaque portion of the housing separates the first and second cavities and prevents an influx into the second cavity of light emitted by the first lighting source. The multi-polymer material, when irradiated by the first lighting source, illuminates with a light transmittance level of about 50% or more and a haze level of less than about 30%. A vehicle includes a body having a front end, a hood positioned at the front end, and the light assembly positioned adjacent to the hood. A controller may transmit a lighting control signal to the first lighting source to command a turn signal, daytime running light, park, or position function.

Light assembly with illuminable outer lens

A lens assembly for a vehicle includes a light source, a preliminary lens, and a bending lens. The light source emits a stream of light rays. The preliminary lens has an entry surface and an exit surface disposed opposite the entry surface. The preliminary lens is disposed in adjacent relationship to the light source such that the entry surface faces the light source. The bending lens has a receptor surface and an emission surface disposed opposite the receptor surface. The receptor surface of the bending lens faces the exit surface of the preliminary lens. At least one optic extends from the emission surface of the bending lens. Each optic is configured to bend a portion of the stream of parallel light rays travelling therethrough such that a stream of bent light rays is emitted from the optic.

Lens assembly for a vehicle

A lamp assembly for illuminating an exterior portion of a vehicle includes a lamp housing, and a switch supported by the lamp housing. The lamp assembly includes a flexible lens that is supported by the lamp housing and flexes to move relative to the lamp housing between an undepressed position and a depressed position when a force is applied to the lens. The lens is configured to cause the switch to move from a first position to a second position when the lens moves to the depressed position.

Vehicle lamp assembly with flexible lens

A tail light assembly includes a lighting assembly and a control board. The lighting assembly includes a base plate and a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The control board is electrically connected to each of the LEDs. The control board receives an activation signal from a device. In response, the control board sequentially sends an illumination signal to LEDs of each of a plurality of groups of LEDs to thereby sequentially illuminate the groups of LEDs. The control board also selectively and sequentially sends a termination signal to LEDs of the various groups of LED, in alternating relationship to sending the illumination signal. The sequential illumination and turning off of the plurality of LEDs simulates motion of waves propagating across the base plate.

Tail light assembly for a vehicle

A vehicle and a headlamp assembly for the vehicle are disclosed. The headlamp assembly includes a light device movable about a center point of rotation. The headlamp assembly also includes a first member supporting the light device. The first member has a partially spherical configuration. The headlamp assembly further includes a second member supporting the first member. The second member has a partially spherical configuration complementary to the partially spherical configuration of the first member to allow movement of the light device about the center point of rotation.

Vehicle and a headlamp assembly for the vehicle

A windshield wiper system for a vehicle includes a wiper arm pivot shaft having a pivot axis extending through the pivot shaft. An energy-absorbing feature is arranged to absorb energy of an external force applied to the wiper arm pivot shaft. The energy-absorbing feature enables the wiper arm pivot shaft to move away from the external force.

Vehicle windshield wiper system with energy-absorbing feature

Apparatus are provided for notifying a driver of an open vehicle access. The apparatus includes an electronic control module for informing a vehicle driver that a vehicle access is not secured, the electronic control module configured to determine if a transmission of the vehicle is in either a park status or a neutral status, determine if all keys for the vehicle are located outside a predetermined distance from the vehicle and determine if a displacement sensor indicates that a vehicle access is not closed. When the vehicle is in the park or neutral status, the key is located at a distance greater than the predetermined distance from the vehicle, and at least one vehicle access is indicated as being not closed, then an access open message is generated and sent to the driver.

Methods and systems for closure notification

A lamp socket assembly tool includes an engaging end configured to engage a lamp socket inserted in an opening of a lamp housing, which may be a vehicle lamp housing. The tool includes a driving end operatively connected to the engaging end and configured to receive and transmit an axial and rotating force to the engaging end to assemble or disassembly a socket engaged by the tool relative to the housing. The tool includes a passage for receiving a connector portion of the socket such that the tool is not in contact with a connector interface. The passage may define an aperture through which a connector wire attached to the socket may exit or move freely during rotation of the socket by the tool. The engaging interface may substantially conform to a socket interface defined by a standardized filament lamp, such as an ECE H9 or H11 socket.

Lamp socket assembly tool

A pair of folding ramps each of which having a hinge connecting a first ramp section pivotally to a second ramp section. When in a fully unfolded state, structural support adjacent the hinge is provided by a tension cable assembly composed of a tension cable connecting to the first and second ramp sections and passing over an end of a mast, wherein the mast is connected with the hinge so as to be pivotal with respect to the first and second ramp sections. When in a fully folded state, the folding ramps are stored within a ramp storage receptacle of a tail gate.

Folding ramp system

An illuminated display includes a light source positioned within an optical chamber defined by a first optical element having a first reflective surface with an image thereon. A second optical element is positioned within the chamber and is spaced from the first optical element to define a gap therebetween, through which gap the image is visible. The second optical element has a second reflective surface thereon for reflecting light from the light source onto the image. A third reflective surface is positioned on the first optical element and also reflects light from the light source to the second reflective surface from which light is directed to the image on the first optical element and out through the gap. In this way the efficiencies of the illuminated display are enhanced. The illuminated display is used in combination with an automotive vehicle to display branding information and logos.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, MI, United States of America

Jay H Ovenshire