# US 10,766,409 B2 · Vehicle light assembly having strobe light > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,766,409 B2 - Document ID: US10766409B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/894,098 - Filed: 2018-02-12 - Published: 2019-08-15 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-02-12 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Stuart C. Salter; Aaron Bradley Johnson; Stephen Kenneth Helwig; Paul Kenneth Dellock - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10766409B2 ## CPC - B60Q 1/2607: {comprising at least two indicating lamps} - B60Q 1/22: for reverse drive - B60Q 1/34: for indicating change of drive direction (B60Q1/22 takes precedence) - B60Q 1/44: for indicating braking action {or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal} - B60Q 1/46: for giving flashing caution signals during drive, other than signalling change of direction, e.g. flashing the headlights {or hazard lights} - F21S 43/14: Light emitting diodes [LED] - F21S 43/19: Attachment of light sources or lamp holders - F21S 43/237: rod-shaped - F21S 43/245: emitting light from one or more of its major surfaces - F21S 43/247: with a single light source being coupled into the light guide - F21S 43/26: {Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255} - F21S 43/31: Optical layout thereof - F21S 43/40: characterised by the combination of reflectors and refractors - H05B 45/20: Controlling the colour of the light - B60Q 2400/20: Multi-color single source or LED matrix, e.g. yellow blinker and red brake lamp generated by single lamp - F21W 2105/00: Combinations of lighting devices covered by codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2104/00 - F21Y 2113/13: comprising an assembly of point-like light sources - F21Y 2115/10: Light-emitting diodes [LED] - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL - F21W: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS - F21Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED ## Abstract A vehicle taillight assembly is provided that includes a housing having a light transmissive lens, a brake light located in the housing, a strobe light located in the housing and a controller activating the strobe light to strobe when the brake light is activated. The strobe light may also be activated when a turn signal light or reverse light is activated. The strobe light has a light source illuminating light onto a light pipe. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle taillight assembly comprising: a housing having a light transmissive lens, wherein the housing is configured to be assembled on a left or right side rear panel of a vehicle; a brake light located in the housing; a strobe light located in the housing; a reverse light located in the housing, a turn signal light located in the housing; and a controller activating the strobe light to strobe when the brake light is activated, the controller activating the strobe light to strobe when the reverse light is activated, and the controller activating the strobe light to strobe when the turn signal light is activated. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 1, wherein the controller activates the strobe light in a first color when the brake light is activated, activates the strobe light in a second color when the reverse light is activated, and activates the strobe light in a third color when the turn signal light is activated. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 2, wherein the strobe light comprises a RGB LED. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 1, wherein the strobe light comprises a light source operatively coupled to a light pipe. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 4, wherein the strobe light further comprises a reflector and the light transmissive lens is located on opposite sides of the light pipe. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 1, wherein the strobe light turns on and off at a frequency greater than 2 hertz. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 6, wherein the strobe light turns on and off at a frequency in the range of 3-20 hertz. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 7, wherein the strobe light turns on and off at a frequency in the range of 4-8 hertz. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 8, wherein the strobe light turns on and off with a duty cycle in the range of about 1-50%. ### Claim 10 A vehicle taillight assembly comprising: a housing having a light transmissive lens, wherein the housing is configured to be assembled on a left or right side rear panel of a vehicle; a brake light located in the housing; a strobe light located in the housing and comprising a light source illuminating light onto a light pipe; and a reverse light located in the housing; a turn signal light located in the housing; and a controller activating the strobe light to strobe in a first color when the brake light is activated, the controller activating the strobe light to strobe in a second color when the reverse light is activated, and the controller activating the strobe light to strobe in a third color when the turn signal light is activated. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 10, wherein the strobe light comprises a RGB LED. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 10, wherein the strobe light further comprises a reflector and the lens located on opposite sides of the light pipe. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 10, wherein the strobe light turns on and off at a frequency greater than 2 hertz. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 13, wherein the strobe light turns on and off at a frequency in the range of 3-20 hertz. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The vehicle taillight assembly of claim 10, wherein the strobe light turns on and off at a frequency in the range of 4-8 hertz and a duty cycle of about 50%.