# US 2016/0258591 A1 · Luminescent vehicle molding > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0258591 A1 - Document ID: US20160258591A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/006,648 - Filed: 2016-01-26 - Published: 2016-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-03-06 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Stuart C. Salter; James J. Surman; Paul Kenneth Dellock; Dragos Maciuca; Chester Stanislaus Walawender - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160258591A1 ## CPC - B60Q 1/0035: {relative to the vehicle} - B60Q 1/26: the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic - B60Q 1/324: {for signalling that a door is open or intended to be opened} - B60Q 1/46: for giving flashing caution signals during drive, other than signalling change of direction, e.g. flashing the headlights {or hazard lights} - B60Q 1/507: {specific to autonomous vehicles} - B60Q 1/543: {for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle (indicating taxis' state of hire or fare G07B13/045)} - F21S 41/176: Light sources where the light is generated by photoluminescent material spaced from a primary light generating element - F21S 43/16: Light sources where the light is generated by photoluminescent material spaced from a primary light generating element - F21S 43/237: rod-shaped - F21S 43/245: emitting light from one or more of its major surfaces - F21S 43/249: with two or more light sources being coupled into the light guide - H05B 47/11: by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light - B60Q 1/381: {with several light sources activated in sequence, e.g. to create a sweep effect} - B60Q 1/44: for indicating braking action {or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal} - B60Q 2400/20: Multi-color single source or LED matrix, e.g. yellow blinker and red brake lamp generated by single lamp - B60Q 2400/40: Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle - H05B 47/115: by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings - Y02B 20/40: Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection - 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 - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS ## Abstract A lighting apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The lighting apparatus comprises a cover portion mounted to a body panel and forming an opening extending along a perimeter of the body panel. The apparatus further comprises at least one light source disposed within the opening and configured to emit light outward through the opening. A reflective portion is disposed proximate the opening. The light is projected from the reflective portion to illuminate a region proximate the vehicle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A lighting apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: a cover portion mounted to a body panel and forming an opening extending along a perimeter of the body panel; at least one light source disposed within the opening and configured to emit light outward through the opening; and a reflective portion disposed proximate the opening, wherein the light is projected from the reflective portion to illuminate a region proximate the vehicle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover portion corresponds to a molding portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The lighting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the molding portion comprises a carrier disposed between the cover portion and the body panel, the carrier having an exposed portion configured to luminesce in response to the light from the light source. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The lighting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the molding portion extends substantially around a perimeter of the vehicle illuminating the region. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reflective portion corresponds to a reflective strip extending substantially coextensive to the cover portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reflective portion corresponds to a layer of reflective material disposed on a surface of the panel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The lighting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the reflective material corresponds to a reflective paint disposed on the panel configured to reflect the light to illuminate the region proximate the vehicle. ### Claim 8 A monitoring system for a vehicle, comprising: a lighting apparatus comprising: a cover portion proximate a perimeter of a body panel; and a light source concealed by the cover portion and configured to output an emission; and an imaging device configured to capture a field of view; and a controller in communication with the imaging device and the light source, wherein the controller is configured to: receive image data from the imaging device; and control the light source to illuminate a region proximate the vehicle with the emission, the region corresponding to the field of view. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The monitoring system according to claim 8, wherein the imaging device corresponds to a plurality of imaging devices configured to capture the image data corresponding to a panoramic scene extending at least 180 degrees around the vehicle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The monitoring system according to claim 9, wherein the light source corresponds to a plurality of light sources extending around a belt-line of the vehicle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The monitoring system according to claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to selectively activate a portion of the light sources corresponding to one or more of the fields of view of the imaging devices. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The monitoring system according to claim 8, further comprising a reflective portion disposed on the body panel proximate the cover portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The monitoring system according to claim 12, wherein the emission is projected from the reflective portion to illuminate the region proximate the vehicle. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The monitoring system according to claim 8, wherein the cover portion forms an opening extending along the perimeter of the body panel and the light source is configured to output the emission through the opening. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The monitoring system according to claim 8, further comprising a carrier disposed between the cover portion and the body panel, the carrier having an exposed portion configured to luminesce in response to the emission from the light source. ### Claim 16 A lighting system of a vehicle configured to illuminate a field of view of an imaging system comprising: a cover portion at least partially covering a seam of a body panel of the vehicle; a carrier disposed between the cover portion and the body panel, the carrier having an exposed portion configured to luminesce in response to a light excitation; and at least one light source configured to emit light for exciting the exposed portion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The molding according to claim 16, wherein the carrier is arranged as an optical waveguide and is injection molded to the molding. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The molding according to claim 16, wherein the at least one light source is disposed on a flex circuit snapably engaged to the carrier. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The molding according to claim 16, wherein the body panel corresponds to a plurality of body panels comprising at least a side panel and a rear panel and the molding extends along the plurality of body panels. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The molding according to claim 16, wherein the at least one light source comprises a plurality of light source configured to selectively illuminate a portion of a region proximate to and extending around the vehicle.