U.S. patent application number 15/906434 was filed with the patent office on 2019-08-29 for vehicle entry systems.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Ford Global Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to Linsheng Chen, Jonathan Diedrich, Laura Viviana Hazebrouck, Adil Nizam Siddiqui.
Application Number | 20190263355 15/906434 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67620927 |
Filed Date | 2019-08-29 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190263355 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen; Linsheng ; et
al. |
August 29, 2019 |
VEHICLE ENTRY SYSTEMS
Abstract
A vehicle includes a door. A transparency is coupled to the door
including an exterior substrate and an interior substrate. An
interlayer is positioned between the exterior substrate and the
interior substrate. A polarizer is positioned on the interlayer. An
indicium is positioned on the interlayer. A light source is
positioned to emit light onto the indicium.
Inventors: |
Chen; Linsheng; (Novi,
MI) ; Hazebrouck; Laura Viviana; (Birmingham, MI)
; Diedrich; Jonathan; (Carleton, MI) ; Siddiqui;
Adil Nizam; (Farmington Hills, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ford Global Technologies, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Ford Global Technologies,
LLC
|
Family ID: |
67620927 |
Appl. No.: |
15/906434 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B32B 17/10541 20130101;
B32B 2605/006 20130101; B60J 1/08 20130101; B60Q 3/14 20170201;
B60R 25/305 20130101; B60Q 3/12 20170201; B60Q 1/323 20130101; G06F
3/0425 20130101; B60Q 3/16 20170201; B60Q 1/268 20130101; B60Q 3/18
20170201; F21V 9/14 20130101; G06F 3/044 20130101; B60R 25/23
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60R 25/23 20060101
B60R025/23; F21V 9/14 20060101 F21V009/14; B60Q 1/26 20060101
B60Q001/26; B60Q 1/32 20060101 B60Q001/32; B60J 1/08 20060101
B60J001/08; B60R 25/30 20060101 B60R025/30; G06F 3/042 20060101
G06F003/042 |
Claims
1. A vehicle comprising: a door; a transparency coupled to the
door, comprising an exterior substrate; an interior substrate; an
interlayer positioned between the exterior substrate and the
interior substrate; a polarizer positioned on the interlayer; and
an indicium positioned on the interlayer; and a light source
positioned to emit light onto the indicium.
2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the polarizer is a circular
polarizer.
3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the polarizer is positioned
between the exterior substrate and the interlayer.
4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the indicium is positioned
between the interior substrate and the interlayer.
5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the light source is configured
to emit ultraviolet light.
6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the light source is positioned
on the door.
7. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: an imager configured
to image the indicium.
8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the imager is positioned on the
door.
9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the imager is positioned
proximate the light source.
10. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the imager is configured to
sense visible light.
11. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the imager is configured to
sense infrared light.
12. A vehicle, comprising a door; a transparency coupled to the
door, comprising an interlayer positioned between an exterior
substrate and an interior substrate; a circular polarizer
positioned between the exterior substrate and the interlayer; and
an indicium positioned between the interlayer and the interior
substrate; and a light source positioned to emit light onto the
indicium.
13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the indicium is configured as
a keypad.
14. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the indicium comprises an ink
configured to emit light when energized by the light source.
15. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the interlayer comprises a
polymeric material.
16. The vehicle of claim 12, further comprising: a proximity sensor
positioned proximate the indicium.
17. A vehicle entry system, comprising: a transparency comprising:
an interlayer positioned between an exterior substrate and an
interior substrate; a circular polarizer; and an indicium, wherein
the indicium and the circular polarizer are positioned on opposite
sides of the interlayer than one another; and a light source
positioned to emit light onto the indicium.
18. The vehicle entry system of claim 17, further comprising: an
imager configured to image the indicium.
19. The vehicle entry system of claim 18, wherein both the imager
and the light source are positioned externally to the
transparency.
20. The vehicle entry system of claim 17, further comprising: a
proximity sensor positioned proximate the indicium.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to entry systems,
and more particularly to vehicle entry systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Vehicles incorporate a variety of entry systems.
Conventional entry systems utilizing light may be washed out in
high ambient lighting conditions. Accordingly, new systems for
increasing entry system contrast may be advantageous.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] According to one feature of the present disclosure, a
vehicle includes a door. A transparency coupled to the door
includes an exterior substrate and an interior substrate. An
interlayer is positioned between the exterior substrate and the
interior substrate. A polarizer is positioned on the interlayer. An
indicium is positioned on the interlayer. A light source is
positioned to emit light onto the indicium.
[0004] According to another feature of the present disclosure, a
vehicle includes a door. A transparency is coupled to the door. An
interlayer is positioned between an exterior substrate and an
interior substrate. A circular polarizer is positioned between the
exterior substrate and the interlayer. An indicium is positioned
between the interlayer and the interior substrate. A light source
is positioned to emit light onto the indicium.
[0005] According to yet another feature of the present disclosure,
a vehicle entry system includes a transparency. An interlayer is
positioned between an exterior substrate and an interior substrate.
A circular polarizer and an indicium are included and the indicium
and the circular polarizer are positioned on opposite sides of the
interlayer than one another. A light source is positioned to emit
light onto the indicium.
[0006] These and other aspects, objects, and features of the
present disclosure will be understood and appreciated by those
skilled in the art upon studying the following specification,
claims, and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The following is a description of the figures in the
accompanying drawings. The figures are not necessarily to scale,
and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown
exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and
conciseness.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a vehicle, according to
at least one example;
[0009] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken at line IIA-IIA of
FIG. 1, according to at least one example;
[0010] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken at line IIB-IIB of
FIG. 1, according to at least one example;
[0011] FIG. 3 an enhanced and exploded view of section III of FIG.
2A, according to at least one example; and
[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the vehicle, according to at
least one example.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the detailed description which follows and will be
apparent to those skilled in the art from the description, or
recognized by practicing the invention as described in the
following description, together with the claims and appended
drawings.
[0014] As used herein, the term "and/or," when used in a list of
two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be
employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed
items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described
as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can
contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C
in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in
combination.
[0015] In this document, relational terms, such as first and
second, top and bottom, and the like, are used solely to
distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action,
without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such
relationship or order between such entities or actions.
[0016] It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the
art that construction of the described disclosure, and other
components, is not limited to any specific material. Other
exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be
formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise
herein.
[0017] As used herein, the term "about" means that amounts, sizes,
formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics
are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger
or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors,
rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors
known to those of skill in the art. When the term "about" is used
in describing a value or an end-point of a range, the disclosure
should be understood to include the specific value or end-point
referred to. Whether or not a numerical value or end-point of a
range in the specification recites "about," the numerical value or
end-point of a range is intended to include two embodiments: one
modified by "about," and one not modified by "about." It will be
further understood that the end-points of each of the ranges are
significant both in relation to the other end-point, and
independently of the other end-point.
[0018] The terms "substantial," "substantially," and variations
thereof as used herein are intended to note that a described
feature is equal or approximately equal to a value or description.
For example, a "substantially planar" surface is intended to denote
a surface that is planar or approximately planar. Moreover,
"substantially" is intended to denote that two values are equal or
approximately equal. In some embodiments, "substantially" may
denote values within about 10% of each other.
[0019] It is also important to note that the construction and
arrangement of the elements of the disclosure, as shown in the
exemplary embodiments, is illustrative only. Although only a few
embodiments of the present innovations have been described in
detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this
disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are
possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes
and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters,
mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations,
etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and
advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements
shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts, or
elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the
operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied,
the length or width of the structures, and/or members, or
connectors, or other elements of the system, may be varied, and the
nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the
elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or
assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide
variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or
durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and
combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to
be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other
substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in
the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired
and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit
of the present innovations.
[0020] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, a vehicle 10 includes a door 14,
a vehicle entry system 16 and a transparency 18 coupled to the door
14. The transparency 18 includes an exterior substrate 22, an
interior substrate 26, an interlayer 30 positioned between the
exterior substrate 22 and the interior substrate 26. A polarizer 34
is positioned on the interlayer 30. An indicium 38 is positioned on
the interlayer 30. A light source 42 is positioned to emit light
onto the indicium 38.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 is depicted as a
sedan, but it will be understood that the vehicle 10 may be a sport
utility vehicle, van, truck, cross-over or other vehicle 10 without
departing from the teachings provided herein. The vehicle 10 may
include a single door 14 or a plurality of doors 14. Although the
door 14 is depicted as a standard passenger door 14, it will be
understood that the door 14 may be any entry point to the vehicle
10 including vehicle lift gate, tailgate, a butterfly door,
gullwing door, sliding door, suicide door, rear door and/or other
doors of vehicles 10. The door 14 may include one or more
transparencies 18 coupled to the door 14. For example, the
transparency 18 may be a passenger window, a quarter window, an
opera window, rear window, rear windshield, side windows, and other
transparencies 18 coupled to the doors 14. It will be understood
that for purposes of this disclosure, the transparency 18 may not
need to be coupled to one of the doors 14. For example, the
transparency 18 may be a front windshield, a rear sliding window
for a truck or other transparencies 18 positioned around the
vehicle 10. Regardless of the door 14 and/or transparency 18, the
vehicle 10, door 14 and/or transparency 18 may include the vehicle
entry system 16. The vehicle 10 may include a single vehicle entry
system 16 (e.g., on a driver door) or multiple vehicle entry
systems 16 positioned around the vehicle 10. As will be explained
in greater detail below, the vehicle entry system 16 may be
configured to allow unlocking and/or entry to the vehicle 10.
[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the transparency 18 may
include the exterior and interior substrates 22, 26. For purposes
of this disclosure, the exterior substrate 22 is positioned on an
outboard, or outer, side of the transparency 18 while the inner
substrate 26 is positioned on an inboard, or inner, side of the
transparency 18. In other words, the exterior substrate 22 is
exposed to the environment around the vehicle 10 while the interior
substrate 26 is exposed to an interior cabin of the vehicle 10. The
exterior and/or interior substrates 22, 26 may be composed of a
material which is transparent or substantially transparent to
visible light (e.g., light having a wavelength of from about 400 nm
to about 700 nm). It will be understood that the exterior and/or
interior substrates 22, 26 may have a different level of
transmittance of infrared (e.g., light having a wavelength of
greater than about 700 nm) and/or ultraviolet (e.g., light having a
wavelength of from about 180 nm to about 400 nm) light as compared
to the transmittance of visible light. The exterior and/or interior
substrates 22, 26 may be composed of a glass, polymeric material
and/or combinations thereof. In glass examples, the exterior and/or
interior substrates 22, 26 may be composed of soda-lime float
glass, alkaline earth boro-aluminosilicate glass,
alkali-aluminosilicate glass, borosilicate glass, chemically
strengthened glass, heat-strengthened glass, insulated glass,
tempered glass and/or combinations thereof. In polymeric examples,
the exterior and/or interior substrates 22, 26 may be composed of
polysulfone, acrylic, polycarbonate, cycloolefin, polyethylene
terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyimide,
polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyphenylene sulfide, poly(methyl
methacrylate), high density polyethylene, acrylonitrile butadiene
styrene, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene vinyl alcohol,
moisture-resistant polymers and/or combinations thereof. It will be
understood that the materials of the exterior and interior
substrates 22, 26 may be the same or different than one
another.
[0023] The exterior and/or interior substrates 22, 26 may each have
a thickness of from about 1.0 mm to about 2.5 mm. For example, the
individual thicknesses of the exterior and/or interior substrates
22, 26 may be about 1.0 mm or greater, about 1.1 mm or greater,
about 1.2 mm or greater, about 1.3 mm or greater, about 1.4 mm or
greater, about 1.5 mm or greater, about 1.6 mm or greater, about
1.7 mm or greater, about 1.8 mm or greater, about 1.9 mm or
greater, about 2.0 mm or greater, about 2.1 mm or greater, about
2.3 mm or greater, about 2.4 mm or greater, about 2.5 mm or greater
or any and all values and ranges therebetween. It will be
understood that the thicknesses of the exterior and/or interior
substrates 22, 26 may vary over the length of the substrates 22,
26.
[0024] The interlayer 30 is positioned between the exterior
substrate 22 and the interior substrate 26. The interlayer 30 may
extend across only a portion of an interface between the exterior
and interior substrates 22, 26, or may extend across the entire
interface. As such, the transparency 18 may be known as a laminated
article. According to various examples, the interlayer 30 may be
composed of a polymeric material. For example, the interlayer 30
may be composed of polyvinyl butyral or ethylene-vinyl acetate
(EVA), polycarbonate, thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic
materials, thermoset EVA, polyethylene terephthalate and/or
combinations thereof
[0025] The interlayer 30 may have a thickness of from about 0.2 mm
to about 0.5 mm. For example, the thickness of the interlayer 30
may be about 0.2 mm or greater, about 0.25 mm or greater, about
0.27 mm or greater, about 0.3 mm or greater, about 0.32 mm or
greater, about 0.34 mm or greater, about 0.36 mm or greater, about
0.38 mm or greater, about 0.4 mm or greater, about 0.42 mm or
greater, about 0.44 mm or greater, about 0.46 mm or greater, about
0.48 mm or greater, about 0.5 mm or greater or any and all values
and ranges therebetween. It will be understood that the thicknesses
of interlayer 30 may vary over the length of the transparency
18.
[0026] According to various examples, the indicium 38 is positioned
between the interior substrate 26 and the interlayer 30.
Additionally or alternatively, the indicium 38 may be positioned
between the exterior substrate 22 and the interlayer 30. According
to various examples, the transparency 18 may include multiple
indicia 38. The indicium 38 may be in the form of text, numbers,
symbols, pictures and/or combinations thereof. According to various
examples, the indicium 38 may be in the form of a number key pad.
It will be understood that the number key pad examples may be
composed of a single, unitary, indicium 38 or that multiple indicia
38 may cooperate to form the key pad. For example, numbers of the
key pad may be grouped into a single indicium 38 or each number may
be a separate indicium 38. Further, it will be understood that
other examples (e.g., pictures, text, symbols) may be a grouping of
indicia 38 or a single indicium 38.
[0027] The indicium 38 may be composed of an ink, dye, pigment or
colorant in order to define a visible indicium 38. The indicium 38,
during manufacturing, may be applied to the interlayer 30, the
exterior substrate 22 and/or the interior substrate 26. The
indicium 38 may be applied in an aqueous, liquid, paste and/or
powder form to the interlayer 30, the exterior substrate 22 and/or
the interior substrate 26. According to various examples, the ink,
dye, pigment or colorant of the indicium 38 may be
photoluminescent, phosphorescent and/or configured to emit visible
light in response to receiving an excitation emission from the
light source 42. The excitation emission which charges, or
energizes, the indicium 38 may be infrared light, visible light
and/or ultraviolet light. As such, the indicium 38 may include an
ink configured to emit light when energized by the light source 42.
The light given off by the charged or energized indicium 38 may be
visually perceived as a glow or luminance from the transparency
18.
[0028] As explained above, the light source 42 is positioned to
emit light onto the indicium 38. The light source 42 may be
positioned at a variety of points within the vehicle 10 which may
allow the light emitted from the light source 42 to fall on the
indicium 38. For example, the light source 42 may be positioned in
the door 14, in a headliner, in an instrument panel, in a trim
component of the door 14, a handle assembly of the door 14, an A-
or B-pillar of the vehicle 10, a seat of the vehicle 10 and/or
other locations around the vehicle 10. It will be understood that
the light source 42 may be positioned in an interior and/or an
exterior of the vehicle 10. Further, it will be understood that the
vehicle 10 may contain a plurality of light sources 42 configured
to illuminate the indicium 38. According to various examples, the
light source 42 may be positioned at an edge of the transparency 18
such that the transparency 18 functions as a wave guide for the
light emitted from the light source 42 to reach the indicium
38.
[0029] The light source 42 is configured to emit one or more types
of light. For example the light source 42 may emit ultraviolet
light, visible light and/or infrared light. As such, the light
source 42 may function to both charge, or excite, the indicium 38
as well as illuminate the indicium 38. For example, the light
source 42 may be configured to emit ultraviolet light to charge the
indicium 38 while also illuminating the indicium 38 in a colored
light (e.g., red, green and/or blue) to provide aesthetically
pleasing appearances to the indicium 38.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 2A, according to various examples, an
imager 50 may be positioned proximate the transparency 18 to detect
where a user of the vehicle entry system 16 touches the indicium
38. For example, the imager 50 may be configured to detect or sense
visible light and/or infrared light to tell where a user's finger
touches the indicium 38. As such, the imager 50 may be configured
to image the indicium 38 or gather light from the area the indicium
38 is located. It will be understood that in examples where the
indicium 38 is positioned inside of the transparency 18 the user
does not physically touch the indicium 38, but appears to touch it
due to the transparency of the exterior substrate 22. As will be
explained in greater detail below, in keypad examples of the
indicium 38, a user may touch various "keys" or "numbers" of the
indicium 38 and the imager 50 may detect the order in which the
indicium 38 was touched. Such information gathered by the imager 50
may be transmitted to a controller which controls operation of
features of the vehicle 10 (e.g., the entry system 16).
[0031] The imager 50 may be positioned in the door 14, in a
headliner, in an instrument panel, in a trim component of the door
14, a handle assembly of the door 14, an A- or B-pillar of the
vehicle 10, a seat of the vehicle 10 and/or other locations around
the vehicle 10. In the depicted example, the imager 50 is
positioned proximate to the light source 42, but it will be
understood that the imager 50 may be placed in a different location
than the light source 42. According to various examples, both the
imager 50 and the light source 42 are positioned externally to the
transparency 18 (i.e., not part of the transparency 18). The imager
50 may be a charge-coupled device and/or a complementary
metal-oxide semiconductor. It will be understood that other types
of imagers 50 may be utilized without departing from the teachings
provided herein.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 2B, the vehicle entry system 16 may
include a proximity sensor 60. The proximity sensor 60 may be used
additionally or alternatively with/to the imager 50. The proximity
sensor 60 is configured to detect the presence of a user's finger
or other object contacting or coming close to the indicium 38 of
the transparency 18. As such, in examples where the transparency
includes indicia 38, the transparency 18 may also include a
plurality of proximity sensors 60. Further, each of the proximity
sensors 60 may be positioned proximate an indicium 38 such that
when a user tries to touch the indicium 38, the proximity sensor 60
detects the touch. In some examples, the proximity sensors 60 may
be implemented as capacitive sensors, but it will be understood
that other types of proximity sensors may be used in addition to
and/or alternatively to any other practicable sensor. Other
examples of the proximity sensors of the proximity sensor 60 may
include, but are not limited to, magnetic sensors, inductive
sensors, optical sensors, resistive sensors, temperature sensors,
the like, or any combination thereof
[0033] Capacitive sensors detect changes in capacitance due to the
placement or movement of an object such as a finger proximate to
the indicium 38. A user's finger may tap or swipe on or near the
indicium 38 to register a detection of the finger. The proximity
sensor 60 in capacitive examples, may be formed by a first
conductive portion 60A and a second conductive portion 60B. An
insulative layer 60C is positioned between the first and second
conductive portions 60A, 60B. Capacitive sensors may be actuatable
with substantially no force to realize sensor activation. The
actual sensitivity of this type of sensor 60 can be tuned via a
detection circuit.
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 2A-3, ambient lighting conditions
around the vehicle 10 may produce a glare or reflection which
decreases the visibility of the indicium 38. As such, the
transparency 18 may include one or more polarizers 34. The
polarizer 34 may be positioned between the exterior substrate 22
and the interlayer 30, but it will be understood that the polarizer
34 may be positioned between the indicium 38 and the interlayer 30.
According to various examples, the indicium 38 and the polarizer 34
are positioned on opposite sides of the interlayer 30 than one
another. The polarizer 34 may be laminated to the exterior
substrate 22 and/or the interlayer 30. The polarizer 34 may be a
wire grid polarizer, a dual brightness-enhancing film polarizer, or
other types of polarizers 34. The polarizer 34 may be a linear
polarizer or a circular polarizer. In circular polarizer examples
of the polarizer 34, the polarizer 34 may include a linear
polarizer 34A and a quarter wave retarder 34B. The polarizer 34 may
extend fully over the area of the transparency 18 including the
indicium 38 or over portions of the transparency 18. Further, it
will be understood that the transparency may include a plurality of
polarizers 34.
[0035] In operation, ambient light (i.e., light having vertically
and horizontally polarized light) from the environment around the
vehicle 10 passes through the linear polarizer 34A such that
horizontally polarized light (e.g., the polarization of light
typically attributed to glare) is absorbed and vertically polarized
light is transmitted. As the vertically polarized light passes
through the quarter wave retarder 34B, it is converted to a first
circular polarization of light. The first circular polarization of
light of light is then reflected from the interface between the
interlayer 30 and the indicium 38 and/or the interface between the
indicium 38/interlayer 30 and the interior substrate 26. The
reflection of the first circular polarization of light converts the
first circular polarization of light to a second, opposite,
circular polarization of light. The second polarization of light
then passes back through the quarter wave retarder 34B and is
rotated or converted into horizontally polarized light and is
blocked by the linear polarizer 34A. As such, a portion, a majority
and/or substantially all of the ambient light is blocked from
exiting the transparency 18. As such, ambient illumination may be
reduced or eliminated from reflecting and impeding a viewer's
ability to discern the indicium 38.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 4, a block diagram of the vehicle 10
is shown in which the transparency 18 is included. The vehicle 10
includes a controller 70 in communication with the light source 42
and the imager 50 and/or proximity sensor 60. The controller 70 may
include a memory 74 having instructions contained therein that are
executed by a processor 78 of the controller 70. The controller 70
may provide electrical power to light source 42, imager 50 and/or
proximity sensor 60 via a power source 82 located onboard the
vehicle 10. In addition, the controller 70 may be configured to
control the light source 42, imager 50 and/or proximity sensor 60
based on feedback received from one or more vehicle control
modules. For example, the vehicle control modules may include a
handle sensor 90 configured to detect if a hand has grabbed a
handle of the vehicle 10. The controller 70 may be configured to
activate the light source 42, imager 50 and/or proximity sensor 60.
For example, if the handle sensor 90 determines that a user has
grabbed the handle, this may indicate that a user wishes to enter
the vehicle 10 so the controller 70 may power the light source 42
to illuminate the indicium 38 and the imager 50 may begin imaging
the indicium 38 to determine if the user wishes to input a passcode
into keypad examples of the indicium 38. As the imager 50 and/or
proximity sensor 60 detect the passcode input, the proximity
sensors 60 return the information to the controller 70 such that
the controller 70 may unlock the doors 14 of the vehicle 10 if the
correct passcode is entered.
[0037] Use of the present disclosure may offer a variety of
advantages. First, use of the polarizer 34 with the transparency 18
allows the reducing of glare and/or reflected ambient light such
that use of the polarizer 34 may increase the visibility of the
indicium 38 in high ambient lighting conditions. Second, as the
polarizer 34 is positioned within the transparency 18, the
polarizer may be protected from environmental exposure. Third, the
vehicle entry system 16 may offer a high degree of robust
functionality while also providing an aesthetically pleasing
appearance.
[0038] According to various embodiments, a vehicle includes a door
and a transparency coupled to the door. The transparency includes
an exterior substrate, an interior substrate, an interlayer
positioned between the exterior substrate and the interior
substrate, a polarizer positioned on the interlayer and an indicium
positioned on the interlayer. A light source is positioned to emit
light onto the indicium. Embodiments of the vehicle can include any
one or a combination of the following features: [0039] the
polarizer is positioned between the exterior substrate and the
interlayer; [0040] the indicium is positioned between the interior
substrate and the interlayer; [0041] the light source is configured
to emit ultraviolet light; [0042] the light source is positioned on
the door; [0043] the indicium is configured as a keypad; [0044] the
indicium comprises an ink configured to emit light when energized
by the light source; [0045] the interlayer comprises a polymeric
material; [0046] a proximity sensor is positioned proximate the
indicium; [0047] the polarizer is a circular polarizer; [0048] an
imager is configured to image the indicium; [0049] the imager is
positioned on the door; and [0050] the imager is positioned
proximate the light source.
[0051] For purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" (in all
of its forms: couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the
joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or
indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature
or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two
components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional
intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary
body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may
be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature
unless otherwise stated.
[0052] Furthermore, any arrangement of components to achieve the
same functionality is effectively "associated" such that the
desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein
combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as
"associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is
achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components.
Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as
being "operably connected" or "operably coupled" to each other to
achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable
of being so associated can also be viewed as being "operably
couplable" to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Some
examples of operably couplable include, but are not limited to,
physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or
wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components
and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable
components. Furthermore, it will be understood that a component
preceding the term "of the" may be disposed at any practicable
location (e.g., on, within, and/or externally disposed from the
vehicle) such that the component may function in any manner
described herein.
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