Rivian has filed two patent applications for integrated lighting within the roof rails in its electric pickup trucks and SUVs.
The 2 applications show barely different versions of a lighting system that might be a part of the roof cross bars typically used to secure cargo. Accompanying drawings show pickup trucks and SUVs resembling the present Rivian R1T and R1S, respectively.
Rivian roof rail lighting system patent image (version one)
The primary application—published by the USA Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on Jan. 11, and filed on Sep. 12, 2022—have fairly conventional looking cross bars with lights that may project in front of, alongside, and behind the vehicle. Cross bars would have a built-in electrical connection that permits the vehicle’s battery pack to power the lights.
These lights may be used for a wide range of purposes, in response to Rivian. Lights on the back of the rearmost cross bar could function extra brake lights, and lights on the ends of front or rear cross bars might be used as turn signals. Lights may be keyed to a vehicle’s unlock sequence, much like the way in which headlights and taillights temporarily illuminate on some vehicles once they’re unlocked.
Rivian roof rail lighting system patent image (version two)
The second application, which has the identical publication and filing dates as the primary, shows a special configuration for the lights. Here, they take the shape of spotlights that specifically illuminate the world at the underside of an incline. Lights would activate mechanically when the vehicle reaches a certain downhill angle, helping to offer higher visibility ahead.
It’s unclear if we’ll see either type of Rivian’s roof rail lighting system on a production vehicle, but it surely would not be surprising to see a feature like this on a future update of Rivian’s R1 models. The automaker also plans to unveil the more cost-effective R2 series this yr, although production is not scheduled to start out until 2026.
This Article First Appeared At www.motorauthority.com
