Illuminated assembly

• US 10,053,006 B1
• Filed: 01/31/2017
• Issued: 08/21/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Salter, Stuart C., Huebner, Annette Lynn, Hellman, Kristin Ann, Dellock, Paul Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Khan, Omer S
• Application Number:
  US15/420,779
• Publication Number:
  US 20180215312A1
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 340457
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/268 on windscreens or windows B60Q1/302 takes precedence; lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for windows B60Q3/208
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/507 specific to autonomous vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/543 for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle indicating taxis' state of hire or fare G07B13/045
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/54 Lighting devices embedded in interior trim, e.g. in roof liners
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/78 for generating luminous strips, e.g. for marking trim component edges
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/80 Circuits; Control arrangements for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/64 using wavelength conversion means distinct or spaced from the light-generating element, e.g. a remote phosphor layer
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/16 Light sources where the light is generated by photoluminescent material spaced from a primary light generating element
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/50 Waterproofing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/00 Globes; Bowls; Cover glasses with refracting properties F21V5/00; with reflecting properties F21V7/00; characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/506
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/06 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/08 for producing coloured light, e.g. monochromatic; for reducing intensity of light with provision for controlling the colour F21V9/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/30 Elements containing photoluminescent material distinct from or spaced from the light source shades F21V1/17; globes, bowls or cover glasses F21V3/08, F21V3/12; refractors F21V5/10; reflectors F21V7/26, F21V7/30; elements with provision for controlling the spectral properties or intensity F21V9/40

Abstract

An illuminated assembly is provided herein that includes a light-diffusing element disposed between an outer panel and an inner panel. A light source is configured to direct light into a first portion of the light-diffusing element. A seal is disposed between the outer and inner panels. The outer and inner panels extend beyond the seal in two opposing directions. A controller is configured to illuminate the light source to provide notifications about a vehicle outwardly of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An illuminated assembly, comprising:

a light-diffusing element disposed between an outer panel and an inner panel, wherein a thickness of the light-diffusing element at a first portion is greater than a thickness at a second, opposed portion;

a first seal disposed between and contacting the outer and inner panels, the outer and inner panels extending vertically above the first seal on an upper portion thereof;

a second seal extending outwardly of a lower portion of the outer and inner panels;

a light source disposed within the second seal and configured to direct light upwardly through the light-diffusing element and movable with the outer and inner panel; and

a controller configured to illuminate the light source in various wavelengths based on a vehicle wait time.

2. The illuminated assembly of claim 1, wherein the light-diffusing element comprises an acrylic polymer matrix and light-diffusing particles.

3. The illuminated assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is configured as a side window for a vehicle to selectively emanate a light pattern outward from the vehicle.

4. The illuminated assembly of claim 1, wherein the seal comprises a polymeric material that is configured to seal a side portion of the light-diffusing element.

5. The illuminated assembly of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the light-diffusing element is tapered across the light-diffusing element between the first portion and the second opposed portion.

6. The illuminated assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a luminescent structure disposed between the outer and the inner panels and configured to luminesce in response to receiving excitation light from the light source.

7. An illuminated assembly, comprising:

an outer and an inner panel;

a light-diffusing element disposed between the outer and the inner panels having first and second portions, wherein a thickness of the element at the first portion is greater than a thickness at the second portion;

a plurality of light sources configured to direct light into the first portion, wherein the light sources illuminate in a plurality of wavelengths based on a vehicle wait time, the light sources movable with the outer and inner panels;

a first edge seal disposed between an inner surface of the outer panel and an inner surface of the inner panel on a first end portion of the light-diffusing element, the outer and inner panels both extending vertically above the seal; and

a second edge seal disposed at a second portion of the light-diffusing element, wherein the light sources are disposed within the seal.

8. The illuminated assembly of claim 7, wherein the light-diffusing element comprises an acrylic polymer matrix and light-diffusing particles.

9. The illuminated assembly of claim 7, wherein the vehicle wait time is a predefined amount of time that a vehicle waits for a passenger to enter the vehicle.

10. The illuminated assembly of claim 7, wherein the assembly is configured as a side window for a vehicle to selectively emanate a light pattern outwardly from the vehicle.

11. The illuminated assembly of claim 7, wherein said illuminated assembly is disposed on a vehicle that is capable of autonomous functionality.