Illuminated exterior strip with photoluminescent structure and retroreflective layer

• US 10,081,296 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2016
• Issued: 09/25/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Salter, Stuart C., Danowski, Christopher Anthony, Rogers, Jason C., Hoover, Chad, Randlett, Doug H., Hunt, Christopher Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): MAY, ROBERT J
• Application Number:
  US15/092,160
• Publication Number:
  US 20170291534A1
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2619 built in the vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/30 for indicating rear of vehicle, e.g. by means of reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/301 by means of surfaces, e.g. metal plate, reflecting the light of an external light source
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/32 for indicating vehicle sides , e.g. clearance lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/503 using luminous text or symbol displays in or on the vehicle, e.g. static text
• 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: 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 43/16 Light sources where the light is generated by photoluminescent material spaced from a primary light generating element

Abstract

A light strip for a vehicle panel is provided herein. The light strip includes a light-producing assembly. A photoluminescent structure is disposed on the light-producing assembly and is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by a light source of the light-producing assembly. An adhesive layer having one or more retroreflective beads embedded therein is disposed on the photoluminescent structure. An overmold material is disposed over a portion of the retroreflective beads.

Claims

1. A light strip for a vehicle panel, comprising:

a photoluminescent structure disposed on a light-producing assembly and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light-producing assembly, the light-producing assembly including LED sources dispersed in a printed, variable concentration LED arrangement;

an adhesive layer having one or more retroreflective beads embedded therein and disposed on the photoluminescent structure; and

an overmold material disposed over a portion of the retroreflective beads.

2. The light strip for a vehicle panel of claim 1, further comprising a controller for selectively activating one or more light sources disposed within the light-producing assembly.

3. The light strip for a vehicle panel of claim 1, wherein the light-producing assembly illuminates one or more messages that are formed as opaque portions in a decorative layer disposed over a portion of the light-producing assembly.

4. The light strip for a vehicle panel of claim 1, wherein the photoluminescent structure comprises at least one photoluminescent material configured to perform an energy conversion on an excitation light received from at least a portion of the light-producing assembly into a visible, converted light that is outputted through a viewable portion.

5. The light strip for a vehicle panel of claim 1, wherein the light-producing assembly is operably coupled to a controller that deactivates the light-producing assembly once a door has been closed for a predetermined amount of time.

6. A light strip for a vehicle panel, comprising:

a photoluminescent structure disposed on a light-producing assembly and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light-producing assembly, the light-producing assembly including LED sources dispersed in a printed, variable concentration LED arrangement;

an adhesive layer having one or more retroreflective beads embedded therein and disposed on the photoluminescent structure;

an overmold material disposed over a portion of the retroreflective beads; and

a controller for selectively activating one or more light sources disposed within the light-producing assembly.

7. A light strip for a vehicle panel, comprising:

a photoluminescent structure disposed on a light-producing assembly and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light-producing assembly, the light-producing assembly including LED sources dispersed in a printed, variable concentration LED arrangement and operably coupled to a controller that deactivates the light-producing assembly once a door has been closed for a predetermined amount of time;

an adhesive layer having one or more retroreflective beads embedded therein and disposed on the photoluminescent structure; and

an overmold material disposed over a portion of the retroreflective beads.