Vehicle light system

• US 10,195,985 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2017
• Issued: 02/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2017
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Salter, Stuart C., Kordich, Carol C., Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Surman, James J., Lopacki, Julian
• Primary Examiner(s): Sawhney, Hargobind S
• Application Number:
  US15/453,149
• Publication Number:
  US 20180257553A1
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2500/20 associated with air conditioning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/20 for lighting specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments; mounted on specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments lighting for dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/68 using ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/74 for overall compartment lighting; for overall compartment lighting in combination with specific lighting, e.g. room lamps with reading lamps general lighting mounted on specific fittings B60Q3/20; general lighting for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/43
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/745 using lighting panels or mats, e.g. electro-luminescent panels, LED mats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0212 Roof or head liners movable head-liners B60J7/0007
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories

Abstract

A vehicle is provided herein. The vehicle includes a headliner including a cover. A first luminescent structure is disposed on the cover and is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by a light assembly. The light assembly is disposed below the headliner. A controller is configured to activate the light assembly. The light assembly independently illuminates various portions of the luminescent structure.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a first luminescent structure disposed on a cover of a headliner and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by a light assembly including an optic lens having at least one light-blocking portion, wherein the light assembly is disposed below the headliner and configured to direct light towards the cover while blocking a direct line of sight of the light to a seating assembly; and

a controller configured to activate the light assembly to independently illuminate various portions of the luminescent structure.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first luminescent structure defines a pattern on the cover, wherein the pattern is visible when the luminescent structure is in both luminescent and non-luminescent states.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a second luminescent structure disposed on the cover that is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by a light assembly.

4. The vehicle of claim 3, further comprising:

first and second light sources disposed within the light assembly, the first and second light sources configured to independently excite the first and second luminescent structures.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the headliner includes a first section and a second section, the first section vertically disposed above the second section.

6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the light assembly is configured to excite the first luminescent structure within the first section when the vehicle is in motion.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the light assembly is disposed on a pillar within the vehicle.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a light-detecting device, wherein an intensity of excitation light emitted from the light assembly is decreased when the light-detecting device senses night-like conditions.

9. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the headliner is formed from a non-woven textile and the pattern imitates a woven pattern.

10. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the first luminescent structure includes a short-persistence luminescent material and the second luminescent structure includes a long-persistence luminescent material.

11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the second luminescent structure is configured in a starlight pattern.

12. A headliner for a vehicle, comprising:

a first luminescent structure defining a first pattern on a cover and visible in a luminescent and non-luminescent state;

a second luminescent structure defining a second pattern on the cover disposed vertically above the first luminescent structure;

a light assembly configured to excite the first and second luminescent structures; and

a decorative layer surrounding the light assembly and having a transparent portion disposed vertically above an opaque portion.

13. The headliner for a vehicle of claim 12, wherein the light assembly includes a substrate and a lens, the substrate coupled to a pillar of a vehicle.

14. The headliner for a vehicle of claim 13, further comprising:

an opaque material disposed on a bottom portion of the lens; and

a reflective material disposed on an inner surface of the lens, wherein the light assembly directs excitation light towards said headliner of a vehicle.

15. The headliner for a vehicle of claim 12, wherein the first luminescent structure includes a short-persistence luminescent material and the second luminescent structure includes a long-persistence luminescent material.

16. A vehicle light assembly, comprising:

a substrate and a lens, the substrate coupled to a pillar of a vehicle;

first and second light sources disposed between the substrate and the lens; and

a decorative layer disposed on a surface of the lens, wherein the decorative layer blocks light from exiting a first portion of the lens while allowing light through a second portion of the lens and towards a headliner having a first material defining a first pattern on a cover including a first luminescent structure within the material, the first pattern visible in a luminescent and non-luminescent state and a second material defining a second pattern on the cover including a second luminescent structure.

17. The light assembly for a vehicle of claim 16, wherein the first and second light sources are operably coupled with a luminescent structure disposed on the headliner of a vehicle.

18. The light assembly for a vehicle of claim 16, wherein the first and second light sources independently illuminate various portions of the headliner.

19. The light assembly for a vehicle of claim 16, wherein the first luminescent structure includes a short-persistence luminescent material and the second luminescent structure includes a long-persistence luminescent material.