Vehicle grille

• US 10,281,113 B1
• Filed: 03/05/2018
• Issued: 05/07/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2018
• 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., Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Gall, Richard, Glickman, David Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Vip
• Application Number:
  US15/911,686
• Time in Patent Office: 428 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/483 with obstacle sensors of electric or electronic type
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/52 Radiator or grille guards ; Radiator grilles cooling aspects B60K11/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2019/525 Radiator grilles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2019/527 integral with bumpers
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/153 arranged in a matrix
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/176 Light sources where the light is generated by photoluminescent material spaced from a primary light generating element
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/285 Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S41/24 - F21S41/2805
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/50 characterised by aesthetic components not otherwise provided for, e.g. decorative trim, partition walls or covers
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2104/00 Exterior vehicle lighting devices for decorative purposes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A vehicle lighting assembly is provided herein. The lighting assembly includes a panel defining an integrally formed cavity and a locator. A circuit board is disposed along the panel and defines an opening. The locator is disposed within the opening. A light source is coupled to the circuit board. The light source is disposed within the cavity. A substrate is disposed along an opposing side of the circuit board from the panel.

Claims

1. A vehicle lighting assembly comprising:

a panel defining an integrally formed cavity and a locator;

a circuit board disposed along the panel and defining an opening, the locator disposed within the opening;

a light source coupled to the circuit board, the light source disposed within the cavity; and

a substrate disposed along an opposing side of the circuit board from the panel.

2. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a decorative layer disposed along an opposing surface of the panel from the circuit board.

3. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 2, wherein the decorative layer is formed as a thermoformed layer.

4. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 3, wherein the decorative layer defines indicia.

5. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 1, wherein the panel includes a first portion formed from a first material and a second portion formed from a second material, the second material having a varied colorant from the first material.

6. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 2, further comprising:

a luminescent structure disposed within the decorative layer.

7. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor operably coupled with the circuit board.

8. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 1, wherein the cavity is defined by one or more surfaces of the panel and a surface of the circuit board, the one or more surfaces separated from the light source.

9. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 1, wherein the substrate is bonded to an end portion of the locator.

10. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 1, wherein the substrate is formed from a thermally conductive polymer.

11. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 1, wherein the substrate defines one or more fins, the fins configured to remove heat from the substrate.

12. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 1, wherein the lighting assembly is disposed within a vehicle grille.

13. A vehicle lighting assembly comprising:

a panel defining an integrally formed cavity;

a circuit board disposed along the panel;

a light source coupled to the circuit board, the light source disposed within the cavity; and

a substrate disposed along an opposing side of the circuit board from the panel, wherein the substrate is formed from a thermally conductive polymer.

14. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 13, wherein the substrate defines one or more fins, the fins configured to remove heat from the substrate.

15. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 13, wherein the substrate is bonded to an end portion of the panel.

16. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 13, wherein the panel includes a first portion formed from a first material and a second portion formed from a second material, the second material having a varied colorant from the first material.

17. A vehicle lighting assembly comprising:

a circuit board disposed along a panel;

a light source coupled to the circuit board; and

a substrate disposed along an opposing side of the circuit board from the panel, wherein the light source is encapsulated between the panel and the substrate.

18. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 17, wherein the substrate defines one or more fins, the fins configured to remove heat from the substrate.

19. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 17, wherein the substrate is formed from a thermally conductive polymer.

20. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 17, further comprising:

a decorative layer disposed along an opposing surface of the panel from the circuit board.