Printed LED trim panel lamp

• US 10,363,867 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2015
• Issued: 07/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2013
• 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., Huebner, Annette Lynn, Gardner, Cornel Lewis
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Wei (Victor)
• Assistant Examiner(s): Luong, Henry
• Application Number:
  US14/824,463
• Publication Number:
  US 20150343944A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,448 Days
• Field of Search: 315 77, 315 84, 315 76, 307 108, 307 101, 307 91, 362464, 362487, 362545, 362459, 362488
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/324 for signalling that a door is open or intended to be opened
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/208 Sun roofs; Windows
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/217 Doors, e.g. door sills; Steps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/53 Modular mounting systems, e.g. using tracks, rails or multiple plugs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/68 using ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/76 for spotlighting, e.g. reading lamps spotlighting on or for specific fittings B60Q3/20; spotlighting in mass transit vehicles B60Q3/44
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/80 Circuits; Control arrangements for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises a circuit disposed on a trim panel. The illumination apparatus comprises at least one light source formed by plurality of LEDs in a semiconductor ink. The illumination apparatus further comprises at least one proximity sensor disposed proximate a surface of the trim panel and configured to selectively activate the at least one circuit. The trim panel is configured to receive at least one edge of a window of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An illumination apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a circuit disposed on a trim panel comprising;

first and second proximity sensors disposed proximate a surface of the trim panel and configured to detect a presence of an object;

a first light source disposed proximate the first proximity sensor, and a second light source disposed proximate the second proximity sensor, the first and second light sources comprising a plurality of LEDs in a semiconductor ink;

a first reflective surface configured to reflect the first light source at a first emission angle, and a second reflective surface configured to reflect the second light source at a second emission angle; and

the first proximity sensor configured to selectively activate the first light source, and the second proximity sensor configured to selectively activate the second light source, wherein the trim panel corresponds to a molding configured to seal a first window to a second window.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the trim panel is further configured to engage the second window.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to control the first and second light sources, wherein the controller selectively activates the first and second light sources to emit a first emission.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first and second light sources comprise a photoluminescent layer configured to convert the first emission from at least one emitter of the light sources to a second emission.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first emission corresponds to a first color and the second emission corresponds to a second color different than the first color.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the photoluminescent layer comprises an organic photoluminescent dye.

7. An illumination apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a circuit disposed on a window molding of a door comprising a plurality of light sources;

at least one proximity sensor disposed proximate a surface of a trim panel;

a controller in communication with the at least one proximity sensor to control at least a first light source of the plurality of light sources to illuminate in response to a proximity detection and to control at least a second light source of the plurality of light sources to illuminate in response to a door open status signal; and

wherein the window molding forms an arched configuration tapering toward a roof position of the vehicle, the arched configuration directing a first emission from the first light source at a larger angle than a second emission from the second light source relative to a vertical vector of the vehicle.

8. The illumination apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the arched configuration positions the second light source to direct the second emission substantially downward relative to the vertical vector providing a puddle lamp when the door is in an open configuration.

9. The illumination apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first light source is located on a lower portion of the window molding.

10. The illumination apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second light source is located on an upper portion of the window molding.

11. The illumination apparatus according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the plurality of light sources comprises a plurality of LEDs printed in a semiconductor ink.

12. A lighting apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a locating mechanism configured to retain a position of a circuit assembly along a longitudinal extent of a trim panel;

at least one light source disposed on the circuit assembly electrically coupled to a plurality of electrodes disposed on the trim panel such that the circuit assembly is adjustable along the longitudinal extent;

the circuit assembly in connection with the trim panel along a slideable interface, the slideable interface comprising a locking detent; and

wherein the circuit assembly is configured to slide along the trim panel when the locking detent is depressed, and the locating mechanism is configured to secure the position of the circuit assembly in a desired position when the locking detent is not depressed.

13. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the circuit assembly is operable to illuminate the at least one light source in a plurality of positions along the longitudinal extent.

14. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the trim panel corresponds to a window molding configured to engage at least one window of the vehicle.

15. The assembly according to claim 14, wherein the window molding is configured to bisect a first window and a second window and slideably engage at least one of the first window and the second window.

16. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the locating mechanism comprises a spring loaded assembly having a retention spring configured to apply pressure to an engagement surface of the locking detent in order to enable sliding of the circuit assembly along the trim panel.