Vehicle lighting assembly

• US 10,422,501 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2016
• Issued: 09/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2016
• 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, Mullen, Matthew Cramer, Hunt, Christopher Charles, Randlett, Doug H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bannan, Julie A
• Application Number:
  US15/378,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20180163942A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/247 for illuminating the close surroundings of the vehicle, e.g. to facilitate entry or exit for reverse drive B60Q1/22; by opening a side door B60Q1/323
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2611 Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2661 mounted on parts having other functions on wheels B60Q1/326
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/32 for indicating vehicle sides , e.g. clearance lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/323 on or for doors illuminated exterior door handles B60Q1/2669; illuminated door locks E05B17/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/20 Multi-color single source or LED matrix, e.g. yellow blinker and red brake lamp generated by single lamp
• 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 43/26 Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/10 Protection of lighting devices cooling of lighting devices F21S45/40; waterproofing of lighting devices F21S45/50
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/13 comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/12 using optical feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/105 in response to determined parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light

Abstract

A vehicle lighting assembly is provided herein. The vehicle lighting assembly includes a back panel configured to couple to a vehicle. A plurality of light sources emit a common wavelength of light. A first portion of the plurality of light sources is operably coupled with a luminescent structure. A second portion of light sources emits the common wavelength of light from an overmold material that is disposed outboard of the first and second portions of light sources.

Claims

1. A vehicle lighting assembly comprising:

a back panel configured to couple to a vehicle;

a plurality of light sources comprising a first portion and a second portion, the plurality of light sources configured to emit a common first wavelength of emitted light;

a luminescent structure operably coupled to the first portion of the plurality of light sources and configured to convert the common wavelength to a different second wavelength of visible light, wherein the second portion is free of the luminescent structure;

a first conductive trace and a plurality of second conductive traces disposed on a substrate, wherein each of the second conductive traces is configured to independently power the first and second portions of the plurality of light sources, and the first and second portions of the plurality of light sources share the first conductive trace; and

an overmolded cover layer disposed over the plurality of light sources, wherein the first portion is configured to emit the different second wavelength through the cover layer and the second portion is configured to emit the common first wavelength through the cover layer.

2. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 1, wherein the back panel is removably disposed within a trim member.

3. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 2, wherein the trim member is disposed on a lower portion of a door of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second light portions of the plurality of light sources emit at least one of blue light, violet light, infrared and ultraviolet light.

5. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 1, wherein the luminescent structure includes at least one luminescent material therein configured to convert an emitted light received from the first portion of light sources into a visible converted light comprising the different second wavelength.

6. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 1, wherein an outboard portion of the cover layer forms a radiused surface that is configured to emit light laterally adjacent to the vehicle and to emit light toward a rear portion of the vehicle.