PRIVACY WINDOW ASSEMBLY

• US 20150251588A1
• Filed: 05/26/2015
• Published: 09/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• 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, Van Wiemeersch, John Robert, Surman, James J., Holub, Patrick Kevin
• Application Number:
  US14/721,274
• Publication Number:
  US 20150251588A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 3/04 adjustable in transparency
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/268 on windscreens or windows B60Q1/302 takes precedence; lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for windows B60Q3/208
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/208 Sun roofs; Windows
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/08 the elements being filters or photoluminescent elements and reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/005 with an elongated shape to cooperate with linear light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/32 characterised by the arrangement of the photoluminescent material
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A privacy window assembly of a vehicle is provided herein. The privacy window assembly includes a window of the vehicle and a light-producing assembly coupled to the window having a plurality of light sources. When the light sources are activated, visibility through at least a portion of the window becomes obscured to onlookers located outside the vehicle.

Claims

1. A privacy window assembly of a vehicle, comprising:

a window of the vehicle; and

a light-producing assembly coupled to the window and comprising a plurality of light sources, wherein when the light sources are activated, visibility through at least a portion of the window becomes obscured to onlookers located outside the vehicle.

2. The privacy window assembly of claim 1, wherein the window of the vehicle comprises one of a front windshield, a side window, a rear window, and a roof window.

3. The privacy window assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources comprise a plurality of LEDs arranged within a semiconductor ink disposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, the positive and negative electrodes each being substantially transparent.

4. The privacy window assembly of claim 1, wherein the light-producing assembly further comprises a photoluminescent structure configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from the light sources.

5. The privacy window assembly of claim 4, wherein the plurality of light sources are each configured to emit one of an ultraviolet, violet, and a blue light.

6. The privacy window assembly of claim 1, wherein the light-producing assembly further comprises an at least partially reflective layer configured to redirect light in a vehicle-outward direction.

7. The privacy window assembly of claim 1, wherein the light-producing assembly is electrically connected to a controller configured to activate the plurality of light sources in response to at least one of a vehicle-related condition and a user command, and wherein if the plurality of light sources are in an activated state, the controller subsequently deactivates the plurality of light sources when the vehicle is placed in drive, thereby causing the window to become unobscured.

8. A privacy window assembly of a vehicle, comprising:

a window of the vehicle;

a light-producing assembly coupled to the window and comprising a plurality of light sources facing vehicle-outward, wherein when the light sources are activated, visibility through at least a portion of the window becomes obscured to onlookers located outside the vehicle.

9. The privacy window assembly of claim 8, wherein the window of the vehicle comprises one of a front windshield, a side window, a rear window, and a roof window.

10. The privacy window assembly of claim 8, wherein the plurality of light sources comprise a plurality of LEDs arranged within a semiconductor ink disposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, the positive and negative electrodes each being substantially transparent.

11. The privacy window assembly of claim 8, wherein the light-producing assembly further comprises a photoluminescent structure configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from the light sources.

12. The privacy window assembly of claim 11, wherein the plurality of light sources are each configured to emit one of an ultraviolet, violet, and a blue light.

13. The privacy window assembly of claim 8, wherein the light-producing assembly further comprises an at least partially reflective layer configured to redirect light in a vehicle-outward direction.

14. The privacy window assembly of claim 8, wherein the light-producing assembly is electrically connected to a controller configured to activate the plurality of light sources in response to at least one of a vehicle-related condition and a user command, and wherein if the plurality of light sources are in an activated state, the controller subsequently deactivates the plurality of light sources when the vehicle is placed in drive, thereby causing the window to become unobscured.

15. A privacy window assembly of a vehicle, comprising:

a window of the vehicle; and

a light-producing assembly coupled to the window and comprising;

a plurality of light sources; and

a photoluminescent structure configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from the light sources, wherein when the photoluminescent structure is in a luminescent state, visibility through at least a portion of the window becomes obscured to onlookers located outside the vehicle.

16. The privacy window assembly of claim 15, wherein the window of the vehicle comprises one of a front windshield, a side window, a rear window, and a roof window.

17. The privacy window assembly of claim 15, wherein the plurality of light sources comprise a plurality of LEDs arranged within a semiconductor ink disposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, the positive and negative electrodes each being substantially transparent.

18. The privacy window assembly of claim 17, wherein the plurality of light sources are each configured to emit one of an ultraviolet, violet, and a blue light.

19. The privacy window assembly of claim 15, wherein the light-producing assembly further comprises an at least partially reflective layer configured to redirect light in a vehicle-outward direction.

20. The privacy window assembly of claim 15, wherein the light-producing assembly is electrically connected to a controller configured to activate the plurality of light sources in response to at least one of a vehicle-related condition and a user command, and wherein if the plurality of light sources are in an activated state, the controller subsequently deactivates the plurality of light sources when the vehicle is placed in drive, thereby causing the window to become unobscured.