LIGHT-PRODUCING ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE

• US 20150267881A1
• Filed: 04/27/2015
• Published: 09/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2013
• 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., Surman, James J., Majkowski, Matthew
• Granted Patent: US 9,797,575 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/68 using ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/745 using lighting panels or mats, e.g. electro-luminescent panels, LED mats
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/64 using wavelength conversion means distinct or spaced from the light-generating element, e.g. a remote phosphor layer
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/15 Strips of light sources
• 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: F21V 9/32 characterised by the arrangement of the photoluminescent material
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/38 Combination of two or more photoluminescent elements of different materials
• 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 light-producing assembly for a vehicle is provided herein. The light-producing assembly includes a first, second, and third light source and a photoluminescent structure having a first, second, and third photoluminescent material. The first, second, and third photoluminescent materials are configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted by the first, second, and third light sources, respectively.

Claims

1. A light-producing assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a first, second, and third light source; and

a photoluminescent structure having a first, second, and third photoluminescent material, wherein the first, second, and third photoluminescent materials are configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted by the first, second, and third light sources, respectively.

2. The light-producing assembly of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third light sources are printed LEDs arranged to alternate.

3. The light-producing assembly of claim 2, wherein the first, second, and third light sources alternate horizontally.

4. The light-producing assembly of claim 2, wherein the first, second, and third light sources alternate vertically.

5. The light-producing assembly of claim 2, wherein the first, second, and third light sources alternate diagonally.

6. The light-producing assembly of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third light sources each emit one of an ultraviolet, a violet, and a blue light.

7. The light-producing assembly of claim 6, wherein the first, second, and third photoluminescent materials correspond to a red-emitting photoluminescent material, a green-emitting photoluminescent material, and a blue-emitting photoluminescent material.

8. A light-producing assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a first, second, and third plurality of printed LEDs arranged to alternate; and

a photoluminescent structure having a first, second, and third photoluminescent material, wherein the first, second, and third photoluminescent materials are configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted by the first, second, and third plurality of light sources, respectively.

9. The light-producing assembly of claim 8, wherein the first, second, and third plurality of printed LEDs are each arranged in groupings that are spaced apart and alternate between groupings containing portions of the first plurality of printed LEDs, groupings containing the second plurality of printed LEDs, and groupings containing portions of the third plurality of printed LEDs.

10. The light-producing assembly of claim 9, wherein the groupings alternate horizontally.

11. The light-producing assembly of claim 9, wherein the groupings alternate vertically.

12. The light-producing assembly of claim 9, wherein the groupings alternate diagonally.

13. The light-producing assembly of claim 8, wherein the first, second, and third light sources each emit one of an ultraviolet, a violet, and a blue light.

14. The light-producing assembly of claim 13, wherein the first, second, and third photoluminescent materials correspond to a red-emitting photoluminescent material, a green-emitting photoluminescent material, and a blue-emitting photoluminescent material.

15. A light-producing assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of first, second, and third light sources each apportioned in groupings arranged to alternate between groupings containing portions of the first plurality of printed LEDs, groupings containing the second plurality of printed LEDs, and groupings containing portions of the third plurality of printed LEDs; and

a photoluminescent structure having a first, second, and third photoluminescent material, wherein the first, second, and third photoluminescent materials are configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted by the first, second, and third light sources, respectively.

16. The light-producing assembly of claim 15, wherein the groupings alternate horizontally.

17. The light-producing assembly of claim 15, wherein the groupings alternate vertically.

18. The light-producing assembly of claim 15, wherein the groupings alternate diagonally.

19. The light-producing assembly of claim 15, wherein the first, second, and third light sources each emit one of an ultraviolet, a violet, and a blue light.

20. The light-producing assembly of claim 19, wherein the first, second, and third photoluminescent materials correspond to a red-emitting photoluminescent material, a green-emitting photoluminescent material, and a blue-emitting photoluminescent material.