ILLUMINATED ASSEMBLY

• US 20180215312A1
• Filed: 01/31/2017
• Published: 08/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2017
• 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., Huebner, Annette Lynn, Hellman, Kristin Ann, Dellock, Paul Kenneth
• Granted Patent: US 10,053,006 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 1/507 specific to autonomous vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/543 for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle indicating taxis' state of hire or fare G07B13/045
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/54 Lighting devices embedded in interior trim, e.g. in roof liners
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/78 for generating luminous strips, e.g. for marking trim component edges
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/80 Circuits; Control arrangements for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• 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 43/14 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 45/50 Waterproofing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/00 Globes; Bowls; Cover glasses with refracting properties F21V5/00; with reflecting properties F21V7/00; characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/506
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/06 characterised by the material
• 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

Abstract

An illuminated assembly is provided herein that includes a light-diffusing element disposed between an outer panel and an inner panel. A light source is configured to direct light into a first portion of the light-diffusing element. A seal is disposed between the outer and inner panels. The outer and inner panels extend beyond the seal in two opposing directions. A controller is configured to illuminate the light source to provide notifications about a vehicle outwardly of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An illuminated assembly, comprising:

a light-diffusing element disposed between an outer panel and an inner panel;

a light source configured to direct light upwardly through the light-diffusing element;

a first seal disposed between and contacting the outer and inner panels, the outer and inner panels extending vertically above the first seal on an upper portion thereof;

a second seal extending outwardly of a lower portion of the outer and inner panels, and

a controller configured to illuminate the light source.

2. The illuminated assembly of claim 1, wherein the light-diffusing element comprises an acrylic polymer matrix and light-diffusing particles.

3. The illuminated assembly of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the light-diffusing element at the first portion is greater than a thickness at a second, opposed portion.

4. The illuminated assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is configured as a side window for a vehicle to selectively emanate a light pattern outward from the vehicle.

5. The illuminated assembly of claim 1, wherein the seal comprises a polymeric material that is configured to seal a side portion of the light-diffusing element.

6. The illuminated assembly of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the light-diffusing element is tapered across the light-diffusing element between the first portion and a second opposed portion.

7. The illuminated assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a luminescent structure disposed between the outer and the inner panels and configured to luminesce in response to receiving excitation light from the light source.

8. An illuminated assembly, comprising:

an outer and an inner panel;

a light-diffusing element disposed between the outer and the inner panels having first and second portions, wherein a thickness of the element at the first portion is greater than a thickness at the second portion;

a plurality of light sources configured to direct light into the first portion, wherein the light sources illuminate in a plurality of wavelengths based on a vehicle wait time, the light sources movable with the outer and inner panels;

a first edge seal disposed between an inner surface of the outer panel and an inner surface of the inner panel on a first end portion of the light-diffusing element, the outer and inner panels both extending vertically above the seal; and

a second edge seal disposed at a second portion of the light-diffusing element, wherein the light sources are disposed within the seal.

9. The illuminated assembly of claim 8, wherein the light-diffusing element comprises an acrylic polymer matrix and light-diffusing particles.

10. The illuminated assembly of claim 8, wherein the vehicle wait time is a predefined amount of time that a vehicle waits for a passenger to enter the vehicle.

11. The illuminated assembly of claim 8, wherein the assembly is configured as a side window for a vehicle to selectively emanate a light pattern outwardly from the vehicle.

14. The illuminated assembly of claim 8, wherein said illuminated assembly is disposed on a vehicle that is capable of autonomous functionality.

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

15. An illuminated assembly, comprising:

an outer panel and an inner panel extending beyond a first seal disposed between the outer and inner panels on a first side;

a light-diffusing element disposed inwardly of the outer panel;

a light barrier disposed between the light-diffusing element and the inner panel; and

a light source positioned within a second seal disposed outwardly of the outer and inner panels and configured to direct light into the light-diffusing element.

16. The illuminated assembly of claim 15, wherein the light-diffusing element comprises an acrylic polymer matrix and light-diffusing particles.

17. The illuminated assembly of claim 15, further comprising:

a luminescent structure operably coupled with the light source and configured to luminesce in response to receiving excitation light.

18. The illuminated assembly of claim 17, wherein the luminescent structure comprises at least one luminescent material configured to convert an excitation light received from at least a portion of a light source into a visible light.

20. The illuminated assembly of claim 15, wherein the notification is an amount of time left that the vehicle will wait for a passenger to enter the vehicle.

19. (canceled)