Motor vehicle

• US 7,753,541 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2006
• Issued: 07/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Inventors: Ng, Brian, Chen, Pao, Pai, Derek, Stoschek, Arne
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea; Sandra L
• Assistant Examiner(s): DZIERZYNSKI, EVAN P
• Application Number:
  US11/437,573
• Publication Number:
  US 20070268718A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,516 Days
• Field of Search: 362/84, 362/498, 362/499, 362/510, 362/541, 362/542, 427/64, 427/157
• US Class Current: 362/84
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2607 comprising at least two indicating lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/10 Electro- or photo- luminescent surfaces, e.g. signalling by way of electroluminescent strips or panels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/00 Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/04 External Ornamental or guard strips; Ornamental inscriptive devices thereon fastening strips or bars to sheets or plates by means of clips F16B5/12
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 5/22 Luminous paints luminescent compositions C09K11/00
• 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

Abstract

A motor vehicle has an exterior coating. A fluorescing and/or phosphorescing substance is added to the exterior coating or forms a part of the exterior coating. The fluorescing and/or phosphorescing substance serves to emit light, in particular red, green and/or blue light, in a visible range upon irradiation by light in an invisible range.

Claims

1. In combination with a motor vehicle, an exterior light comprising:

an at least partially transparent cover, said at least partially transparent cover having a color that corresponds at least partially to a color of an exterior coating of the motor vehicle and including a fluorescing or phosphorescing substance for emitting light in a visible range upon irradiation by light in an invisible range; and

a light source, assigned to said at least partially transparent cover, for emitting light substantially limited to a non-visible range; and

wherein the exterior light is visible when said light source is switched on and substantially invisible when said light source is switched off.

2. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the exterior light is configured as a brake light.

3. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the exterior light is configured as a tail light.

4. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the exterior light is configured as a backup light.

5. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the exterior light is configured as a direction indicator.

6. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said at least partially transparent cover forms a part of an outer skin of the motor vehicle.