Photoluminescent dynamic lighting

• US 9,212,809 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2014
• Issued: 12/15/2015
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hines, Anne
• Assistant Examiner(s): DIAZ, JOSE
• Application Number:
  US14/518,363
• Publication Number:
  US 20150198319A1
• Time in Patent Office: 421 Days
• Field of Search: 313498-512, 362487-507, 362/510, 362/230, 362/482
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/40 Several lamps activated in sequence, e.g. sweep effect, progressive activation
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/217 Doors, e.g. door sills; Steps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/51 for mounting lighting devices onto vehicle interior, e.g. onto ceiling or floor
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/68 using ultraviolet light
• 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: F21V 25/10 coming into action when lighting device is overloaded, e.g. thermal switch

Abstract

A lighting apparatus is disclosed. The lighting apparatus comprises a circuit configured to be disposed in a panel defining a cavity forming an opening. The circuit comprises a light source in communication with a controller and configured to emit a first emission. A photoluminescent portion is disposed proximate the light source and is configured to convert at least a portion of the first emission to a second emission. The second emission is output from the cavity to provide ambient light.

Claims

1. A lighting apparatus comprising:

a circuit comprising an exposed conductive portion conductively connected to an isolation terminal configured to be disposed in a panel defining a cavity forming an opening;

a light source configured to emit a first emission; and

a photoluminescent portion disposed proximate the light source and configured to convert at least a portion of the first emission to a second emission, wherein the second emission is output from the cavity.

2. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photoluminescent portion is disposed along a length of the circuit.

3. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first emission corresponds to a first color of light and the second emission corresponds to a second color of light.

4. The lighting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second color is more acutely visible than the first color.

5. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photoluminescent portion is disposed on a surface of the circuit.

6. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circuit is disposed on a first surface of the cavity and the photoluminescent portion is disposed on a second surface of the cavity.

7. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exposed conductive portion is oriented proximate the opening providing a path for an electrical discharge to protect the light source from the electrical discharge.

8. A lighting apparatus comprising a circuit configured to be disposed in a panel defining a cavity, the circuit comprising:

a light source and configured to emit a first emission through at least a portion of the cavity to a photoluminescent portion, wherein the photoluminescent portion is configured to convert at least a portion of the first emission to a second emission that is output from the cavity, wherein the circuit comprises an exposed conductive portion conductively connected to an isolation terminal.

9. The lighting apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first emission corresponds to a first color of light and the second emission corresponds to a second color of light.

10. The lighting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first color corresponds to a shorter wavelength of light than the second color.

11. The lighting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the second color corresponds to a plurality of wavelengths of light.

12. The lighting apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a controller operable to adjust an intensity of the first emission such that at least a portion of the first emission is output from the cavity.

13. The lighting apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first color is blended with the second color to generate a third color in response to the output of the portion of the first emission.

14. The lighting apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a color hue of the third color output from the cavity changes in response to the intensity of the first emission.

15. A lighting apparatus comprising a circuit configured to be disposed in a panel defining a cavity, the circuit comprising:

a light source and configured to emit a first emission through at least a portion of the cavity to a photoluminescent portion, wherein photoluminescent portion is configured to convert at least a portion of the first emission to a second emission that is output from the cavity, wherein the photoluminescent portion further comprises a plurality of light dispersal features formed in a elongated pyramid shape extending from a surface of the circuit.

16. The lighting apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the photoluminescent portion is disposed on the surface of the circuit.

17. The lighting apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of light dispersal features is configured to spread the first emission along the photoluminescent portion.

18. The lighting apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the circuit comprises an exposed conductive portion conductively connected to an isolation terminal.