Photoluminescent tailgate and step

• US 9,315,145 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2015
• Issued: 04/19/2016
• 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., Gardner, Cornel Lewis, Whitens, Michael James
• Primary Examiner(s): VO, TUYET THI
• Application Number:
  US14/603,681
• Publication Number:
  US 20150165963A1
• Time in Patent Office: 452 Days
• Field of Search: 362/541, 362/485, 362/543, 362/487, 362/496, 362/505, 362/600, 362/606, 362/608, 362/609, 362611-614, 362/551, 362/555, 362/542
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2661 mounted on parts having other functions on wheels B60Q1/326
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/302 mounted in the vicinity, e.g. in the middle, of a rear window
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/307 mounted on loading platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/325 on or for running boards or steps
• 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 3/30 for compartments other than passenger or driving compartments, e.g. luggage or engine compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/68 using ultraviolet light

Abstract

A vehicle illumination apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a retractable step in connection with a panel of the vehicle. The retractable step comprises a tread portion. A light source is disposed proximate the panel and is configured to emit a first emission having a first wavelength. A first photoluminescent portion is disposed on the tread portion and is configured to emit a second emission having a second wavelength in response to receiving the first emission.

Claims

1. A vehicle illumination apparatus comprising:

a retractable step in connection with a panel of the vehicle and comprising a tread portion;

a light source disposed proximate the panel configured to emit a first emission having a first wavelength; and

a first photoluminescent portion disposed on the tread portion configured to emit a second emission having a second wavelength in response to receiving the first emission.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first emission is directed toward the first photoluminescent portion in response to the step arranged in an extended position.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the panel corresponds to a tailgate of the vehicle.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first wavelength corresponds to a different color of light than the second wavelength.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the retractable step is configured to be concealed within the tailgate of the vehicle in a retracted position.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a second photoluminescent portion configured to receive the first emission in response to the step oriented in the retracted position.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the tread portion comprises a light guide configured to receive the first emission in the retracted position.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the light guide comprises a light transmissive body portion configured to direct the first emission therethrough and direct the first emission toward the second photoluminescent portion.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second photoluminescent portion is disposed in an optic and optically coupled to the light guide.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the optic is configured to emit a third emission from the second photoluminescent portion.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the third emission is directed by the optic to illuminate at least a portion of an exterior surface of the tailgate in response to the step oriented in the retracted position.

12. A vehicle illumination apparatus comprising:

a retractable step in connection with a tailgate and configured to be arranged in an extended position and a retracted position, the step comprising a tread portion;

a light source disposed proximate the tailgate and configured to emit a first emission; and

a first photoluminescent portion disposed on the tread portion and configured to illuminate in the extended position in response to receiving the first emission.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the retractable step is configured to be concealed within the tailgate of the vehicle in the retracted position.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first photoluminescent portion is configured to emit a second emission having a different color than the first emission.

15. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a second photoluminescent portion configured to receive the first emission when the step is in the retracted position.

16. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a second photoluminescent portion disposed proximate the tread portion configured to illuminate in the retracted position.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the second photoluminescent portion is configured to illuminate in response to receiving the first emission in the retracted position.

18. A vehicle illumination apparatus comprising:

a retractable step in connection with a tailgate and configured to be arranged in an extended position and a retracted position, the step comprising a tread portion;

a light source disposed in a body formed by the tailgate and configured to emit a first emission;

a first photoluminescent portion disposed on the tread portion configured to illuminate in the extended position in response to receiving the first emission; and

a second photoluminescent portion disposed proximate the tread portion configured to illuminate in the retracted position.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the first emission is transmitted through a volumetric space between the light source and the tread portion to excite the first photoluminescent portion in the extended position.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising a light guide disposed proximate the tread portion and configured to receive the first emission and transmit the first emission to a second photoluminescent portion in the retracted position.