Photoluminescent lift gate lamp

• US 9,327,643 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2014
• Issued: 05/03/2016
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, JASON
• Application Number:
  US14/452,942
• Publication Number:
  US 20150197194A1
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 362/487, 362/493, 362/496, 362/501, 362/505, 362/510
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2669 on door or boot handles lighting devices for vehicle interior on door handles B60Q3/267
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/217 Doors, e.g. door sills; Steps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/30 for compartments other than passenger or driving compartments, e.g. luggage or engine compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/62 using light guides
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/64 for a single lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/68 using ultraviolet light

Abstract

An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination device comprises a photoluminescent portion disposed on a moveable vehicle closure. The photoluminescent portion is operable to be directed in a substantially downward direction. The device further comprises a light source disposed proximate the photoluminescent portion and configured to emit light at a first wavelength. The photoluminescent portion is configured to convert the first wavelength to at least a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength to illuminate a surface beneath the vehicle.

Claims

1. An illumination apparatus for a vehicle lift gate comprising:

a photoluminescent portion disposed on a moveable vehicle closure and operable to be directed in a substantially downward direction;

a light source disposed proximate the photoluminescent portion and configured to emit light at a first wavelength, wherein the photoluminescent portion is configured to convert the first wavelength to at least a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength to illuminate a surface beneath the vehicle; and

a warning lamp disposed proximate a lift gate handle that receives light from the light source.

2. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photoluminescent portion is directed in the substantially downward direction relative to the lift gate located in an open position.

3. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the warning lamp comprises a second photoluminescent portion.

4. The illumination apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the light source is configured to deliver a portion of the light at the first wavelength to the second photoluminescent portion.

5. The illumination apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second photoluminescent portion is configured to generate light having a third wavelength, wherein a first color of the second wavelength is different than a second color of the second wavelength.

6. An illumination system for a vehicle comprising:

a first photoluminescent portion to illuminate a portion of a ground surface proximate a lift gate and a second photoluminescent portion disposed to illuminate proximate a handle portion of the lift gate; and

a light source located proximate the first photoluminescent portion and the second photoluminescent portion configured to emit a first emission of light having a first wavelength, wherein the photoluminescent portions are configured to convert the first wavelength to a plurality of wavelengths longer than the first wavelength.

7. The illumination system according to claim 6, wherein the first photoluminescent portion is directed in a substantially downward direction toward the ground surface relative to the vehicle and corresponding to the lift gate located in an open position.

8. The illumination system according to claim 7, further comprising a light guide configured to receive the first emission and direct the first emission substantially along a light projecting surface comprising the first photoluminescent portion.

9. The illumination system according to claim 8, wherein the first photoluminescent portion proximate the projecting surface is configured to convert the first wave length to a second emission comprising the plurality of wavelengths longer than the first wavelength.

10. The illumination system according to claim 8, further comprising a warning lamp comprising the second photoluminescent portion.

11. The illumination system according to claim 10, wherein the warning lamp is directed in a substantially rearward direction relative to the vehicle and corresponding to the lift gate located in the open position.

12. The illumination system according to claim 10, wherein the light guide is configured to direct a portion of the first emission toward the warning lamp to illuminate the second photoluminescent portion and emit a third emission.

13. A vehicle illumination apparatus comprising:

a light source disposed proximate a handle portion of a lift gate, the light source configured to deliver a first emission having a first wavelength through a light guide, the light guide configured to substantially direct the first emission along a projecting surface, the projecting surface directed downward relative the vehicle and corresponding to the lift gate in an open position, wherein the projecting surface is configured to convert the first emission to a second emission to illuminate a ground surface proximate the vehicle; and

a warning lamp, the warning lamp comprising a second photoluminescent portion that receives light from the light source.

14. The vehicle illumination apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the second emission comprises a plurality of wavelengths of light configured to generate a substantially white light.

15. The vehicle illumination apparatus according to claim 13, where the light guide is configured to direct a portion of the first emission to the warning lamp to illuminate the second photoluminescent material to emit a third emission.