Photoluminescent power distribution box

• US 9,387,802 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2015
• Issued: 07/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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 Moon
• Application Number:
  US14/589,228
• Publication Number:
  US 20150138814A1
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 362/487, 362/496, 362/502, 362509-510
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/30 for compartments other than passenger or driving compartments, e.g. luggage or engine compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/745 using lighting panels or mats, e.g. electro-luminescent panels, LED mats
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/80 Circuits; Control arrangements for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47

Abstract

An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one photoluminescent portion disposed proximate a electrical panel disposed in an engine compartment. A lighting controller is in communication with a lighting device located proximate the engine compartment. The light source configured to emit a first emission to excite the at least one photoluminescent portion.

Claims

1. An illumination apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

at least one photoluminescent portion disposed proximate a electrical panel disposed in an engine compartment; and

a lighting device located proximate the engine compartment and separated from the at least one photoluminescent portion, the light source configured to emit a first emission to excite the at least one photoluminescent portion.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source is disposed on an interior surface of a hood of the vehicle.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source is disposed proximate a body portion of the vehicle corresponding to a frame configured to support a hood of the vehicle.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the light source is configured to emit the first emission into the engine compartment from a side portion of the frame corresponding to an interior surface of the engine compartment.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the light source is substantially hidden from a view outside the engine compartment such that an origin of the first emission is hidden.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one photoluminescent portion corresponds to a first photoluminescent portion disposed on an exterior surface of the cover portion of the electrical panel.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the at least one photoluminescent portion corresponds to a second photoluminescent portion disposed proximate an outer surface of a fuse receiving portion of the electrical panel.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the at least one photoluminescent portion further corresponds to a third photoluminescent portion disposed on a latch portion of the cover portion, the third photoluminescent portion configured to emit a different color of light than the first photoluminescent portion.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the at least one photoluminescent portion further corresponds to a fourth photoluminescent portion disposed on an interior surface of the cover portion.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the fourth photoluminescent portion corresponds to at least one of a figure, lettering, and instructions identifying at least one component of the in the power distribution box.

11. An illumination apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a cover portion configured to provide access to an electrical panel within an engine compartment;

a light source configured to emit a first emission;

at least one photoluminescent portion disposed on the electrical panel, wherein the light source is configured to;

excite an exterior photoluminescent portion when the cover is arranged in an open position; and

excite an interior photoluminescent portion when the cover is arranged in a closed position.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the exterior photoluminescent portion is disposed on a cover portion of the electrical panel.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the interior photoluminescent portion is disposed on a power distribution box substantially enclosed by the cover in the closed position.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the exterior photoluminescent portion corresponds to a latch portion of the cover configured to at least partially illuminate in response to receiving the first emission.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the interior photoluminescent portion is disposed proximate a surface of a power distribution box corresponding to an interior portion of the electrical panel.

16. An illumination apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

at least one photoluminescent portion disposed proximate an electrical panel; and

a lighting controller in communication with a lighting device located proximate an engine compartment and separated from the at least one photoluminescent portion, the light source configured to emit a first emission to excite the at least one photoluminescent portion, and excite the at least one photoluminescent portion when the electrical panel is arranged in an open position and a closed position.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a cover portion configured to provide access to the electrical panel.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the light source is configured to excite an exterior portion of the at least one photoluminescent portion when the cover is arranged in an open position.

19. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the light source is configured to excite an interior portion of the at least one photoluminescent portion when the cover is arranged in a closed position.

20. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein at least one fuse located in the electrical panel comprises a photoluminescent portion configured to become excited in response to receiving the first emission.