Photoluminescent vehicle badge

• US 9,434,294 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2014
• Issued: 09/06/2016
• 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., Gardner, Cornel Lewis
• Primary Examiner(s): Bruce, David V
• Application Number:
  US14/322,464
• Publication Number:
  US 20150138796A1
• Time in Patent Office: 797 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0011 with light guides for distributing the light between several lighting or signalling devices
• 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 3/30 for compartments other than passenger or driving compartments, e.g. luggage or engine compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/005 Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor

Abstract

An emblem illumination assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination assembly comprises an external cover defining a profile shape and an optic device proximate the external cover. The optic device further includes an interior surface. A light source is located proximate the interior surface and is configured to emit a first emission into the optic device. The optic device comprises a photoluminescent material disposed between the light source and the external cover, wherein the photoluminescent material is configured to convert the first emission to emit a second emission.

Claims

1. An emblem illumination assembly for a vehicle comprising:

an optic device having a profile shape comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface; and

a light source proximate the interior surface configured to emit a first emission into the optic device, wherein the optic device comprises a photoluminescent material disposed on the exterior surface of the optic device, the photoluminescent material configured to convert the first emission to emit a second emission.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the optic device is configured to spread the first emission substantially along the profile shape.

3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the photoluminescent material substantially covers the exterior surface.

4. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein the optic device is configured to substantially spread the first emission along the profile shape to excite the photoluminescent material to uniformly illuminate the exterior surface with the second emission.

5. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the light source is disposed in the optic device proximate the interior surface to form a sealed assembly configured to protect the light source.

6. The assembly according to claim 5, wherein the light source is molded into the optic device to form the sealed assembly.

7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the interior surface comprises a reflective coating configured to direct the second emission outward through the exterior surface.

8. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising:

a light guide extending from the optic device toward a lever of a hood latch to direct the first emission toward the lever.

9. An illumination system for a vehicle badge comprising:

a badge comprising;

an optic device; and

a light source configured to output a first emission at a first wavelength; and

a light guide connected to the optic device configured to transmit the first emission toward a closure mechanism; and

a first photoluminescent portion proximate a lever of the closure mechanism to convert the first emission to a second emission to illuminate the lever.

10. The illumination system according to claim 9, wherein the second emission comprises a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength.

11. The illumination system according to claim 9, wherein the optic device comprises and a second photoluminescent portion configured to convert a first portion of the first emission to a third emission to illuminate at least a portion of the badge.

12. The illumination system according to claim 11, wherein the light guide is configured to transmit a second portion of the first emission toward the lever of the closure mechanism.

13. The illumination system according to claim 11, wherein the third emission comprises a third wavelength longer than the first wavelength.

14. The illumination system according to claim 10, wherein the second wavelength and the third wavelength correspond to different colors.

15. The illumination system according to claim 9, wherein the closure mechanism comprises a secondary safety latch for the hood of the vehicle.

16. A vehicle lighting system comprising:

a badge comprising an optic having a light source configured to output a first emission at a first wavelength; and

a light guide extending from the optic and configured to direct the first emission toward a closure mechanism, wherein the badge and the closure mechanism comprise a photoluminescent portion configured to convert the first emission to a second emission to illuminate the badge and the closure mechanism at a second wavelength.

17. The lighting system according to claim 16, wherein the second wavelength is longer than the first wavelength.

18. The lighting system according to claim 16, wherein the light source comprises a deep blue LED molded in an interior surface of the optic device to form a sealed assembly.

19. The lighting system according to claim 18, wherein the deep blue LED is configured to emit light at a peak wavelength less than 500 nm.

20. The lighting system according to claim 16, wherein the photoluminescent portion comprises a first photoluminescent portion and a second photoluminescent portion, the first photoluminescent portion configured to illuminate the badge in the second wavelength of light having first color and the second photoluminescent portion configured to illuminate the closure mechanism in a third wavelength of light having a second color different from the first color.