Photoluminescent bin lamp

• US 9,434,302 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2014
• 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 VERNON
• Application Number:
  US14/477,933
• Publication Number:
  US 20150197189A1
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/225 Small compartments, e.g. glove compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/64 for a single lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/68 using ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/00 Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position

Abstract

An illuminated vehicle storage apparatus is disclosed. The storage apparatus comprises a bin rotatably connected to a console and configured to be oriented in an open position and a closed position. The storage apparatus further includes a light source configured to emit a first emission disposed in the console. A photoluminescent portion is disposed proximate the bin such that the first emission is directed toward the photoluminescent portion when the bin is oriented in the open position to illuminate the photoluminescent portion.

Claims

1. An illuminated vehicle storage apparatus comprising:

a bin rotatably connected to a console and configured to be oriented in an open position and a closed position;

a light source configured to emit a first emission disposed in the console; and

a photoluminescent portion disposed proximate the bin, wherein the first emission is directed toward the photoluminescent portion when the bin is oriented in the open position to illuminate the photoluminescent portion.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photoluminescent portion converts the first emission to a second emission having a longer wavelength than the first emission.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the console forms a cavity configured to house the bin in the closed position.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the photoluminescent portion is disposed in the cavity such that the second emission is directed toward an interior surface of the bin.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first emission is emitted from the light source and passes through a volumetric space of the cavity toward the photoluminescent portion in the open position.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a light guide configured to receive the first emission when the bin is oriented in the closed position.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the light guide is configured to transmit the first emission to an exterior surface of the bin to illuminate an additional photoluminescent portion.

8. An overhead console storage apparatus comprising:

a bin connected to a console and configured to be oriented in an open position and a closed position;

a first photoluminescent portion disposed in the console and configured to illuminate a storage tray of the bin in the open position; and

a second photoluminescent portion disposed on the bin and configured to illuminate in the closed position.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a light source configured to emit a first emission having a first wavelength configured to excite the first photoluminescent portion and the second photoluminescent portion.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first emission is directed toward the first photoluminescent portion through a cavity formed by the console when the bin is oriented in the closed position.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising an emblem disposed on an outer surface of the bin, the second photoluminescent portion forming a portion of the emblem.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a light guide configured to receive the first emission in the closed position.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first emission is directed through the light guide to the second photoluminescent portion to illuminate the emblem in the closed position.

14. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first wavelength is converted by the first photoluminescent portion and the second photoluminescent portion to at least a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength.

15. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first photoluminescent portion is configured to convert the first emission to a substantially white light to illuminate the storage tray of the bin.

16. An illuminated vehicle console and storage bin comprising:

a first photoluminescent portion configured to illuminate an interior portion of the bin when the bin is oriented in an open position; and

a second photoluminescent portion configured to illuminate an exterior portion of the bin when the bin is oriented in a closed position.

17. The console and bin according to claim 16, further comprising a light source configured to emit a first emission at a first wavelength to excite the first photoluminescent portion and the second photoluminescent portion.

18. The console and bin according to claim 17, wherein the first wavelength is approximately less than 500 nm to limit a perceptual acuity of the first emission.

19. The console and bin according to claim 17, further comprising a light pipe configured to receive the first emission in the closed position to transmit the first emission to the second photoluminescent portion.

20. The console and bin according to claim 19, further comprising an emblem, the second photoluminescent portion configured to illuminate a portion of the emblem when the bin is oriented in the closed position.