Photoluminescent vehicle console

• US 9,440,584 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2014
• Issued: 09/13/2016
• 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, Surman, James J.
• Primary Examiner(s): BRUCE, DAVID VERNON
• Application Number:
  US14/486,476
• Publication Number:
  US 20150197191A1
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/20 for lighting specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments; mounted on specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments lighting for dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/229 Cup holders
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/233 Seats; Arm rests; Head rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/64 for a single lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/66 for distributing light among several lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/68 using ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/78 for generating luminous strips, e.g. for marking trim component edges

Abstract

A vehicle illumination apparatus is disclosed. The vehicle illumination apparatus comprises a console rotatably connected to a portion of a seat. The console is operable to rotate from a first position to a second position. A light source is disposed proximate the console and configured to emit a first emission of light. The illumination apparatus further comprises at least one light guide configured to direct the first emission to a first photoluminescent portion disposed on the console when the console is oriented in the first position.

Claims

1. A vehicle illumination apparatus comprising:

a console rotatably connected to a portion of a seat and operable to rotate from a first position to a second position;

a light source configured to emit a first emission of light; and

at least one light guide configured in the first position to direct the first emission to a first photoluminescent portion disposed on the console.

2. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second photoluminescent portion disposed on a rear portion of the seat.

3. The illumination apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first emission is directed toward the second photoluminescent portion in the second position to illuminate a portion of a cargo compartment of the vehicle.

4. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light guide comprises a first light guide and a second light guide.

5. The illumination apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first light guide is configured to transmit the first emission in the first position and the second light guide configured to transmit the first emission in the second position.

6. The illumination apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first light guide and the second light guide selectively transmit the first emission in response to a rotational position of the console.

7. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the console corresponds to an armrest in the first position.

8. The illumination apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the console is configured to be substantially disposed in a cavity formed by the seat in the second position.

9. The illumination apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the console comprises a cup holder, the cup holder comprising a third photoluminescent portion selectively illuminated in the first position.

10. A vehicle illumination apparatus comprising:

a console disposed proximate a seat;

a light source disposed proximate the console and configured to transmit a first emission of light through at least a portion of the console;

a photoluminescent portion disposed on the seat, wherein the first emission is emitted from the console to illuminate the photoluminescent portion in a second emission.

11. The vehicle illumination apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a light guide, the light guide configured to transmit the first emission through the portion of the console.

12. The vehicle illumination apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the light guide is disposed in at least one seam of a material covering at least a portion of the console.

13. The vehicle illumination apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a portion of the at least one seam is directed toward the seat such that the first emission is directed outward toward the photoluminescent portion.

14. The vehicle illumination apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a cupholder disposed in the console, the cupholder comprising an additional photoluminescent portion.

15. The vehicle illumination apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the light guide is further configured to direct the first emission to the additional photoluminescent portion to illuminate at least a portion of the cupholder.

16. A vehicle illumination apparatus comprising:

a console rotatably connected to a portion of a seat and operable to rotate from a first position to a second position;

a light source configured to emit a first emission of light; and

at least one light guide configured to direct the first emission to a first photoluminescent portion disposed on the seat in the first position to illuminate the first photoluminescent portion in a second emission.

17. The vehicle illumination apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the console corresponds to an armrest in the first position.

18. The vehicle illumination apparatus according to claim 17, the console is configured to be substantially disposed in a cavity formed by the seat in the second position.

19. The vehicle illumination apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the at least one light guide is further configured to direct the first emission toward a cargo compartment in the second position to excite a second photoluminescent portion.

20. The vehicle illumination apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the second photoluminescent portion is disposed on a surface of the cargo compartment such that a at least a portion of the cargo compartment illuminates in response to receiving the first emission.