Windshield display system

• US 9,459,453 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2015
• Issued: 10/04/2016
• 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., Surman, James J.
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, JASON
• Application Number:
  US14/596,800
• Publication Number:
  US 20150138816A1
• Time in Patent Office: 629 Days
• Field of Search: 362/494, 362/503, 362/510
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/334 Projection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/771 on the ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/777 on or in sun visors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/785 on or in relation to the windshield or windows
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/23 Head-up displays [HUD] optical aspects of head-up displays G02B27/01
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/12 lighting onto the surface to be illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence

Abstract

A windshield display system for a vehicle is provided herein and includes a rearview mirror assembly having at least one light source configured to illuminate a location on a windshield. At least one photoluminescent structure is disposed at the location and is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from the at least one light source.

Claims

1. A windshield display system for a vehicle, comprising:

a rearview mirror assembly having at least one light source configured to illuminate a location on a windshield;

at least one photoluminescent structure disposed at the location and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from the at least one light source.

2. The windshield display system of claim 1, further comprising a light blocking layer disposed at the location and configured to block ultraviolet radiation from entering the vehicle via the location on the windshield.

3. The windshield display system of claim 1, further comprising a light reflective layer disposed at the location and configured to reflect light incident thereon that is emitted from the at least one photoluminescent structure and is propagating toward the windshield.

4. The windshield display system of claim 1, further comprising a dark dead layer that hides the at least one photoluminescent structure unless the at least one photoluminescent structure is in a state of luminescence.

5. The windshield display system of claim 1, wherein the at least one photoluminescent structure conveys information when in a state of luminescence.

6. The windshield display system of claim 1, further comprising at least one light source coupled to a roof structure of the vehicle and configured to illuminate the location of the windshield illuminated by the at least one light source of the rearview mirror assembly or a separate location of the windshield.

7. The windshield display system of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source comprises one of an ultraviolet light source, a violet light source, and a blue light source.

8. A windshield display system for a vehicle, comprising:

at least one light source of a rearview mirror assembly disposed proximate an upper portion of the windshield and configured to illuminate a location on a windshield; and

at least one photoluminescent structure disposed at the location and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from the at least one light source.

9. The windshield display system of claim 8, further comprising a light blocking layer disposed at the location and configured to block ultraviolet light from entering the vehicle via the location on the windshield.

10. The windshield display system of claim 8, further comprising a light reflective layer disposed at the location and configured to reflect light incident thereon that is emitted from the at least one photoluminescent structure and is propagating toward the windshield.

11. The windshield display system of claim 8, further comprising a dark dead layer that hides the at least one photoluminescent structure unless the at least one photoluminescent structure is in a state of luminescence.

12. The windshield display system of claim 8, wherein the at least one photoluminescent structure conveys information when in a state of luminescence.

13. The windshield display system of claim 8, wherein the at least one light source comprises one of an ultraviolet light source, a violet light source, and a blue light source.

14. The windshield display system of claim 8, wherein the at least one light source is part of a rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle.

15. A windshield display system for a vehicle, comprising:

a first light source configured to emit light in a fixed direction toward a windshield;

a second light source configured to emit light in an adjustable direction toward the windshield; and

at least one photoluminescent structure coupled to the windshield and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from at least one of the first light source and the second light source,

wherein one of the first light source and the second light source are a part of a rearview mirror assembly.

16. The windshield display system of claim 15, wherein the first light source is part of a roof structure of the vehicle.

17. The windshield display system of claim 16, wherein the second light source is part of the rearview mirror assembly, wherein the direction in which light is emitted from the second light source depends on the position of the rearview mirror assembly.

18. The windshield display system of claim 15, wherein the at least one photoluminescent structure luminesces in one of a single color and a plurality of colors.

19. The windshield display system of claim 15, wherein the first light source and the second light source each emit one of an ultraviolet light, a violet light, and a blue light.