Illuminated steering assembly

• US 9,463,736 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2015
• Issued: 10/11/2016
• 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., Buttolo, Pietro, Snoeyink, Diane Carole
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, JASON
• Application Number:
  US14/851,726
• Publication Number:
  US 20150375678A1
• Time in Patent Office: 396 Days
• Field of Search: 362/488, 362/491, 362509-511, 362543-545
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/1469 controlled by or attached to a single lever, e.g. steering column stalk switches
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/12 lighting onto the surface to be illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/283 Steering wheels; Gear levers
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/68 using ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/80 Circuits; Control arrangements for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2106/00 Interior vehicle lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2107/10 for land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/105 in response to determined parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A lighting system for a vehicle steering assembly is provided herein. The lighting system includes a member extending from a steering column. A light source is disposed on a steering wheel. A first photoluminescent structure is disposed on the member and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light source. In some embodiments, the light source may implement a thin design, thereby helping to fit the light source into small package spaces of the vehicle where traditional light sources may not be practicable.

Claims

1. A lighting system for a vehicle, comprising:

a member extending from a steering column;

a light source having a plurality of independently illuminable sections surrounding an exterior circumference of a steering wheel and configured to illuminate a portion of the member; and

a first photoluminescent structure disposed on the member and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light source, wherein at least one section of the light source is operably coupled with the photoluminescent structure as the steering wheel is rotated.

2. The lighting system for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a plurality of printed LEDs.

3. The lighting system for a vehicle of claim 2, wherein the first photoluminescent structure comprises at least one photoluminescent material configured to down convert an inputted light received from at least a portion of the light source into a visible light that is outputted to a viewable portion.

4. The lighting system for a vehicle of claim 3, wherein the member is configured as a stalk switch that controls at least one function of the vehicle and the first photoluminescent structure is configured as indicia disposed on the stalk switch.

5. The lighting system for a vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a second photoluminescent structure disposed on the light source configured to provide backlighting of the steering wheel when illuminated.

6. The lighting system for a vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a controller for controlling an activation state of the light source in response to at least one vehicle-related condition.

7. The lighting system for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein sequential portions of the light source are illuminated to continually emit light towards a predefined location as the steering wheel is rotated.

8. A lighting system, comprising:

a steering wheel having a hub and a rim connected to the hub through a spoke;

a plurality of light sources disposed circumferentially around the hub in a plurality of independently illuminable and varied concentration portions; and

a member having a first luminescent structure thereon and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by at least a portion of the plurality of light sources.

9. The lighting system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of light sources comprise a printed LED.

10. The lighting system of claim 8, wherein sequential portions of the plurality of light sources are illuminated to continually emit light towards a predefined location as the steering wheel is rotated.

11. The lighting system of claim 8, wherein the first luminescent structure is configured as indicia that notify an occupant of a function of the member.

12. The lighting system of claim 9, wherein the first luminescent structure comprises at least one luminescent material configured to down convert an inputted light received from at least a portion of the printed LED into a visible light that is outputted to a viewable portion.

13. The lighting system of claim 8, further comprising:

a second luminescent structure separated from the steering wheel configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the plurality of light sources.

14. The lighting system of claim 13, wherein the first luminescent structure illuminates in a first color and the second luminescent structure illuminates in a second color.

15. A lighting system for a vehicle steering assembly, comprising:

a switch extending from a steering column of a vehicle;

a light source disposed within the vehicle;

a first photoluminescent structure disposed on the switch, wherein the first photoluminescent structure is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light output from at least a portion of the light source;

a second photoluminescent structure disposed on the light source configured to provide ambient lighting vehicle forward of a steering wheel; and

a third photoluminescent structure disposed on a feature disposed within a vehicle and separated from the steering assembly.

16. The lighting system for a vehicle steering assembly of claim 15, wherein the light source comprises a plurality of printed LEDs.

17. The lighting system for a vehicle steering assembly of claim 16, wherein the first photoluminescent structure comprises at least one photoluminescent material configured to down convert an inputted light received from at least a portion of the light sources into a visible light that is outputted to a viewable portion.

18. The lighting system for a vehicle steering assembly of claim 17, wherein the inputted light comprises one of blue light, violet light, and UV light.

19. The lighting system for a vehicle steering assembly of claim 15, wherein sequential portions of the light source are illuminated to continually emit light towards a predefined location as a steering wheel is rotated.

20. The lighting system for a vehicle steering assembly of claim 15, wherein the first photoluminescent structure luminesces in a first color and the second photoluminescent structure luminesces in a second color.