Vehicle light system with illuminating exhaust

• US 9,464,776 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2014
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, JASON
• Application Number:
  US14/524,085
• Publication Number:
  US 20150138810A1
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 362/487, 362510-511
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2688 on exhaust pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/00 Exhaust or silencing apparatus characterised by constructional features ; Exhaust or silencing apparatus, or parts thereof, having pertinent characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F01N1/00 - F01N5/00, F01N9/00, F01N11/00
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2260/00 Exhaust treating devices having provisions not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2510/00 Surface coverings
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/16 Light sources where the light is generated by photoluminescent material spaced from a primary light generating element

Abstract

An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises a photoluminescent portion disposed on a surface of a vehicle exhaust system component. The illumination apparatus further includes a light source located proximate the component. The light source is configured to emit light at a first wavelength directed toward the photoluminescent portion. The photoluminescent portion is configured to convert the first wavelength to at least a second wavelength to illuminate the exhaust system component and/or an area proximate the vehicle exhaust system.

Claims

1. An illumination apparatus for a vehicle exhaust system comprising:

a photoluminescent portion disposed on a component of the vehicle exhaust system; and

a light source separately located proximate the component configured to emit light at a first wavelength directed toward the photoluminescent portion, wherein the photoluminescent portion is configured to convert the first wavelength to a second wavelength.

2. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photoluminescent portion is disposed on a vehicle muffler.

3. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photoluminescent portion illuminates an approach surface proximate a rear end of the vehicle.

4. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source is disposed on a bumper of the vehicle.

5. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second photoluminescent portion disposed proximate the first photoluminescent portion.

6. The illumination apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the light source is further configured to direct the light at the first wavelength toward the second photoluminescent portion.

7. The illumination apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second photoluminescent portion is configured to convert the first wavelength to a third wavelength having a different color than the second wavelength.

8. The illumination apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second photoluminescent portion is disposed on a second exhaust system component.

9. An illumination system for a vehicle exhaust system comprising:

first and second photoluminescent portions disposed on an exhaust system component; and

a light source separately located proximate the first and second photoluminescent portions configured to emit light at a first wavelength, wherein the photoluminescent portions are configured to convert the first wavelength to at least a second wavelength.

10. The illumination system according to claim 9, wherein the first and second photoluminescent portions are configured to illuminate in varying colors based on a pre-defined event.

11. The illumination system according to claim 9, wherein the light source is configured to direct the light at the first wavelength toward the first photoluminescent portion and the second photoluminescent portion when a vehicle door is oriented in an open position.

12. The illumination system according to claim 9, wherein the exhaust system component is a vehicle muffler.

13. The illumination system according to claim 9, wherein the exhaust system comprises first and second components each having the first and second photoluminescent portions disposed thereon.

14. The illumination system according to claim 9, wherein the second photoluminescent portion is configured to convert the first wavelength to a third wavelength having a different color than the second wavelength.

15. A method for illuminating a surface beneath a vehicle comprising:

activating a light source;

directing light at a first wavelength from the light source toward a photoluminescent portion separately disposed on a portion of the exhaust system;

converting light at the first wavelength to a second wavelength with the photoluminescent portion; and

illuminating an area proximate the exhaust system with the light at the second wavelength.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the light source is activated in response to a pre-defined event.

17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:

emitting the light at the second wavelength from the photoluminescent portion toward an approach surface.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the pre-defined event is the opening of a vehicle door.

19. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:

directing the light at the first wavelength toward a second photoluminescent portion.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising:

converting the light at the first wavelength to a third wavelength with the second photoluminescent portion, the third wavelength corresponding to a different color than the second wavelength.