Photoluminescent vehicle step lamp

• US 9,487,127 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2014
• Issued: 11/08/2016
• 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., Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Surman, James J., Gardner, Cornel Lewis
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, JASON
• Application Number:
  US14/490,738
• Publication Number:
  US 20150197180A1
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 362/487, 362/495, 362510-511, 362/521
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/247 for illuminating the close surroundings of the vehicle, e.g. to facilitate entry or exit for reverse drive B60Q1/22; by opening a side door B60Q1/323
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/325 on or for running boards or steps
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/16 Laser light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/176 Light sources where the light is generated by photoluminescent material spaced from a primary light generating element
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/16 Light sources where the light is generated by photoluminescent material spaced from a primary light generating element
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/044 Signs, boards or panels mounted on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/08 using both translucent and non-translucent layers

Abstract

An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises a photoluminescent portion disposed on a step portion and a first light source. The first light source is configured to excite the photoluminescent portion in a back-lit configuration. The illumination apparatus further comprises a lighting controller in communication with the first light source. The lighting controller is configured to activate the first light source to illuminate the photoluminescent portion by exciting a photoluminescent material by emitting a first wavelength of light. In response to receiving the first wavelength, the photoluminescent material is configured to become excited to illuminate at least a portion of the step portion.

Claims

1. An illumination apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a photoluminescent portion disposed on a step portion;

a first light source configured to excite the photoluminescent portion in a back-lit configuration;

an optic device on the step portion and configured to direct light from the first light source to illuminate a step surface and a ground surface proximate the vehicle; and

a lighting controller configured to selectively activate the first light source via a communication signal, and configured to selectively activate the first light source.

2. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second light source configured to illuminate the photoluminescent portion.

3. The illumination apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first fight source and the second light source are configured to illuminate a ground surface proximate an entry area of the vehicle.

4. The illumination apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first light source is configured to illuminate the photoluminescent portion at a first intensity and the second light source is configured to illuminate the photoluminescent portion at a second intensity less than the first intensity.

5. The illumination apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the optic device is disposed proximate the step portion and configured to transmit light from at least one of the first light source and the second light source longitudinally along the step portion.

6. The illumination apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the controller is further configured to selectively activate each of the first light source and the second light source in response to a state of the vehicle.

7. The illumination apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the controller is operable to selectively activate the first light source in response to the vehicle being in motion and the second light source in response to the vehicle being parked.

8. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photoluminescent portion extends substantially along a longitudinal dimension of at least one door of the vehicle.

9. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first light source and the second light source are disposed in a housing coupled to an inner surface of the side portion and the first light source is positioned above the second light source in the housing.

20. The illumination apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the housing forms a sealed assembly in connection with an optic device and containing the first light source and the second light source.

10. An illumination apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a step portion comprising a step surface and a side portion;

an illumination device extending longitudinally along the side portion;

a controller configured to activate a first light source and a second light source disposed behind the side portion; and

an optic device on the step portion configured to direct light from the first light source and the second light source to illuminate the step surface and a ground surface.

11. The illumination apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the illumination device comprises at least one photoluminescent material configured to emit the light to illuminate the lighting apparatus.

12. The illumination apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first light source and the second light source are disposed in a housing coupled to an inner surface of the side portion.

13. The illumination apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the controller is operable to selectively activate each of the first light source and the second light source to illuminate the portion of the step surface at a first intensity and the ground surface at a second intensity.

14. The illumination apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the first light source and the second light source are configured to emit emissions of light configured to excite the photoluminescent material.

15. The illumination apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the side portion comprises an at least partially light transmissive material configured to allow the emissions of light to pass through to the side portion to excite the photoluminescent material.

16. The illumination apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first light source is positioned in closer proximity to the step surface than the second light source.

17. An illumination apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a step portion comprising a step surface and a side portion;

a first photoluminescent portion disposed on an inner surface of and extending along a longitudinal dimension of the side portion;

a second photoluminescent portion corresponding to a graphic disposed on the side portion;

a first light source configured to emit light at a first wavelength to excite the photoluminescent portions; and

a lighting controller in communication with the first light source and operable to selectively activate the light source.

18. The illumination apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the first photoluminescent portion is configured to illuminate a portion of the step surface in response to receiving the first wavelength.

19. The illumination apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the first photoluminescent portion is configured to emit a first color of light and the second photoluminescent portion is configured to emit a second color different from the first color in response to receiving the first wavelength of light.