Vehicle step lamp

• US 9,539,937 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2015
• Issued: 01/10/2017
• 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: Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Garland, Travis S., Musleh, Michael, Salter, Stuart C., Lobo, Harry, O'Callaghan, Kevin M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hanley, Britt D
• Application Number:
  US14/639,326
• Publication Number:
  US 20150175059A1
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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

Abstract

An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprise a light source disposed on a step portion. A first coating layer is molded over the step portion and the light source. A photoluminescent portion is disposed proximate a tread portion of the step portion. The light source is configured to emit a first emission to excite the photoluminescent portion to emit a second emission.

Claims

1. A vehicle illumination apparatus comprising:

a light source disposed on a step portion;

a first coating layer molded over the step portion and the light source; and

a photoluminescent portion disposed proximate a tread portion of the step portion, wherein the tread portion corresponds to a second molded layer of a second polymeric material, wherein the light source is configured to emit a first emission to excite the photoluminescent portion to emit a second emission.

2. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first coating corresponds to a first molded layer of a first polymeric material.

3. The illumination apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first polymeric material corresponds to a significantly transparent material operable to transmit the first emission therethrough.

4. The illumination apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second polymeric material corresponds to a significantly opaque material operable to substantially block a transmission of the first emission.

5. The illumination apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second polymeric material is applied to the first polymeric material and configured to mask at least one portion of an outer surface of the first polymeric material such that a light energy corresponding to the first emission is transmitted through an unmasked portion of the first polymeric material.

6. The illumination apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the photoluminescent portion is disposed proximate the unmasked portion and configured to receive the first emission.

7. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the step portion corresponds to a running board of the vehicle.

8. An illuminated running board comprising:

a light source disposed on a step portion;

a first coating layer applied over the step portion and the light source;

a second coating disposed over the first coating, wherein the second coating is applied to the first coating such that light energy corresponding to a first emission passes through at least one unmasked portion of the second coating to illuminate an outer surface of the second coating.

9. The illuminated running board according to claim 8, wherein the second coating corresponds to a tread portion of the step portion.

10. The illuminated running board according to claim 9, further comprising a photoluminescent portion disposed proximate the tread portion.

11. The illuminated running board according to claim 10, wherein the photoluminescent portion is disposed in at least a portion of the first coating layer such that the photoluminescent material is illuminated in a back-lit configuration.

12. The illuminated running board according to claim 10, wherein the photoluminescent portion is configured to receive the first emission and emit a second emission.

13. The illuminated running board according to claim 12, wherein the second emission corresponds to a different color of light than the first emission.

14. An illuminated running board comprising:

a light source configured to output a first emission and disposed on a step portion;

a first coating layer applied over the step portion and the light source;

a second coating selectively applied over the first coating to mask at least a portion of an outer surface of the first coating; and

a photoluminescent portion disposed proximate an unmasked portion of the first coating, wherein the first emission passes through the unmasked portion to illuminate an outer surface of the second coating.

15. The illuminated running board according to claim 14, wherein the photoluminescent portion is disposed on the outer surface of the second coating such that the portion of the outer surface corresponding to the photoluminescent portion is illuminated in a front lit configuration in response to receiving the first emission.

16. The illuminated running board according to claim 14, wherein the photoluminescent portion is configured to output a second emission in response to receiving the first emission.

17. The illuminated running board according to claim 16, wherein the second emission corresponds to a longer wavelength of light than the first emission.

18. The illuminated running board according to claim 14, wherein the second coating corresponds to a significantly opaque material configured to inhibit a passage of the first emission therethrough.

19. The illuminated running board according to claim 14, wherein the second coating corresponds to a tread portion of the running board.