Photoluminescent cupholder illumination

• US 9,539,941 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2014
• 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: Salter, Stuart C., Gardner, Cornel Lewis, Bross, Chad M.
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, JASON
• Application Number:
  US14/326,851
• Publication Number:
  US 20150138798A1
• Time in Patent Office: 916 Days
• Field of Search: 362487-488, 362509-510
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/20 for lighting specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments; mounted on specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments lighting for dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/229 Cup holders
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/68 using ultraviolet light

Abstract

An apparatus for illuminating a vehicle cupholder is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a cavity formed by a console. The cavity is configured to receive a container and has a base portion. The base portion comprises a light-transmissive portion configured to transmit electromagnetic energy. A light source is configured to emit a first emission proximate the light-transmissive portion. The apparatus further comprises a photoluminescent portion proximate the light-transmissive portion. The photoluminescent portion is configured to be excited in response to the first emission to generate a second emission configured to illuminate the cavity.

Claims

1. An apparatus for illuminating a vehicle cupholder comprising:

a cavity formed by a console having a base portion configured to receive a container, the base portion comprising a light-transmissive portion configured to transmit electromagnetic energy;

a light source configured to emit a first emission proximate the light-transmissive portion;

a photoluminescent portion proximate the light-transmissive portion, configured to be excited in response to the first emission, the excitation generating a second emission configured to illuminate the cavity; and

a feature disposed on a wall of the cavity, the feature comprising a second photoluminescent portion excited in response to the first emission transmitted through the light-transmissive portion.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first emission comprises a shorter wavelength than the second emission.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second emission comprises a plurality of wavelengths configured to generate a substantially white light.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photoluminescent portion is disposed on the light-transmissive portion.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base portion comprises a polymer mat having the photoluminescent portion molded therein.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photoluminescent portion is configured to convert a first portion of the first emission from a first wavelength to a second wavelength such that a second portion of the first emission at the first wavelength is operable to excite the feature.

7. A console configured to illuminate a vehicle container holder comprising:

a semi-cylindrical cavity configured to receive a container formed by a sidewall of the console;

a base portion abutting the sidewall and configured to transmit light energy;

a light source disposed proximate the base portion configured to emit a first emission;

a feature located proximate the sidewall, wherein the first emission is transmitted through the base portion and configured to excite the feature to emit a second emission, wherein the base portion comprises a photoluminescent portion configured to convert a first portion of the first emission to a third emission and transmit a second portion of the first emission to the feature.

8. The console according to claim 7, wherein the first emission comprises a shorter wavelength than the second emission.

9. The console according to claim 7, wherein the feature comprises a photoluminescent portion configured to emit the second emission in response to the excitation from the first emission.

10. The console according to claim 7, wherein the first emission is emitted from the base portion through at least a portion of the semi-cylindrical cavity.

11. The console according to claim 7, wherein the feature comprises a ring disposed radially along the sidewall to illuminate the container holder.

12. The console according to claim 7, wherein the feature comprises a raised portion extending into the semi-cylindrical cavity from the sidewall configured to secure a container in the container holder.

13. The console according to claim 7, wherein the first emission comprises a shorter wavelength than the third emission.

14. A vehicle console assembly configured to hold beverage containers comprising:

a first cavity having a first base portion and configured to hold a beverage;

a second cavity having a second base portion and configured to hold a beverage;

a light source configured to emit a first emission proximate the first and second base portions, wherein the first and second base portions comprise a photoluminescent material configured to convert the first emission to a second emission in response to an excitation of the photoluminescent material, wherein the first and second base portions are configured to transmit a portion of the first emission to a feature located in at least one of the first cavity and the second cavity, the feature comprising a second photoluminescent material configured to emit a third emission in response to receiving the portion of the first emission.

15. The console assembly according to claim 14, further comprising:

an optic device configured to receive the first emission and substantially spread the first emission about a surface of each of the first base portion and the second base portion.

16. The console assembly according to claim 14, wherein the light source comprises an LED configured to emit the first emission at a first wavelength and the second emission is converted by the photoluminescent material to a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength.