Vehicle lighting assembly

• US 9,586,523 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2014
• Issued: 03/07/2017
• 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., Surman, James J., Dellock, Paul Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, JASON
• Application Number:
  US14/508,605
• Publication Number:
  US 20150138802A1
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 362497-499, 362509-510, 362543-549
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0035 relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2607 comprising at least two indicating lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2669 on door or boot handles lighting devices for vehicle interior on door handles B60Q3/267
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/302 mounted in the vicinity, e.g. in the middle, of a rear window
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/56 for illuminating registrations or the like , e.g. for licence plates
• 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 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• 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: F21S 43/19 Attachment of light sources or lamp holders
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/26 Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/33 characterised by their material, surface treatment or coatings

Abstract

A vehicle lighting assembly is provided herein. The assembly includes a housing including a light permeable portion and a photoluminescent portion. A first light source and a second light source are each located inside the housing. Light emitted from the first light source is outputted from the housing via the light permeable portion and light emitted from the second light source excites the photoluminescent portion to generate a visible light that is outputted from the housing.

Claims

1. A vehicle lighting assembly comprising:

a housing including a light permeable portion and a photoluminescent portion; and

a first light source and a second light source each located inside the housing;

wherein light emitted from the first light source is outputted from the housing via the light permeable portion and light emitted from the second light source excites the photoluminescent portion to generate a visible light that is outputted from the housing;

wherein the housing is divided into a first compartment that is at least partially defined by the light permeable portion and a second compartment that is at least partially defined by the photoluminescent portion; and

wherein the first light source is at least one of a stop light and a rear vehicle light; and

wherein the visible light generated by the photoluminescent portion illuminates a license plate.

2. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 1, wherein the first light source is located inside the first compartment and the first compartment is configured to internally reflect light such that wayward propagating light contained within the first compartment and originating from the first light source is eventually redirected toward the light permeable portion.

3. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 1, wherein the second light source is located inside the second compartment and the photoluminescent portion is substantially Lambertian;

and wherein the second compartment is configured to internally reflect light such that wayward propagating light contained within the second compartment and originating from at least one of the second light source and the photoluminescent portion is eventually redirected toward the photoluminescent portion.

4. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 1, wherein the light permeable portion is metalized to have a metallic outer appearance while still allowing light emitted from the first light source to be transmitted therethrough.

5. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 1, wherein the photoluminescent portion includes a photoluminescent structure coupled to a light dispersing optic;

wherein the photoluminescent structure is configured to perform an energy conversion on light emitted from the second light source, thereby producing the visible light; and

wherein the visible light has a different wavelength than the light emitted from the second light source.

6. A vehicle lighting assembly configured as an exterior trim piece located on a rear portion of a vehicle and positioned above a license plate, comprising:

a housing including a first compartment having a light permeable portion and a second compartment having a photoluminescent portion; and

a first light source located in the first compartment and a second light source located in the second compartment;

wherein light emitted from the first light source is outputted from the housing via the light permeable portion and light emitted from the second light source excites the photoluminescent portion to generate a visible light that is outputted from the housing;

wherein the first light source is at least one of a stop light and a rear vehicle light; and

wherein the visible light generated by the photoluminescent portion illuminates the license plate.

7. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 6, wherein the first compartment is configured to internally reflect light such that wayward propagating light contained within the first compartment and originating from the first light source is eventually redirected toward the light permeable portion.

8. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 6, wherein the photoluminescent portion is substantially Lambertian;

and wherein the second compartment is configured to internally reflect light such that wayward propagating light contained within the second compartment and originating from at least one of the second light source and the photoluminescent portion is eventually redirected toward the photoluminescent portion.

9. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 6, wherein the light permeable portion is metalized to have a metallic outer appearance while still allowing light emitted from the first light source to be transmitted therethrough.

10. The vehicle lighting assembly of claim 6, wherein the photoluminescent portion includes a photoluminescent structure coupled to a light dispersing optic;

wherein the photoluminescent structure is configured to perform an energy conversion on light emitted from the second light source, thereby producing the visible light; and

wherein the visible light has a different wavelength than the light emitted from the second light source.

11. A high mount stop lamp comprising:

a housing including a light permeable portion and a photoluminescent portion; and

a first light source and a second light source each located inside the housing;

wherein the first light source is a rear-vehicle light and outputs light via the light permeable portion; and

wherein the second light source excites the photoluminescent portion to generate a visible light that illuminates a license plate below the high mount stop lamp.

12. A high mount stop lamp of claim 11, wherein the housing is divided into a first compartment that is at least partially defined by the light permeable portion and a second compartment that is at least partially defined by the photoluminescent portion.

13. A high mount stop lamp of claim 12, wherein the first light source is located inside the first compartment and the first compartment is configured to internally reflect light such that wayward propagating light contained within the first compartment and originating from the first light source is eventually redirected toward the light permeable portion.

14. A high mount stop lamp of claim 12, wherein the second light source is located inside the second compartment and the photoluminescent portion is substantially Lambertian;

and wherein the second compartment is configured to internally reflect light such that wayward propagating light contained within the second compartment and originating from at least one of the second light source and the photoluminescent portion is eventually redirected toward the photoluminescent portion.

15. A high mount stop lamp of claim 11, wherein the light permeable portion is metalized to have a metallic outer appearance while still allowing light emitted from the first light source to be transmitted therethrough.

16. A high mount stop lamp of claim 11, wherein the photoluminescent portion includes a photoluminescent structure coupled to a light dispersing optic;

wherein the photoluminescent structure is configured to perform an energy conversion on light emitted from the second light source, thereby producing the visible light; and

wherein the visible light has a different wavelength than the light emitted from the second light source.