Vehicle container illumination

• US 9,587,967 B1
• Filed: 08/04/2016
• Issued: 03/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2016
• 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 Moon
• Application Number:
  US15/228,212
• Time in Patent Office: 215 Days
• Field of Search: 362487-488, 362/496, 362/502, 362509-511, 362/540, 362543-549
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/30 for compartments other than passenger or driving compartments, e.g. luggage or engine compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/64 for a single lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/68 using ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/50 Arrangement of reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 11/18 concerning coolant pressure, coolant flow, or liquid-coolant level

Abstract

An engine compartment illumination system is provided that includes a first container including a first cap including a light source operable to emit an excitation emission, a window, and an optics system configured to direct a portion of the excitation emission through the window. A second container is positioned proximate the first container and includes a second cap and an indicia positioned proximate the second cap. The excitation emission is configured to excite the indicia.

Claims

1. An engine compartment illumination system, comprising:

a first container within the engine compartment comprising a first cap, comprising;

a light source operable to emit an excitation emission;

a window; and

an optics system configured to direct a portion of the excitation emission through the window; and

a second container positioned proximate the first container comprising a second cap;

an indicia positioned proximate the second cap,

wherein the excitation emission is configured to excite the indicia.

2. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the optics system comprises a prism for directing a first portion of the excitation emission into the first container and a second portion through the window.

3. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the optics system comprises a mirror for directing a first portion of the excitation emission into the first container and a second portion through the window.

4. The illumination system of claim 1, further comprising:

a light pipe proximate the first cap, wherein the light pipe is optically coupled to the light source and is configured to emit the portion of the excitation emission towards the indicia.

5. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the first cap includes an indicia, the indicia of the first cap configured to be excited by the excitation emission.

6. The illumination system of claim 1, further comprising:

an indicator positioned on the first container configured to be excited by the excitation emission.

7. The illumination system of claim 1, further comprising:

a fluid positioned within the first container, the fluid configured to be excited by the excitation emission.

8. The illumination system of claim 7, wherein a fluid level of the fluid is determined based on a degree of illumination of the container when the fluid is exposed to the excitation emission.

9. An illumination system for a vehicle container configured to contain a fluid, the container comprising:

a cap positioned on the container of an engine compartment and comprising;

a light source operable to emit an excitation emission;

a window; and

an optics system configured to direct a portion of the excitation emission through the window; and

an indicator positioned on the container,

wherein the excitation emission is configured to excite the fluid and the indicator.

10. The illumination system of claim 9, wherein a fluid level of the fluid is determined based on a degree of illumination of the container when the fluid is exposed to the excitation emission.

11. The illumination system of claim 10, wherein the container is an engine coolant container.

12. The illumination system of claim 9, wherein the optics system comprises a prism for directing a first portion of the excitation emission into the container and a second portion through the window.

13. The illumination system of claim 9, wherein the optics comprises a mirror for directing a first portion of the excitation emission into the first container and a second portion through the window.

14. The illumination system of claim 9, further comprising:

a light pipe positioned on the container.

15. The illumination system of claim 14, wherein the light pipe is optically coupled to the light source through the optics system.

16. An illumination system, comprising:

a first and a second engine compartment container, the second container containing a fluid;

a light source positioned on the first container and operable to emit an excitation emission configured to excite the fluid; and

a light guide optically coupled with the light source and configured to direct the excitation emission toward the fluid such that a fluid level is determined based on a degree of illumination of the second container.

17. The illumination system of claim 16, further comprising:

an indicium positioned on the second container configured to be excited by the excitation emission.

18. The illumination system of claim 17, further comprising:

an optics system optically coupled with the light source and configured to direct a portion of the excitation emission into the light guide.