Vehicle illumination system

• US 9,593,820 B1
• Filed: 09/28/2016
• Issued: 03/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Salter, Stuart C., Johnson, Aaron Bradley, Dellock, Paul Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Han, Jason Moon
• Application Number:
  US15/278,204
• Time in Patent Office: 167 Days
• Field of Search: 362/487, 362/501, 362509-511
• 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 1/2661 mounted on parts having other functions on wheels B60Q1/326
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/323 on or for doors illuminated exterior door handles B60Q1/2669; illuminated door locks E05B17/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/326 on or for wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/239 plate-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/243 emitting light from one or more of its extremities
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/249 with two or more light sources being coupled into the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/43 using gas
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/47 Passive cooling, e.g. using fins, thermal conductive elements or openings
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/00 Combination of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A vehicle is provided which includes a first panel defining a vent and a second panel positioned proximate the first panel. A lighting assembly is positioned within the vent including a first plurality and a second plurality of light sources. A heat sink is thermally coupled with the first and second plurality of light sources. An optical member is optically coupled to the first and second plurality of light sources. A photoluminescent structure is positioned on the second panel.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a first panel on a side of the vehicle defining a vent;

a second panel separately positioned proximate the first panel;

a lighting assembly positioned proximate the vent, comprising;

first and second pluralities of light sources;

a heat sink thermally coupled with the first and second pluralities of light sources; and

an optical member optically coupled to the first and second plurality of light sources; and

a photoluminescent structure positioned on the second panel.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the optical member is configured to form a puddle light proximate the second panel.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein at least one of first and second pluralities of light sources are configured to emit an excitation emission configured to excite the photoluminescent structure into emitting light.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of light sources comprises side emitting light sources.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first body panel is vacuum metallized proximate the optical member.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the heat sink is in thermal communication with air within the vent.

7. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the heat sink comprises a polymeric material.

8. A vehicle, comprising:

a first body panel on a side of the vehicle defining a vent;

a second panel separately positioned proximate the vent;

a lighting assembly positioned within the vent, comprising;

a first plurality and a second plurality of light sources; and

an optical member optically coupled to the first and second plurality of light sources; and

a photoluminescent structure positioned on the second panel.

9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the vent is configured to allow air flow through the first body panel.

10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the lighting assembly further comprises a polymeric heat sink.

11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the polymeric heat sink is in thermal communication with the air flow through the first body panel.

12. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the first body panel is vacuum metallized proximate the optical member.

13. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the optical member is configured to emit an excitation emission from at least one of the first and second pluralities of light sources onto the photoluminescent structure.

14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the photoluminescent structure emits light in response to the excitation emission.

15. A vehicle, comprising:

a fender panel defining a vent and a wheel well;

a lighting assembly positioned within the vent, comprising;

a plurality of light sources; and

an optical member optically coupled to the plurality of light sources; and

a photoluminescent structure separately positioned from the lighting assembly and proximate the vent, the optical member configured to emit light from the plurality of light sources toward the wheel well and the photoluminescent structure.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the photoluminescent structure is configured to emit light in response to receiving light from the optical member.

17. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the optical member is further configured to emit the light from the plurality of light sources as a puddle lamp proximate the vehicle.

18. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the light assembly further comprises a heat sink in thermal communication with air within the vent.

19. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the heat sink comprises a polymeric material.

20. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the plurality of light sources comprises at least one side emitting light source.