Illuminated latch system

• US 9,663,967 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2016
• Issued: 05/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2015
• 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., Huebner, Annette Lynn, Gardner, Cornel Lewis, Hellman, Kristin Ann
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, JASON
• Application Number:
  US15/172,489
• Publication Number:
  US 20170072848A1
• Time in Patent Office: 361 Days
• Field of Search: 362487-488, 362496, 362509-511
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/30 for compartments other than passenger or driving compartments, e.g. luggage or engine compartments
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/10 Illuminating devices on or for locks or keys; Transparent or translucent lock parts; Indicator lights
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0003 the light guides being doped with fluorescent agents
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0096 the lights guides being of the hollow type

Abstract

An illuminated latch system for a vehicle is disclosed herein. The illuminated latch system includes an engine compartment having a latch configured to open the compartment. A light source is configured to emit light at a first wavelength and is disposed between the compartment and latch. A light guide is optically coupled to the light source and configured to direct light towards the latch and the compartment. A first photoluminescent structure is disposed within the light guide and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light source. A second photoluminescent structure is disposed within the compartment that luminesces in response to the light at the first wavelength.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

an engine compartment having a latch configured to open the compartment;

a light source configured to emit light at a first wavelength disposed between the compartment and the latch;

a light guide optically coupled to the light source and configured to direct light towards the latch and the compartment; and

a first photoluminescent structure disposed within the light guide and a second photoluminescent structure disposed within the compartment, wherein each photoluminescent structure is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light source.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the light source is integrally disposed within the light guide.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the light source and light guide are coupled to a bottom surface of a trim component disposed between a front portion of the vehicle and the engine compartment.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the light source is disposed proximately to a forward portion of an engine compartment.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

optics disposed at one end portion of the light guide and configured to direct light towards the second photoluminescent structure.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a prop rod disposed within the engine compartment and configured to hold a hood in an open position, wherein a third photoluminescent structure is disposed on a portion of the prop rod.

7. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the second photoluminescent structure encompasses an insertion opening in a hood to provide assistance in disposing the prop rod therein.

8. An illuminated latch system for a vehicle, comprising:

a light source of the latch system attached to a component proximate an engine compartment and optically coupled to a light guide configured to transmit inputted light from the light source; and

a first photoluminescent structure configured to emit outputted light in response to light emitted from the light source, wherein the light guide directs light towards the first photoluminescent structure.

9. The illuminated latch system for a vehicle of claim 8, wherein the component is a trim component disposed proximately to a front end portion of an engine compartment.

10. The illuminated latch system for a vehicle of claim 8, wherein the light guide is configured to direct light towards a secondary latch release handle.

11. The illuminated latch system for a vehicle of claim 8, wherein the first photoluminescent structure is disposed within the light guide and is configured to convert light from a first wavelength to a second wavelength.

12. The illuminated latch system for a vehicle of claim 10, wherein the light source emits an inputted light of a first wavelength into a light pipe and the light pipe emits an outputted light at a second wavelength towards the latch.

13. The illuminated latch system for a vehicle of claim 8, wherein the first photoluminescent structure includes at least one photoluminescent material configured to down convert an inputted light received from at least a portion of the light source into a visible light.

14. The illuminated latch system for a vehicle of claim 8, wherein the inputted light is one of a blue light, violet light, and a UV light.

15. An illuminated latch system for a vehicle, comprising:

a light source of the latch system;

a light pipe operably coupled with the light source; and

a first photoluminescent structure disposed within the light pipe, wherein inputted light emitted from the light source is converted to a second wavelength within the light pipe and directed towards a feature on a vehicle engine compartment.

16. The illuminated latch system for a vehicle of claim 15, wherein light emitted from the source is one of a blue light, violet light, and a UV light.

17. The illuminated latch system for a vehicle of claim 15, further comprising:

a second photoluminescent structure disposed on a feature within an engine compartment to receive light from the light source via the light pipe.

18. The illuminated latch system for a vehicle of claim 17, wherein the first photoluminescent structure illuminates in a first color and the second photoluminescent structure illuminates in a second color.

19. The illuminated latch system for a vehicle of claim 15, further comprising:

a second photoluminescent structure disposed on a secondary latch release handle that is configured to illuminate when a primary latch release handle is disposed in an open position.

20. The illuminated latch system for a vehicle of claim 19, wherein the secondary latch release handle includes an extendable handle and the second photoluminescent structure is configured to illuminate a portion of the extendable handle.