Illuminated vehicle grille assembly

• US 9,714,749 B1
• Filed: 05/10/2016
• Issued: 07/25/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Johnson, Aaron Bradley, Salter, Stuart C., Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Musleh, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, JASON
• Application Number:
  US15/150,701
• Time in Patent Office: 441 Days
• Field of Search: 362496, 362509-511
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0011 with light guides for distributing the light between several lighting or signalling devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0035 relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2661 mounted on parts having other functions on wheels B60Q1/326
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/28 for indicating front of vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/20 Multi-color single source or LED matrix, e.g. yellow blinker and red brake lamp generated by single lamp
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/30 for compartments other than passenger or driving compartments, e.g. luggage or engine compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/005 Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/52 Radiator or grille guards ; Radiator grilles cooling aspects B60K11/08
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/085 Front-end modules
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/236 characterised by the shape of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/245 emitting light from one or more of its major surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/50 characterised by aesthetic components not otherwise provided for, e.g. decorative trim, partition walls or covers
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2101/00 Point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/001 the light being emitted along at least a portion of the lateral surface of the fibre

Abstract

A vehicle grille assembly is provided herein and includes a light-transmissive grille. At least one light guide is contained within the grille and a light source is configured to supply light to the at least one light guide to illuminate the grille.

Claims

1. A vehicle grille assembly comprising:

a light-transmissive grille of the vehicle having a photoluminescent portion;

at least one light guide contained within the grille; and

a light source configured to supply light to the at least one light guide to illuminate the grille by the photoluminescent portion.

2. The vehicle grille assembly of claim 1, wherein the grille is configured as a lattice.

3. The vehicle grille assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one light guide comprises one or more optical fibers.

4. The vehicle grille assembly of claim 1, wherein the light source is provided on a printed circuit board that is disposed proximate a peripheral edge of the grille.

5. The vehicle grille assembly of claim 4, wherein the light source comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes each configured to supply light to a corresponding light guide.

6. The vehicle grille assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a front portion of the grille is metallized to impart a metallic appearance thereto.

7. The vehicle grille assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one light guide illuminates a front and rear portion of the grille such that illumination of the front portion of the grille is visible to an onlooker and illumination of the rear portion provides lighting to an engine compartment that is visible through a number of openings in the grille.

8. A vehicle grille assembly comprising:

a light-transmissive grille of the vehicle having a photoluminescent portion;

a plurality of light guides contained within the grille and optically coupled to the photoluminescent portion; and

a light source configured to supply light to the plurality of light guides, wherein the photoluminescent portion luminesces in response to light excitation.

9. The vehicle grille assembly of claim 8, wherein the grille is configured as a lattice.

10. The vehicle grille assembly of claim 8, wherein the plurality of light guides each comprise at least one optical fiber.

11. The vehicle grille assembly of claim 8, wherein the light source is provided on a printed circuit board that is disposed proximate a peripheral edge of the grille.

12. The vehicle grille assembly of claim 11, wherein the light source comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes each configured to supply light to a corresponding light guide.

13. The vehicle grille assembly of claim 8, wherein at least a front portion of the grille is metallized to impart a metallic appearance thereto.

14. The vehicle grille assembly of claim 8, wherein the photoluminescent portion defines one of a front and a rear portion of the grille.

15. A vehicle grille assembly comprising:

a light-transmissive grille of the vehicle having a first and second photoluminescent portion;

a plurality of light guides contained within the grille and optically coupled to the first and second photoluminescent portions; and

a light source configured to supply light to the plurality of light guides, wherein the first and second photoluminescent portions luminesce in response to light excitation.

16. The vehicle grille assembly of claim 15, wherein the grille is configured as a lattice.

17. The vehicle grille assembly of claim 15, wherein the plurality of light guides each comprise at least one optical fiber.

18. The vehicle grille assembly of claim 15, wherein the light source is provided on a printed circuit board that is disposed proximate a peripheral edge of the grille, and wherein the light source comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes each configured to supply light to a corresponding light guide.

19. The vehicle grille assembly of claim 15, wherein at least a front portion of the grille is metallized to impart a metallic appearance thereto.

20. The vehicle grille assembly of claim 15, wherein one of the first and second photoluminescent portions defines a front portion of the grille and the other of the first and second photoluminescent portions defines a rear portion of the grille, and wherein the front portion of the grille luminesces in a first color that is visible to an onlooker and the rear portion luminesces in a second color to provide lighting to an engine compartment that is visible through a number of openings in the grille.