Luminescent trim light assembly

• US 9,810,401 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2015
• Issued: 11/07/2017
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sawhney, Hargobind S
• Application Number:
  US14/604,807
• Publication Number:
  US 20150138820A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,016 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/141 Activation of instrument input devices by approaching fingers or pens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/324 for signalling that a door is open or intended to be opened
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/217 Doors, e.g. door sills; Steps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/68 using ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/80 Circuits; Control arrangements for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/82 Switches specially adapted for vehicle interior lighting, e.g. switching by tilting the lens
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/32 characterised by the arrangement of the photoluminescent material
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/38 Combination of two or more photoluminescent elements of different materials

Abstract

A vehicle trim light assembly is provided herein. The trim light assembly includes a substrate mated to a housing. A light source and luminescent structure are disposed within the substrate and housing. The light source provides light at a first wavelength. The luminescent structure is excited by light at the first wavelength thereby emitting light at a second wavelength through the housing to provide lighting to an occupant within the vehicle.

Claims

1. A light assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a substrate and a housing forming a cavity therebetween;

a layer coupled to the housing and including a first substantially opaque portion and a second translucent portion separated from the first portion by an electrically insulative gap, the first or second portion of the layer including an electrically conductive material;

a light source disposed within the cavity; and

a first photoluminescent structure configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from the light source.

2. The light assembly of claim 1, wherein light emitted from the first photoluminescent structure has a different wavelength than the light emitted from the source.

3. The light assembly of claim 1, wherein light emitted from the first photoluminescent structure is reflected within the cavity and outputted from the housing through the second portion of the layer.

4. The light assembly of claim 1, wherein the conductive material is configured as a sensor.

5. The light assembly of claim 1, wherein a reflective material is disposed on a surface within the cavity.

6. The light assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is configured as a door trim piece.

7. The light assembly of claim 1, further comprising a protective layer disposed outwardly of the housing.

8. The light assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second photoluminescent structure configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from the light source at a wavelength different from the first luminescent portion.

9. The light assembly of claim 1, wherein the first photoluminescent structure is disposed within the housing.

10. A passenger light assembly for a vehicle, the assembly comprising:

a housing having a layer thereon including electrically conductive first and second portions separated by an electrically insulative gap;

a conductive interconnect disposed between a substrate and the housing, wherein the interconnect supplies electrical power to a conductive material on the housing; and

a light source disposed between the substrate and housing, wherein a portion of the housing is configured to luminesce in response to light emitted from the light source.

11. The light assembly of claim 10, wherein the substrate and a PCB are integrally formed as a single piece.

12. The light assembly of claim 10, therein a reflective material is disposed on a surface of the housing.

13. A trim light assembly, comprising:

a substrate and a housing forming a cavity therebetween;

a proximity sensor formed on the housing and including first and second electrically conductive portions separated by an electrically insulative gap; and

a first light source disposed between the substrate and housing, wherein a portion of the housing comprises a first photoluminescent structure that luminesces in response to excitation by light emitted from the light source.

14. The trim light assembly of claim 13, further comprising a printed circuit board disposed inside the housing, wherein the light source is disposed on the printed circuit board.

15. The trim light assembly of claim 13, wherein the trim light assembly illuminates a portion of the ground proximate a vehicle when a door of the vehicle is positioned in an open position.

16. The trim light assembly of claim 13, further comprising a second light source configured to emit light at a second wavelength and a second photoluminescent structure configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from the second light source.

17. The trim light assembly of claim 13, further comprising an outer layer disposed outward from the housing, wherein the outer layer comprises first and second portions, the first and second portions having different opacity levels.

18. The trim light assembly of claim 13, wherein the housing is resiliently movable relative the substrate.