Light system

• US 9,845,047 B1
• Filed: 08/08/2016
• Issued: 12/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2016
• 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., Glickman, David Brian, Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Surman, James J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Han, Jason Moon
• Application Number:
  US15/230,597
• Time in Patent Office: 498 Days
• Field of Search: 362487-488, 362503, 362508-510
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/268 on windscreens or windows B60Q1/302 takes precedence; lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for windows B60Q3/208
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/503 using luminous text or symbol displays in or on the vehicle, e.g. static text
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/208 Sun roofs; Windows
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/68 using ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/16 Light sources where the light is generated by photoluminescent material spaced from a primary light generating element

Abstract

A window for a vehicle is provided herein. The window includes an outer panel separated from an inner panel. A light guide is disposed between the outer panel and the inner panel. A first light-blocking layer is disposed between the light guide and the outer panel. A second light-blocking layer is disposed between the light guide and the inner panel. A light source is optically coupled with the light guide and is configured to direct excitation light towards a photoluminescent structure disposed between the first and second light-blocking layers. The photoluminescent structure luminesces in response to receiving the excitation light.

Claims

1. A window for a vehicle, comprising:

an outer panel separated from an inner panel;

a light guide disposed between the outer panel and the inner panel;

a first light-blocking layer disposed between the light guide and the outer panel;

a second light-blocking layer disposed between the light guide and the inner panel; and

an ultraviolet light source optically coupled with the light guide and configured to direct excitation light towards a photoluminescent structure disposed between the first and second light-blocking layers, wherein the photoluminescent structure luminesces in response to receiving the excitation light, wherein the outer panel, the inner panel, the light guide and the first and second light-blocking layers form a window substrate of the vehicle.

2. The window for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first and second light-blocking layers block UV light from transmission therethrough.

3. The window for a vehicle of claim 2, wherein the window is a rear window.

4. The window for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the photoluminescent structure comprises at least one photoluminescent material configured to convert the excitation light in a non-visible spectrum received from the light source into a visible, converted light.

5. The window for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the photoluminescent structure defines indicia.

6. The window for a vehicle of claim 5, wherein the light source is actuated in conjunction with a hazard signal.

7. The window for a vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

optics disposed on an opposing side of the light guide from the photoluminescent structure.

8. A window for a vehicle, comprising:

a light-blocking layer disposed inwardly of an outer panel; and

a tapered light guide forming a window substrate of the vehicle with the light-blocking layer and the outer panel and configured to direct light from a light source towards a photoluminescent structure disposed inwardly of the light-blocking layer, wherein the photoluminescent structure defines visible indicia to approaching vehicles by luminescing upon receiving excitation light from the light source.

9. The window for a vehicle of claim 8, wherein the photoluminescent structure is substantially non-visible in an unexcited state.

10. The window for a vehicle of claim 8, further comprising:

an inner panel disposed inwardly of the light guide.

11. The window for a vehicle of claim 10, further comprising:

a light-blocking layer disposed between the inner panel and the light guide.

12. The window for a vehicle of claim 8, wherein a thicker first portion of the light guide is disposed proximately to the light source and a thinner second portion of the light guide is disposed further from the light source than the first portion.

13. A light system for a vehicle, comprising:

an outer panel having a light-blocking layer on an inner surface thereof;

a light source optically coupled to a light guide, the outer panel and light guide forming a vehicle window substrate; and

an indicia disposed inwardly of the light-blocking layer and defined by a photoluminescent structure that luminesces upon receiving light from the light source that is directed towards the indicia by optics on the light guide.

14. The light system for a vehicle of claim 13, wherein the indicia is arranged to indicate one of a left turn and a right turn when in a luminescent state.

15. The light system for a vehicle of claim 14, wherein the light source is actuated intermittently such that the associated photoluminescent structures luminesce intermittently.

16. The light system for a vehicle of claim 13, wherein the light source is actuated in conjunction with a hazard signal.

17. The light system for a vehicle of claim 13, wherein the photoluminescent structure is substantially non-visible in an unexcited state.