Illuminated system for a vehicle

• US 9,855,797 B1
• Filed: 07/13/2016
• Issued: 01/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2016
• 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., Buttolo, Pietro, Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Surman, James J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Han, Jason Moon
• Application Number:
  US15/208,741
• Publication Number:
  US 20180015877A1
• Time in Patent Office: 538 Days
• Field of Search: 362487, 362496, 362510-512
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2669 on door or boot handles lighting devices for vehicle interior on door handles B60Q3/267
• 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: B62D 25/12 Parts or details thereof locks E05B, E05B83/16; devices for holding open E05C17/00, e.g. while carrying oversize objects E05C17/042; hinges E05D; counterbalancing means E05F; checks, stops, buffers E05F5/00; springs, e.g. pneumatic springs F16F

Abstract

An illuminated system is provided herein. The illuminated system includes a badge that is movable between a first position and a second position. First and second light sources are disposed within the badge. The first light source is configured to direct light in a first direction. The second light source is configured to direct light in a second direction. A vehicle feature is operably coupled with the second light source. A first photoluminescent structure is disposed on the vehicle feature and is configured to luminesce in response to receiving an excitation light from the light source. A controller is configured to selectively activate the first and second light sources.

Claims

1. An illuminated system for a vehicle, comprising:

a badge movable between a first position and a second position;

first and second light sources disposed within the badge, the first light source configured to direct light in a first direction and the second light source configured to direct light in a second direction;

a vehicle feature separately disposed from the badge and operably coupled with the second light source;

a first photoluminescent structure disposed on the vehicle feature and configured to luminesce in response to receiving an excitation light from the light source; and

a controller configured to selectively activate the first and second light sources.

2. The illuminated system for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first photoluminescent structure includes at least one photoluminescent material configured to convert an excitation light into a visible light.

3. The illuminated system for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first photoluminescent structure includes a long persistent photoluminescent material therein.

4. The illuminated system for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first light source emits light that is directed forwardly of a vehicle and the second light source directs light rearwardly of the badge.

5. The illuminated system for a vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a second photoluminescent structure operably coupled with the first light source.

6. The illuminated system for a vehicle of claim 5, wherein the first and second light sources emit a wavelength of light that is within one of blue light, violet light, and UV light spectrums.

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

optics operably coupled with the second light source and configured to direct light towards the vehicle feature.

8. A vehicle illuminated system, comprising:

a badge disposed on a front of a vehicle, the badge movable between a first position and a second position; and

a light source disposed in the badge, wherein the light source is concealed in the first position and configured to emit excitation light rearwardly in the second position towards a vehicle feature separately disposed from the badge.

9. The illuminated system of claim 8, further comprising:

a first photoluminescent structure disposed on the vehicle feature and configured to luminesce in response to receiving the excitation light.

10. The illuminated system of claim 9, further comprising:

a second photoluminescent structure operably coupled with the light source.

11. The illuminated system of claim 10, wherein the first photoluminescent structure and the second photoluminescent structure each include at least one photoluminescent material configured to convert an excitation light into a visible converted light that is outputted to a viewable portion.

12. The illuminated system of claim 8, wherein the vehicle feature is a secondary hood release latch and the badge moves from the first position to the second position to illuminate the secondary hood release latch to assist in opening a vehicle hood.

13. The illuminated system of claim 8, wherein the vehicle feature is a vehicle component within an engine compartment of the vehicle.

14. The illuminated system of claim 9, wherein the badge includes a light transmissive housing and substrate such that light emitted from the light source may be emitted therethrough.

15. An illuminated system for a vehicle, comprising:

a movable badge disposed on a vehicle, the badge movable between a first position and a second position forwardly of the first position;

a first light source disposed in the badge; and

a vehicle feature separately disposed from the badge and operably coupled with the first light source, wherein the light source illuminates the vehicle feature when the badge is disposed in the second position.

16. The illuminated system of claim 15, further comprising:

a photoluminescent structure disposed on the vehicle feature and configured to luminesce in response to receiving an excitation light from the first light source.

17. The illuminated system of claim 15, wherein the first light source is disposed on a first side of a printed circuit board (PCB) and a second light source disposed on a second side of the PCB.

18. The illuminated system of claim 15, wherein the vehicle feature is a secondary hood release latch.

19. The illuminated system of claim 18, wherein the badge is moved from the first position to the second position when a primary hood release latch is deployed thereby causing the first light source to illuminate the secondary hood release latch.

20. The illuminated system of claim 15, wherein a camera system is concealed by the movable badge when the movable badge is in the first position.