Vehicle light system

• US 9,902,314 B1
• Filed: 11/17/2016
• Issued: 02/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2016
• 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., Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Yilma, Benjamin, Gardner, Cornel Lewis
• Primary Examiner(s): Han, Jason Moon
• Application Number:
  US15/353,888
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 362503
• 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 1/38 using immovably-mounted light sources, e.g. fixed flashing lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/5035 electronic displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/545 for indicating other traffic conditions, e.g. fog, heavy traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/50 Arrangements to reconfigure features of lighting or signalling devices, or to choose from a list of pre-defined settings
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/208 Sun roofs; Windows
• 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

Abstract

A vehicle light system is provided herein. The light system includes a first light source disposed on a first side of a substrate. A second light source is disposed on a second side of the substrate. An overmold material is disposed on the first and second light sources. The overmold material has a reflective portion and a lens portion. An adhesive layer is configured to couple the overmold material to a vehicle window. The first light source emits light towards the reflective portion and the second light source emits light towards the window.

Claims

1. A vehicle light system comprising:

a first light source disposed on a first side of a substrate;

a second light source disposed on a second side of the substrate;

an overmold material disposed on the first and second light sources, the overmold material having a reflective portion; and

an adhesive layer configured to couple the overmold material to a vehicle window, wherein the first light source emits light towards the reflective portion for an interior of the vehicle and the second light source emits light towards the window for an exterior of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle light system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first luminescent structure operably coupled with the first light source.

3. The vehicle light system of claim 2, further comprising:

a second luminescent structure operably coupled with the second light source.

4. The vehicle light system of claim 3, wherein the first and second light sources emit at least one of blue light, violet light, infrared and ultraviolet light.

5. The vehicle light system of claim 3, wherein the first luminescent structure and the second luminescent structure each include at least one luminescent material therein configured to convert an excitation light received from the first or second light source into a visible converted light.

6. The vehicle light system of claim 4, further comprising:

first and second conductive traces disposed on the substrate and configured to power the first and second light sources, wherein the first and second traces are disposed on both opposing sides of the substrate.

7. The vehicle light system of claim 6, wherein the substrate defines a first aperture through which the first conductive trace is disposed and a second aperture through which the second conductive trace is disposed.

8. A light strip comprising:

a substrate;

a first light source disposed on the substrate;

an overmold material surrounding the light source, wherein the overmold material includes a reflective portion;

an adhesive layer disposed between the overmold material and a window of a vehicle; and

a first luminescent structure separately disposed on the window and operably coupled with the first light source.

9. The light strip of claim 8, wherein the first luminescent structure defines indicia on the window.

10. The light strip of claim 8, wherein a second luminescent structure is in contact with the overmold material.

11. The light strip of claim 8, further comprising:

a second light source disposed on an opposing side of the substrate.

12. The light strip of claim 11, wherein the first light source is configured to illuminate a portion of a vehicle compartment and the second light source is configured to emit light towards the window.

13. The light strip of claim 8, wherein the second light source illuminates in conjunction with a vehicle turn signal lighting assembly.

14. A light strip comprising:

a light source disposed on a substrate;

an overmold material surrounding the light source and including a lens portion; and

a luminescent structure disposed on a vehicle window and operably coupled with the light source, wherein first and second solder masks are respectively disposed on first and second sides of the substrate, the first solder mask having a varied appearance from the second solder mask.

15. The light strip of claim 14, wherein an adhesive layer attaches the overmold material to a vehicle window and a frit is proximately disposed to the overmold material.

16. The light strip of claim 14, wherein the luminescent structure is disposed on an opposing side of the substrate from the light source.