Illuminated automotive glazings

• US 9,994,144 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2016
• Issued: 06/12/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2016
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Salter, Stuart C., Boettger, Tom, Pizzimenti, Jim
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, JASON
• Application Number:
  US15/162,155
• Publication Number:
  US 20170334342A1
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 362503-504, 362509-511
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10036 comprising two outer glass sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10541 comprising a light source or a light guide
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10669 Luminescent agents
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10761 containing vinyl acetal
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10788 containing ethylene vinylacetate
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/02 arranged at the vehicle front , e.g. structure of the glazing, mounting of the glazing on windscreen mounted antenna wire H01Q1/1271
• 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 3/00 Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/208 Sun roofs; Windows
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/68 using ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/00 Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/005 Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/04 Door pillars ; windshield pillars
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/08 the elements being filters or photoluminescent elements and reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/24 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/38 Combination of two or more photoluminescent elements of different materials
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/45 by adjustment of photoluminescent elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2101/00 Point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements

Abstract

A vehicle is provided that includes a glazing that has a first glass substrate and a second glass substrate. A polymeric interlayer is positioned between the first and second glass substrates and a phosphorescent layer is positioned on the polymeric interlayer. A light source is optically coupled with polymeric interlayer.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a body defining a cabin; and

a glazing coupled to the body comprising;

a polymeric interlayer positioned between an exterior and an interior glass substrate;

a phosphorescent layer positioned between the polymeric interlayer and the interior substrate; and

a printed light assembly positioned between the phosphorescent layer and the interior glass substrate, wherein the printed light assembly is configured to emit light toward both the phosphorescent layer and the interior glass substrate.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the light assembly is configured to emit light into the polymeric interlayer.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the polymeric interlayer is configured to guide the light emitted by the light assembly.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the phosphorescent layer is configured to emit light toward an exterior of the vehicle.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the glazing is a vehicle windscreen.

6. An automotive glazing, comprising:

an exterior substantially transparent substrate;

an interior substantially transparent substrate;

an interlayer positioned between the exterior and interior substrates;

a printed light assembly positioned between the interlayer and the interior substrate;

a first concealment layer positioned between the light assembly and the interior substrate; and

a phosphorescent layer positioned between the printed light assembly and the interlayer, wherein the phosphorescent layer and the first concealment layer cooperate to define an indicium.

7. The automotive glazing of claim 6, wherein the printed light assembly is a layer extending across a portion of the interlayer.

8. The automotive glazing of claim 6, wherein the printed light assembly extends to an end of the automotive glazing.

9. A vehicle, comprising:

a body defining a cabin; and

a windscreen coupled with the body comprising;

an interlayer extending between an exterior and an interior substantially transparent substrate;

a phosphorescent layer positioned between the interlayer and the interior substantially transparent layer; and

a printed light assembly positioned between the interior substantially transparent substrate and the phosphorescent layer, the light assembly configured to emit light into the cabin and exterior to the vehicle.

10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the light assembly is configured to pulse light toward the exterior of the vehicle.

11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the light assembly is disposed along a top of the windscreen.

12. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising:

a concealment layer positioned between the light assembly and the exterior substantially transparent substrate.