Diffusing layer for a light emitting apparatus

• US 10,300,842 B2
• Filed: 04/14/2017
• Issued: 05/28/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: DeNolf, Garret C., Cammenga, David J., Heintzelman, Adam R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cariaso, Alan B
• Application Number:
  US15/487,554
• Publication Number:
  US 20170297481A1
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 427595
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/27 using semi-transparent optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/34 Backlit symbols
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/777 on or in sun visors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/14 lighting through the surface to be illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays

Abstract

An illumination assembly configured to emit diffuse light through an indicator is disclosed. The assembly comprises a substrate having an applique disposed thereon. The applique forms an opening configured to transmit light through the substrate. The assembly further comprises a light source in connection with a circuit and configured to emit light through the shape. A diffusing layer is applied to a surface of the assembly between the circuit and the substrate. The diffusing layer comprises a resin material configured to cure in response to exposure to ultraviolet light or heat. The diffusing layer further comprises a filler material comprising a plurality of beaded structures configured to diffuse light from the light source.

Claims

1. An illumination assembly configured to emit diffuse light through an indicator, the assembly comprising:

a substrate;

an applique disposed on the substrate forming an opening, wherein the opening defines a shape configured to transmit light through the substrate;

a light source in connection with a circuit and configured to emit light through the shape; and

a diffusing layer comprising a first portion and a second portion applied to a surface of the assembly between the circuit and the substrate, the diffusing layer comprising;

a resin material; and

a filler material comprising a plurality of bead structures configured to diffuse light from the light source, wherein the first portion comprises a first concentration of the bead structures and the second portion comprises a second concentration of the bead structures and the first concentration provides for a different spectral distribution of light than the second concentration.

2. The illumination assembly according to claim 1, wherein the resin material corresponds to a curable ink that cures in response to ultraviolet (UV) light or heat.

3. The illumination assembly according to claim 1, wherein the resin material corresponds to acrylic based UV curable ink.

4. The illumination assembly according to claim 1, wherein the bead structures correspond to a plurality of polystyrene beads.

5. The illumination assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first refractive index and the second refractive index differ by less than 0.2.

6. The illumination assembly according to claim 1, wherein the resin material has a first refractive index and the filler material has a second refractive index.

7. The illumination assembly according to claim 1, wherein the bead structures have a particle size between 1 and 15 μ

m.

8. The illumination assembly according to claim 1, wherein the bead structures have a particle size between 2 and 6 μ

m.

9. A method for manufacturing an illumination assembly comprising a diffuse light indicator comprising the steps of:

preparing a substrate corresponding to a display surface to receive a coating;

applying an applique on the substrate thereby forming an opening, wherein the opening defines a shape of the diffuse light indicator;

applying a first liquid diffusing layer over the applique, the liquid diffusing layer comprising a resin material and a filler material having a first concentration of bead structures;

applying a second liquid diffusing layer over the applique, the second liquid diffusing layer comprising a resin material and a filler material having a second concentration of bead structures, wherein the first concentration provides for a different spectral distribution of light than the second concentration and a second light transmittance through the second liquid diffusing layer is greater than a first light transmittance through the first liquid diffusing layer;

attaching a circuit comprising at least one light source to the substrate enclosing the applique and the diffusing layer therebetween; and

curing the liquid diffusing layer thereby generating a hardened diffusing layer laminating the substrate to the circuit.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the curing comprises exposing the liquid diffusing layer to UV radiation or heat.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the liquid diffusing layer comprises a resin material and a filler material.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the filler material corresponds to polystyrene beads.

13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the resin material has a first refractive index and the filler material has a second refractive index.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first refractive index and the second refractive index differ by less than 0.2.

15. An illumination assembly configured to emit diffuse light through an indicator, the assembly comprising:

a substrate;

an applique disposed on the substrate, the applique defining a light transmissive opening through the substrate, wherein the opening forms a negative shape configured to transmit light through the substrate;

a light source in connection with a circuit and configured to emit light through the shape; and

a diffusing layer comprising a first portion and a second portion applied to a surface of the assembly between the circuit and the substrate, wherein each of the first portion comprises a filler material comprising a first concentration of bead structures and the second portion comprises the filler material comprising a second concentration of bead structures, wherein the first concentration transmits a different spectral distribution of light greater than the second concentration and a second light transmittance through the second portion is greater than a first light transmittance through the first portion.

16. The illumination assembly according to claim 15, wherein the beaded structures correspond to a plurality of polystyrene beads.