Light emission structure for indication symbol in interior space of vehicle

• US 20110180728A1
• Filed: 12/15/2010
• Published: 07/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Sawayanagi, Masahiro
• Granted Patent: US 9,616,812 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/461.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/12 lighting onto the surface to be illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/18 for varying the light intensity
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/68 using ultraviolet light

Abstract

An interior space of an automobile includes a maplamp unit and a plurality of functional units. The maplamp unit is provided on a ceiling of the interior space and is adapted to emit an ultraviolet light therefrom toward and upon a predetermined area of irradiation by the ultraviolet light. The functional units are spaced from each other and yet provided such that they all reside within the irradiation area. The functional units may include a combination meter, a navigation device, an air conditioner operating area, a power window switch area, and a small article placing area. These functional units each include at least one luminescent symbol. The luminescent symbol is adapted to become luminous when irradiated by the ultraviolet light emitted by the maplamp unit.

Claims

1. A light emission structure for an indication symbol provided in an interior space of a vehicle, comprising:

(a) an ultraviolet light source configured to emit an ultraviolet light from a ceiling of the interior space toward and upon an irradiation area, wherein the irradiation area is a predetermined area to be irradiated by the ultraviolet light; and

(b) a plurality of functional units provided within the irradiation area and spaced from each other, the functional units each including a luminescent symbol configured to become luminous by being irradiated by the ultraviolet light.

2. The light emission structure of claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet light source includes light-control functionality for controlling an irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light.