VEHICLE LIGHT SYSTEM WITH ILLUMINATING WHEEL ASSEMBLY

• US 20150138804A1
• Filed: 10/08/2014
• Published: 05/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2013
• 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., Surman, James J., Gardner, Cornel Lewis
• Granted Patent: US 9,649,877 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/510
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 2900/572 Visual appearance
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/00 Wheel cover discs, rings, or the like, for ornamenting, protecting , venting, or obscuring, wholly or in part, the wheel body, rim, hub, or tyre sidewall , e.g. wheel cover discs, wheel cover discs with cooling fins wheels with cooling fins not provided on the wheel cover disc B60B19/10; apparatus or tools for removing or attaching cover discs hub caps or the like B60B31/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/006 the surface being reflective or including lighting
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/326 on or for wheels

Abstract

An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises a photoluminescent portion disposed on a surface of a first component of a vehicle wheel assembly. The illumination apparatus further includes a light source located proximate the first component. The light source is configured to emit light at a first wavelength directed toward the photoluminescent portion. The photoluminescent portion is configured to convert the first wavelength to at least a second wavelength to illuminate the wheel assembly.

Claims

1. An illumination apparatus for a vehicle wheel assembly comprising:

a photoluminescent portion disposed on a first component of a wheel assembly; and

a light source located on a second component of the wheel assembly, the light source configured to emit light at a first wavelength directed toward the photoluminescent portion, wherein the photoluminescent portion is configured to convert the first wavelength to a second wavelength.

2. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photoluminescent portion comprises a coating disposed on a portion of a vehicle wheel rim.

3. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source is coupled to a non-rotational component of the wheel assembly and the photoluminescent portion is disposed on a rotational component.

4. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first wavelength is in a blue color range approximately less than 500 nm.

5. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second wavelength is longer than the first wavelength to illuminate the first component.

6. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source is powered by a generator located within the wheel assembly.

7. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source is powered by a vehicle electrical system.

8. An illumination system for a vehicle wheel assembly, the assembly comprising:

a photoluminescent portion disposed on a component of the assembly;

a generator attached to the wheel assembly to generate electrical power; and

a light source facing the component and powered by the generator and configured to emit light at a first wavelength, wherein the photoluminescent portion is configured to convert the first wavelength to a second wavelength.

9. The illumination system according to claim 8, wherein the photoluminescent portion comprises a coating sprayed on a portion of a vehicle wheel rim.

10. The illumination system according to claim 8, wherein the photoluminescent portion comprises a coating on a brake assembly.

11. The illumination system according to claim 8, wherein the second wavelength is longer than the first wavelength.

12. The illumination system according to claim 8, wherein the assembly further comprises a second light source proximate the component.

13. The illumination system according to claim 12, wherein the first and second light sources are configured to emit light at approximately the same wavelength.

14. The illumination system according to claim 8, wherein the generator further comprises a magnet disposed on a rotational component of the wheel assembly.

15. A lighting system for an automobile wheel assembly, comprising:

a light source configured to emit light at a first wavelength disposed on a first wheel assembly component and powered by an automobile electrical system;

a photoluminescent portion coupled to a second wheel assembly component, wherein the photoluminescent portion is configured to convert the first wavelength to a second wavelength.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the light source comprises a light pipe.

17. The system according to claim 15, where the photoluminescent portion is coupled to an interior surface of a vehicle wheel rim.

18. The system according to claim 15, wherein the photoluminescent portion is disposed on a brake caliper.

19. The system according to claim 15, wherein a light blocking material is disposed on a portion of the light source.

20. The system according to claim 15, wherein the first wavelength is in a blue color range approximately less than 500 nm.