PRINTED LED TRIM PANEL LAMP

• US 20150343944A1
• Filed: 08/12/2015
• Published: 12/03/2015
• 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., Huebner, Annette Lynn, Gardner, Cornel Lewis
• Granted Patent: US 10,363,867 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/324 for signalling that a door is open or intended to be opened
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/208 Sun roofs; Windows
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/217 Doors, e.g. door sills; Steps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/53 Modular mounting systems, e.g. using tracks, rails or multiple plugs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/68 using ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/76 for spotlighting, e.g. reading lamps spotlighting on or for specific fittings B60Q3/20; spotlighting in mass transit vehicles B60Q3/44
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/80 Circuits; Control arrangements for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises a circuit disposed on a trim panel. The illumination apparatus comprises at least one light source formed by plurality of LEDs in a semiconductor ink. The illumination apparatus further comprises at least one proximity sensor disposed proximate a surface of the trim panel and configured to selectively activate the at least one circuit. The trim panel is configured to receive at least one edge of a window of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An illumination apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a circuit disposed on a trim panel comprising at least one light source comprising a plurality of LEDs in a semiconductor ink; and

at least one proximity sensor disposed proximate a surface of the trim panel and configured to selectively activate the at least one circuit, wherein the trim panel is configured to receive at least one edge of a first window of the vehicle.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the trim panel is further configured to engage a second window.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the trim panel corresponds to a molding configured to seal the first window to the second window.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to control the light source, wherein the controller selectively activates the light source to emit a first emission.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the light source comprises a photoluminescent layer configured to convert the first emission from at least one emitter of the light source to a second emission.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first emission corresponds to a first color and the second emission corresponds to a second color different that the first color.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the photoluminescent layer comprises an organic photoluminescent dye.

8. An illumination apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a circuit disposed on a window molding of a door comprising a plurality of light sources;

at least one proximity sensor disposed proximate a surface of the trim panel; and

a controller in communication with the at least one proximity sensor to control at least a first light source of the plurality of light sources to illuminate in response to a proximity detection and to control at least a second light source of the plurality of light sources to illuminate in response to a door open status signal.

9. The illumination apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the window-molding forms an arched configuration tapering toward a roof portion of the vehicle.

10. The illumination apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the arched configuration directs a first emission from the first light source at a larger angle than a second emission from the second light source relative to a vertical vector of the vehicle.

11. The illumination apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the arched configuration positions the second light source to direct the second emission substantially downward relative the vertical vector providing a puddle lamp when the door is in an open configuration.

12. The illumination apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first light source is located on a lower portion of the window molding.

13. The illumination apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the second light source is located on an upper portion of the window molding.

14. The illumination apparatus according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of light sources comprises a plurality of LEDs printed in a semiconductor ink.

15. A lighting apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a locating mechanism configured to retain a position of a circuit assembly along a longitudinal extent of a trim panel; and

at least one light source disposed on the circuit assembly electrically coupled to a plurality of electrodes disposed on the trim panel such that the circuit assembly is adjustable along the longitudinal extent.

16. The assembly according to claim 15, wherein the circuit is operable to illuminate the at least one light source in a plurality of positions along the longitudinal extent.

17. The assembly according to claim 15, wherein the circuit assembly is in connection with the trim panel along a slideable interface.

18. The assembly according to claim 17, wherein the slideable interface comprises a locking detent configured to secure the location mechanism is a desired position along the trim panel.

19. The assembly according to claim 15, wherein the trim panel corresponds to a window-molding configured to engage at least one window of the vehicle.

20. The assembly according to claim 19, wherein the window-molding is configured to bisect a first window and a second window and slideably engage at least one of the first window and the second window.