PHOTOLUMINESCENT LIGHTING APPARATUS FOR VEHICLES

• US 20170297482A1
• Filed: 04/15/2016
• Published: 10/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2016
• 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., Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Buttolo, Pietro, Danowski, Christopher Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 9,902,315 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2611 Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/346 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/381 with several light sources activated in sequence, e.g. to create a sweep effect
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/382 Electronic temporisation with semiconductor amplification
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/444 with indication of the braking strength or speed changes, e.g. by changing shape or intensity of the indication B60Q1/1407, B60Q1/442, B60Q1/447 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/447 with indication of the braking strength or speed changes, e.g. by changing the shape or intensity of the indication
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/46 for giving flashing caution signals during drive, other than signalling change of direction, e.g. flashing the headlights or hazard lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/54 for indicating speed outside of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/10 Electro- or photo- luminescent surfaces, e.g. signalling by way of electroluminescent strips or panels
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/06 flashing, e.g. with rotating reflector or light source signalling lighting devices mounted on vehicles B60Q1/26
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A vehicle illumination apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one light generating layer configured to conform to an outer surface of a panel of the vehicle. The light generating layer comprises a plurality of electrodes having a plurality of LEDs in a semiconductor ink disposed therebetween. The plurality of LEDs is operable to emit a first emission. The apparatus further comprises a controller configured to selectively activate the plurality of LEDs in response to a navigational direction of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle illumination apparatus comprising:

at least one light generating layer configured to conform to an outer surface of a panel comprising;

a plurality of electrodes;

a plurality of LEDs dispersed in a semiconductor ink disposed between the electrodes operable to emit a first emission; and

a controller configured to selectively activate the plurality of LEDs in response to a navigational direction of the vehicle.

2. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the navigational direction is determined in response to a directional input to the controller.

3. The illumination apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the directional input corresponds to a steering angle from a steering sensor.

4. The illumination apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the directional input corresponds to a directional signal from an inertial measurement unit.

5. The illumination apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the directional input corresponds to a pending navigation instruction from a navigation system.

6. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light generating layer forms an indicator shape corresponding to an arrow.

7. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light generating layer further comprises:

at least one photoluminescent layer proximate at least one of the electrodes configured to convert the first emission to a second emission corresponding to a different color of light than the first emission.

21. The illumination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor comprises a liquid suspension comprising a concentration of the LEDs dispersed therein.

22. The illumination apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the plurality of LEDs are applied to one of the electrodes via a printing delivery process, wherein the LEDs are dispersed in the semiconductor ink.

8. An emergency light indicator for a vehicle comprising:

at least one light generating layer configured to conform to an outer surface of the vehicle comprising;

a plurality of electrodes;

a plurality of LEDs in a semiconductor ink disposed between the electrodes;

an inertial measurement unit (IMU); and

a controller configured to;

selectively activate the plurality of LEDs in response to a directional signal from the IMU;

activate the plurality of LEDs to output an emission in response to the directional signal exceeding a first threshold;

receive a speed signal configured to indicate the speed of the vehicle; and

change from the first threshold to a second threshold in response to the speed signal indicating the speed has exceeded a predetermined speed.

12. The light indicator according to claim 8, wherein the first threshold corresponds to a lower directional signal magnitude than the second threshold.

13. The light indicator according to claim 8, wherein the at least one light generating layer corresponds to a plurality of directional indicators.

14. The light indicator according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of directional indicators is configured to indicate an operating direction of the vehicle in the fore and aft directions.

15. The light indicator according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of directional indicators is configured to indicate a turning direction of the vehicle in the left and right directions.

9-11. -11. (canceled)

16. An emergency light indicator for a vehicle comprising:

at least one light generating layer configured to conform to an outer surface of the vehicle comprising;

a plurality of electrodes;

a plurality of LEDs suspended in a semiconductor ink disposed between the electrodes;

a steering sensor configured to identify a steering angle; and

a controller configured to selectively activate the plurality of LEDs in response in response to the steering angle exceeding a predetermined threshold.

17. The light indicator according to claim 16, wherein the controller is configured to activate the plurality of LEDs to output an emission in response to the steering angle exceeding a first threshold.

18. The light indicator according to claim 17, wherein the controller is further configured to receive a speed signal configured to indicate the speed of the vehicle.

19. The light indicator according to claim 18, wherein the controller is further configured to change from the first threshold to a second threshold in response to the speed signal indicating the speed has exceeded a predetermined speed.

20. The light indicator according to claim 19, wherein the first threshold corresponds to a lower steering angle magnitude than the second threshold.