Luminescent vehicle molding

• US 9,587,800 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2015
• Issued: 03/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Salter, Stuart C., Whitens, Michael James, Gardner, Cornel Lewis, Dellock, Paul Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Anh
• Assistant Examiner(s): Farokhrooz, Fatima
• Application Number:
  US14/640,727
• Publication Number:
  US 20150175060A1
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0035 relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/26 the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/32 for indicating vehicle sides , e.g. clearance lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/381 with several light sources activated in sequence, e.g. to create a sweep effect
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/20 Multi-color single source or LED matrix, e.g. yellow blinker and red brake lamp generated by single lamp
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/30 Daytime running lights [DRL], e.g. circuits or arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/16 Laser light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/176 Light sources where the light is generated by photoluminescent material spaced from a primary light generating element
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/38 Combination of two or more photoluminescent elements of different materials

Abstract

A molding of a vehicle is provided herein. The molding includes a cover panel portion mounted to a body panel of the vehicle. A carrier is disposed between the cover panel portion and the body panel, the carrier having an exposed portion configured to luminesce in response to light excitation. At least one light source is disposed inside the carrier and is configured to emit light for exciting the exposed portion.

Claims

1. A lighting system of a vehicle, comprising:

a body panel having a concealed portion disposed at a beltline of the vehicle;

a cover panel coupled to the concealed portion of the body panel of a vehicle;

a carrier disposed between the cover panel and the body panel, the carrier having an exposed portion configured to luminesce in response to light excitation; and

at least one light source for exciting the exposed portion.

2. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the carrier is arranged as an optical waveguide.

3. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source is disposed on a flex circuit snapably engaged to the carrier.

4. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the belt line is defined as a line just below a number of windows of the vehicle.

5. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source is operable to emit light intermittently such that the exposed portion luminesces in a blinking pattern.

6. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source is operable to emit light at varying intensity such that the exposed portion luminesces at a first brightness to indicate a first vehicle condition and a second brightness to indicate a second vehicle condition.

7. The lighting system of claim 1, comprising a plurality of light sources disposed inside the carrier, wherein the exposed portion is configured to luminesce in a first color when a first portion of the plurality of light sources are activated and a second color when a second portion of the plurality of light sources are activated.

8. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the body panel comprises one of a side panel and a rear panel including a trunk panel.

9. A lighting system of a vehicle comprising:

a body panel having a concealed portion disposed at a beltline of the vehicle

a cover panel coupled to the concealed portion and having an upper portion extending over and beyond the body panel;

a carrier disposed between the upper portion and the body panel and having an exposed portion that luminesces in response to light excitation; and

at least one light source for exciting the exposed portion.

10. The lighting system of claim 9, wherein the carrier is arranged as an optical waveguide.

11. The lighting system of claim 9, wherein the belt line is defined as a line just below a number of windows of the vehicle.

12. The lighting system of claim 9, wherein the at least one light source is operable to emit light intermittently such that the exposed portion luminesces in a blinking pattern.

13. The lighting system of claim 9, wherein the at least one light source is operable to emit light at varying intensity such that the exposed portion luminesces at a first brightness to indicate a first vehicle condition and a second brightness to indicate a second vehicle condition.

14. The lighting system of claim 9, comprising a plurality of light sources disposed inside the carrier, wherein the exposed portion is configured to luminesce in a first color when a first portion of the plurality of light sources are activated and a second color when a second portion of the plurality of light sources are activated.

15. A lighting system of a vehicle comprising:

a body panel having a concealed portion disposed at a beltline of the vehicle;

a cover panel having a first portion coupled to the concealed portion and a second portion extending freely;

a carrier disposed between the second portion and the body panel, and having an exposed portion configured to luminesce in response to light excitation; and

at least one light source for exciting the exposed portion.

16. The lighting system of claim 15, wherein the at least one light source is configured to emit blue light.

17. The lighting system of claim 15, wherein the beltline is defined as a line just below a number of windows of the vehicle the number of windows comprising at least one of a side window and a rear window.

18. The lighting system of claim 15, wherein the at least one light source is operable to emit light intermittently such that the exposed portion luminesces in a blinking pattern.

19. The lighting system of claim 15, wherein the at least one light source is operable to emit light at varying intensity such that the exposed portion luminesces at a first brightness to indicate a first vehicle condition and a second brightness to indicate a second vehicle condition.

20. The lighting system of claim 15, comprising a plurality of light sources disposed inside the carrier, wherein the exposed portion is configured to luminesce in a first color when a first portion of the plurality of light sources are activated and a second color when a second portion of the plurality of light sources are activated.