Illuminated exterior strip with photoluminescent structure and retroreflective layer

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10081296-B2
Application number	US-201615092160-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 6, 2016
Priority date	Apr 6, 2016
Publication date	Sep 25, 2018
Grant date	Sep 25, 2018

Abstract

A light strip for a vehicle panel is provided herein. The light strip includes a light-producing assembly. A photoluminescent structure is disposed on the light-producing assembly and is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by a light source of the light-producing assembly. An adhesive layer having one or more retroreflective beads embedded therein is disposed on the photoluminescent structure. An overmold material is disposed over a portion of the retroreflective beads.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A light strip for a vehicle panel, comprising:
a photoluminescent structure disposed on a light-producing assembly and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light-producing assembly, the light-producing assembly including LED sources dispersed in a printed, variable concentration LED arrangement;
an adhesive layer having one or more retroreflective beads embedded therein and disposed on the photoluminescent structure; and
an overmold material disposed over a portion of the retroreflective beads.

2. The light strip for a vehicle panel of claim 1 , further comprising a controller for selectively activating one or more light sources disposed within the light-producing assembly.

3. The light strip for a vehicle panel of claim 1 , wherein the light-producing assembly illuminates one or more messages that are formed as opaque portions in a decorative layer disposed over a portion of the light-producing assembly.

4. The light strip for a vehicle panel of claim 1 , wherein the photoluminescent structure comprises at least one photoluminescent material configured to perform an energy conversion on an excitation light received from at least a portion of the light-producing assembly into a visible, converted light that is outputted through a viewable portion.

5. The light strip for a vehicle panel of claim 1 , wherein the light-producing assembly is operably coupled to a controller that deactivates the light-producing assembly once a door has been closed for a predetermined amount of time.

6. A light strip for a vehicle panel, comprising:
a photoluminescent structure disposed on a light-producing assembly and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light-producing assembly, the light-producing assembly including LED sources dispersed in a printed, variable concentration LED arrangement;
an adhesive layer having one or more retroreflective beads embedded therein and disposed on the photoluminescent structure;
an overmold material disposed over a portion of the retroreflective beads; and
a controller for selectively activating one or more light sources disposed within the light-producing assembly.

7. A light strip for a vehicle panel, comprising:
a photoluminescent structure disposed on a light-producing assembly and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light-producing assembly, the light-producing assembly including LED sources dispersed in a printed, variable concentration LED arrangement and operably coupled to a controller that deactivates the light-producing assembly once a door has been closed for a predetermined amount of time;
an adhesive layer having one or more retroreflective beads embedded therein and disposed on the photoluminescent structure; and
an overmold material disposed over a portion of the retroreflective beads.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Dellock Paul Kenneth
• Salter Stuart C
• Danowski Christopher Anthony
• Rogers Jason C
• Hoover Chad
• Randlett Doug H
• Hunt Christopher Charles

Classifications

• F21S43/16

  Light sources where the light is generated by photoluminescent material spaced from a primary light generating element · CPC title

• B60Q1/32

  for indicating vehicle sides {, e.g. clearance lights} · CPC title

• F21K9/64

  using wavelength conversion means distinct or spaced from the light-generating element, e.g. a remote phosphor layer · CPC title

• B60Q1/50

  for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking · CPC title

• B60Q1/30

  for indicating rear of vehicle, e.g. by means of reflecting surfaces · CPC title