Vehicle sunshade assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9371033-B2
Application number	US-201514721544-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 26, 2015
Priority date	Nov 21, 2013
Publication date	Jun 21, 2016
Grant date	Jun 21, 2016

Abstract

A sunshade assembly for a vehicle is provided herein. The sunshade assembly includes a housing and a light-producing assembly coupled to the housing. The housing includes a plurality of light sources and a photoluminescent structure configured to be excited by light emitted from the plurality of light sources such that at least a portion of the housing exhibits a luminescent appearance.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A sunshade assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
a housing for the sunshade assembly;
a light-producing assembly coupled to the housing and comprising:
a plurality of light sources; and
a photoluminescent structure configured to be excited by light emitted from the plurality of light sources such that at least a portion of the housing exhibits a luminescent appearance;

wherein the housing is movable relative a window and comprises a first side disposed proximate to the window and a second side disposed distal to the window, wherein the first side is substantially light blocking and the second side is substantially light permeable.

2. The sunshade assembly of claim 1 , wherein the light-producing assembly is disposed between the first and second sides of the housing and is oriented such that the photoluminescent structure of the light-producing assembly is proximate to the second side of the housing.

3. The sunshade assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light sources are dispersed in a printed LED arrangement.

4. The sunshade assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of light sources comprise one of an ultraviolet, a violet, and a blue LED source.

5. The sunshade assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a controller for selectively activating the plurality of light sources based on at least one vehicle-related condition.

6. The sunshade assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a switch for selectively activating the plurality of light sources based on at least one touch event.

7. A sunshade assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
a housing for the sunshade assembly;
a light-producing assembly disposed inside the housing and comprising:
a plurality of light sources, wherein the plurality of light sources are dispersed in a printed LED arrangement; and
a photoluminescent structure configured to be excited by light emitted from the plurality of light sources such that at least a portion of the housing exhibits a luminescent appearance.

8. The sunshade assembly of claim 7 , wherein the housing is movable relative a window and comprises a first side disposed proximate to the window and a second side disposed distal to the window, wherein the first side is substantially light blocking and the second side is substantially light permeable.

9. The sunshade assembly of claim 8 , wherein the light-producing assembly is disposed between the first and second sides of the housing and is oriented such that the photoluminescent structure of the light-producing assembly is proximate to the second side of the housing.

10. The sunshade assembly of claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of light sources comprise one of an ultraviolet, a violet, and a blue LED source.

11. The sunshade assembly of claim 7 , further comprising a controller for selectively activating the plurality of light sources based on at least one vehicle-related condition.

12. The sunshade assembly of claim 7 , further comprising a switch for selectively activating the plurality of light sources based on at least one touch event.

13. A lighting system of a vehicle, comprising:
a first light-producing assembly disposed inside a sunshade and comprising:
a first plurality of light sources; and
a first photoluminescent structure configured to be excited by light emitted from the first plurality of light sources such that at least a portion of the sunshade exhibits a luminescent appearance; and

a second light-producing assembly coupled to a window coverable by the sunshade and comprising:
a second plurality of light sources; and
a second photoluminescent structure configured to be excited by light emitted from the second plurality of light sources such that at least a portion of the window exhibits a luminescent appearance.

14. The lighting system of claim 13 , wherein the sunshade and the window are located on a roof structure of the vehicle and the window is configured as one of a moonroof and a sunroof.

15. The lighting system of claim 13 , wherein the first and second plurality of light sources are dispersed in a printed LED arrangement.

16. The lighting system of claim 13 , wherein each of the first and second plurality of light sources comprise one of an ultraviolet, a violet, and a blue LED source.

17. The lighting system of claim 13 , further comprising a controller for selectively activating at least one of the first and second plurality of light sources based on at least one vehicle-related condition.

18. The lighting system of claim 13 , further comprising a switch for selectively activating at least one of the first and second plurality of light sources based on at least one touch event.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Dellock Paul Kenneth
• Salter Stuart C
• Surman James J
• Gardner Cornel Lewis
• Mass Noah Barlow

Classifications

• F21V9/40

  with provision for controlling spectral properties, e.g. colour, or intensity · CPC title

• H05B47/11

  by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light · CPC title

• H05B47/105

  in response to determined parameters · CPC title

• B60Q3/208

  Sun roofs; Windows · CPC title

• F21V9/30 Primary

  Elements containing photoluminescent material distinct from or spaced from the light source (shades F21V1/17; globes, bowls or cover glasses F21V3/08, F21V3/12; refractors F21V5/10; reflectors F21V7/26, F21V7/30; elements with provision for controlling the spectral properties or intensity F21V9/40) · CPC title