Light system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9845047-B1
Application number	US-201615230597-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Aug 8, 2016
Priority date	Aug 8, 2016
Publication date	Dec 19, 2017
Grant date	Dec 19, 2017

Abstract

A window for a vehicle is provided herein. The window includes an outer panel separated from an inner panel. A light guide is disposed between the outer panel and the inner panel. A first light-blocking layer is disposed between the light guide and the outer panel. A second light-blocking layer is disposed between the light guide and the inner panel. A light source is optically coupled with the light guide and is configured to direct excitation light towards a photoluminescent structure disposed between the first and second light-blocking layers. The photoluminescent structure luminesces in response to receiving the excitation light.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A window for a vehicle, comprising:
an outer panel separated from an inner panel;
a light guide disposed between the outer panel and the inner panel;
a first light-blocking layer disposed between the light guide and the outer panel;
a second light-blocking layer disposed between the light guide and the inner panel; and
an ultraviolet light source optically coupled with the light guide and configured to direct excitation light towards a photoluminescent structure disposed between the first and second light-blocking layers, wherein the photoluminescent structure luminesces in response to receiving the excitation light, wherein the outer panel, the inner panel, the light guide and the first and second light-blocking layers form a window substrate of the vehicle.

2. The window for a vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the first and second light-blocking layers block UV light from transmission therethrough.

3. The window for a vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the window is a rear window.

4. The window for a vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the photoluminescent structure comprises at least one photoluminescent material configured to convert the excitation light in a non-visible spectrum received from the light source into a visible, converted light.

5. The window for a vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the photoluminescent structure defines indicia.

6. The window for a vehicle of claim 5 , wherein the light source is actuated in conjunction with a hazard signal.

7. The window for a vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising:
optics disposed on an opposing side of the light guide from the photoluminescent structure.

8. A window for a vehicle, comprising:
a light-blocking layer disposed inwardly of an outer panel; and
a tapered light guide forming a window substrate of the vehicle with the light-blocking layer and the outer panel and configured to direct light from a light source towards a photoluminescent structure disposed inwardly of the light-blocking layer, wherein the photoluminescent structure defines visible indicia to approaching vehicles by luminescing upon receiving excitation light from the light source.

9. The window for a vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the photoluminescent structure is substantially non-visible in an unexcited state.

10. The window for a vehicle of claim 8 , further comprising:
an inner panel disposed inwardly of the light guide.

11. The window for a vehicle of claim 10 , further comprising:
a light-blocking layer disposed between the inner panel and the light guide.

12. The window for a vehicle of claim 8 , wherein a thicker first portion of the light guide is disposed proximately to the light source and a thinner second portion of the light guide is disposed further from the light source than the first portion.

13. A light system for a vehicle, comprising:
an outer panel having a light-blocking layer on an inner surface thereof;
a light source optically coupled to a light guide, the outer panel and light guide forming a vehicle window substrate; and
an indicia disposed inwardly of the light-blocking layer and defined by a photoluminescent structure that luminesces upon receiving light from the light source that is directed towards the indicia by optics on the light guide.

14. The light system for a vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the indicia is arranged to indicate one of a left turn and a right turn when in a luminescent state.

15. The light system for a vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the light source is actuated intermittently such that the associated photoluminescent structures luminesce intermittently.

16. The light system for a vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the light source is actuated in conjunction with a hazard signal.

17. The light system for a vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the photoluminescent structure is substantially non-visible in an unexcited state.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Salter Stuart C
• Glickman David Brian
• Dellock Paul Kenneth
• Surman James J

Classifications

• B60Q1/50 Primary

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

• B60Q1/503

  using luminous text or symbol displays in or on the vehicle, e.g. static text · CPC title

• B60Q1/268 Primary

  on windscreens or windows (B60Q1/302 takes precedence; lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for windows B60Q3/208) · CPC title

• B60Q7/00

  Arrangement or adaptation of portable emergency signal devices on vehicles · CPC title

• B60Q3/68

  using ultraviolet light · CPC title