BR102015025527A2 - vehicle lighting set - Google Patents

Abstract

Vehicle lighting set is provided in this document. the assembly includes a housing including a light permeable portion and a photoluminescent portion. a first light source and a second light source are each located within the housing. light emitted from the first light source is transmitted from the housing through the light-permeable portion and light emitted from the second light source excites the photoluminescent portion to generate visible light which is transmitted from the housing .

Description

Patent Descriptive Report for: "VEHICLE LIGHTING ASSEMBLY".

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[001] This application is a continuation in part of US Patent Application No. 14 / 086,442, filed November 21, 2013, entitled "VEHICLE LIGHTING SYSTEM WITH PHOTOLUMINESCENT STRUCTURE ', the entire disclosure which is incorporated herein by reference. .

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present description relates generally to vehicle lighting systems, and more particularly to vehicle lighting systems employing one or more photoluminescent structures. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lighting from the use of photoluminescent structures offers a unique and attractive viewing experience. Therefore, it is desirable to implement such structures in automotive vehicles for various lighting applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle lighting assembly is provided. The assembly includes a housing including a light permeable portion and a photoluminescent portion. A first light source and a second light source are each located within the housing. Light emitted from the first light source is transmitted from the housing through the light-permeable portion and light emitted from the second light source excites the photoluminescent portion to generate visible light which is transmitted from the housing .

According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle lighting assembly is provided. The assembly includes a housing including a first compartment having a light permeable portion and a second compartment having a photoluminescent portion. A first light source is located in the first compartment and a second light source is located in the second compartment. Light emitted from the first light source is transmitted from the housing through the light-permeable portion and light emitted from the second light source excites the photoluminescent portion to generate visible light which is transmitted from the housing .

According to another aspect of the present invention, a coating piece assembly is provided. The assembly includes a housing including a light permeable portion and a photoluminescent portion. A first light source and a second light source are each located within the housing. Light emitted from the first light source is transmitted from the housing through the light-permeable portion and light emitted from the second light source excites the photoluminescent portion to generate visible light which is transmitted from the housing .

These and other aspects, objects and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by studying the following specification, claims, and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the drawings: FIG. 1A illustrates a photoluminescent structure coupled to a support member according to one embodiment;

[010] FIG. 1B illustrates a photoluminescent structure coupled to a support member according to another embodiment;

[011] FIG. 1C illustrates a photoluminescent structure coupled to a support member according to yet another embodiment;

[012] FIG. 2 illustrates a vehicle lighting assembly located on a rear part of a vehicle;

[013] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle lighting assembly along lines 11-11 of FIG. 2;

[014] FIG. 4 is an alternate embodiment of the vehicle lighting assembly of FIG. 3; and FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a lighting arrangement of the vehicle lighting assembly shown in fig. 3

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it should be understood that the embodiments described are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various ways and alternatives. The numbers are not necessarily from a detailed project and some schemes can be overstated or minimized to show an overview of the function. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details described herein should not be construed as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching a person skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

[017] As used herein, the term "and / or", when used in a list of two or more articles, means that any of the items mentioned may be properly employed, or any combination of two or more of the items mentioned may be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B and / or C, the composition may contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

[018] The following disclosure describes a vehicle lighting assembly that advantageously employs one or more photoluminescent structures configured to convert light received from an associated light source and re-emit light at a different wavelength.

With reference to FIGS. 1A-1C, several exemplary embodiments of a photoluminescent frame 10 are shown, each capable of being coupled to a support member 12, which may correspond to a vehicle fastener or vehicle equipment related part. In FIG. 1A, the photoluminescent structure 10 is generally shown processed as a coating (e.g., a film) that can be applied to a surface of the support member 12. In FIG. 1B, the photoluminescent structure 10 is generally shown as a discrete particle capable of being integrated with a support element 12. In FIG. 1C, the photoluminescent structure 10 is generally shown as a plurality of discrete particles that can be incorporated into a support medium 14 (e.g., a film) which can then be applied (as shown) or integrated with the support element 12.

At the most basic level, a given photoluminescent structure 10 includes an energy conversion layer 16 which may include one or more sublayers, which are exemplarily shown by dashed lines in Figs. 1A and 1B. Each sublayer of the energy conversion layer 16 may include one or more photoluminescent materials having energy conversion elements with fluorescent or phosphorescent properties. Each photoluminescent material can become excited by receiving light of a specific wavelength, thus causing the light to undergo a conversion process. According to the downconversion principle, the introduced light is converted to a longer wavelength light that is transmitted from the photoluminescent structure 10. On the other hand, under the upward conversion principle, the introduced light is converted to a shorter wavelength light which is emitted from the photoluminescent structure 10. When the multiple distinct wavelength of light is emitted from the photoluminescent structure 10 at the same time, the wavelengths of light may be mixed together and be expressed as a multicolour light.

In some embodiments, light that has been downconverted or upconverted may be used to excite other photoluminescent material (s) found in the light-conversion layer (s). energy 16. The process of utilizing transmitted light converted from one photoluminescent material to excite the other, and so on, is generally known as an energy cascade and may serve as an alternative to obtaining various color expressions. With respect to both conversion principles, the wavelength difference between the excitation light and the converted light is known as the Stokes deviation and serves as the triggering mechanism for the principle of an energy conversion process that corresponds to a change in the wavelength of light. In the various implementations discussed here, each of the photoluminescent structures can operate under both conversion principles.

The energy conversion layer 16 may be prepared by dispersing the photoluminescent material into a polymer matrix to form a homogeneous mixture using a variety of methods. Such methods may include preparing the energy conversion layer 16 from a formulation in a liquid carrier medium and the energy conversion coating layer 16 for a desired support element. The coating of the energy conversion layer 16 may be deposited on a fixed carrier of the vehicle by painting, screen printing, spraying, slit coating, dip coating, roller coating, and bar coating. Alternatively, the energy conversion layer 16 may be prepared by methods that do not use a liquid carrier medium. For example, the energy conversion layer 16 may be processed by dispersing the photoluminescent material into a solid state solution (homogeneous mixture in a dry state) that may be incorporated into a polymer matrix which may be formed by extrusion, molding injection molding, compression molding, calendering, thermoforming, etc. The energy conversion layer 16 may then be integrated with a support element using any methods known to those skilled in the art. When the energy conversion layer 16 includes sublayers, each sublayer may be sequentially coated to form the energy conversion layer 16. Alternatively, the sublayers may be prepared separately and then laminated together or embossed to form the energy conversion layer. energy 16. As another alternative, the energy conversion layer 16 may be formed by coextruding the sublayers.

Referring again to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the photoluminescent structure 10 may optionally include at least one layer 18 to protect the stability of the photoluminescent material contained in the energy conversion layer 16 against photolytic and thermal degradation. The stability layer 18 may be configured as a separate layer optically coupled and adhered to the energy conversion layer 16. Alternatively, the stability layer 18 may be integrated with the energy conversion layer 16. The also photoluminescent structure 10 may include, optionally, an optically coupled protective layer 20 adhering to stability layer 18 or another layer (e.g., conversion layer 16 in the absence of stability layer 18) to protect photoluminescent structure 10 against physical and chemical damage from exposure environmental. Stability layer 18 and / or protective layer 20 may be combined with energy conversion layer 16 by sequential coating or printing of each layer, sequential lamination or embossing, or any other suitable means.

[024] Additional information on the construction of photoluminescent structures is disclosed in US Patent No. 8,232,533 by Kingsley et al. Entitled "PHOTOLYTICALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY STABLE MULTILAYER STRUCTURE FOR HIGH EFFICIENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY CONVERSION AND SUSTAINED" Issued July 31, 2001 For all additional information about the manufacture and use of photoluminescent materials to achieve various light emissions, see US Patent No. 8,207,511 by Bortz et al, entitled "PHOTOLUMINESCENT FIBERS," COMPOSITIONS AND FABRICS MADE THEREFROM filed June 26, 2012: US Patent No. 8,247,761 by Agrawai et al entitled "PHOTOLUMINESCENT MARKINGS WITH FUNCTIONAL OVERLAYERS" filed August 21, 2012; US Patent No. 8,519,359 B2 by Kingsley et al., entitled “PHOTOLYTICALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY STABLE MULTILAYER STRUC TURE FOR HIGH EFFICIENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY CONVERSION AND SUSTAINED SECONDARY EMISSIONdeposited on July 31, 2012, all disclosure which is incorporated herein by reference. Patent No. 8,664,624 B2 by Kingsley et al, entitled "ILLUMINATION DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR GENERATING SUSTAINED SECONDARY EMISSION", filed March 4, 2014; US Patent Publication No. 2012/0183677 by Agrawai et al, entitled "PHOTOLUMINESCENT COMPOSITIONS, METHODS OF MANUFACTURE AND NOVEL USES," filed July 19, 2012; US Patent Publication No. 2014/0065442 A1 by Kingsley et al, entitled "PHOTOLUMINESCENT OBJECTS", filed March 6, 2014; and US Patent Publication No. 2014/0103258 A1 to Agrawai et al., entitled "CHROMIC LUMINESCENT COMPOSITIONS AND TEXTILEST filed April 17, 2014, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[025] With reference to FIG. 2, a vehicle lighting assembly 30 is shown configured as an outer casing located on a rear portion 32 of a vehicle 34 and is positioned above a vehicle rear license plate 36. The lighting assembly 30 includes a portion visible front 38 and a lower portion (not shown) which is close to the license plate 36 and is in general generation! viewers behind the vehicle 34. According to one embodiment, which will be described in more detail below, the lighting assembly 30 may be configured to provide two distinct lighting functions. Specifically, the front portion 38 of the light assembly 30 may illuminate to function as a traffic light and / or a rear light while the lower portion may illuminate the license plate 36 as a style feature. In addition, the illumination of license plate 36 also increases its visibility in dark conditions. With respect to the present embodiment, the lighting assembly 30 may be provided to complement existing lighting on vehicle 34 or may be provided as a replacement thereto. For example, the lighting assembly 30 described above may replace a conventional center high-mount stop lamp (CHMSL) brake lamp.

[026] With reference to FIG. 3, a cross section of the lighting assembly 30 is shown according to one embodiment. Lighting assembly 30 includes a housing 40 having a light-permeable portion 42 which may define the front portion 38 described hereinbefore, a photoluminescent portion 44 which may define the lower portion described hereinbefore, and a rear portion 46 which may be fixed to the rear of a vehicle. The lighting assembly 30 may also include a divider element 48 located within it which divides the housing 40 into a first compartment 50 and a second compartment 52 which may be located above the first compartment 50. The divider 48 may be engaged with the rear portion 46 and photoluminescent portion 44 and / or light permeable portion 42. Further, the divider 48 may be positioned at an acute angle to the photoluminescent portion 44. The light permeable portion 42, the photoluminescent portion 44 , the rear portion 46, and each divider member 48 may be constructed from a substantially rigid (e.g. plastic) material and joined together by laser welding or other suitable means. The light permeable portion 42 may be metallized to have an external metallic appearance while in an unlighted state. The photoluminescent portion 44 may include an optical light dispersant 54 and at least one photoluminescent structure 56 coupled to the light scattering optics 54. The photoluminescent structure 56 may be integrated with optics 54 or otherwise applied thereto as a coating, ink , etc.

[027] With further reference to FIG. 3, the lighting assembly 30 may further include at least one light source 58 located in the first compartment 50 and at least one light source 60 located in the second compartment 52. Light sources 58 and 60 may be electrically coupled to a source onboard a vehicle and each can be provided on a separate printed circuit board (PCB) 62, 64 which is attached to an inner surface 66 of the rear portion 46. In other embodiments, the power sources Light 58, 60 can be supplied in a standard PCB. Alternatively, one or both light sources 58, 60 may be provided in the divider element 48. As exemplarily shown in FIG. 4, the light source 58 may be located on one side 68 of the divider element 48 and the light source 60 may be located on an opposite side 70 of the divider element 48. In the illustrated embodiment, the divider element 48 may correspond to a Double-sided PCBs in electrical communication with light sources 58, 60. In other embodiments, light sources 58, 60 may be provided in separate PCBs (not shown) that are attached to corresponding side 68, 70 of the element. divider 48.

[028] Light sources 58, 60 may include various types of light, such as but not limited to halogen lamps, fluorescent lamps, LEDs, organic LEDs (OLEDs), and polymeric LEDs (PLEDs) . For exemplary purposes, FIG. 5 shows a lighting arrangement for lighting assembly 30, illustrated in FIG. 3. The lighting regime includes a plurality of LEDs 72, 74 provided on PCB 62 and 64, respectively PCB 62 and 64 may extend longitudinally through rear portion 46 and LEDs 72, 74 may be arranged in series or in parallel and are longitudinally spaced throughout the corresponding PCB 62, 64. It should be understood that the number of LEDs 72, 74 on each PCB 62, 64 is not limited to any specific number.

In operation, light emitted from LEDs 72 is transmitted from housing 40 through the light permeable portion 42. Each of the LEDs 72 may emit red light and function as tail lights and / or traffic lights. whereas light emitted from LEDs 74 excites the photoluminescent frame 56 of the photoluminescent portion 44 to generate visible light which is emitted from the housing 40 through the light scattering optic 54 to illuminate the rear license plate of the vehicle (eg vehicle rear license plate 36). In one embodiment, the photoluminescent frame 56 may be configured to downconvert light received from LEDs 74 into light of a longer wavelength. Light emitted from LED 74 may correspond to ultraviolet light (~ 10-400 nanometers wavelength), violet light (~ 380-450 nanometers wavelength), or blue light (~ 450-495 nanometers wavelength). wave-length). The converted light emitted from the photoluminescent structure 56 may correspond to visible light, which includes the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be detected by the human eye (~ 390-700 nanometers in wavelength) and may be expressed in a variety of colors defined by a single wavelength (eg red, green, blue) or a mixture of multiple wavelengths (eg white). Thus, it should be understood that the photoluminescent structure 56 may be configured such that the emitted light converted from there is expressed as unicolored or multicolored light.

[030] With further reference to FIG. 5, a larger number of LEDs 72 may be provided on the plate 62 to provide uniform light distribution through the light permeable portion 42. In addition, the light permeable portion 42 may be configured to diffuse the light received from LEDs 72. As a cost-saving measure, fewer LEDs 74 can be supplied on PCB 64 as light emitted from LEDs 74 is not directly visible to an observer and even light distribution across the license plate is generally less noticeable. For optimal light output, the first and second compartments 50, 52 can be configured to reflect light internally. For example, the inner surface 66 and the divider element 48 may be coated with a reflective material such as white paint. In addition, PCB 62, 64 may include a white solder mask in place of the traditional green solder mask for added light reflectance. In such a configuration, the determined spreading light contained within the first compartment 50 is eventually redirected towards the light permeable portion 42 and transmitted thereafter. Likewise, the determined propagating light contained in the second compartment 52 is eventually redirected to the photoluminescent portion 44, both to excite the photoluminescent structure 56 and to be emitted from the housing 40 through the optical light scattering 54.

[031] In the context of the first compartment 50, the determined propagating light shall be understood to mean that light emitted from LED 72 which does not propagate toward the light permeable portion 42. This includes light that has been reflected. by the light-permeable portion 42 and redirected to another surface of the first compartment 50. In the context of the second compartment 52, the determined propagating light shall be understood to mean that light emitted from LED 74 which does not propagate towards the portion This includes light that has been reflected off the photoluminescent portion 44 and diverted to the other surface of the second compartment 52. When the photoluminescent structure 56 is substantially Lambertian, the determined propagation light shall also be understood to mean light emitted. converted from the photoluminescent structure 56 to the second compartment 52. In such an example, it is desirable to relocating the converted light back toward the photoluminescent portion 44 so that it can be transmitted from the housing 40 through the light scattering optics 54, thereby increasing the external illumination provided by the photoluminescent portion 44, [032] Thus, a vehicle lighting assembly has been advantageously described herein. The vehicle light assembly provides several benefits, including a simple and cost-effective means of producing a variety of lighting that can be implemented as a taillight and / or traffic light, as well as a license plate light. license.

[033] For the purposes of describing and defining the present teachings, it should be noted that the terms "substantially" and "approximately" are used herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that can be attributed to any quantitative comparison, measurement value, or other representation. The term "substantially" and "approximately" are also used herein to represent the degree to which a quantitative representation may vary from established references, without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications may be made to the described structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and it is further to be understood that such designs are intended to be encompassed by the following claims unless these claims are expressed by your tongue otherwise.

Claims (20)

Vehicle lighting assembly comprising: a housing including a light-permeable portion and a photoluminescent portion; and a first light source and a second light source each located within the housing. wherein light emitted from the first light source is transmitted from the housing through the light-permeable portion and light emitted from the second light source excites the photoluminescent portion to generate visible light which is transmitted from of the enclosure. Vehicle lighting assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the housing is divided into a first compartment which is at least partially defined by the light-permeable portion and a second compartment which is at least partially defined by the portion. photoluminescent. Vehicle lighting assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the first light source is located within the first compartment and the first compartment is configured to reflect the light internally such that the determined propagating light contained within inside the first compartment and from the first light source is eventually redirected to the light permeable portion. Vehicle lighting assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the second light source is located within the second compartment and the photoluminescent portion is substantially Lambertian; and wherein the second compartment is configured to reflect light internally such that the determined propagating light contained within the second compartment is from at least one of the second light source and the photoluminescent portion is eventually redirected towards the portion. photoluminescent. Vehicle lighting assembly according to claim t, characterized in that the light-permeable portion is metallized to have an external metallic appearance while still allowing light emitted from the first light source to be transmitted therethrough. . Vehicle lighting assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the photoluminescent portion includes a photoluminescent structure coupled to a light scattering optics; wherein the photoluminescent structure is configured to perform a conversion of energy into light emitted from the second light source, thereby producing visible light; and wherein visible light has a different wavelength than light emitted from the second light source. Vehicle light assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that it is configured as an outer covering piece located on the rear of a vehicle and positioned above a rear vehicle license plate, where the first light source is used. is at least one of a brake light and a vehicle rear light; and wherein the visible light generated by the photoluminescent portion illuminates the license plate. Vehicle lighting assembly comprising: a housing including a first compartment having a light permeable portion and a second compartment having a photoluminescent portion; a first light source located in the first compartment and a second light source located in the second compartment; wherein light emitted from the first light source is transmitted from the housing through the light-permeable portion and light emitted from the second light source excites the photoluminescent portion to generate visible light which is transmitted from of the enclosure. Vehicle lighting assembly according to Claim 8, characterized in that the first compartment is configured to reflect the light internally such that the determined propagating light contained within the first compartment and from the first light source is optionally redirected to the light-permeable portion. Vehicle lighting assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the photoluminescent portion is substantially Lambertian; and wherein the second compartment is configured to reflect light internally such that the determined propagating light contained within the second compartment is from at least one of the second light source and the photoluminescent portion is eventually redirected towards the portion. photoluminescent. Vehicle lighting assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the light-permeable portion is metallised to have an external metallic appearance while still allowing light emitted from the first light source to be transmitted therethrough. . Vehicle lighting assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the photoluminescent portion includes a photoluminescent structure coupled to a light scattering optics; wherein the photoluminescent structure is configured to perform a conversion of energy into light emitted from the second light source, thereby producing visible light; and wherein visible light has a different wavelength than light emitted from the second light source. Vehicle lighting assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that it is configured as an outer covering piece located on the rear of a vehicle and placed above a rear vehicle license plate, where the first source of light is at least one of a brake light and a vehicle rear light; and wherein the visible light generated by the photoluminescent portion illuminates the license plate. A covering piece assembly comprising: a housing including a light permeable portion and a photoluminescent portion; and a first light source and a second light source each located within the housing. wherein light emitted from the first light source is transmitted from the housing through the light-permeable portion and light emitted from the second light source excites the photoluminescent portion to generate visible light which is transmitted from of the enclosure. Covering assembly according to Claim 14, characterized in that the housing is divided into a first compartment which is at least partially defined by the light-permeable portion and a second compartment which is at least partially defined by the portion. photoluminescent. Cladding assembly according to Claim 15, characterized in that the first light source is located within the first compartment and the first compartment is configured to reflect the light internally such that the determined propagating light contained within it. inside the first compartment and from the first light source is eventually redirected to the light permeable portion. Cladding assembly according to Claim 15, characterized in that the second light source is located within the second compartment and the photoluminescent portion is substantially Lambertian; and wherein the second compartment is configured to internally reflect the light of ta! whereby the determined propagating light contained within the second compartment is from at least one of the second light source and the photoluminescent portion is eventually redirected towards the photoluminescent portion. Cladding assembly according to Claim 14, characterized in that the light-permeable portion is metallised to have an external metallic appearance while still allowing light emitted from the first light source to be transmitted therethrough. . Coating piece assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that the photoluminescent portion includes a photoluminescent structure coupled to a light scattering optics; wherein the photoluminescent structure is configured to perform a conversion of energy into light emitted from the second light source, thereby producing visible light; and wherein visible light has a different wavelength than light emitted from the second light source. Cladding assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that it is configured as an outer cladding located on the rear of a vehicle and placed above a rear vehicle license plate, where the first source of light is at least one of a brake light and a vehicle rear light; and wherein the visible light generated by the photoluminescent portion illuminates the license plate.