CN105459895B

CN105459895B - Photoluminescent device holder

Info

Publication number: CN105459895B
Application number: CN201510586927.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 斯图尔特·C·萨尔特; 斯科特·福尔摩斯·邓汉姆; 康奈尔·路易斯·加德纳; 安妮特·琳恩·许布纳
Original assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2014-09-30
Filing date: 2015-09-15
Publication date: 2020-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 2035-09-15
Also published as: DE102015116412A1; RU2682419C2; MX351955B; TR201511945A2; RU2015140130A; BR102015025016A2; CN105459895A; RU2015140130A3; MX2015013871A

Abstract

An illuminated equipment storage device for a vehicle is disclosed. The storage device includes a console forming an elongated opening that opens into the cavity. At least one support element extends along the elongated opening and is configured for engagement with a device. The storage device further includes a light source disposed adjacent to the cavity and configured to emit a first emission of light upwardly to illuminate the at least one support element.

Description

Photoluminescent device holder

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to vehicle lighting devices, and more particularly to vehicle lighting devices using photoluminescent structures.

Background

The illumination caused by the photoluminescent material provides a unique and attractive visual experience. It is therefore desirable to include such photoluminescent materials in various portions of a vehicle to provide ambient and task lighting.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the invention, an illuminated device storage apparatus is disclosed. The storage device includes a console defining an elongated opening that opens into the cavity. At least one support element extends along the elongate opening and is configured to engage with the device. The storage device further includes a light source disposed adjacent to the cavity and configured to emit a first emission of light upwardly to illuminate the at least one support element.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a photoluminescent device storage apparatus is disclosed. The storage device includes a console having an elongated opening that forms a cavity. A pair of support members forming a first photoluminescent portion extend along opposite sides of the elongate opening and are configured to engage a device. The storage device further includes a light source disposed adjacent the cavity and configured to emit a first emission of light upward to illuminate the photoluminescent portion such that the photoluminescent portion emits a second emission.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a photoluminescent storage device is disclosed that includes a console having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is operable to rotate from a first position to a second position. The light source is disposed adjacent the lower portion and configured to emit a first emission of light. The storage device further includes a first photoluminescent portion and a second photoluminescent portion disposed adjacent the console, wherein the first emission is directed to the first photoluminescent portion in the first position and directed to the second photoluminescent portion in the second position.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

Drawings

In the figure:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle showing a console containing a lighting device;

FIG. 2A illustrates a photoluminescent structure present as a coating;

FIG. 2B illustrates a photoluminescent structure presented as discrete particles;

fig. 2C illustrates a plurality of photoluminescent structures that are present as discrete particles and that are incorporated into separate structures;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a front-lit configuration of a lighting device configured to convert a first wavelength of light to at least a second wavelength;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a backlit configuration of an illumination device configured to convert a first wavelength of light to at least a second wavelength;

FIG. 5A is a side detailed view of a console including a lighting device disposed in a first position;

FIG. 5B is a side detailed view of a console including a lighting device disposed in a second position;

fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a device tray configured to be illuminated by a lighting apparatus according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and some of the drawings may be exaggerated or minimized to present a functional overview. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

As used herein, the term "and/or" when used in a list of two or more items means that any one of the listed items can be used alone or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be used. For example, if a mixture is described as containing components A, B and/or C, the mixture can contain a alone, B alone, a combination of C, A and B alone, a combination of a and C, a combination of B and C, or a combination of A, B and C.

The following disclosure describes a vehicle lighting device configured to illuminate at least a portion of a console. In some embodiments, the light source may be used to illuminate a device tray that is accessible within the vehicle passenger compartment. The light source may also be used to illuminate the interior cavity of the storage bin in the second position. The interior cavity may correspond to a storage bin disposed within the console. The light source may be configured to emit light of a first wavelength or to stimulate emission to excite the photoluminescent structure.

The photoluminescent structure may be configured to convert a first wavelength or excitation emission of light to a second wavelength or second emission. The first wavelength of light may correspond to a first color of light and the second wavelength may correspond to a second color of light different from the first color. While the various embodiments of the lighting devices described herein refer to the specific structure shown with respect to at least one motor vehicle, it will be appreciated that the disclosed console and lighting device may be used in a variety of applications.

Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a center console 10 is shown in a first position 11 within a passenger compartment 12 of a vehicle. The console 10 may include a lighting device 14 operable to provide illumination for the equipment tray 16. The lighting device 14 may be disposed within the center console 10 and may be configured to illuminate at least one support element 18 of the equipment tray 16. The at least one support element 18 of the device tray 16 may be configured to provide a press fit for one or more devices 19 stored within the device tray 16.

In some embodiments, the lighting device 14 may also be configured to illuminate a surface 20 adjacent the center console 10, which may correspond to a lower portion 22 of the center console 10. The lower portion 22 may correspond to a central panel containing at least one cup holder 24, a shift lever 26, and a variety of additional vehicle devices and/or accessories. In this configuration, the lighting device may be configured to illuminate the equipment tray 16 and the surface 20 adjacent the center console 10.

As shown in fig. 5B, in the second position 21, the console 10 may be further configured to illuminate at least a portion of the lumen 28 formed by the console 10. The interior cavity 28 may correspond to a storage bin 30 configured to provide storage space for various items. As described herein, the lighting device 14 may provide a cost-effective device configured to provide ambient light within a vehicle. The ambient lighting device may be configured to emit wavelengths of light corresponding to one or more of the various colors. In this manner, the center console 10 can be configured for beautifying and improving the functionality of the passenger compartment 12.

The lighting device 14 may include a light source disposed adjacent the console 10. The light source is configured to emit a first emission or stimulated emission of light at a first wavelength. In the first position 11, the light source may be configured to direct a first emission of light to the first photoluminescent portion 32. The first photoluminescent portion 32 may be configured to illuminate the at least one support element 18 by outputting a second emission 33 in response to receiving the first emission.

In some embodiments, the illumination device 14 may further illuminate the second photoluminescent portion 34 when the console 10 is oriented in the first position. The second photoluminescent portion 34 may be disposed adjacent a front region of the console 10. The illumination device 14 may be configured to deliver the first emission to the second photoluminescent portion 34. The second photoluminescent portion 34 can be excited in response to receiving the first emission and emit a third emission 35. Third emission 35 may be configured to illuminate surface 20 of lower portion 22.

In the second position 21, the illumination device 14 is operable to illuminate at least a portion of the storage bin 30. A third photoluminescent portion 38 can be disposed adjacent an inner surface of the upper portion 36 of the reservoir 30. As further detailed with reference to fig. 5B, the lighting device 14 and console 10 may be configured to direct the first emission toward the third photoluminescent portion 38 when the console 10 is oriented in the second position 21. In this configuration, the first emission may be emitted toward the third photoluminescent portion 38 to emit the fourth emission 37 to illuminate at least a portion of the storage bin 30.

For example, each of the first, second and third

photoluminescent portions

32, 34, 38 may be configured to convert a first emission or stimulated emission having a first wavelength of light to an output emission 40. The output emission 40 may refer to an emission output from the photo-luminescent portion and may correspond to one or more of the second emission 33, the third emission 35, and the fourth emission 37. The output emission 40 may comprise at least a second wavelength of light having a longer wavelength than the first wavelength. As described herein, each of the

photoluminescent portions

32, 34, and 36 can be configured to have a variety of photochemical properties, the photoluminescent portions configured to convert a first emission at a first wavelength to an output emission or second emission 33. The output emission as described herein may comprise the second wavelength and an additional wavelength (e.g., a third wavelength), and the additional wavelength may comprise a combination of wavelengths to emit light of multiple colors from each of the photoluminescent portions.

The first wavelength of the first emission or stimulated emission may correspond to emission of light having a blue-violet or deep blue color. The first wavelength may have a peak wavelength of less than about 500 nanometers. The second wavelength and the other wavelengths corresponding to the output emission 40 may comprise one or more wavelengths of light having at least one wavelength longer than the first wavelength. In some embodiments, the output emission 40 may correspond to a plurality of wavelengths, which may appear as distinct white light. In such a configuration, light of a first wavelength emitted from the light source is configured to excite the photoluminescent portion as described herein. For example, the second photoluminescent portion 34 can emit a combination of wavelengths corresponding to white light to illuminate at least a portion of the surface 20 of the lower portion 22 of the center console 10 in response to receiving the first emission.

The light of the first wavelength emitted from the light source may correspond to a color of light that is less perceptible to the human eye than the wavelength of the output emission 40. Such a configuration may provide for the second emission 33, the third emission 35, and the fourth emission 37 to be activated by a light source that may project from a single location. In this manner, the illumination device 14 may be configured to provide intense illumination to illuminate at least a portion of the console 10. The present invention provides a cost effective means of providing ambient lighting for a vehicle by limiting the number of light sources required to provide the lighting as described herein.

Referring to fig. 2A-2C, a photoluminescent structure 42 is generally shown, respectively in the form of a coating (e.g., a film) that can be applied to a vehicle surface, a discrete particle that can be implanted within the surface, and a plurality of discrete particles contained in a separate structure that can be applied to the surface. As described herein, the surface of the vehicle may correspond to a fabric, panel, and/or fixture that is operable to transmit light at least partially therethrough. The photoluminescent structure 42 may correspond to photoluminescent portions described herein, such as the first photoluminescent portion 32, the second photoluminescent portion 34, and the third photoluminescent portion 38.

At the most basic level, the photoluminescent structure 42 includes a energy conversion layer 44, and the energy conversion layer 44 may be provided as a single-layer or multi-layer structure, as shown by the dashed lines in fig. 2A and 2B. The energy conversion layer 44 may include one or more photoluminescent materials having energy conversion elements selected from phosphorescent or fluorescent materials. The photoluminescent material may be configured to convert the input electromagnetic radiation into output electromagnetic radiation that generally has a longer wavelength and represents a color that is not characteristic of the input electromagnetic radiation. The difference in wavelength between the input and output electromagnetic radiation is known as Stokes shift and serves as the primary driving mechanism for the energy conversion process (often referred to as down conversion) corresponding to the wavelength variation of the light. In various embodiments described herein, each wavelength of light (e.g., the first wavelength, etc.) corresponds to electromagnetic radiation utilized in the conversion process.

Each photoluminescent portion can contain at least one photoluminescent structure 42 that contains an energy conversion layer (e.g., conversion layer 44). The energy conversion layer 44 can be prepared by dispersing the photoluminescent material in the polymer matrix 50 using a variety of methods to form a homogeneous mixture. Such a method may include preparing the energy conversion layer 44 from a formulation in a liquid carrier medium and applying the energy conversion layer 44 to a desired planar and/or non-planar substrate of the vehicle surface. The energy conversion layer 44 coating may be deposited on the surface of the vehicle by painting (painting), screen printing, spraying, slot coating (slot coating), dip coating (dip coating), roller coating (roller coating), and bar coating (bar coating). Furthermore, the energy conversion layer 44 may be prepared by a method that does not use a liquid carrier medium.

For example, a solid solution (homogeneous mixture in the dry state) of one or more photoluminescent materials may be incorporated into the polymer matrix 50 to provide the energy conversion layer 44. The polymer matrix 50 may be formed by extrusion, injection molding, compression molding, calendaring, thermoforming, and the like. In examples where one or more energy conversion layers 44 are present as particles, a single or multiple layers of energy conversion layers 44 may be implanted into the vehicle fabric, fixture, and/or panel. When the energy conversion layer 44 comprises a multi-layer formulation, each layer may be coated sequentially. In addition, the layers may be prepared separately and then laminated or embossed together to form an integral layer. The layers may also be coextruded to make a unitary multi-layer energy conversion structure.

Referring back to fig. 2A and 2B, the photoluminescent structure 42 may optionally include at least one stabilizing layer 46 to protect the photoluminescent material contained within the energy conversion layer 44 from photolytic and thermal degradation. The stabilization layer 46 may be configured as a separate layer that is optically coupled to and adhered to the energy conversion layer 44. The stabilization layer 46 may also be integrated with the energy conversion layer 44. The photoluminescent structure 42 may also optionally include a protective layer 48 or any layer or coating that is optically coupled and adhered to the stabilizing layer 46 to protect the photoluminescent structure 42 from physical and chemical damage caused by environmental exposure.

The stabilization layer 46 and/or the protection layer 48 may be combined with the energy conversion layer 44 to form the integral photoluminescent structure 42 by sequential coating or printing of each layer, or by sequential lamination or stamping. Alternatively, several layers may be combined by sequential coating, lamination or embossing to form a substructure. The sub-structures are then laminated or embossed to form an integral photoluminescent structure 42. Once formed, the photoluminescent structure 42 may be applied to a desired vehicle surface.

In some embodiments, the photoluminescent structure 42 may be incorporated into the fabric, fixture, and/or panel of the vehicle as one or more discrete multilayer particles, as shown in fig. 2C. Photoluminescent structure 42 may also be provided as one or more discrete multilayer particles dispersed in a polymer matrix 50, with matrix 50 then being applied as an adjoining structure in the vehicle surface. Additional information regarding the construction of photoluminescent structures utilizing at least one photoluminescent portion of a vehicle is disclosed in the application entitled "photolytically and environmentally stable multilayer structures for efficient electromagnetic energy conversion and sustained secondary emission" filed on day 31, 7, 31, 2012, by kinsley et al, U.S. patent No. 8,232,533, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Referring to fig. 3, the lighting device 14 is shown generally in accordance with a front lit configuration 62. The frontlit configuration 62 may correspond to, among other things, a configuration operable to illuminate a portion of the cavity 28 or storage bin 30 of the console 10. In this configuration, the light source 64 is configured to emit a first emission 66, the first emission 66 being converted to the output emission 40 by the energy conversion layer 44. The first emission 66 includes a first wavelength λ₁And the output emission 40 comprises at least a second wavelength lambda₂. The lighting device 14 comprises an arrangementA photoluminescent structure 42 on or within at least one photoluminescent portion (e.g., the third photoluminescent portion 38). The photoluminescent structure 42 may be present as a coating and/or dispersed within the material forming the surface 68 of the vehicle, such as an interior panel or portion of the console 10. The photoluminescent material may also be dispersed in a polymer matrix 50 corresponding to the energy conversion layer 44.

In some embodiments, the energy conversion layer 44 may further comprise a stabilization layer 46 and/or a protective layer 48. First emission 66 is received by energy conversion layer 44 and from first wavelength λ in response to light source 64 being activated₁Converted to have at least a second wavelength lambda₂The output of (3) is transmitted 40. The output emission 40 may comprise a plurality of wavelengths configured for any color of light emitted from the photoluminescent portion as described herein. In this particular example, the output emission 40 may correspond to the fourth emission 37.

In various embodiments, the illumination device 14 comprises at least one photoluminescent material incorporated within the polymer matrix 50 and/or the energy conversion layer 44, and the illumination device 14 is configured to direct the first wavelength λ₁Is converted to have at least a second wavelength lambda₂The output of (3) is transmitted 40. To generate multiple wavelengths, the energy conversion layer 44 may contain one or more photoluminescent materials configured to emit output emissions 40 of wavelengths such as light in the red, green, and/or blue spectrums. Such photoluminescent materials may further be combined such that the output emission 40 produces multiple colors of light. For example, red, green and blue light-emitting photoluminescent materials can be used in various ratios and combinations to control the output color of the output emission 40.

Each photoluminescent material can vary in output intensity, output wavelength, and peak absorption wavelength based on the particular photochemical structure and combination of photochemical structures utilized in the energy conversion layer 44. For example, the wavelength λ of the first emission can be adjusted₁To activate the photoluminescent material at different intensities to change the color of the output emission 40, thereby changing the output emission 40. In addition to or instead of the red, green and blue light-emitting photoluminescent materialsAlternatively, other photoluminescent materials may be used, alone or in various combinations, to produce output emissions 40 of various colors. In this manner, the lighting device 14 may be configured for various applications to provide a desired lighting color and effect for the vehicle.

To achieve the various colors and combinations of photoluminescent materials described herein, the illumination device 14 may utilize any form of photoluminescent material, such as fluorescent luminescent materials, organic and inorganic dyes, and the like. Additional information regarding the manufacture and utilization of photoluminescent materials to achieve various emissions reference is made to U.S. patent No. 8,207,511, entitled "photoluminescent fibers, compositions, and fabrics made from the photoluminescent fibers and compositions" filed on 26.6.2012, issued to botts (Bortz) et al, and to U.S. patent No. 8,247,761, entitled "photoluminescent indicia with functional coatings", filed on 21.8.2012, invented by argravoll (Agrawal) et al, and to U.S. patent No. 8,519,359B2, entitled "photolytic and environmentally stable multilayer structures for efficient electromagnetic energy conversion and sustained secondary emission", filed on 27.8.2013.8.4.2014, filed on 3.8.4.6.35, issued by Kingsley (Kingsley), et al, and to U.S. patent No. 8,664,624B2, Applications entitled "illumination delivery systems for producing sustained secondary emission" and applications filed on 7/19/2012, by argravol et al, U.S. patent publication No. 2012/0183677, entitled "photoluminescent compositions, methods of making photoluminescent compositions, and new uses thereof," and applications filed on 3/6/2014, by Kingsley et al, U.S. patent publication No. 2014/0065442a1, entitled "photoluminescent objects," and applications filed on 4/17/2014, by argravol et al, U.S. patent publication No. 2014/0103258a1, entitled "chromium luminescent compositions and textiles," are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

The light source 64 may also be referred to as an excitation source and is operable to emit at least a first emission 66. The light source 64 may compriseIncluding any form of light source such as a halogen lighting device, a fluorescent lighting device, a Light Emitting Diode (LED), an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), a Polymer Light Emitting Diode (PLED), a solid state lighting device, or any other form of lighting device configured to output a first emission 66. The first emission 66 from the light source 64 may be configured such that the first wavelength corresponds to at least one absorption wavelength of the one or more photoluminescent materials of the energy conversion layer 44 and/or the polymer matrix 50. Energy conversion layer 44 is responsive to receiving first wavelength λ₁Can be excited and output one or more output wavelengths, e.g., having a second wavelength λ₂The second transmission of (1). The first emission 66 provides an excitation source for the energy conversion layer 44 by targeting the absorption wavelength of a particular photoluminescent material or combination of photoluminescent materials. In this manner, the illumination device 14 may be configured to output the output emission 40 to produce a desired light intensity and color.

In the exemplary embodiment, light source 64 includes a light source configured to emit a first wavelength λ₁Of the first wavelength lambda₁May correspond to the blue spectrum, blue-violet and/or ultraviolet color ranges. The blue spectral color range includes a wavelength range that is typically represented as blue light (440-500 nm). In some embodiments, the first wavelength λ₁May include wavelengths in the ultraviolet or near ultraviolet color range (100 and 450 nanometers). In an exemplary embodiment, λ₁May be approximately equal to 470 nanometers. Albeit with respect to the first wavelength lambda₁Specific wavelengths and wavelength ranges are discussed, but the first wavelength λ₁And may be generally configured to excite any photoluminescent material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first wavelength λ₁And may be less than about 500 nanometers. Since the blue spectral color range and shorter wavelengths have limited perceptual acuity in the spectrum visible to the human eye, these wavelengths may be used as excitation sources for the illumination device 14. By using a first wavelength lambda of a shorter wavelength₁And converting the first wavelength to at least one longer wavelength by the energy conversion layer 44, the lighting device 14 may be configured to produce a visual effect of light that is self-illuminatingLight structure 42 and not light source 64.

As described herein, each of the plurality of wavelengths corresponding to the output emission 40 may correspond to a distinct spectral color range. A second wavelength lambda₂May correspond to a plurality of wavelengths configured to render substantially white light. In one embodiment, the plurality of wavelengths may be comprised of a red-emitting photoluminescent material having a wavelength of about 620-750 nm, a green-emitting photoluminescent material having a wavelength of about 526-606 nm, and a phosphor having a wavelength λ greater than the first wavelength₁A blue or blue-green emitting photoluminescent material that is long and has a wavelength of about 430-525 nanometers. Multiple wavelengths may be used to generate multiple colors of light from each of the photoluminescent portions (e.g., first photoluminescent portion 32, second photoluminescent portion 34, and third photoluminescent portion 38). Each output emission 40 may use a photoluminescent material to output a different color of light than the first emission 66, and in some embodiments, one or more of the output emissions may be different in color from each other.

Referring to fig. 4, the lighting device 14 is generally shown in accordance with a backlit configuration 72, the backlit configuration 72 converting the first emission 66 from the light source 64 into the output emission 40. The backlit configuration may correspond to the configuration of the first photoluminescent portion 32 and/or the second photoluminescent portion 34. As such, the backlit configuration 72 is described with reference to the first photoluminescent portion 32, the first photoluminescent portion 32 being configured to emit the second emission 33 in response to receiving the first emission 66.

In the backlit configuration 72, the illumination device 14 may include a light guide 74. The light guide 74 may be configured to direct the first wavelength λ₁Substantially along the first photo-luminescent portion 32. The light guide 74 may be configured to direct the first wavelength λ₁Substantially any material that is transmitted along the extent of the first photoluminescent portion 32. In this example, the first photoluminescent portion 32 can correspond to at least a portion of the support element 18, with the support element 18 having the first photoluminescent portion 32 disposed within the support element 18. In some embodiments, the light guide 74 may comprise a polymeric material configured to provide a refractive index such that the first wavelength λ₁Is uniformly transmitted along the first photo-luminescent portion 32.

The backlit configuration may include the energy conversion layer 44 and/or the photoluminescent material dispersed within a polymer matrix 50, the polymer matrix 50 being disposed on and/or dispersed within the support element 18 or any other portion of the vehicle. Similar to the energy conversion layer 44 shown with reference to the front-lit configuration 62, the energy conversion layer 44 may be configured to be excited and output one or more wavelengths in response to receiving the first emission 66. The wavelength or wavelengths of the second emission 33 may be configured to emit any color of light from the first photoluminescent portion 32 in response to excitation by the energy conversion layer 44. The color of light corresponding to the output emission 40 (e.g., second emission 33) may be controlled by using a particular type and/or ratio of photoluminescent material as described herein. While the backlit configuration 72 is discussed with respect to the first photoluminescent portion 32, the second photoluminescent portion 34 may be similarly configured.

Referring now to fig. 5A and 5B, detailed cross-sectional views of center console 10 disposed in first position 11 and second position 21, respectively, are shown. The center console 10 may include an upper portion 36 and a lower portion 22. In the first position 11, a lower surface 78 of the upper portion 36 is configured to extend substantially parallel to an upper surface 80 of the lower portion 22. In this arrangement, light source 64 may be substantially aligned with light guide 74 such that proximal end 82 of light guide 74 receives first emission 66. In such a configuration, the illumination device 14 may be configured to illuminate at least the first photoluminescent portion 32 corresponding to at least one support element 18.

The first photoluminescent portion 32 may be disposed within the at least one support element 18 and/or applied as a coating to the at least one support element 18. The support element 18 may be composed of an at least partially light-transmitting material. The support element 18 may also have a coating or material structure (e.g., any light-transmissive, rubberized material) configured to deform to restrict movement of devices stored within the device tray 16. In this manner, support element 18 may allow the first emission to pass through the at least partially light transmissive material such that first photoluminescent portion 32 receives first emission 66.

Referring to fig. 5A, in the first position 11, the first emission 66 may be output from the light source 64 and transmitted through the light guide 74. Light guide 74 may be configured to transmit first emission 66 and release first portion 84 along the length of support element 18. The first emission 66 may be received by the support element 18 and excite the first photoluminescent portion 32. The first photoluminescent portion 32 may be applied as a coating and/or dispersed in the material of the support element 18. In this configuration, the first photoluminescent portion may receive a first emission 66 into and through the at least partially light transmissive material of the support element 18. The first photoluminescent portion 32 is excited in response to receiving the first emission 66 and emits a second emission 33 to illuminate at least one support element 18 of the device tray 16.

The upper portion 36 of the light guide 74 may be configured to emit the first portion 84 of the first emission 66 substantially uniformly along the length of the support element 18. The upper portion 36 may include at least one diverter element configured to control the amount of the first emissions 66 that may escape through the upper portion 36. In this configuration, the first portions 84 of the first emissions 66 may be substantially evenly dispersed along the length of the support element 18. The turning element may comprise an etched, roughened, and/or jagged surface and/or a plurality of additional elements that may turn first portion 84 of first emission 66 from light guide 74 upward toward support element 18.

Light guide 74 may also be configured to guide second portion 88 of first emission 66 through light guide 74 to distal end 90. The first emission 66 may be delivered to the second photoluminescent portion 34 adjacent the distal end 90 to illuminate the surface 20 adjacent the center console 10. In this configuration, the lighting device 14 may provide ambient lighting of the equipment tray 16 and the surface 20 adjacent the console 10.

Second portion 88 of first emission 66 may correspond to a portion of first emission 66 that is not output through upper portion 36 but is transmitted to distal portion 90 through light guide 74. The second portion 88 may be transmitted through the light guide 74 to an optical portion 92, the optical portion 92 being configured to disperse the second portion 88 of the first emission 66 along the second photoluminescent portion 34. The second photoluminescent portion 34 is excited in response to receiving the first emission 66 and emits a third emission 35. In this manner, the second photoluminescent portion 34 can emit the third emission 35 to illuminate the surface 20 adjacent the console 10 in a backlit configuration 72.

In some embodiments, the second photoluminescent portion 34 may be disposed in a frontlit configuration 62 adjacent the surface 20 of the lower portion 22 of the console 10. For example, second portion 88 of first emission 66 may be output from distal end 90 of light guide 74. The second photoluminescent portion 34 can be applied and/or dispersed within the material of the cup holder 24 or the surface 20. In this configuration, the second portion 88 of the first emission 66 may be received by the second photoluminescent portion 34. The second photoluminescent portion 34 is excited and emits a third emission 35 in response to receiving the second portion 88. As such, the illumination device 14 may be configured to emit from the cup holder 24 or surface in a frontlit configuration to illuminate the second photoluminescent portion.

Referring to fig. 5B, in the second position 21, the upper portion 36 of the console 10 may be disposed such that the cavity 28 or the storage bin 30 is accessible to the vehicle occupant. In the second position 21, the upper portion 36 of the console 10 can be rotated about the hinge 94 such that the upper portion 36 extends distally from the lower portion 22 about the hinge 94 at an angle 96. In this configuration, the first emission 66 may be output from the light source 64 through the volumetric space 98 formed between the upper portion 36 and the lower portion 22 and directed toward the third photoluminescent portion 38. The third photoluminescent portion 38 upon receiving the first emission 66 may be activated and emit a fourth emission 37 to illuminate at least a portion of the cavity 28 or the storage bin 30.

The third photoluminescent portion 38 is disposed adjacent a lower surface 78 of the upper portion 36 of the center console 10. In this advantageous configuration, an angle 96 formed between the upper portion 36 and the lower portion 22 may correspond to the complement of the first emission 66 emitted from the light source 64 when the console is disposed in the second position 21. For example, if the angle 96 formed between the upper portion 36 and the lower portion 22 is about 70 to 100 degrees when entering the storage bin 30, the light source 64 may be configured to direct the first emission 66 approximately toward the corresponding location of the third photoluminescent portion 38. Furthermore, the third photoluminescent portion 38 may be disposed in an angular configuration 100 relative to the upper portion 36 such that the direction of the fourth emission 37 is directed substantially towards the cavity 28 or the storage bin 30. In such a configuration, the lighting device 14 may be further operable to illuminate the cavity 28 formed by the center console 10.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a detailed front cross-sectional view of the device tray 16 disposed within the upper portion 36 of the console 10 is shown. As described herein, the equipment tray 16 may include at least one support element 18. In an exemplary embodiment, the device tray 16 may include a first support member 112 and a second support member 114. At least one of first support element 112 and second support element 114 may be configured to engage with a device (e.g., a smartphone) via a spring-loaded assembly 116. Spring-loaded assembly 116 may comprise a spring coupled to second support member 114. Spring carrier assembly 116 may be disposed in cavity 118, with cavity 118 disposed in upper portion 36. In this configuration, second support element 114 may be provided with means for compressing spring-loaded assembly 116 to cause the device to enter cavity 120 formed by upper portion 36. In this manner, device tray 16 may be operable to engage a device (e.g., device 19) located between first support element 112 and second support element 114 to secure and store the device.

Fig. 6 may correspond to a view of the upper portion 36 of the console corresponding to the first position 11. In this configuration, a first wavelength λ is included₁May be emitted from the upper portion 36 by at least one light diverting element 122. First portion 84 of first shot 66 may be directed from upper portion 36 to first support element 112 and second support element 114. The first photoluminescent portion 32 is excited and emits a second emission 33 in response to receiving the first emission 66. In this configuration, the lighting device 14 may provide decorative ambient lighting that may appear to surround the equipment disposed between the support elements 112 and 114 and show the position of the equipment tray 16.

As described herein, the first photoluminescent portion 32 may be applied as a coating and/or disposed within the material of the at least one support element 18. The at least one support element 18 may be comprised of a variety of materials configured to secure a device 19 within the device tray 16. For example, the at least one support element 18 may correspond to a material that may be slightly deflected to increase the effective surface area of contact between the at least one support element 18 and the device 19. Such materials may include various polymeric materials and coatings of polymeric materials that may be applied to a variety of structural materials. At least one of the support elements 18 and/or the coating applied to at least one of the support elements 18 may correspond to an at least partially light transmissive material, which may have a photoluminescent material corresponding to the first photoluminescent portion 32 disposed within and/or applied as a coating on the at least partially light transmissive material. In this configuration, the first photoluminescent portion may receive a first emission 66, the first emission 66 entering and passing through the at least partially light transmissive material of the support element 18 to illuminate the at least one support element 18 of the device tray 16.

The lighting devices described herein may provide a number of benefits, including a cost-effective system operable to provide attractive ambient lighting for a vehicle. The various embodiments described herein, including the specific location and configuration of each photoluminescent portion, can be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention. The instant disclosed subject matter provides a lighting device that can provide vehicle ambient lighting in a variety of colors that can be adjusted to suit a desired vehicle color scheme.

For the purposes of illustrating and defining the teachings of the present invention, it is noted that the terms "substantially" and "about" are utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. The terms "substantially" and "about" are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

Claims

1. An illuminated device storage apparatus, comprising:

a console including a lengthwise opening forming a cavity, the lengthwise opening disposed at a top of the console;

a first photoluminescent portion disposed adjacent to the elongate opening;

at least one support element extending along the elongated opening and configured to engage with a device; and

a light source disposed adjacent the cavity and configured to emit a first emission of light upwardly to illuminate the first photoluminescent portion such that the first photoluminescent portion emits a second emission to illuminate the at least one support element.

2. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the first emission comprises a first wavelength configured to excite the first photoluminescent portion to emit a second emission to illuminate the at least one support element.

3. The storage device of claim 2, wherein the at least one support element emits the second emission that is a different color than the light of the first emission.

4. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the first photoluminescent portion is applied to the at least one support element.

5. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the support element comprises an at least partially light transmissive material configured for receiving the first emission.

6. The storage device of claim 5, wherein the first photoluminescent portion comprises a photoluminescent material molded within the partially light transmissive material of the support element.

7. A photoluminescent device storage apparatus, comprising:

a pair of support elements forming a first photoluminescent portion extending along opposite sides of the elongate opening and configured to engage a device; and

a light source disposed adjacent the cavity and configured to emit a first emission of light upward to illuminate the photoluminescent portion such that the photoluminescent portion emits a second emission.

8. The storage device of claim 7, further comprising a light guide extending from the light source through the cavity.

9. The storage device of claim 8, wherein the light guide is configured to transmit the first emission from the light source and disperse the first emission within the cavity.

10. The storage device of claim 9, wherein the first emission passes through a volumetric space of the cavity to the first photoluminescent portion to illuminate the pair of support elements with a second emission.

11. The storage device of claim 9, wherein the first emissions are dispersed substantially uniformly throughout the cavity.

12. The storage device of claim 8, further comprising a second photoluminescent portion disposed adjacent a front region of the console.

13. The storage device of claim 12, wherein the light guide includes a proximal portion configured to receive the first emission from the light source and transmit a portion of the first emission to a distal portion of the light guide, the distal portion being adjacent to the second photoluminescent portion.

14. The storage device of claim 13, wherein the portion of the first transmission is converted to a third transmission, the third transmission being transmitted to a fixed portion of the console.

15. A photoluminescent storage device, comprising:

a console, comprising:

a lower portion; and

an upper portion operable to rotate from a first position to a second position, the upper portion forming an elongated opening and a cavity;

a light source disposed adjacent the lower portion configured to emit a first emission of light;

a first photoluminescent portion and a second photoluminescent portion, wherein the first emission is directed to the first photoluminescent portion at the first location and directed to the second photoluminescent portion at the second location.

16. The storage device of claim 15, wherein the upper portion is operable to rotate relative to the lower portion from the first position to the second position.

17. The storage device of claim 15, wherein the first photoluminescent portion is adjacent to the opening.

18. The storage device of claim 17, wherein the first emission is transmitted through a light guide in the first position, the light guide disposed within the upper portion and configured to emit the first emission within the cavity to irradiate the first photoluminescent portion such that the first photoluminescent portion emits a second emission.

19. The storage device of claim 18, wherein the first emission is directed at a recess of the upper portion including the second photoluminescent portion in the second position, wherein the second photoluminescent portion emits a third emission to illuminate the lower portion in response to receiving the first emission.