RU2695935C2 - Display system on windscreen - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: lighting.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to vehicle illumination systems. Vehicle windshield display system comprises rearview mirror assembly and photoluminescent structure. Rear view mirror assembly has a light source configured to illuminate a seat on the windshield. Photoluminescent structure is located on the windshield and is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from the light source.

EFFECT: higher quality of common and working illumination.

19 cl, 4 dwg

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a partial continuation of the application for the grant of a US patent under serial number 14/086442, filed November 21, 2013 and entitled "VEHICLE LIGHTING SYSTEM WITH PHOTOLUMINESCENT VEHICLE LIGHTING SYSTEM", which is fully disclosed as follows) in the materials of this application by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to vehicle lighting systems, and more particularly, to vehicle lighting systems employing one or more photoluminescent structures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The backlighting resulting from the use of photoluminescent structures offers a unique and attractive viewing experience. Therefore, it is required to implement such structures in automobile vehicles for various lighting applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a windshield display system for a vehicle. The rear view mirror assembly having at least one light source is configured to illuminate a place on the windshield. At least one photoluminescent structure is located in place and is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from at least one light source.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a windshield display system for a vehicle. At least one light source is located closer to the upper part of the windshield and is configured to illuminate a place on the windshield. At least one photoluminescent structure is located in place and is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from at least one light source.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a windshield display system for a vehicle. The first light source is configured to emit light in the same direction in the direction of the windshield. The second light source is configured to emit light in a custom direction in the direction of the windshield. At least one photoluminescent structure is attached to the windshield and is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from at least one of the first light source and the second light source.

These and other aspects, objects and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art to study the following description of the invention, claims, and the accompanying drawings.

A display system for a windshield for a vehicle is provided, comprising: a rear view mirror assembly having at least one light source configured to illuminate a place on the windshield; at least one photoluminescent structure located in place and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from at least one light source. The system further comprises a light blocking layer located in place and configured to block ultraviolet radiation from entering the vehicle through a place on the windshield. The system further comprises a reflective layer located in place and configured to reflect light incident on it, which is emitted from at least one photoluminescent structure and is propagating in the direction of the windshield. The system further comprises a dark inactive layer that conceals at least one photoluminescent structure if at least one photoluminescent structure is not in a luminescence state. Moreover, at least one photoluminescent structure transmits information in the luminescence state. The system further comprises at least one light source attached to the roof structure of the vehicle and configured to illuminate a place of the windshield illuminated by at least one light source of the rear view mirror assembly, or a separate place of the windshield. Moreover, one light source contains one of a source of ultraviolet light, a source of violet light and a source of blue light.

A display system for a windshield for a vehicle is provided, comprising: at least one light source located closer to the upper part of the windshield and configured to illuminate a place on the windshield; and at least one photoluminescent structure located in place and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from at least one light source. The system further comprises a light blocking layer located in place and configured to block ultraviolet light from entering the vehicle through a place on the windshield. The system further comprises a reflective layer located in place and configured to reflect light incident on it, which is emitted from at least one photoluminescent structure and is propagating in the direction of the windshield. The system further comprises a dark inactive layer that conceals at least one photoluminescent structure if at least one photoluminescent structure is not in a luminescence state. Moreover, at least one photoluminescent structure transmits information in the luminescence state. Moreover, at least one light source attached to the roof structure of the vehicle and configured to illuminate a place of the windshield illuminated by at least one light source of the rear view mirror assembly, or a separate place of the windshield. Moreover, at least one light source contains one of a source of ultraviolet light, a source of violet light and a source of blue light. Moreover, at least one light source is part of the vehicle rearview mirror assembly.

Also provided is a windshield display system for a vehicle, comprising: a first light source configured to emit light in the same direction in the direction of the windshield; a second light source configured to emit light in a custom direction in the direction of the windshield; and at least one photoluminescent structure attached to the windshield and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from at least one of the first light source and the second light source. Moreover, the first light source is part of the roof structure of the vehicle. Moreover, the second light source is part of the rear view mirror assembly, wherein the direction in which light is emitted from the second light source depends on the position of the rear view mirror assembly. Moreover, at least one photoluminescent structure luminesces with one of a single color and many colors. Moreover, the first light source and the second light source each emit one of ultraviolet light, violet light and blue light.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1A illustrates a photoluminescent structure attached to a base according to one embodiment;

FIG. 1B illustrates a photoluminescent structure attached to a base, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 1C illustrates a photoluminescent structure attached to a base, according to another another embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a local sectional view of a vehicle using a windshield display system according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the windshield of FIG. 2, in accordance with one embodiment; and

FIG. 4 illustrates the arrangement between a photoluminescent structure and a windshield according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As necessary, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the invention, which may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily intended for detailed design, and some diagrams may be exaggerated or understated to show a general idea of the purpose. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed in the materials of this application should not be interpreted as limiting, but only as representing the basis for studying by a person skilled in the art for various applications of the present invention.

As used in the materials of this application, the term “and / or”, when used in the list of two or more elements, means that any one of the listed elements can be used on its own, or any combination of two or more of the listed elements can be applied. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B and / or C, the composition may contain only A; exclusively B; exclusively C; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B and C in combination.

The following disclosure describes a windshield display system for a vehicle. The windshield display system advantageously utilizes one or more photoluminescent structures configured to convert light received from an associated light source and to re-emit light at a different wavelength typically found in the visible spectrum.

With reference to FIG. 1A-1C, various exemplary embodiments of a photoluminescent structure 10 are shown, each capable of attaching to a base 12, which may correspond to a fixed part of a vehicle or a piece of equipment associated with a vehicle. In FIG. 1A, the photoluminescent structure 10 is generally shown as being provided as a coating (eg, film) that can be applied to the surface of the substrate 12. FIG. 1B, the photoluminescent structure 10 is generally shown as a discrete particle capable of being combined with a base 12. FIG. 1C, the photoluminescent structure 10 is generally shown as a plurality of discrete particles that can be included in a carrier medium 14 (e.g., a film), which can then be applied (as shown) or combined with a substrate 12.

At the most basic level, this photoluminescent structure 10 includes an energy conversion layer 16, which may include one or more sublayers, which are approximately shown by broken lines in FIG. 1A and 1B. Each sublayer of the energy conversion layer 16 may include one or more photoluminescent materials having energy conversion elements with photoluminescent or fluorescent properties. Each photoluminescent material can become excited by receiving light of a specific wavelength, thereby causing the light to undergo a conversion process. According to the principle of conversion with decreasing frequency, the introduced light is converted into light of a larger wavelength that is output from the photoluminescent structure 10. Conversely, by the principle of conversion with increasing frequency, the introduced light is converted to light of a smaller wavelength that is output from photoluminescent structure 10. When multiple the individual wavelengths of light are derived from the photoluminescent structure 10 at the same time, the wavelengths of light can be mixed with each other and presented as multi-color light.

In some embodiments, the light that has been subjected to down-conversion or up-conversion can be used to excite other photoluminescent material (s) detected in the energy conversion layer 16. The process of using converted light extracted from one photoluminescent material to excite another, and so on, is generally known as an energy cascade and can serve as an alternative to achieve different color representations. As for one or another principle of conversion, the wavelength difference between the excitation light and the converted light is known as the Stokes shift and serves as a fundamental moving mechanism for the energy conversion process corresponding to the change in the wavelength of light. In the various implementations discussed in the materials of this application, each of the photoluminescent structures can act according to one or another principle of conversion.

An energy conversion layer 16 can be prepared by dispersing the photoluminescent material in a polymer matrix to form a homogeneous mixture using a variety of methods. Such methods may include preparing an energy conversion layer 16 from a composition in a carrier liquid and coating the energy conversion layer 16 on a desired basis. The energy conversion layer 16 can be applied to the substrate by dyeing, screen printing, sputtering, slit coating, dip coating, rolling and plating. Alternatively, the energy conversion layer 16 may be prepared by methods that do not use a carrier fluid. For example, the energy conversion layer 16 can be reproduced by dispersing a photoluminescent material in a solid solution (a homogeneous mixture in a dry state), which can be enclosed in a polymer matrix, which can be formed by extrusion, injection molding, injection molding, extrusion , by high-temperature shaping, etc. The energy conversion layer 16 can then be incorporated into the substrate using any methods known to the person skilled in the art. th art. When the energy conversion layer 16 includes sublayers, each sublayer may be successively coated to form an energy conversion layer 16. Alternatively, the layers can be prepared separately and later layered or embossed with each other to form the energy conversion layer 16. Alternatively, in addition, the energy conversion layer 16 may be formed by co-extrusion of the sublayers.

Returning to FIG. 1A and 1B, a photoluminescent structure 10 may optionally include at least one stability layer 18 to protect the photoluminescent material contained within the energy conversion layer 16 from photolytic and thermal degradation. The stability layer 18 can be configured as a layer optically coupled and adhered to the energy conversion layer 16. Alternatively, the stability layer 18 may be combined with the energy conversion layer 16. The photoluminescent structure 10 can also optionally include a protective layer 20 optically bonded and spliced with a stability layer 18 or another layer (for example, a conversion layer 16 in the absence of a stability layer 18) to protect the photoluminescent structure 10 from physical and chemical damage that occurs from exposure to environmental factors. The stability layer 18 and / or the protective layer 20 can be combined with the energy conversion layer 16 by successively coating or printing each layer, successive layering or embossing, or any other suitable means.

Additional information regarding the structure of the photoluminescent structures disclosed in U.S. Patent № 8,232,533 on Kingsley and the other entitled "Sustainable photolytic AND IN RELATION TO THE ENVIRONMENT multilayer structure for high-conversion efficiency of electromagnetic energy and duration of the emission of secondary radiation» ( «PHOTOLYTICALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY STABLE MULTILAYER STRUCTURE FOR HIGH EFFICIENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY CONVERSION AND SUSTAINED SECONDARY EMISSION ”), filed July 31, 2012, the full disclosure of which is incorporated into this application by reference ki. For additional information regarding the manufacture and use of photoluminescent materials to achieve various light emissions, refer to US Patent No. 8207511 for Bortz and others, entitled “PHOTOLUMINESCENT FIBERS FIBERS AND COMPOSITES” "), With a filing date of June 26, 2012; US patent No. 8247761 for Agrawala and others, entitled "PHOTOLUMINESCENT MARKINGS WITH FUNCTIONAL OVERLAYERS", with filing date August 21, 2012; US Patent number 8519359 B2 at Kingsley and the other entitled "Stable to photolysis and in various media structure for highly efficient conversion of electromagnetic energy and sustainable secondary emission» ( «PHOTOLYTICALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY STABLE MULTILAYER STRUCTURE FOR HIGH EFFICIENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY CONVERSION AND SUSTAINED SECONDARY EMISSION») , with a filing date of August 27, 2013; US patent No. 8664624 B2 for Kingsley and others, entitled "ILLUMINATION DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR GENERATING SUSTAINED SECONDARY EMISSION", dated March 4, 2014; US Patent Publication No. 2012/0183677 for Agrawala and others, entitled “PHOTOLUMINESCENT COMPOSITIONS, METHODS OF MANUFACTURE AND NOVEL USES”, filed on July 19, 2012; US Patent Publication No. 2014/0065442 A1 to Kingsley and others entitled “PHOTOLUMINESCENT OBJECTS”, filed March 6, 2014; and US Patent Publication No. 2014/0103258 A1 on Agrawala and others, entitled “COLORED LUMINESCENT COMPOSITIONS AND TEXTILES”, filed April 17, 2014, all of which are included in the materials of this application by reference in its entirety.

With reference to FIG. 2, an embodiment of a windshield display system 22 for use in a vehicle 24 is generally shown. System 22 includes at least one photoluminescent structure 26 located at location 28 on the front windshield 30. Location 28 may be in the upper part of the windshield 30, which is visible to passengers or the driver inside the vehicle 24. A photoluminescent structure 26 can be applied to the windshield 30 or otherwise integrated into it. In action, the photoluminescent structure 26 is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from at least one light source 34. According to one embodiment, the light source 34 may be part of the rear view mirror assembly 36, which is located closer to the top of the windshield 30. The light source 34 may be located to highlight a place 28 from the body portion 38 of the rear view mirror assembly 36, which facing the windshield 30. The light emitted from the light source 34 can be scattered and have a uniform intensity to give an even distribution of light in place 28.

Location 28 of the photoluminescent structure 26 can be selected to be in relative proximity to the light source 34, thereby minimizing the distance that the light emitted from the light source 34 must travel before reaching the photoluminescent structure 26. This helps to ensure that at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source 34 will continue to be directed toward location 28 to excite the photoluminescent structure 26, despite minor position adjustments (e.g., translational and / or rotary) produced in relation to the rear view mirror assembly 36. Additionally, the light source 34 may be configured to emit light at an angle θ _{1 of the} beam orientation selected to ensure that the spot 28 is sufficiently illuminated as long as the rear view mirror assembly 36 is in a position range. A range of positions may be selected to include the normal positions of the rear view mirror assembly 36, which are associated with drivers of a vehicle of a different height.

At least one light source 40 may be attached to the roof structure, such as the ceiling upholstery 42 of the vehicle 24. The light source 40 may be located in the recessed portion 44 of the ceiling upholstery 42, which is configured so that the light source 40 is hidden from view passengers and driver of the vehicle. A light source 40 may be positioned to illuminate a location 28 or another location of the windshield 30 to excite another photoluminescent structure. It should be taken into account that the light sources 34 and 40 can each illuminate the same place (for example, place 28) or a separate place. The light source 40 is typically stationary and, essentially, light can be emitted from it in the same direction and at a smaller angle θ _{2 of the} beam orientation relative to such a light source 34. When choosing a light source to excite a given photoluminescent structure, it may be useful to use light sources that emit light in the same direction, such as a light source 40, to illuminate places on the windshield 30 that are further from the rear view mirror assembly 36, since these locations may be difficult to illuminate using light sources, such as a light source 34, which may be prone to occasional position adjustments.

With reference to FIG. 3, a windshield 30 is shown from an observation point of a passenger or a driver of a vehicle to better illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a windshield display system 22. A plurality of light sources shown as sources 34a and 34b are connected to the rear view mirror assembly 36, and each is configured to illuminate a uniquely connected place 28a, 28b of the windshield 30. Additionally, a plurality of light sources 40a and 40b are attached to the headliner 42. Light sources 40a and 40b may be arranged at a predetermined distance transverse from edge to edge of ceiling upholstery 42. And each is configured to highlight a uniquely connected location 28c, 28d of the windshield 30. Although the locations 28a-28d correspond to different locations in the currently illustrated embodiment, it should be understood that the predetermined location may coincide or at least partially overlap with another location in other embodiments.

Still referring to FIG. 3, a photoluminescent structure 26a-26d is located at each location 28a-28d and is configured to luminesce in response to excitation from a corresponding light source 34a, 34b, 40a, 40b. As shown, the photoluminescent structures 26a-26d each are configured to transmit information in the luminescence state. For purposes of illustration, the photoluminescent structure 26a is adapted as a low fuel level indicator, the photoluminescent structure 26b is adapted as a brake warning indicator, the photoluminescent structure 26c is adapted as a low oil level indicator, and the photoluminescent structure 26d is adapted as a seat belt indicator. However, it should be understood that a given photoluminescent structure is not limited to any particular layout and can be arranged in any identifying form, including a symbol, text, icon, pictogram, or the like, or a combination thereof.

According to one embodiment, each light source 34a, 34b, 40a, 40b is independently driven with varying intensities and may be powered by a vehicle power source or other power source. Each light source 34a, 34b, 40a, 40b of the light can be configured to emit blue light (~ 450-495 nanometers in wavelength) and can be implemented as a blue light emitting diode (LED, LED). The use of blue LEDs to excite the photoluminescent structures 26a-26d may be useful because blue LEDs are generally cost-effective and the human eye is less sensitive to blue light. Thus, if any blue light is reflected from the windshield 30 and / or the photoluminescent structure 26a-26d, passengers or the driver are less likely to notice the blue light or be affected by it. In alternative embodiments, other types of LEDs, such as ultraviolet (UV) or violet LEDs, can be used instead of blue LEDs.

When a given one of the photoluminescent structures 26a-26d is excited by light emitted from the corresponding light source 34a, 34b, 40a, 40b, respectively, this photoluminescent structure 26a-26d may luminesce with one or more colors depending on how it is composed. For example, the BRAKE text portion of the photoluminescent structure 26b may be luminescent in a first color when excited by light emitted from the light source 34b, while the lower part of the icon may be luminescent in a second color in response to the same excitement. Alternatively, both the text part and the part of the icon of the photoluminescent structure 26b may be luminescent with the same color when excited by the light emitted from the light source 34b.

With reference to FIG. 4, one embodiment of the arrangement between the photoluminescent structure 26 and the windshield is shown. The photoluminescent structure 26 is located at 46 of the windshield 30, and more specifically, is attached to the side 48 of the windshield 30, which faces the interior of the vehicle. The light blocking layer 50 is located between the photoluminescent structure 26 and the side 48 of the windshield 30. The light blocking layer 50 may be embodied as a film configured to absorb ultraviolet radiation. Thus, sunlight propagating in the direction of the place 46 from the outer region of the vehicle is absorbed, thereby increasing the visibility of the photoluminescent structure 26 during the day. Additionally, the light blocking layer 50 may be configured to absorb all wavelengths of light that are selected to excite the photoluminescent structure 26. For example, if blue light is selected as the excitation light, then the light blocking layer 50 may be configured to absorb blue light, since the action in this way helps prevent unwanted excitation of the photoluminescent structure 26 from blue light sources located in the outer region of the vehicle. In alternative embodiments, the light blocking layer 50 may include a black strip or a black dot pattern similar to that commonly found in vehicles for shielding from ultraviolet radiation.

The reflective layer 52 may be located between the light blocking layer 50 and the photoluminescent structure 26 and is configured to redirect or reflect light emitted from the photoluminescent structure 26 while in the luminescence state. The reflective layer 52 may be white paint or another reflective coating and is particularly useful when the photoluminescent structure 26 exhibits Lambert emissivity. In such cases, the light emitted from the photoluminescent structure 26, while in the state of luminescence, tends to propagate in a variety of directions from it. Thus, by providing the reflective layer 52, light emitted from the photoluminescent structure 26 towards the outer region of the vehicle is redirected or reflected back towards the inner region of the vehicle, thereby enhancing the perceived brightness of the photoluminescent structure 26. The dark inactive layer 54 may be attached to the photoluminescent structure 26 and is configured to hide the photoluminescent structure 26, if the photoluminescent structure 26 n e is in a state of luminescence, in which case, the photoluminescent structure 26 is visible through a dark inactive layer 54.

Accordingly, the display system on the windshield was mainly provided in the materials of this application. The system may include one or more photoluminescent structures, each configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from a light source. When in a luminescence state, each photoluminescent structure transmits information to passengers and the driver of the vehicle. The information may be used to replace or supplement notifications issued to passengers or the driver of the vehicle with existing vehicle systems.

For the purpose of describing and establishing the boundaries of these doctrines, it is noted that the terms “essentially” and “approximately” are used in the materials of this application to represent the necessarily inherent degree of uncertainty that can be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement or other representation. The terms “substantially” and “approximately” are also used in the materials of this application to represent the extent to which the quantitative representation may deviate from the established reference value without leading to a change in the main function of the subject matter of the invention.

It should be understood that changes and modifications can be made to the above construction without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and it should also be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims, unless the claims expressly state otherwise in their own language. .

Claims (27)

1. A windshield display system for a vehicle, comprising: a rearview mirror assembly having at least one light source configured to illuminate a place on the windshield; at least one photoluminescent structure located at said location and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from at least one light source. 2. The display system on the windshield according to claim 1, further comprising a light blocking layer located at said location and configured to block ultraviolet radiation from entering the vehicle through said location on the windshield. 3. The display system on the windshield according to claim 1, further comprising a reflective layer located at said location and configured to reflect light incident on it, which is emitted from at least one photoluminescent structure and is propagating in the direction of the windshield. 4. The display system on the windshield according to claim 1, further comprising a dark inactive layer that hides at least one photoluminescent structure if at least one photoluminescent structure is not in a luminescence state. 5. The display system on the windshield according to claim 1, in which at least one photoluminescent structure transmits information in the luminescence state. 6. The display system on the windshield according to claim 1, further comprising at least one light source attached to the roof structure of the vehicle and configured to illuminate said portion of the windshield illuminated by at least one light source of the rear view mirror assembly, or separate seat of the windshield. 7. The display system on the windshield according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light source comprises one of a UV light source, a violet light source, and a blue light source. 8. A windshield display system for a vehicle, comprising: at least one light source located close to the upper part of the windshield and configured to illuminate a place on the windshield; and at least one photoluminescent structure located at said location and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from at least one light source. 9. The display system on the windshield of claim 8, further comprising a light blocking layer located at said location and configured to block ultraviolet light from entering the vehicle through said location on the windshield. 10. The display system on the windshield of claim 8, further comprising a reflective layer located at said location and configured to reflect light incident on it, which is emitted from at least one photoluminescent structure and is propagating in the direction of the windshield. 11. The display system on the windshield according to claim 8, further comprising a dark inactive layer that hides at least one photoluminescent structure if at least one photoluminescent structure is not in a luminescence state. 12. The display system on the windshield according to claim 8, in which at least one photoluminescent structure transmits information in the luminescence state. 13. The display system on the windshield of claim 8, wherein the at least one light source comprises one of an ultraviolet light source, a violet light source, and a blue light source. 14. The display system on the windshield of claim 8, wherein the at least one light source is part of a vehicle rearview mirror assembly. 15. The display system on the windshield for the vehicle, containing: a first light source configured to emit light in the same direction in the direction of the windshield; a second light source configured to emit light in a custom direction in the direction of the windshield; and at least one photoluminescent structure attached to the windshield and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from at least one of the first light source and the second light source, wherein at least one of the first light source and the second light source is part of a rear view mirror assembly. 16. The display system on the windshield of claim 15, wherein the first light source is part of the vehicle roof structure. 17. The display system on the windshield of claim 16, wherein the second light source is part of the rear view mirror assembly, wherein the direction in which light is emitted from the second light source depends on the position of the rear view mirror assembly. 18. The display system on the windshield of claim 15, wherein the at least one photoluminescent structure luminesces with one of a single color and a plurality of colors. 19. The display system on the windshield of claim 15, wherein the first light source and the second light source each emit one of ultraviolet light, violet light, and blue light.

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