RU2705884C2 - Storage unit with illumination for vehicle (embodiments) and storage unit for instrument panel - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: lighting.SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to vehicle illumination systems. Storage assembly with backlight for vehicle comprises end plug housing having opening, cover and light source. Opening opens into the storage compartment passing sideways into the instrument panel. Cover is pivotally connected to housing to close opening in closed position and provide access to storage compartment in open position. Light source has the possibility of illuminating the compartment.EFFECT: higher quality of vehicle lighting system.20 cl, 11 dwg

Description

The present invention generally relates to vehicle lighting systems and, in particular, to vehicle lighting systems using one or more photoluminescent structures.

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

According to one aspect of the present invention, an illuminated storage unit for a vehicle is provided. The storage unit includes a housing having an opening. The opening opens into the storage compartment, passing sideways into the dashboard. The lid is pivotally attached to the housing to close the opening in the closed position and provide access to the storage compartment in the open position. The light source is configured to illuminate the compartment.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an illuminated storage unit for a vehicle is provided. The storage unit includes a housing having a pivoting opening and a storage compartment extending laterally into the dashboard. A cover having guiding elements is operably connected to the pivoting opening in order to pivotably support the cover between open and closed positions. The light source is configured to excite the luminescent part within the storage compartment.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a storage unit for a dashboard is provided. The storage unit includes a light source and a housing including a storage compartment. A cover having a translucent part is attached to the housing and is movable between open and closed positions. The storage compartment is lit in response to light emitted from the light source when the lid is in the open position, and the translucent part is lit when the lid is in the closed position.

Thus, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an illuminated storage unit for a vehicle, comprising: a housing having an opening, the opening being opened in a storage compartment extending laterally into the dashboard; a cover pivotally attached to the housing for closing the opening in the closed position and providing access to the storage compartment in the open position; and a light source configured to illuminate the compartment.

Preferably, the assembly further comprises: upper and lower grooves located on one of the housing and the cover; upper and lower guide elements located on the other from the housing and the cover; while the upper and lower guide elements of the cover are slidable in the upper and lower grooves of the housing, respectively.

Preferably, the housing is operably connected to the dashboard.

Preferably, the assembly further comprises a first light guide coupled to the light source and configured to direct light toward the storage compartment.

Preferably, the assembly further comprises: a translucent portion in the lid configured to transmit light through it; and a second light guide configured to transmit light from the first light guide to the translucent part when the lid is placed in the closed position.

Preferably, the assembly further comprises a third optical fiber attached to the surface of the lid and configured to transmit light from the first optical fiber to a part of the storage compartment when the lid is placed in the open position.

Preferably, the assembly further comprises: a rotary opening located on the housing; and a rotary clamp located on the inner side of the cover, while the rotary clamp is made with the possibility of articulated interaction with the rotary opening of the housing.

Preferably, the surface of the storage compartment is luminescent in response to excitation by the light emitted from the first source.

Preferably, the translucent portion is luminescent in response to excitation by light emitted from the first source.

Preferably, the light source is made in the form of a light-generating unit that contains a thin film or printed light emitting diode (LED).

Preferably, the light generating unit is located on the inner surface of the lid.

Preferably, the light source is lit when the vehicle door is ajar.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an illuminated storage unit for a vehicle, comprising: a housing having a pivoting opening and a storage compartment extending laterally into the dashboard; a cover having guiding elements operatively connected to the pivoting opening to maintain the cover rotatable between open and closed positions; and a light source configured to excite the luminescent portion in the storage compartment.

Preferably, the assembly further comprises a handle located on the outside of the lid.

Preferably, the light source is lit when the vehicle door is ajar.

Preferably, the light source is a light generating unit comprising: a positive electrode electrically connected to at least a plurality of LED sources located in a semiconductor paste and deposited on top of the positive electrode; and a negative electrode electrically connected to at least a portion of the sources on the LEDs and located on top of the semiconductor paste.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage unit for a dashboard comprising: a light source; a housing including a storage compartment; and a lid having a translucent part movably attached to the housing between the open and closed positions, the storage compartment being configured to glow in response to light emitted from the light source when the lid is in the open position, and the translucent part is configured to glow when the cover is in the closed position.

Preferably, the assembly further comprises a first light guide coupled to the light source and configured to emit light in the direction of the storage compartment.

Preferably, the assembly further comprises a second light guide configured to transmit light from the first light guide to the translucent portion when the cover is placed in the closed position.

Preferably, the assembly further comprises a third optical fiber attached to the surface of the lid and configured to transmit light from the first optical fiber to a part of the storage compartment when the lid is placed in the open position.

These and other aspects, objects and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art after studying the following description of the invention, claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a side view of a photoluminescent structure, presented in the form of a coating, for use in a finishing illuminator assembly according to one embodiment;

FIG. 1B is a plan view of a photoluminescent structure represented as a discrete particle, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 1C is a side view of a plurality of photoluminescent structures represented as separate particles and included in a separate structure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a backlit panel end assembly of a panel with a lid in the closed position according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a backlight panel end assembly assembly located on a dashboard including a plurality of optical fibers;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the end cap assembly of the backlit panel of FIG. 3, having the lid in the open position, thereby making visible an exemplary storage compartment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary storage compartment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a housing according to one embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of a cover using multiple light guides to direct light to a plurality of components within a node;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a cover using multiple light guides;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of a lid according to an alternative embodiment using a backlight assembly attached to the lid;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a backlight assembly used in FIG. nine; and

FIG. 11 is a structural diagram of a backlit end cap panel assembly.

As required, 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 drawings are not necessarily intended for detailed design, and some schemes 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 training a person skilled in the art to make different use of the present invention.

As used in the materials of this application, the term “and / or”, when used in a 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 used . 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 an illuminated panel end cap assembly for a vehicle. In some embodiments, the compartment may advantageously employ one or more photoluminescent structures for illumination in response to predetermined events. One or more photoluminescent structures can convert light received from a coupled light source and re-emit light at a different wavelength typically found in the visible spectrum.

It is noted that the present invention includes a backlight panel end cap assembly that is adapted to attach to the dashboard on the left or right ends of the dashboard. The left and right nodes of the panel end cap cover will function in a similar way, having almost identical components; however, the nodes are mirror images of each other, as they are located on opposite ends of the dashboard of the vehicle. In addition, as noted throughout this invention, the term “vehicle door” will be used to identify a passenger door on a vehicle, as opposed to an end cap door assembly that is specifically disclosed.

In FIG. 1A-1C, various exemplary embodiments of photoluminescent structures 10 are shown, each of which is 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 in the form of a coating (for example, a 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 a very 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 ensuring that the light undergoes a conversion process. According to the principle of conversion with decreasing frequency, the introduced light is converted to light of a larger wavelength that is output from the photoluminescent structure 10. Conversely, according to 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 different 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 multiple etnogo light.

In some embodiments, implementation, the light, which was converted with decreasing frequency or converted with increasing frequency, can be used to excite other photoluminescent material (s) located in the layer 16 of the energy conversion. 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 regards 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 the principal driving mechanism for the energy conversion process corresponding to the change in the wavelength of light. In 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, the photoluminescent structure 10 may optionally include at least one stabilizing layer 18 to protect the photoluminescent material contained within the energy conversion layer 16 from photolytic and thermal degradation. The stabilizing layer 18 may be made in the form of a layer optically connected and glued to the energy conversion layer 16. Alternatively, the stabilizing 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 stabilizing layer 18 or another layer (for example, a conversion layer 16 in the absence of a stabilizing layer 18) to protect the photoluminescent structure 10 from physical and chemical damage that occurs from exposure to environmental factors. The stabilizing layer 18 and / or the protective layer 20 can be combined with the energy conversion layer 16 by successively coating or printing each layer, successively layering or embossing, or any other suitable means.

Additional information regarding the structure of photoluminescent structures is disclosed in US patent No. 8232533, the full contents of which are incorporated into the materials of this application by reference. For additional information regarding the manufacture and use of photoluminescent materials to achieve various light emissions, refer to US Pat. Nos. 8207511, 8247761, 8519359, 8664624 and US Patent Application Publications No. 2012/0183677, 2014/0065442, 2014/0103258, all full contents which are included in the materials of this application by reference.

In FIG. 2 illustrates a vehicle 22 having a backlight panel end assembly 24 for use on an end face of a dashboard 26 or a dashboard of a vehicle. The backlight panel end assembly 24 includes a housing 28 and a cover 30 shown in the closed position in FIG. 1. The cover 30 is pivotally attached to the housing 28 so that the cover 30 is adapted to pivotally between the closed position illustrated in FIG. 1 and the open position as shown in FIG. 5 along the trajectory of articulated rotation or in accordance with the axis of rotation. The housing 28 includes a base portion of a panel that can be adapted to attach to a dashboard 26 located within the interior of the vehicle. Alternatively, the housing 28 may be formed as an integral part with the dashboard 26.

The cover 30 is pivotally attached to the housing 28 and provides access to the storage compartment 32 located in the dashboard 26. In addition, the first element of the storage compartment 32 can be highlighted when the cover 30 is in the first position, and the second element can be highlighted when the cover 30 is placed in a second position. For example, the lid 30 may have a translucent (i.e., transparent and / or translucent) portion 34 located therein. The translucent portion 34 may further include signs or an emblem on it. The photoluminescent part 36, containing at least one photoluminescent structure 10, can be located on the translucent part 34 of the cover 30. The light source 38 (Fig. 3) can be located inside the node 24 of the end cap of the backlit panel, which is configured to emit light on the first wavelength, thereby providing illumination for the translucent portion 34 of the lid 30. Alternatively, the light source 38 may emit light at a first wavelength that excites the photoluminescent portion 36, thereby Skye second wavelength through the light transparent portion 34 of cover 30 when cover 30 is in the closed position.

The second photoluminescent portion 40 may be located in and / or on the compartment 32 for storing the node 24 of the end cap of the backlit panel, which is excited by the light source 38. The light source 38 may be configured to illuminate the storage compartment 12 when the lid 30 is moved to the open position. Alternatively, the light source 38 may be configured to excite a second photoluminescent portion 40 located in the storage compartment 32, causing a portion of the storage compartment 32 to be luminesced. Thus, according to one embodiment, part of the lid 30 can be highlighted when the lid 30 is placed in the closed position, and part of the storage compartment 32 can be highlighted when the lid 30 is placed in the open position.

In FIG. 3 and 4, the cover 30 is illustrated in the closed position and the open position, respectively, according to one embodiment. The visible portion 42 of the cover 30 may include a translucent portion 34 and one or more substantially opaque portions that may be in the form of opaque coatings applied to the visible portion 42. In alternative embodiments, the translucent portions 34 and the opaque portions may contain different materials formed as an integer part in the form of a cover 30, or different parts can be attached later by any method known in the art, for example, adhesive parts.

The translucent portion 34 may also include a photoluminescent portion 36 attached to side 44 B (FIG. 7) of the translucent portion 34 and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from one or more light sources 38 located in the end assembly 24 backlit panel plugs. The light sources 38 can be made in the form of light emitting diodes 46 (LEDs) emitting a wavelength of light, which is characterized as ultraviolet light (~ 10-400 nanometers in wavelength), purple light (~ 380-450 nanometers in wavelength) or blue light (~ 450-495 nanometers in wavelength) to take advantage of the relatively low cost attributed to these types of LED 46.

In order to obtain uniform illumination of the translucent part 34, the light source 38 may be configured to emit unfocused light through the first light guide 48 to a place closest to the backlight assembly 24 of the backlight panel. A second light guide 50 is located on or inside the cover 30 to direct light from the first light guide 48 to the light-transmitting part 34 of the cover 30 when the second light guide 50 is closer to the first light guide 48. The photoluminescent part 36 can be located on or near the light-transmitting part 34 of the cover 30, which is excited by the light emitted by the light guide (s) 48, 50. Additionally, the third light guide 52 may be located very close to the second light guide 50. The third light guide 52 may cause light to be directed through it when the cover 30 is accommodated and in open position, thereby placing the third optical fiber 52 near the first optical fiber 48. A third optical fiber 52 when illuminated can emit light toward the storage compartment 32, whereas the compartment 32 is in storage accessible position. Additionally, the second photoluminescent portion 40 may be located on the third optical fiber 52 and / or part of the storage compartment 32. The second photoluminescent portion 40 is excited by the light emitted from the light source 38, thereby providing uniform illumination of the storage compartment 32.

According to one embodiment, the light emitted from the light sources 38 is converted by the photoluminescent part (s) 36, 40 into light of a longer wavelength and is derived from it. The converted light corresponds to visible light, which includes part of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be detected by the human eye (~ 390-700 nanometers in wavelength) and can be expressed in a variety of colors defined by a single wavelength (for example, red, green, blue) or a mixture of numerous wavelengths (e.g. white). Thus, it should be understood that the photoluminescent part (s) 36, 40 can be designed so that the converted light extracted from it can be expressed as a single-color or multi-color light. According to one embodiment, the light source 38 is configured to emit blue light, and the photoluminescent parts (b) 36, 40 are configured to convert the blue light into neutral white light having a color temperature of from about 4000 K to 5000 K. The converted light exits from the node 24 of the end cap of the backlit panel through the translucent part 34, thereby causing the translucent part 34 to glow, or through the storage compartment 32, thereby illuminating the storage compartment 32 for a passenger or a driver vehicle ator 22.

In FIG. 5 shows an exemplary storage compartment 32 according to one embodiment. It is contemplated that the storage compartment 32 may be used to place items, such as keys, wallets or mobile devices, or any other item that a passenger or driver wishes to hide in the vehicle 22. The storage compartment 32 includes a perimeter 54 that has a number of connecting mechanisms 56 located on it. Assembled, the connecting mechanisms 56 are adapted to attach the storage compartment 32 to a component on the dashboard 26, such as the housing 28 shown in FIG. 6, on the rim portion 58 located along the perimeter of the opening 60 of the housing 28. Thus, the storage compartment 32 is connected to the housing 28 to substantially fill the opening of the opening 60 located in the housing.

The second photoluminescent material 40 may be attached to or combined with any or all of the internal surfaces of the storage compartment 32 and is configured to glow when excited by a light source 38 located in the panel end cap assembly 24. Alternatively, the second photoluminescent portion 40 may be located on any of the optical fibers 48, 50, 52, thereby providing uniform illumination for any vehicle component near the backlight panel end assembly 24 of the backlight panel. In various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, each photoluminescent portion 36, 40 may be located on the same component of the backlight panel end assembly assembly 24 and / or may comprise a logo, logo, text, label, sign and / or any other shape illuminated part closest to the node 24 of the end cap of the panel with backlight.

In an alternative embodiment, the backlight panel end cap assembly 24 may comprise a second light source (not shown) having a second wavelength that is different from the wavelength of the first light source 38. Thus, the first photoluminescent part 36 can emit tertiary radiation, and the second photoluminescent part 40 can emit quaternary radiation. The third and fourth wavelengths can correspond to different colors of light than the first wavelength and the second wavelength. Essentially, the backlit panel end assembly 24 of the panel provides various lighting and color arrangements.

The light emitted from the light source 38 at the first wavelength of light may correspond to a color of light that is less noticeable to the human eye compared to the wavelengths of the first and / or second photoluminescent parts 36, 40. In this useful configuration, the first light emission emitted from light source 38 at a first wavelength, can be projected or directed through the use of optical fibers 48, 50, 52 to the first and / or second photoluminescent parts 36, 40, without being clearly visible to the driver and / or passenger using the node 24 ends Oh backlit panel plugs. This configuration may provide that the radiation from the first and / or second photoluminescent parts 36, 40 is brought into action by a light source 38 projected from a single location. Thus, the backlight panel end assembly 24 of the panel is configured to provide lighting, diffused lighting, local lighting, and any other form of lighting from a limited number of light sources 38. By limiting the number of light sources required to provide the lighting discussed in the materials of this application, the invention provides a cost-effective way to provide lighting for the vehicle 22. Similarly, a single light source 38 may be located anywhere within the panel end cap assembly 24 or storage compartment 32 to illuminate any component of the panel end assembly assembly 24 or to excite any photoluminescent parts 36, 40 located in the torus assembly 24 Eva plug panel.

In FIG. 6 shows the left housing 28 of the panel end cap having an upper groove 62 and a lower groove 64. The upper and lower grooves 62, 64 are arcuately shaped grooves that correspond to the pivoting movement of the cover 30, such as the cover 30 shown in FIG. 7, in accordance with the axis of rotation. The housing 28 may include a plurality of clamping mechanisms (not shown) that are adapted to align with and engage the mounting openings (not shown) of the dashboard 26, or the housing 28 may be attached in any other manner known in the art. The pivoting opening 66 is located in the lower part of the housing 28 and, like the slots 62, 64, the pivoting opening 66 is a through opening that is adapted to engage the cover 30, as further described below. It is understood, however, that the slots 62, 64 and the openings 66 described herein may be located, alternatively, on any component, including the cover 30, or that any other mounting mechanism known in the art may be used. technicians.

Further, in FIG. 7 and 8, the left cover 30 is shown having an inner side and an outer side, respectively. Outwardly extending outwardly, upper 68 and lower 70 guide elements are shown which are adapted to attach to the upper 62 and lower 64 grooves of the housing 28 shown in FIG. 6. As further shown in FIG. 7, the pivot clamp 72 is located at the lowermost edge of the lid 30 and extends outward from the inner side of the lid 30. Assembled, the pivot clamp 72 is adapted to attach to the pivot opening 66 located on the housing 28, as shown in FIG. 6. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 and 8, the cover 30 includes a portion of the handle 74, which is generally a bowl-shaped structure extending inwardly in the outer surface or the visible portion 42 of the cover 30. It is contemplated that the handle 74 may be located anywhere along the outer surface of the cover as long as while the handle 74 is accessible to the user when the adjacent door 29 of the vehicle is ajar. Although the guiding member 68, 70 and pivoting clamps 72 are located on the cover in the illustrated embodiment, it is contemplated that the components described herein may be located on any component of the assembly. In addition, cover 30 has been described adapted to rotate between open and closed positions along a rotary path; however, it is contemplated that cover 30 can move between the first and second positions throughout any assembly known in the art.

As described above, the cover 30 may include optical fibers 50, 52 configured to direct light to a desired element of the backlight panel end assembly assembly 24. For example, the light source 38 may be coupled to the first fixed waveguide 48. The second waveguide 50 may be coupled to the side 44 B of the cover 30 and located adjacent to the first light guide 48 when the cover 30 is in the first position, thereby directing light to the first element, such as the translucent portion 34. The third light guide 52 can also be attached to the cover 30 and is adjacent to the light source 38 or the first light guide 48 when the cover 30 is moved to the second position. A third light guide 52 may direct light emitted from the light source 38 to a second element, such as a storage compartment 32, illustrated in FIG. 4.

Additional optical fibers and photoluminescent parts can be added to the illuminated panel end assembly node 24 to illuminate its additional elements. For example, a fourth light guide may be located on a portion of the cover 30 and configured to direct light from the light source 38 to the handle 74. An additional photoluminescent part may be located on the handle 24, so that the handle 74 luminesces in response to the light emitted from the light source 38 . Similarly, it is contemplated that any additional elements in the storage compartment 32 may also include additional photoluminescent parts that luminesce in response to the light emitted from the light source 38.

In FIG. 9 and 10, an alternative embodiment of the backlight panel end assembly assembly 24 described herein is illustrated, including a light generating unit 76 as a light source 38 within the assembly. The light generating assembly 76, in the illustrated embodiment, may correspond to a thin film or printed light emitting diode (LED) assembly located on the inner surface of the lid 30, and may be attached to or formed by a portion of the illuminated panel end cap assembly 24, such as the lid 30, to provide highlighting for elements in it.

The light generating unit 76, according to one embodiment, is located on the B side 44 of the lid 30. The light generating unit 76 may be configured to illuminate multiple elements, such as the translucent portion 34 in the lid 30 and the storage compartment 32, simultaneously or separately .

In FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary circuit diagram of a light generating unit 76. Printed LEDs 76 may include a substrate 78 as its lowermost layer, which includes polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) material of a thickness of about 0.005 to 0.060 inches, and arranged over the intended surface of the vehicle on which molding is to be taken. Alternatively, as a cost reduction measure, the substrate 78 may directly correspond to a previously existing vehicle structure (i.e., the intended surface of the vehicle). For example, the substrate 78 may correspond to the surface (i.e., side 44 B) of the cover 30.

The light generating unit 76 also includes a positive electrode 80 arranged over the substrate 78. The positive electrode 80 includes a conductive epoxy resin, such as, but not limited to, containing silver or copper-containing epoxy. The positive electrode 80 is electrically connected to at least a portion of the plurality of LED sources 82 arranged in a semiconductor paste 84 and deposited on top of the positive electrode 78. Similarly, the negative electrode 86 is also electrically connected to at least a portion of the LED sources 83. The negative electrode 86 is arranged over the dielectric material 94 separating the negative electrode 86 and the semiconductor paste 84. The negative electrode 86 includes a transparent or translucent conductive material, such as, but not limited to, indium and tin oxide. Similarly, the first electrode 80 may be translucent. Additionally, each of the positive and negative electrodes 80, 86 are electrically connected to the controller 88 and the power source 80 through a corresponding conductive bus 88, 90.

LED sources 82 may be randomly or controllably dispersed within the semiconductor paste 84 and may be configured to emit focused or unfocused light onto the photoluminescent structure 10. The protective layer 92 of the light-generating unit, the stabilizing layer 18, or a combination thereof, may be located on the photoluminescent structure 10. LED sources 82 may correspond to micro-LEDs or gallium nitride cells of the order of 5 to 400 microns in size, and semiconductor paste 84 may include various binders and dielectric material 94, including, but not limited to, one or more of gallium, indium, silicon carbide, phosphorus, and / or translucent polymer binders. Thus, the semiconductor paste 84 may contain various concentrations of LED sources 82, so that the density of LED sources 82 can be adjusted for various lighting applications. In some embodiments, LED sources 82 and semiconductor paste 84 can be supplied from Nth Degree Technologies Worldwide. Semiconductor paste 84 can be applied, thanks to various printing processes, including processes with ink nozzles and silk stencils, to selected part (s) of the positive electrode 80. More precisely, it is foreseen that the LED sources 82 are dispersed in the semiconductor paste 84 and endowed with a shape and size so that a substantial amount is aligned with the positive and negative electrodes 80, 86 during coating of the semiconductor paste 84. Some of the sources 82 are on LEDs, which ultimately trically connected to the positive and negative electrodes 80, 86, they can be illuminated by a combination of controller 88, power supply 90, and associated wiring. According to one embodiment, the power source 88 may correspond to a vehicle power source operating from 12 to 16 volts DC. Additional information regarding the construction of light generating units is disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0264396, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In addition, the different types of LEDs 82 can be used in the same light generating unit 76. The first LED can emit light at a first wavelength, thereby highlighting the first element of the backlight panel end block assembly 24. The second LED can emit light at a second wavelength, causing a portion of the backlit end panel assembly 24 to luminesce in response. Additional LEDs may also be added that cause additional elements or photoluminescent parts to glow or luminesce.

In FIG. 11 shows a block graphical representation of a vehicle 22 in which a backlight panel end assembly 24 is implemented. The backlight panel end assembly 24 includes a controller 88 in communication with a light source 38. The controller 88 may include a memory 98 having instructions contained therein that are executed by the processor 100 of the controller 88. The controller 88 may provide power to the light source 38 or to the corresponding conductive bus 88, 90 using a power source 90 located on board the transport means 22. In addition, the controller 88 may be configured to control the light output of each light source 38 based on feedback received from one or more vehicle control modules 96 Such as, but not limited to, a body control module, engine control module, steering control module, brake control module, etc., or a combination thereof. By controlling the light output of the light source 38, the illuminated panel end cap assembly 24 may glow with a variety of colors and / or configurations to provide an aesthetic appearance, or may provide vehicle information to a targeted observer. For example, when the vehicle door 29 is ajar, the permeable portion 34 of the lid may glow when the lid 30 is placed in the closed position, and the storage compartment 32 may glow when the lid 30 is placed in the open position.

In action, the photoluminescent portion 36 may exhibit a constant, single-color or multi-color glow. For example, the controller 88 may cause the light source 38 to emit only the first wavelength of light using the LED 46 to cause the photoluminescent portion 36 to glow with a first color (e.g., white). Alternatively, the controller 88 may cause the light source 38 to emit only a second wavelength of light using the LED 46 to cause the photoluminescent portion 36 to glow a second color (e.g., red). Alternatively, in addition, the controller 88 may cause the light source 38 to simultaneously emit the first and second wavelengths of light to cause the photoluminescent part 36 to glow in a third color (e.g., pinkish) defined by an additive mixture of light of the first and second colors. Moreover, additional photoluminescent portions 40 can be added to the backlight panel end assembly 24 of the panel that converts the first and / or second radiation from the light source 38 into the third and / or fourth radiation. The third and fourth radiation can have any wavelength and can be combined to produce substantially white light closer to the backlight panel end assembly 24.

In yet another embodiment, the photoluminescent portion 36 may exhibit periodic single-color or multi-color illumination. For example, the controller 88 may cause the light source 38 to periodically emit only the first wavelength of light using the LED 46 to cause the photoluminescent portion 36 to periodically glow with the first color. Alternatively, the controller 88 may cause the light source 38 to periodically emit only a second wavelength of light using the LED 46 to cause the photoluminescent portion 36 to periodically glow with a second color. Alternatively, the controller 88 may cause the light source 38 to simultaneously and periodically emit the first and second wavelengths of light to cause the photoluminescent portion 36 to periodically glow with a third color defined by an additive mixture of light of the first and second colors. Alternatively, in addition, the controller 88 may cause the light source 38 to alternate between periodically emitting the first and second wavelengths of light to cause the photoluminescent portion 36 to periodically glow, alternating between the first and second colors. Controller 88 may cause the light source 38 to periodically emit first and / or second wavelengths of light at equal time intervals and / or unequal time intervals.

Regarding the above examples, the controller 88 may modify the intensity of the emitted first and second wavelengths of light by pulse width modulation or current regulation. In some embodiments, the controller 88 may be configured to adjust the color of the emitted light by sending control signals to adjust the output level of intensity or energy of the light source 38. For example, if the light source 38 is configured to output the first radiation at a low level, essentially all of the first radiation can be converted to the second radiation. In this configuration, the color of the light corresponding to the second radiation may correspond to the color of the light emitted from the backlight panel end assembly node 24. If the light source 38 is configured to output the first radiation at a high level, only a portion of the first radiation can be converted to the second radiation. In this configuration, the color of the light corresponding to the mixture of the first radiation and the second radiation can be output in the form of emitted light. Thus, each of the controllers 88 can control the output color of the emitted light.

Although a low level and a high level of intensity are discussed with respect to the first radiation, it will be understood that the intensity of the first radiation can vary among a variety of intensity levels to adjust the hue of the color corresponding to the light emitted from the backlight panel end assembly node 24. As described in the materials of this application, the color of the second radiation can be largely dependent on the specific photoluminescent structures 10 used in the photoluminescent part 36. Additionally, the conversion ability of the photoluminescent part 36 can be largely dependent on the concentration of the photoluminescent structures 10 used in the photoluminescent parts 36. By adjusting the range of intensities that can be output from the light source 38, the concentration and proportions of the photolum nestsentnyh structures 10 in photoluminescent portion 36, and the types of photoluminescent materials used in the photoluminescent portion 36, discussed herein, may be operable to form a color tone range of the light emitted by mixing a first radiation to the second radiation.

Accordingly, the backlit end plug assembly has been advantageously described in the materials of this application. A lighting system can provide various benefits, including a simple and cost-effective means of creating a variety of lighting that can be used as an decoration element / or to assist a passenger or driver in using a backlit panel end cap assembly.

In addition, it is important to note that the design and layout of the elements of the invention, as shown in exemplary embodiments, are only illustrative. Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who analyze this disclosure will readily recognize that many modifications are possible (e.g., deviations in size, dimensions, designs and proportions of various elements, values parameters, mounting arrangements, the use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.), without actually departing from the innovative ideas and advantages of the stated object of the invention. For example, the elements shown as being formed as an integer part can be constructed from multiple parts, or the elements shown in numerous parts can be formed as an integral part, the operation of the interface devices can be reversed or otherwise changed, the length or the width of structures and / or structural elements or connectors or other elements of systems, the nature or number of settings provisions provided between elements can be changed. It should be noted that the elements and / or components of the system can be constructed from any wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Other replacements, modifications, changes and exceptions may be made in the design, operating conditions and layout of the required and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It will be understood that any of the described workflows or steps within the described workflows can be combined with the other described workflows or steps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. The exemplary constructions and processing sequences disclosed in the materials of this application are for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting.

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 in addition, it should be understood that such concepts are intended to be embraced by the following claims, unless the claims expressly state otherwise .

Claims (38)

1. Backlit storage unit for a vehicle, comprising: an end cap housing having an opening, wherein the opening opens into a storage compartment extending laterally into the dashboard; a cover pivotally attached to the housing for closing the opening in the closed position and providing access to the storage compartment in the open position; and a light source configured to illuminate the compartment. 2. The node according to claim 1, further comprising: upper and lower grooves located on one of the housing and cover; and upper and lower guide elements located on the other from the housing and the cover, while the upper and lower guide elements of the cover are slidable in the upper and lower grooves of the housing, respectively. 3. The node according to claim 1, in which the housing of the end plug is made with the possibility of functional connection with the dashboard. 4. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a first light guide coupled to the light source and configured to direct light toward the storage compartment. 5. The node according to claim 4, further comprising: a translucent part in the lid, configured to transmit light through it; and a second light guide configured to transmit light from the first light guide to the translucent part when the lid is placed in the closed position. 6. The assembly of claim 4, further comprising a third optical fiber attached to the surface of the lid and configured to transmit light from the first optical fiber to a portion of the storage compartment when the lid is in the open position. 7. The node according to claim 1, further comprising: rotary opening located on the housing; and a rotary clamp located on the inner side of the cover, while the rotary clamp is made with the possibility of articulated interaction with the rotary opening of the housing. 8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the surface of the storage compartment is luminescent in response to excitation by light emitted from the first source. 9. The node according to claim 8, in which the translucent part is made with the possibility of luminescence in response to excitation by the light emitted from the first source. 10. The node according to claim 1, in which the light source is made in the form of a light-generating node that contains a thin-film or printed light emitting diode (LED). 11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the light generating assembly is located on the inner surface of the lid. 12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the light source is lit when the vehicle door is ajar. 13. A backlit storage unit for a vehicle, comprising: a housing having a rotary opening and a storage compartment extending laterally into the dashboard; a cover having guiding elements operatively connected to the pivoting opening to maintain the cover rotatable between open and closed positions; and a light source configured to excite the luminescent portion in the storage compartment. 14. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising a handle located on the outside of the lid. 15. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the light source shines when the vehicle door is ajar. 16. The node according to p. 13, in which the light source is a light-generating node, containing: a positive electrode electrically connected to at least a portion of the plurality of LED sources located in the semiconductor paste and deposited on top of the positive electrode; and a negative electrode electrically connected to at least a portion of the sources on the LED and located on top of the semiconductor paste. 17. A backlit storage unit for a vehicle, comprising: Light source; a housing including a storage compartment; and a lid having a translucent part movably attached to the housing between the open and closed positions, the storage compartment being configured to glow in response to light emitted from the light source when the lid is in the open position, and the translucent part is configured to glow, when the cover is in the closed position. 18. The assembly of claim 17, further comprising a first light guide coupled to the light source and configured to emit light in the direction of the storage compartment. 19. The assembly of claim 18, further comprising a second light guide configured to transmit light from the first light guide to the translucent portion when the lid is placed in the closed position. 20. The assembly of claim 18, further comprising a third optical fiber attached to the surface of the lid and configured to transmit light from the first optical fiber to a portion of the storage compartment when the lid is placed in the open position.

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