U.S. patent application number 11/317587 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-21 for light emissive plastic glazing.
Invention is credited to Ken Foster, Wilfried Hedderich, Christophe Lefaux, Chengtao Li, Robert Schwenke.
Application Number | 20060209551 11/317587 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36617042 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060209551 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schwenke; Robert ; et
al. |
September 21, 2006 |
Light emissive plastic glazing
Abstract
A window assembly having a first transparent area and a light
emissive area. The panel includes a first transparent layer with an
ultraviolet blocking layer and an abrasion layer. The light
emissive area includes a light emissive layer that may be an
organic light emitting display, an electroluminescent display, a
polymer light emitting display or a light pipe configured to
receive light from a light source.
Inventors: |
Schwenke; Robert;
(Fowlerville, MI) ; Hedderich; Wilfried; (Hilden,
DE) ; Li; Chengtao; (Novi, MI) ; Lefaux;
Christophe; (Ann Arbor, MI) ; Foster; Ken;
(Brighton, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE
P.O. BOX 10395
CHICAGO
IL
60610
US
|
Family ID: |
36617042 |
Appl. No.: |
11/317587 |
Filed: |
December 23, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60663237 |
Mar 18, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
362/503 ;
313/506; 313/509 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 51/524 20130101;
B32B 27/365 20130101; B32B 2255/205 20130101; B60Q 3/64 20170201;
B60Q 3/208 20170201; B32B 27/30 20130101; B32B 2307/42 20130101;
B32B 2307/554 20130101; H01L 51/0035 20130101; H01L 51/0038
20130101; B60J 1/00 20130101; G02B 6/0096 20130101; B32B 2255/28
20130101; B32B 2307/422 20130101; H01L 51/0036 20130101; B60J 1/08
20130101; H01L 51/0039 20130101; H01L 51/5281 20130101; B32B 27/08
20130101; H01L 51/5209 20130101; H01L 51/5237 20130101; H01L
51/5203 20130101; B60Q 3/745 20170201; B32B 2307/202 20130101; B32B
2307/412 20130101; H01L 2251/5361 20130101; Y02E 10/549 20130101;
B32B 27/36 20130101; B32B 2255/20 20130101; B32B 2255/26 20130101;
G02B 6/0038 20130101; B32B 2605/006 20130101; B32B 2457/206
20130101; H01L 51/5284 20130101; B32B 2255/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
362/503 ;
313/506; 313/509 |
International
Class: |
B60Q 1/26 20060101
B60Q001/26; H01J 1/62 20060101 H01J001/62 |
Claims
1. A window panel assembly comprising: a first transparent layer
having a light emissive area and a transparent area; a light
emissive layer located in the light emissive area and being
supported by the first transparent layer; and the light emissive
layer being configured to produce and emit light therefrom.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first transparent layer is
made from at least one of a polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate,
polyester blends, glass fibers, glass and combinations thereof.
3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first transparent layer
includes an ultraviolet blocking layer and an abrasion layer.
4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the ultraviolet blocking layer
has dispersed ultraviolet absorbing properties.
5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly further comprises
a second transparent layer coupled to the light emissive layer.
6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the second transparent layer is
made from at least one of a polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate,
polyester blends, glass fibers, glass and combinations thereof.
7. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the second transparent layer
further comprises an ultraviolet blocking layer.
8. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the second layer further
comprises an abrasion layer.
9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the light emissive layer is a
multi-layered film.
10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the multi-layered film is an
electroluminescent display.
11. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the multi-layered film is an
organic light emitting display.
12. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the multi-layered film is a
polymer light emitting display.
13. The assembly of claim 9, further comprising a conductive layer
in electrical communication with the multi-layered film.
14. The assembly of claim 13 wherein the conductive layer is made
of a conductive ink.
15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the conductive ink is made of
is a silver ink.
16. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the conductive layer is a
conductive wire.
17. The assembly of claim 13 wherein the conductive layer is
arranged in a grid pattern.
18. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the conductive layer further
comprises an opaque conductive layer and a grid patterned
conductive layer.
19. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the light emissive layer is a
light pipe having an entry point for receiving light generated by a
light source, whereby light received at the entry point will travel
within the light pipe via total internal reflection.
20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the light source is a light
emitting diode.
21. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the light source is an
electroluminescent display.
22. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the light source is an
organic light emitting diode.
23. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the light source is a polymer
light emitting diode.
24. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a frame coupled to
the perimeter of the first transparent panel.
25. An automotive vehicle comprising portions defining an occupant
compartment having at least one window assembly; the window
assembly a first transparent panel having a transparent viewing
area and a light emissive area; a first transparent layer having
ultraviolet blocking layer and an abrasion layer; and the light
emissive area including a light emissive layer coupled to the first
transparent layer, the emissive layer being configured to emit
light to the occupant compartment of the vehicle.
26. The vehicle of claim 25, wherein the first transparent layer is
made from at least one of polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate,
polyester blends, glass fibers, glass and combinations thereof.
27. The vehicle of claim 25, wherein the ultraviolet blocking layer
has dispersed ultraviolet absorbing properties.
28. The vehicle of claim 25, wherein the assembly further comprises
a second transparent layer coupled to the light emissive layer.
29. The vehicle of claim 28, wherein the second transparent layer
is made from at least one of polycarbonate, polymethyl
methacrylate, polyester blends and glass fibers, glass and
combinations thereof.
30. The vehicle of claim 28, wherein the second transparent layer
further comprises an ultraviolet blocking layer.
31. The vehicle of claim 28, wherein the second layer further
comprises an abrasion layer.
32. The vehicle of claim 25, wherein the light emissive layer is a
multi-layered film.
33. The vehicle of claim 32, wherein the multi-layered film is an
electroluminescent display.
34. The vehicle of claim 32, wherein the multi-layered film is an
organic light emitting diode.
35. The vehicle of claim 32, wherein the multi-layered film is a
polymer light emitting diode.
36. The vehicle of claim 32, further comprising a conductive layer
in electrical communication with the multi-layered film.
37. The vehicle of claim 36, wherein the conductive layer is made
of a conductive ink.
38. The vehicle of claim 37, wherein the conductive ink is made of
is a silver ink commonly sold under the trademark Parmod from
Paralec Incorporated.
39. The vehicle of claim 36, wherein the conductive layer is a
conductive wire.
40. The vehicle of claim 36, wherein the conductive layer is
arranged in a grid pattern.
41. The vehicle of claim 37, wherein the conductive layer further
comprises an opaque conductive layer and a grid patterned
conductive layer.
42. The vehicle of claim 26, wherein the emissive layer is a light
pipe having an entry point for receiving light generated by a light
source, whereby light received at the entry point will travel
within the light pipe via total internal reflection.
43. The vehicle of claim 42, wherein the light source is a light
emitting diode.
44. The vehicle of claim 42, wherein the light source is an
electroluminescent display.
45. The vehicle of claim 42, wherein the light source is an organic
light emitting diode.
46. The vehicle of claim 42, wherein the light source is a polymer
light emitting diode.
47. A method for making a window assembly comprising the steps of:
forming a transparent panel having a first side and a second side;
coating at least one of the first side and the second side with a
UV blocking layer; coating at least one of the first side and the
second side with an abrasion layer; forming a frame around a
portion of the perimeter of the panel, the frame having portions
defining a cavity therein; and placing a light source within the
cavity.
48. The method of claim 45, further comprising the step of
attaching a cover over the cavity, thereby encapsulating the light
source within the cavity.
49. The method of claim 48, further comprising the step of placing
an adhesive between the frame and the cover to bond the cover to
the frame.
50. The method of claim 47, further comprising the step of
attaching an electrical contact to the light source.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
application entitled "LIGHT EMISSIVE PLASTIC GLAZING", application
number, 60/663,237 filed on Mar. 18, 2005.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention generally relates to vehicle occupant
compartment lighting systems
[0004] 2. Description of the known Technology
[0005] The occupant compartment of a vehicle, more particularly an
automobile, typically uses one or more lighting system to provide
general lighting to the occupant compartment of the vehicle. This
lighting enhances the visibility of areas within the occupant
compartment that are not provided with their own lighting, such as
areas occupied by occupants and their belongings, the center
console and vehicle controls. The lighting system that provides
general visibility to the occupant compartment is usually placed
within the compartment such that the light it produces illuminates
as much of the occupant compartment as possible, while taking up
the least amount of space. One such lighting system, also called a
"dome light", is located near the center of the roof of the
occupant compartment.
[0006] Automobiles can be equipped with transparent rectangular
panels located near the center of the roof, commonly referred to as
a "sunroof" or "moon roof". As stated earlier, the center location
of the roof is the preferable position for the dome light. When a
vehicle has a sunroof, the dome light must be moved to a less
favorable location or eliminated, thus, reducing or eliminating
effective general illumination of the occupant compartment.
[0007] Therefore, it is desired to provide a system which will
provide adequate illumination of the occupant compartment of
vehicles equipped with sunroofs.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0008] In overcoming the drawbacks and limitations of the know
technologies, a light emissive window assembly is disclosed. The
assembly includes a first transparent layer and light emissive
layer coupled to the first transparent layer. The first transparent
layer is made from a suitable material such as polycarbonate,
polymethyl methacrylate, polyester blends or glass fibers or
combinations thereof. The first transparent layer may further
include an ultraviolet ("UV") blocking layer and/or an abrasion
layer.
[0009] The light emissive layer may be a multistack of
functionalities and can be applied directly using conventional
printing technologies such as inkjet, screen printing, dispensing
and sputtering or any other suitable method. A more preferable
manufacturer would be a multilayer film. The multilayer film may be
an electroluminescent display, organic light emitting display, a
polymer light emitting display, or may be a light pipe having an
entry point for receiving light generated by a light source,
whereby light received at the entry point will travel within the
light pipe via total internal reflection.
[0010] Additionally, a second transparent layer may be coupled to
the emissive layer, thereby capsulating the emissive layer between
the two transparent panels. The second transparent panel is
constructed similarly to the first transparent panel and may have
an abrasion layer and/or a UV blocking layer. The window assembly
may be made by first forming a transparent panel having one side
coated with an ultraviolet blocking layer and an abrasion layer.
Next, a frame is formed around a potion of the perimeter of the
plastic panel, thereby defining a cavity. A light source, such as
the previously mentioned emissive layer, is placed within the
cavity and bonded to the first transparent panel. A second
transparent panel is thereafter attached to the frame and/or the
first transparent panel, thereby encapsulating the light
source.
[0011] These and other aspects and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed
description of the invention in combination with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automobile having a light
emitting window assembly embodying the principles of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a top view of the window assembly embodying the
principles of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a top view of another embodiment of the window
assembly embodying the principles of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 4A is cross sectional view of a portion of the window
assembly generally taken along lines 4-4 in FIG. 2;
[0016] FIG. 4B is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 4A of a
window assembly using a polymer light emitting display;
[0017] FIG. 4C is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 4A of the
window assembly of the window assembly using a polymer light
emitting display as the emissive layer and a conductive ink;
[0018] FIG. 4D is a cross sectional view of a window assembly using
a PLED as the emissive layer;
[0019] FIG. 4E is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 4A of a
window assembly made using a two shot process and embodying the
principles of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a top view of another embodiment of the window
assembly embodying the principles of present invention;
[0021] FIG. 5A is a cross sectional view of a portion of the window
assembly generally taken and lines 5A-5A in FIG. 5;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a side view of the window assembly shown in FIG.
5; and
[0023] FIG. 6A is a cross sectional view of a portion of the light
emissive layer generally taken along lines 6A-6A of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, an automobile 10 incorporating the
present invention is shown therein. The automobile 10 includes an
occupant compartment 12 located within the interior of the
automobile 10 and a window assembly 14 mounted via a frame 16 to
the automobile 10. As will be fully described in the following, the
window assembly 14 provides illumination to the occupant
compartment 12 as indicated by the arrows referenced by the numeral
18.
[0025] Although this description describes using the panel 14 as a
sunroof or moonroof to provide illumination to the occupant
compartment 12 of the automobile 10, the invention is equally
applicable to other areas of the automobile 10. For example, the
panel 14 may be appropriately located and dimensioned to provide
the lighting requirements for a headlight, taillight, turn signal,
brake light, instrument panel light, reverse light or any other
light commonly found on automobiles.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 2, a more detailed view of the window
assembly 14 is shown. As shown therein, the window assembly 14 has
a transparent viewing area 20 and an emissive area 22. The emissive
area 22 is the portion of the window assembly 14 which emits light
that illuminates the occupant compartment. The transparent area 20
is similar to a conventional window assembly in that the
transparent area 20 does not emit light. Similar to the transparent
area 20, the emissive area 22 may be transparent, but may
alternatively be opaque. Also, various configurations for the
layout of the emissive area 22 and transparent areas 20 can be
envisioned, configurations other than a single central transparent
area 20 encircled by an emissive area 22.
[0027] Another embodiment of the window assembly 14 is shown in
FIG. 3. In this layout, the window assembly 14 has two transparent
areas 24, 26 surrounded and separated by an emissive area 28.
Similar to the previous embodiment, the transparent area 24 is
similar to a conventional window assembly, while the emissive area
28 is capable of emitting light. Obviously, the emissive area 28
may be laid out as desired in any number of patterns.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 4A, a cross section, generally taken along
lines 4-4 in FIG. 2 is shown therein. The emissive area 22 includes
a first transparent panel 32 and second transparent panel 34 and
between which is located the emissive element. The first
transparent panel preferably includes an abrasion layer 36 and a UV
blocking layer 38 provided over a base layer 40. The base layer 40
may be made of polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyester
blends, glass and glass fibers or any combination thereof. The UV
blocking layer 38 may have dispersed UV absorbing additives.
[0029] The second transparent layer includes a UV blocking layer 42
and an abrasion layer 44. Similar to the first transparent panel
32, the UV blocking layer 42 of the second transparent panel 34 may
have dispersed UV absorbing additives.
[0030] Coupled to the base layer 40 of the first transparent panel
32 may be a black out ink layer 46. The black out ink layer
prevents any light entering the first transparent panel 32 from
reaching the second transparent panel 34. Alternatively, the
portion 30 may not have the black out ink layer 46.
[0031] Located between the first and second transparent panels 32,
34 is an emissive layer 52. The emissive layer 52 may be one of a
variety of such light emitting structures, including, without
limitation, a polymer light emitting display ("PLED"), an organic
light emitting display ("OLED"), a light emitting diode ("LED")
used in conjunction with a light pipe to direct light emitted by
the LED to the emissive area 22 of the panel 14 or, as shown in
this embodiment, an electroluminescent display ("ELD"). The
emissive layer 52 includes a dielectric layer 54 and a phosphor
layer 56 connected to a high conductive material the low conductive
material 50, respectively.
[0032] The light emissive layer 52 can be placed onto the surface
of the base layer 40 or black-out ink 46, thereby, being protected
from both abrasion and UV light as this is desirable for enhancing
the functioning and lifetime of the device. The light emissive
layer 52 may alternatively be applied directly to the abrasive
layer 36, as well as in between any existing protective layers. The
light emissive layer 52 can be printed or applied by such
technologies as screen printing, ink jet printing and sputtering,
among others. Such printing may be performed either before or after
shape forming of the window 14 or the panels 32, 34. In addition,
the light emissive layer 52 can be applied to a thin polymer films
by any means known to those skilled in the art, with subsequent
application to the base layer 40 via film insert molding ("FIM") or
lamination techniques. It may be desirable to have additional
transparent layers to protect the light emissive layers during the
FIM process.
[0033] A voltage source 58 is connected between the high conductive
material 48 and the low conductive material 50, thereby providing a
current through the dielectric 54 and the phosphor 56. When a
sufficient current is provided through the dielectric 54 and the
phosphor 56, light, as indicated by the arrows 60 is emitted by the
emissive layer 52, between the overlying portions of the high
conductive material 48 and the low conductive material 58, and is
passed through the UV blocking layer 42 and the abrasion layer 44
of the second transparent panel 34.
[0034] Referring to the schematic representation of FIG. 4B, a PLED
is used as the emissive layer 52. PLED's are typically used for
backlighting and illumination, as well as the creation of displays.
By definition, polymers are substances formed by a chemical
reaction in which two or more molecules form into larger molecules.
PLED's represent thin film displays that are created by sandwiching
an undoped conjugated polymer between two proper electrodes at a
very short distance.
[0035] The manufacturing of PLEDs comprises a unique deposition
sequence. This sequence includes the following steps: 1) forming
the structured transparent conductive oxide (e.g., indium tin
oxide, etc.) anode; 2) inkjet printing the layer which will inject
P-charge carriers; 3) inkjet printing of the PLED layer; 4) curing
to evaporate the solvents necessary for the printing (e.g., about
98% solvents & 2% solid content); 5) deposition of the cathode
by metal evaporation (Ba/Ca, then Al); and 6) encapsulation by
depositing transparent layers (e. g. combination of SiN.sub.x and a
scratch-resistant coating) For example, the above steps in this
process cannot be performed out of sequence or in the reverse
manner. Starting the steps with the cathode (Ba--Al) is not
possible because barium is very sensitive to the solvents necessary
for the inkjet printing of the PLED material.
[0036] The emissive layer 52 includes an emissive polymer 62 such
as polyphenylene vynylene ("PPV") or polyflourene, and a conductive
polymer 64 such as polydioctyl-bithiophene or polyaniline.
Sandwiching the emissive polymer 62 and the conductive polymer 64
are a cathode 66 and an anode 68. To provide support, a substrate
70 is located beneath the anode 68.
[0037] As a consequence of this deposition process, the emission of
light from a PLED is always in the direction that goes through the
transparent substrate. This means that in order to use a PLED to
illuminate a vehicle by depositing or printing the PLED directly
onto a transparent plastic substrate, the PLED will need to be on
the outside of the vehicle where it will be difficult to protect
from environmental degradation.
[0038] In order to have the illumination projected into the
vehicle, the integration of the PLED into the window/roof assembly
from the inside with an adhesive is preferred and is shown in FIG.
4C. One type of adhesive system available for this type of process
includes hot melt bonding.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 4C, the PLED is shown integrated into the
window assembly 14. Similar to FIG. 4A, the window assembly 14 has
a first and second abrasion layer 36, 44 each coupled to a first
and second UV blocking layer 38, 42. Beneath the other UV blocking
layer is a base layer, such as a polycarbonate panel 40. Painted
onto the polycarbonate panel 40 is a black-out ink layer 46.
Coupled between the black-out ink layer 46 and the second UV
blocking layer 42 are the cathode 66 and anode 68, respectively.
Between the cathode 66 and anode 68 is the emissive layer 52 having
the emissive polymer layer 62 and the conductive polymer layer 64.
The voltage source 58 provides a current through the cathode and
anode 68. When a sufficient current passes through the emissive
layer 52, the emissive layer 52 will produce a light indicated by
the arrows referenced by numeral 74.
[0040] In the embodiments of either FIGS. 4B or 4D, when a voltage
source 58 provides a sufficient current through the emissive
polymer layer 62 and the conductive polymer 64 layer via the
cathode 66 and anode 68, the emissive polymer layer 62 will emit
light, as denoted by the arrows designated at 74.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 4D, another embodiment of a PLED light
emissive layer 52 is shown. In this embodiment, the anode 68 is
constructive of a metallic paste or ink, such as a silver ink sold
under the trademark Paramod by Paralec Incorporated. The ink 68 is
arranged in a grid pattern defining holes 76. The holes 76 allow
for various degrees of illumination in areas in which the conductor
is not present. The metallic paste or ink may be also utilized when
using OLED's, ELD's or LED's as the emissive layer.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 4E, another schematic representation of
the emissive area 22 of the window assembly 14 is shown. The window
assembly 14 includes a base layer 80 (a polycarbonate or other
material layer) as the first shot in a two component molding
process. A colored frame 82 is coupled to the polycarbonate layer
14 by a second molding shot in the two component molding process.
The molding of the colored frame 82 can be done in such a way as to
form a recess cavity 84 in the frame. An emissive lighting system
86 such as a PLED, OLED, ELD, or LED emissive layer is therefore
located within the cavity 84. To enclose the cavity and protect the
emissive lighting system 86 is a polycarbonate plug 88. The
polycarbonate plug may be attached to the cavity by an adhesive 90,
frictional engagement or other suitable fashion, and along with the
base layer 80, may be coated with an UV protection layer and an
abrasion layer.
[0043] An electrical contact 91, such as a conductive wire, having
a first end 93 and a second end 95 is situated between the plug 88
and the frame 82 such that the first end 93 of electrical contact
91 is in electrical communication with the emissive lighting system
86. A power supply (not shown) is connected to the second end 95 of
the electrical contact. When the power supply provides a sufficient
current to the lighting system 86, the lighting system 86 will emit
light through the plug 88 as indicated by arrows 97.
[0044] It is possible to eliminate the additional UV protection
layer. For example, the exterior of the base layer 40 may be coated
with the Exatec.RTM. 900 Glazing system sold by Exatec, LLC of
Michigan, and on the inside with only a "glass-like" coating
deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition ("PECVD")
or other processes known to those skilled in the art. The PLED may
be separately formed on a transparent polycarbonate film or
substrate, which can be subsequently coated with the "glass-like"
coating. The embodiment above offers the advantage that the coating
process for the PLED is separate from the coating process for the
window assembly 14. Moreover, the process of making the PLED can be
technically and economically optimized independent of the window
assembly 14 coating process.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 5, a more detailed view of another
embodiment of the window assembly 14 is shown. As shown therein,
the window assembly 14 has a transparent viewing area 20. Located
within the transparent view area 20 are multiple light emissive
areas 102, 104, 106. Surrounding the window assembly 14 is a frame
114. As will be explained later, the frame 114 contains one or more
light sources for providing illumination to the emissive areas 102,
104, 106.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 5A, a cross section, generally taken along
lines 5A-5A in FIG. 5 is shown therein. The window assembly 14
includes a polycarbonate layer 116 coupled to a polymethyl
methcrylate ("PMMA") layer 118. Preferably, a FIM technique is used
to couple the polycarbonate layer 116 to the PMMA layer 118. Define
between the PMMA layer 118 and the polycarbonate layer 116 are the
emissive areas 102, 104, 106. These emissive areas are formed
within the PMMA layer 118 and are enclosed by the polycarbonate
layer 116 when the PMMA layer 118 is coupled to the polycarbonate
layer 116. Similar to FIG. 4A, the window assembly 14 has a first
and second abrasion layer 36, 44 each coupled to a first and second
UV blocking layer 38, 42.
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 6A, a side view of the window
assembly 14 and a cross sectional view of the window assembly 14
generally taken along lines 6A-6A of FIG. 6 are shown. As described
previously, the window assembly 14 includes light emissive areas
(light pipes) 102, 104, 106. The light emissive areas 102, 104, 106
are flanked by portions of the PMMA layer 118. In this embodiment,
the PMMA layer 118 could be replaced with other suitable materials.
Located at end of the window assembly 14 is the frame 114. Within
the frame 114 are LEDs 120, 122, 124. When activated, the LEDs 120,
122, 124, will emit light that will travel within the light
emissive areas 102, 104, 106, via total internal reflection, with
the exception that light traveling within the light emissive areas
102, 104, 106 will emit light through the polycarbonate layer 116,
the UV blocking layer 42 and the abrasion layer 44, as denoted by
the arrows designated at 74. Alternatively, any light source, such
as an electroluminescent display, an organic light emitting diode
and a polymer light emitting diode, may be used as light
source.
[0048] Inasmuch as the foregoing disclosure is intended to enable
one skilled in the pertinent art to practice the instant invention,
it should not be construed to be limited thereby but should be
construed to include such aforementioned obvious variations and be
limited only by the spirit and scope of the following claims.
* * * * *