IP Library Granted Patent US 10,696,218
Granted Patent B1
US 10,696,218 · App. 16/572,956 · Granted Jun 30, 2020

Illumination device

Inventor: Masaki Kontani (Osaka, JP)
Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
B60Q3/283F21V1/00F21V7/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,696,218
App. No.
16/572,956
Granted
Jun 30, 2020
Kind
B1
Abstract

An illumination device includes: a light source; and a laminate that displays a predetermined design on a front surface by transmitting light emitted by the light source forward in a shape of the predetermined design. The laminate includes: a display layer that includes the front surface and is light transmissive; a reflective layer that includes a first opening having the shape of the predetermined design, is disposed between the display layer and the light source, and reflects external light transmitted from the front surface of the display layer rearward; a light blocking layer that includes a second opening having the shape of the predetermined design and overlapping the first opening, is disposed between the reflective layer and the light source, and blocks light; and a light diffusion layer that diffuses light and is disposed between the reflective layer and the light source to overlap the second opening.

Claims (41)

1. An illumination device, comprising:

a light source; and

a laminate that displays a predetermined design on a front surface by transmitting light emitted by the light source forward in a shape of the predetermined design, wherein

the laminate includes:

a display layer that includes the front surface and is light transmissive;

a reflective layer that includes a first opening having the shape of the predetermined design, is disposed between the display layer and the light source, and reflects external light transmitted from the front surface of the display layer rearward;

a light blocking layer that includes a second opening having the shape of the predetermined design and overlapping the first opening, is disposed between the reflective layer and the light source, and blocks light; and

a light diffusion layer that diffuses light and is disposed between the reflective layer and the light source to overlap the second opening.

2. The illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein

the reflective layer, the light blocking layer, and the light diffusion layer are printed layers that are printed on a rear surface of the display layer in stated order.

3. The illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein

the laminate further includes a transparent film,

the display layer is disposed on a front surface of the transparent film, and

the reflective layer, the light blocking layer, and the light diffusion layer are printed layers that are printed on a rear surface of the transparent film in stated order.

4. The illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein

the laminate further includes a transparent film,

the reflective layer is a first printed layer that is printed on a front surface of the transparent film, and

the light blocking layer and the light diffusion layer are second printed layers that are printed on a rear surface of the transparent film in stated order.

5. The illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein

the light diffusion layer is a film that is light transmissive and diffuses light, and

the light blocking layer and the reflective layer are printed layers that are printed on a front surface of the light diffusion layer in stated order.

6. The illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein

the display layer includes a predetermined colored pattern.

7. The illumination device according to claim 6 , wherein

the predetermined colored pattern is one of wood grain and a metal pattern.

8. The illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein

the light blocking layer is black.

9. The illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein

the light diffusion layer has the shape of the predetermined design.

10. The illumination device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a base material that is disposed between the laminate and the light source, and is light transmissive.

11. The illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein

the display layer includes a sliced veneer and a transparent resin impregnated into the sliced veneer.

12. The illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein

the display layer is a sliced veneer.

13. The illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein

the display layer includes a transparent protective layer included in the front surface.

14. The illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein

an entirety of the first opening overlaps a portion of the second opening.

15. The illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein

the light source is selectively switched to one of a lighting state in which the light source emits light and a non-lighting state in which the light source emits no light.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2024
From: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 066703/0216 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 21, 2020
From: KONTANI, MASAKI
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 051559/0869 →
Cited By (3)
US 12,240,327 US 12,296,683 US 12,304,312