US 11,718,242 B2
Vehicle lighting and display systems using switchable opaque film
Mark Larry, Macomb, MI (US); and Biaohe Guo, Northville, MI (US)
Assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed by Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed on Jan. 14, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/742,217.
Prior Publication US 2021/0213888 A1, Jul. 15, 2021
Int. Cl. B60R 11/02 (2006.01); E06B 9/24 (2006.01); B32B 17/10 (2006.01); G09F 21/04 (2006.01); B60Q 1/50 (2006.01); G02F 1/1677 (2019.01); B60R 11/00 (2006.01); G02F 1/1334 (2006.01)
CPC B60R 11/0229 (2013.01) [B32B 17/10036 (2013.01); B32B 17/10495 (2013.01); B32B 17/10504 (2013.01); B32B 17/10541 (2013.01); B60Q 1/50 (2013.01); E06B 9/24 (2013.01); G09F 21/0485 (2021.05); B60R 2011/0026 (2013.01); E06B 2009/2417 (2013.01); E06B 2009/2464 (2013.01); G02F 1/1334 (2013.01); G02F 1/1677 (2019.01); G02F 2201/44 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a vehicle light configuration or a vehicle display configuration comprising a layered structure;
the layered structure including a transparent lighting source and a switchable opaque film bonded to the transparent lighting source;
an electrical connection that connects to the transparent lighting source and the switchable opaque film such that the switchable opaque film is electrically controlled to switch between an opaque state and a transparent state; and
a control unit that independently controls the switchable opaque film and the transparent lighting source based on a predetermined application for the vehicle light configuration or the vehicle display configuration.