Vehicular components having chromium-based reflective coating at least partially permeable to light

Abstract

To provide vehicular components coated with a chromium-based reflective coating that is partially permeable to light source light.SOLUTION: A vehicular component 100 includes: a light source disposed in an interior of the vehicular component 100; and a transparent polymeric portion 112 enclosing the interior and having an inner surface 114, an outer surface 116 disposed opposite the inner surface 114, and a chromium-based reflective coating covering the outer surface 116. With the light source receiving electrical power, the chromium-based reflective coating is partially permeable to light which is emitted by the light source and passes through the transparent polymeric portion 112. At least one area of the outer surface 116 of the transparent polymeric portion 112 is devoid of the chromium-based reflective coating.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle lighting, and more particularly to a vehicle component that includes at least one light source and is coated with a chrome-based reflective coating that is at least partially transmissive to at least a portion of the light emitted by the at least one light source. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicles such as cars, vans, and trucks often include a variety of interior and exterior vehicle lighting components that can emit light for a variety of purposes. In addition, such vehicles often include a variety of interior and exterior vehicle components that are coated with a metallic reflective coating that exhibits a chrome or mirror finish.

[0003] While vehicle manufacturers continue to seek ways to enhance the overall functionality of the vehicle's lighting and the design of the vehicle, it is often difficult to aesthetically match and / or blend the appearance of various vehicle lighting components with other surrounding vehicle components mounted on the vehicle, such as vehicle components coated with a chrome or metallic reflective coating exhibiting a mirror finish. For example, due to at least differences in exterior shapes, materials, exterior surface finishes, packaging, and other factors, it is often difficult to aesthetically match and / or blend the appearance of various headlamps, tail lamps, turn signals, daytime running lights, reverse lights, and other vehicle lighting components with other surrounding vehicle components mounted on the vehicle, such as exterior trim pieces, grilles, bumpers, and other vehicle components coated with a chrome or metallic reflective coating exhibiting a mirror finish.

[0004] Additionally, reducing the total number of visible vehicle lighting components mounted on a vehicle, such as those mounted on a bumper or other vehicle components, may be desired by some vehicle manufacturers to give the vehicle a sleeker and more elegant appearance. However, reducing the total number of visible vehicle lighting components mounted on a vehicle is often difficult because various vehicle lighting components may need to remain intact to meet various lighting and / or safety regulations of various jurisdictions in which the vehicle is operated.

[0005] With at least the foregoing challenges and limitations in mind, there remains an unaddressed need for a vehicle component, particularly a vehicle lighting component, that can emit a sufficient amount of light to effectively serve its intended purpose, and that can have an appearance that aesthetically matches and / or blends with other surrounding vehicle components mounted on the vehicle, particularly vehicle components coated with a metallic reflective coating exhibiting a chrome or mirror finish. Additionally, there remains an unaddressed need for a vehicle component, particularly a vehicle lighting component, that can emit a sufficient amount of light to effectively serve its intended purpose, and that can be substantially hidden, particularly while not lit and not emitting light, to give the vehicle a smoother and more elegant appearance. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure meets at least the above needs. One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a lamp assembly configured to be mounted to a vehicle. The lamp assembly includes a housing configured to be coupled to the vehicle to mount the lamp assembly to the vehicle. Additionally, the lamp assembly includes at least one light source disposed at least partially within the housing. The at least one light source is electrically connected to the vehicle and configured to receive at least power from the vehicle. The lamp assembly is configured to emit light based on absorbing light emitted by the at least one light source. Additionally, the lamp assembly includes a transparent polymer lens coupled to the housing to substantially enclose an interior of the housing and the at least one light source. The transparent polymer lens has an interior surface, an exterior surface disposed opposite the interior surface, and a chrome-based reflective coating coated on at least a first region of the exterior surface. With the at least one light source electrically connected to the vehicle, the chrome-based reflective coating is at least partially transmissive to at least a portion of the light emitted by the at least one light source that passes through the transparent polymer lens. Additionally, at least a second region of the exterior surface of the transparent polymer lens is free of the chrome-based reflective coating.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a vehicle bumper lighting module. The lighting module includes at least one light source. The at least one light source is configured to be electrically connected to a vehicle having a vehicle bumper including the lighting module. The at least one light source is further configured to emit light based on receiving at least power from the vehicle. Additionally, the lighting module includes a transparent polymer portion configured to be coupled to the vehicle bumper to form at least a portion of an exterior portion of the vehicle bumper. The transparent polymer portion has an inner surface, an outer surface disposed opposite the inner surface, and a chrome-based reflective coating coated on the outer surface. The chrome-based reflective coating is configured to be at least partially transmissive to light emitted by the at least one light source. The transparent polymer portion further has at least one etched portion in the chrome-based reflective coating, the at least one etched portion being free of the chrome-based reflective coating to expose an outer surface of the transparent polymer portion in at least one etched gap defined by the at least one etched portion. Additionally, the lighting module includes at least one light reflector disposed adjacent to the transparent polymer portion. At least, the at least one light reflecting portion and the transparent polymer portion together define at least one light chamber for at least partially containing the at least one light source. With the at least one light source electrically connected to the vehicle, light emitted by the at least one light source is substantially reflected and distributed by the at least one light reflecting portion into the at least one light chamber and directed toward the transparent polymer portion, thereby simultaneously passing through the chrome-based reflective coating coated on the outer surface of the transparent polymer portion and at least one etched portion of the chrome-based reflective coating.

[0008] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a vehicle component. The vehicle component includes at least one light source at least partially disposed within the interior of the vehicle component. The at least one light source is configured to emit light based on receiving power from at least a power source. Additionally, the vehicle component includes a transparent polymer portion substantially surrounding the interior and the at least one light source. The transparent polymer portion has an interior surface, an exterior surface disposed opposite the interior surface, and a chrome-based reflective coating coated on the exterior surface. With the at least one light source receiving power from the power source, the chrome-based reflective coating is at least partially transmissive to at least a portion of the light emitted by the at least one light source and passed through the transparent polymer portion. Additionally, at least one region of the exterior surface of the transparent polymer portion is free of the chrome-based reflective coating.

[0009] One or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are particularly pointed out in the appended claims. However, other features of the one or more embodiments will become more apparent and will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary vehicle illustrating an exemplary headlamp assembly mounted on a vehicle, the headlamp assembly including a transparent polymer lens shown with the chrome-based reflective coating removed from an outer surface of the transparent polymer lens to better illustrate the various light sources of the headlamp assembly. [Figure 2A] 2 is a front perspective view of the front of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1, further illustrating a front perspective view of the headlamp assembly shown in FIG. 1; [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a front perspective view of the headlamp assembly shown in FIG. 2A, further illustrating a chrome-based reflective coating coated on at least a first region of an outer surface of the transparent polymer lens of the headlamp assembly. [Figure 2C]FIG. 2C is a front perspective view of the headlamp assembly shown in FIG. 2B, further illustrating some of the various light sources of the headlamp assembly emitting light through a chrome-based reflective coating coated on at least a first region of an outer surface of the transparent polymer lens of the headlamp assembly. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a rear view of another exemplary vehicle showing an exemplary tail lamp assembly installed on a vehicle, the tail lamp assembly including a transparent polymer lens shown with the chrome-based reflective coating removed from an outer surface of the transparent polymer lens to better show the various light sources of the tail lamp assembly. [Figure 4A] 4 is a rear perspective view of the rear of the vehicle shown in FIG. 3, further showing a rear perspective view of the tail lamp assembly shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a rear perspective view of the tail lamp assembly shown in FIG. 4A, further illustrating a chrome-based reflective coating coated on at least a first region of an outer surface of the transparent polymer lens of the tail lamp assembly. [Figure 4C] FIG. 4C is a rear perspective view of the tail lamp assembly shown in FIG. 4B, further illustrating some of the various light sources of the tail lamp assembly emitting light through a chrome-based reflective coating coated on at least a first region of an outer surface of the transparent polymer lens of the tail lamp assembly. [Figure 5A] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a front view of an exemplary vehicle bumper including an exemplary lighting module. [Figure 5B] 5B is a schematic diagram further illustrating an enlarged cross-sectional end of the vehicle bumper shown in FIG. 5A including a lighting module. [Figure 6A] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a front view of another exemplary vehicle bumper including another exemplary lighting module. [Figure 6B] 6B is a schematic diagram further illustrating an enlarged cross-sectional end of the vehicle bumper shown in FIG. 6A including a lighting module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Where necessary, one or more detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein, but it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the present disclosure, which may be embodied in various alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of specific components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to use the present disclosure in various ways. Furthermore, the use of singular terms such as "a" should not be construed as limiting the number of components or details of specific components. Additionally, various terms and / or phrases describing or indicating location or orientation relationships, such as, but not limited to, "top," "bottom," "front," "rear," "forward," "rearward," "end," "outer," "inner," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," and the like, may relate to one or more particular components as viewed overall from the perspective of a user during use or operation, and such terms and / or phrases should not be construed as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for describing the present disclosure to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0012] 1-4C, exemplary lamp assemblies 100, 300 according to the present disclosure are shown and described. Each of the lamp assemblies 100, 300 is configured to be mounted on a vehicle. By way of non-limiting example, such vehicles in which the lamp assemblies 100, 300 may be used include various automobiles (e.g., cars, vans, trucks, and heavy equipment), as well as any other vehicle capable of transporting an operator and / or passengers therein.

[0013] 1-2C are multiple views collectively illustrating an exemplary headlamp assembly 100 mountable to a vehicle 200 at a front portion 202 of the exemplary vehicle 200. The vehicle 200 may be any type of vehicle in which the headlamp assembly 100 may be used, and is not limited to the examples shown herein. The headlamp assembly 100 may be any suitable shape and / or size, and is not limited to the examples shown and described herein. The headlamp assembly 100 may include a housing 102 having one or more vehicle mounting features (not shown) for mounting the headlamp assembly 100 to the front portion 202 of the vehicle 200 to facilitate coupling the housing 102 to the vehicle 200. As a non-limiting example, the housing 102 may be made from at least one of a metal material (e.g., by a pressing process), a plastic material (e.g., by a thermoforming or injection molding process), or any other suitable material. Additionally, by way of non-limiting example, the one or more vehicle mounting features of the housing 102 may include one or more of locking tabs, threaded or non-threaded fasteners, clips, or other suitable vehicle mounting features, as can be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0014] As described further herein, the headlamp assembly 100 further includes at least one light source 104, 106, 108, 110 disposed at least partially within the housing 102, as shown in FIGS. 1-2C. The at least one light source 104, 106, 108, 110 may be any suitable type of light source. As a non-limiting example, the at least one light source 104, 106, 108, 110 may include at least one of an incandescent light source, a light-emitting diode (LED) light source, or a combination of an incandescent light source and a light-emitting diode (LED) light source. The at least one light source 104, 106, 108, 110 may be electrically connected to the vehicle 200 and configured to emit light based on receiving power from at least the vehicle 200, such as from a power source (e.g., a vehicle electrical system, a battery, etc.) of the vehicle 200. As a non-limiting example, at least one of the light sources 104, 106, 108, 110 may be electrically connected to the vehicle 200 by one or more wire harnesses or other suitable electrical connectors (not shown), as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1-2C, the headlamp assembly 100 further includes a transparent polymer lens 112 coupled to the housing 102 to substantially enclose the interior of the housing 102 and the at least one light source 104, 106, 108, 110. Thus, the interior of the housing 102 and the at least one light source 104, 106, 108, 110 can be substantially sealed and protected from the external environment around the vehicle 200. The transparent polymer lens 112 has an inner surface 114, an outer surface 116 disposed opposite the inner surface 114, and a chrome-based reflective coating 118 coated on at least a first region 120 of the outer surface 116 of the transparent polymer lens 112. As shown in FIGS. 1-2C, at least a second region 122 of the outer surface 116 of the transparent polymer lens 112, which may constitute a majority of the outer surface 116 of the transparent polymer lens 112, may be completely free of the chrome-based reflective coating 118. The complete absence of chrome-based reflective coating 118 on at least the second region 122 of the exterior surface 116 of the transparent polymer lens 112 ensures that the headlamp assembly 100 continues to effectively perform its specified function or purpose during operation, as will be further described herein. Additionally, as described further herein, with at least one light source 104, 106, 108, 110 electrically connected to the vehicle 200, the chrome-based reflective coating 118 is at least partially transparent to at least a portion of the light emitted by the at least one light source 104, 106, 108, 110 (e.g., light sources 104, 106 in this example), as shown in FIG. Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 1-2C , one or more internal light reflectors (e.g., foil or other metallic light reflectors) and / or an internal clear polymer lens (e.g., a clear and / or tinted plastic lens) may be disposed within the housing 102 of the headlamp assembly 100 behind the clear polymer lens 112 to help homogenize, reflect, and guide the light emitted by the at least one light source 104, 106, 108, 110 in an outward direction through the clear polymer lens 112 and, depending on the particular light source emitting the light, a chrome-based reflective coating 118 coated on at least a first region 120 of the outer surface 116 of the clear polymer lens 112.

[0016] 2A-2C in particular, the at least one light source 104, 106, 108, 110 may include a plurality of light sources 104, 106, 108, 110. As shown in Figures 2B and 2C, a first number of light sources (e.g., in this example, light sources 104, 106) of the plurality of light sources 104, 106, 108, 110 are advantageously hidden behind a chrome-based reflective coating 118 coated on at least a first region 120 of an outer surface 116 of the transparent polymer lens 112 while they are not illuminated and not emitting light. Additionally, a second number of the light sources (e.g., in this example, light sources 108, 110) of the plurality of light sources 104, 106, 108, 110 may be advantageously visible through the transparent polymer lens 112 whether illuminated and emitting light or not illuminated and emitting light due to at least a second region 122 of the outer surface 116 of the transparent polymer lens 112 being free of the chrome-based reflective coating 118. As a non-limiting example, the first number of the light sources of the plurality of light sources 104, 106, 108, 110 may comprise at least one of a daytime running light unit 104 (e.g., capable of emitting a white light to meet regulations of a particular jurisdiction) and a vehicle turn signal unit 106 (e.g., capable of emitting an amber light to meet regulations of a particular jurisdiction). Additionally, by way of non-limiting example, the second number of light sources of the plurality of light sources 104, 106, 108, 110 may comprise at least one of a high beam lighting unit 108 and a low beam lighting unit 110 (e.g., a xenon, halogen, or light emitting diode (LED) light unit). It will be appreciated that the second region 122 of the outer surface 116 of the transparent polymer lens 112 free of the chrome-based reflective coating 118 advantageously defines and provides a sufficiently large, higher transparency area of ​​the transparent polymer lens 112 through which high beam light or low beam light can be safely and effectively projected forward of the vehicle 200 during operation of the vehicle.

[0017] 2A-2C, with the headlamp assembly 100 mounted to the front 202 of the vehicle 200, the chrome-based reflective coating 118 coated on at least a first region 120 of the exterior surface 116 of the transparent polymer lens 112 is positioned to aesthetically correspond to, and advantageously appear to substantially blend in with, a metallic reflective coating 204 or the like (e.g., exhibiting a decorative chrome or mirror finish) coated on at least a portion of at least one vehicle component 206 mounted to the vehicle 200 immediately adjacent to the headlamp assembly 100. By way of non-limiting example, the at least one vehicle component 206 mounted to the vehicle 200 immediately adjacent to the headlamp assembly 100 is selected from the group consisting of an exterior trim piece, a front exterior trim piece, a front grille, a front bumper, and a headlamp bezel. As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the chrome-based reflective coating 118 applied to at least a first region 120 of the exterior surface 116 of the transparent polymer lens 112 may also be applied to at least a portion of at least one vehicle component 206 mounted on the vehicle 200 immediately adjacent to the headlamp assembly 100. In this regard, it is highly ideal and advantageous for the chrome-based reflective coating 118 to be coated on at least the first region 120 of the outer surface 116 of the transparent polymer lens 112 (e.g., the outermost surface of the transparent polymer lens 112 that is touchable by a person while the headlamp assembly 100 is mounted on the vehicle 200). In other words, the chrome-based reflective coating 118 coated on a different surface, such as the inner surface 114 of the transparent polymer lens 112, may not be able to exhibit an acceptable or desirable level of decorative chrome or mirror finish that can be aesthetically matched or substantially aesthetically matched with the metallic reflective coating 204 or the like coated on at least a portion of the at least one vehicle component 206 mounted on the vehicle 200 immediately adjacent to the headlamp assembly 100. Thus, due to at least its material components (further described in more detail herein), and being coated on the transparent polymer lens 112 (e.g., a transparent substrate), the chrome-based reflective coating 118 can advantageously at least (i) pass a sufficient amount of light emitted by the at least one light source 104, 106, 108, 110 (e.g., in this example, the vehicle daytime running light unit 104 and the vehicle turn signal light unit 106) so that the at least one light source 104, 106, 108, 110 (e.g., in this example, the vehicle daytime running light unit 104 and the vehicle turn signal light unit 106) can effectively serve its intended purpose, and (ii) provide the headlamp assembly 100 with an appearance (e.g., a decorative appearance) that aesthetically matches and / or substantially blends with the appearance (e.g., a decorative appearance) of at least one vehicle component 206 mounted on the vehicle 200 immediately adjacent to the headlamp assembly 100.

[0018] 3-4C are multiple views collectively illustrating an exemplary tail lamp assembly 300 that can be mounted to a vehicle 400 at a rear portion 402 of the exemplary vehicle 400. The vehicle 400 can be any type of vehicle in which the tail lamp assembly 300 can be used, and is not limited to the examples shown and described herein. The tail lamp assembly 300 can be any suitable shape and / or size, and is not limited to the examples shown herein. Additionally, the tail lamp assembly 300 can be a one-piece assembly or a divided, multi-piece assembly (as shown in this example), depending on factors such as the mounting location of the tail lamp assembly 300 relative to a rear hatch, rear trunk lid, or rear door of the vehicle 400. The tail lamp assembly 300 can include a housing 302 having one or more vehicle mounting features (not shown) for mounting the tail lamp assembly 300 to the rear portion 402 of the vehicle 400 to facilitate coupling the housing 302 to the vehicle 400. By way of non-limiting example, the housing 302 may be made from at least one of a metallic material (e.g., by a stamping process), a plastic material (e.g., by a thermoforming or injection molding process), or any other suitable material. Further, by way of non-limiting example, the one or more vehicle attachment features of the housing 302 may include one or more of locking tabs, threaded or non-threaded fasteners, clips, and other suitable vehicle attachment features, as can be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0019] As described further herein, the tail lamp assembly 300 further includes at least one light source 304, 305, 306, 307 disposed at least partially within the housing 302, as shown in FIGS. 3-4C. The at least one light source 304, 305, 306, 307 may be any suitable type of light source. By way of non-limiting example, the at least one light source 304, 305, 306, 307 may include at least one of an incandescent light source, a light emitting diode (LED) light source, or a combination of an incandescent light source and a light emitting diode (LED) light source. The at least one light source 304, 305, 306, 307 is configured to illuminate the vehicle 40. 0 and configured to emit light based on receiving power from at least the vehicle 400, such as from a power source (e.g., a vehicle electrical system, a battery, etc.) of the vehicle 400. As a non-limiting example, the at least one light source 304, 305, 306, 307 may be electrically connected to the vehicle 400 by one or more wire harnesses or other suitable electrical connectors (not shown), as can be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 3-4C, the tail lamp assembly 300 further includes a transparent polymer lens 308 coupled to the housing 302 to substantially enclose the interior of the housing 302 and the at least one light source 304, 305, 306, 307. Thus, the interior of the housing 302 and the at least one light source 304, 305, 306, 307 can be substantially sealed and protected from the external environment around the vehicle 400. The transparent polymer lens 308 has an inner surface 310, an outer surface 312 disposed opposite the inner surface 310, and a chrome-based reflective coating 314 coated on at least a first region 316 of the outer surface 312 of the transparent polymer lens 308. As shown in FIGS. 3-4C, at least a second region 318 of the outer surface 312 of the transparent polymer lens 308, which may constitute a majority of the outer surface 312 of the transparent polymer lens 308, may be completely free of the chrome-based reflective coating 314. The complete absence of the chrome-based reflective coating 314 on at least the second region 318 of the outer surface 312 of the transparent polymer lens 308 may be advantageous for the tail lamp assembly 300 to continue to effectively perform a particular function or purpose during operation, as described further herein. Additionally, as described further herein, with the at least one light source 304, 305, 306, 307 electrically connected to the vehicle 400, as shown in FIG. 4C , the chrome-based reflective coating 314 is at least partially transmissive to at least a portion of the light emitted by the at least one light source 304, 305, 306, 307 (e.g., light sources 304, 305 in this example).Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 3-4C , one or more internal light reflectors (e.g., foil or other metallic light reflectors) and / or an internal clear polymer lens (e.g., a clear and / or tinted plastic lens) may be disposed within the housing 302 of the tail lamp assembly 300 behind the clear polymer lens 308 to help homogenize, reflect, and guide the light emitted by the at least one light source 304, 305, 306, 307 in an outward direction through the clear polymer lens 308 and, depending on the particular light source emitting the light, a chrome-based reflective coating 314 coated on at least a first region 316 of the outer surface 312 of the clear polymer lens 308.

[0021] As shown in particular in Figures 4A-4C, the at least one light source 304, 305, 306, 307 may include a plurality of light sources 304, 305, 306, 307. As shown in Figures 4B and 4C, a first number of light sources (e.g., in this example, light sources 304, 305) of the plurality of light sources 304, 305, 306, 307 are advantageously hidden behind a chrome-based reflective coating 314 coated on at least a first region 316 of an outer surface 312 of a transparent polymer lens 308 while they are not illuminated and not emitting light. Additionally, a second number of light sources (e.g., in this example, light sources 306, 307) of the plurality of light sources 304, 305, 306, 307 can advantageously be seen through the transparent polymer lens 308 whether illuminated and emitting light or not illuminated and emitting light due to at least a second region 318 of the outer surface 312 of the transparent polymer lens 308 being free of the chrome-based reflective coating 314. As a non-limiting example, the first number of light sources of the plurality of light sources 304, 305, 306, 307 may comprise at least one of a vehicle back-up light unit 304 (e.g., capable of emitting white light to meet regulations of a particular jurisdiction) and a vehicle turn signal light unit 305 (e.g., capable of emitting amber light to meet regulations of a particular jurisdiction). Further, as a non-limiting example, the second number of light sources of the plurality of light sources 304, 305, 306, 307 may comprise at least one vehicle tail light and stop light unit 304 (e.g., capable of emitting amber light to meet regulations of a particular jurisdiction). The tail lamp assembly 300 may include a light unit 306, 307 (e.g., which may ultimately emit red tinted light through a red tinted lens of the tail lamp assembly 300, and in this example, which substantially defines a second region 318 of the outer surface 312 of the transparent polymer lens 308 that is free of a chrome based reflective coating 314). It will be appreciated that the second region 318 of the outer surface 312 of the transparent polymer lens 308 that is free of a chrome based reflective coating 314 advantageously defines and provides a sufficiently large, higher transparency region of the transparent polymer lens 308 through which a sufficiently large, visible amount of light of the tail lamp (e.g., in this example, emitted by the at least one tail light and stop light unit 306, 307) can be effectively projected rearwardly of the vehicle 400 during operation of the vehicle.

[0022] 4A-4C, with the tail lamp assembly 300 mounted to the rear 402 of the vehicle 400, the chrome-based reflective coating 314 coated on at least a first region 316 of the exterior surface 312 of the transparent polymer lens 308 is positioned to aesthetically correspond to, and advantageously appear to substantially blend in with, a metallic reflective coating 404 or the like (e.g., exhibiting a decorative chrome or mirror finish) coated on at least a portion of at least one vehicle component 406 mounted to the vehicle 400 immediately adjacent to the tail lamp assembly 300. By way of non-limiting example, the at least one vehicle component 406 mounted to the vehicle 400 immediately adjacent to the tail lamp assembly 300 is selected from the group consisting of an exterior trim piece, a rear exterior trim piece, a rear bumper, and a tail lamp bezel. As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the chrome-based reflective coating 314 coated on at least a first region 316 of the outer surface 312 of the clear polymer lens 308 can exhibit a decorative chrome or mirror finish that can aesthetically match or substantially aesthetically match, such as a metallic reflective coating 404 coated on at least a portion of at least one vehicle component 406 mounted on the vehicle 400 immediately adjacent to the tail lamp assembly 300. In this regard, it is highly ideal and advantageous for the chrome-based reflective coating 314 to be coated on the outer surface 312 of the clear polymer lens 308 (e.g., the outermost surface of the clear polymer lens 308 that is touchable by a person when the tail lamp assembly 300 is mounted on the vehicle 400), such as, in this example, at least the first region 316 of the outer surface 312 of the clear polymer lens 308.In other words, a chrome-based reflective coating 314 coated on a different surface, such as the inner surface 310 of the clear polymer lens 308, may not exhibit an acceptable or desirable level of decorative chrome or mirror finish that can aesthetically match or substantially aesthetically match a metallic reflective coating 404, such as a metallic reflective coating 404 coated on at least a portion of at least one vehicle component 406 mounted on the vehicle 400 immediately adjacent to the tail lamp assembly 300. Thus, due to at least its material components (further described in more detail herein) and coated on the transparent polymer lens 308 (e.g., a transparent substrate), the chrome-based reflective coating 314 can advantageously at least (i) pass a sufficient amount of light emitted by the at least one light source 304, 305, 306, 307 (e.g., in this example, the vehicle reverse light unit 304 and the vehicle turn signal light unit 305) so that the at least one light source 304, 305, 306, 307 (e.g., in this example, the vehicle reverse light unit 304 and the vehicle turn signal light unit 305) can effectively serve its intended purpose, and (ii) provide the tail lamp assembly 300 with an appearance (e.g., a decorative appearance) that aesthetically matches and / or substantially blends with the appearance (e.g., a decorative appearance) of the at least one vehicle component 406 mounted on the vehicle 400 immediately adjacent to the tail lamp assembly 300.

[0023] 5A-6B, there are shown schematic diagrams of two respective exemplary lighting modules 500, 700 for exemplary vehicle bumpers 600, 800 (which may be, but are not limited to, front bumpers of a vehicle) in accordance with the present disclosure. As non-limiting examples, such vehicles having a vehicle bumper (e.g., at least one of vehicle bumpers 600, 800) that includes at least one of the lighting modules 500, 700 can include various automobiles (e.g., cars, vans, trucks, and heavy equipment), as well as any other vehicle capable of transporting an operator and / or passengers therein.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 5A-6B, multiple schematic diagrams are provided that collectively illustrate two respective exemplary lighting modules 500, 700 for an exemplary vehicle bumper 600, 800. The vehicle bumper 600, 800 may be of any suitable shape and / or size and is not limited to the examples as shown and described herein. As a non-limiting example, the vehicle bumper 600, 800 may be made from at least one of a metal material (e.g., by pressing), a plastic material (e.g., by thermoforming or injection molding), or any other suitable material or combination of suitable materials (e.g., metal material, plastic material, composite material, energy / impact absorbing material, etc.). Additionally, as can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the vehicle bumper 600, 800 may include various vehicle attachment features (e.g., clips, bolts, and / or other suitable fasteners) to facilitate coupling of either of the vehicle bumpers 600, 800 to a vehicle (not shown). Each of the lighting modules 500, 700 includes at least one light source 502, 504; 702, 704, 706, 708. As a non-limiting example, the at least one light source 502, 504; 702, 704, 706, 708 may include at least one of an incandescent light source, a light emitting diode (LED) light source, or a combination of an incandescent light source and a light emitting diode (LED) light source. The at least one light source 502, 504; 702, 704, 706, 708 may be electrically connected to a vehicle (not shown) having at least one of the respective vehicle bumpers 600, 800 including the lighting module 500, 700. The at least one light source 502, 504; 702, 704, 706, 708 may be electrically connected to the vehicle by one or more wire harnesses or other suitable electrical connectors (not shown), as can be understood by one skilled in the art. As described further herein, at least one light source 502, 504; 702, 704, 706, 708 is configured to emit light based on receiving power at least from the vehicle, such as from a vehicle power source (e.g., vehicle electrical system, battery, etc.), as can be understood by one skilled in the art.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 5A-6B, each of the respective lighting modules 500, 700 for the vehicle bumpers 600, 800 further includes a transparent polymer portion 506, 710 configured to be coupled to the respective vehicle bumper 600, 800 to form at least a portion of the outer portion 602, 802 of the respective vehicle bumper 600, 800. As a non-limiting example, each of the transparent polymer portions 506, 710 may be coupled to the respective vehicle bumper 600, 800 by using at least one of a suitable fastener, one or more adhesives, or a manufacturing method (e.g., ultrasonic welding, multi-shot injection molding, etc.), as can be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In any event, once coupled to the respective vehicle bumper 600, 800, each of the transparent polymer portions 506, 710 ultimately forms at least a portion of the outer portion 602, 802 of the respective vehicle bumper 600, 800, as previously described herein. 5B and 6B, each of the transparent polymeric portions 506, 710, as described further herein, has an inner surface 508, 712, an outer surface 510, 714 disposed opposite the inner surface 508, 712, and a chrome-based reflective coating 512, 716 coated on the outer surface 510, 714. Also as described further herein, the chrome-based reflective coating 512, 716 is configured to be at least partially transmissive to light emitted by at least one light source 502, 504; 702, 704, 706, 708 of the respective lighting module 500, 700. Each of the transparent polymeric portions 506, 710 has an inner surface 508, 712, an outer surface 510, 714 disposed opposite the inner surface 508, 712, and a chrome-based reflective coating 512, 716 coated on the outer surface 510, 714. Also as described further herein, the chrome-based reflective coating 512, 716 is configured to be at least partially transmissive to light emitted by at least one light source 502, 504; 702, 704, 706, 708 of the respective lighting module 500, 700. 5B and 6B , the at least one etched portion 514, 516, 518; 718, 720, 722 is absent from the respective chrome-based reflective coating 512, 716 to expose the respective outer surface 510, 714 of the transparent polymer portion 506, 710 in the at least one etched gap 520; 724, 726 defined by the at least one etched portion 514, 516, 518; 718, 720, 722. As a non-limiting example, the at least one respective etched portion 514, 516, 518; 718, 720, 722 of the chrome-based reflective coating 512, 716 may be manufactured by a manufacturing method such as laser etching or laser engraving. Further, the at least one respective etched portion 514, 516, 518; 718, 720, 722 of the chrome-based reflective coating 512, 716 may be shaped and / or sized to form various figures, patterns, contours, indicia, or other desired etched portions. Thus, the shape and / or size of the at least one respective etched portion 514, 516, 518; 718, 720, 722 of the chrome-based reflective coating 512, 716 is not limited to the examples as shown and described generally herein, but may be of any desired shape and / or size. Additionally, as shown in Figures 5A and 6A, by way of non-limiting example, at least a majority of each of the transparent polymeric portions 506, 710 may be elongated to extend along the length of the respective vehicle bumper 600, 800 in the directions L1, L2 across the respective vehicle bumper 600, 800.In this manner, each of the transparent polymeric portions 506, 710 may form or exhibit the shape of a continuously extending piece having a chrome or mirror-like decorative appearance (e.g., provided by the respective chrome-based reflective coatings 512, 716 applied thereto) that may blend in and match with, or be distinct from, other surrounding vehicle components and / or other metallic reflective coatings applied to other portions of the respective vehicle bumpers 600, 800. In any event, as can be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, each of the transparent polymeric portions 506, 710 may be shaped, sized, and / or segmented in any desired manner and is not limited to the examples generally shown and described herein.

[0026] 5B and 6B, each of the respective lighting modules 500, 700 for the vehicle bumper 600, 800 further includes at least one respective light reflecting portion 522:728, 732 that may be disposed in the respective interior region 604, 804 of the vehicle bumper 600, 800 and adjacent to the respective inner surface 508, 712 of each respective transparent polymer portion 506, 710 of the respective lighting module 500, 700. As shown in FIG. 5B and 6B, at least the at least one light reflecting portion 522;728, 732 and the respective transparent polymer portion 506, 710 together define at least one light chamber 526;736, 738 for at least partially containing the at least one light source 502, 504;702, 704, 706, 708. At least one light reflective portion 522; 728, 732 has a metallic reflective surface 524; 730, 734 (e.g., a chrome or mirror finish capable of reflecting and distributing emitted light) configured to be visible through at least one etched portion 514, 516, 518; 718, 720, 722 of a respective chrome-based reflective coating 512, 716 coated on the respective outer surface 510, 714 of the transparent polymer portion 506, 710. Thus, in addition to being able to reflect and distribute the light emitted by the at least one light source 502, 504; 702, 704, 706, 708, particularly within the at least one light chamber 526; 736, 738, the metallic reflective surface 524; 730, 734 of the at least one light reflecting portion 522; 728, 732 reflects the at least one etched portion 514, 516, 518; 718, 720, 722 of the chrome-based reflective coating 512, 716. Metallic reflective surfaces 524; 730, 734, so that they can be seen through Advantageously, the at least one etched portion 514, 516, 518; 718, 720, 722 may aesthetically blend and / or substantially hide the visual appearance of the at least one etched portion 514, 516, 518; 718, 720, 722 with respect to the surrounding chrome-based reflective coating 512, 716 in which the at least one etched portion 514, 516, 518; 718, 720 is etched. Additionally, as can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the at least one light reflecting portion 522; 728, 732 may be shaped and / or sized in any suitable manner to effectively reflect and distribute the light emitted by the at least one light source 502, 504; 702, 704, 706, 708, and is not limited to the examples generally shown and described herein.

[0027] During operation, with the at least one light source 502, 504; 702, 704, 706, 708 electrically connected to the vehicle, light emitted by the at least one light source 502, 504; 702, 704, 706, 708 is substantially reflected and distributed within the at least one light chamber 526, 736, 738 by the at least one light reflecting portion 522; 728, 732 toward the transparent polymer portion 506, 710, thereby simultaneously passing through the chrome-based reflective coating 512, 716 coated on the outer surface 510, 714 of the transparent polymer portion 506, 710 and the at least one etched portion 514, 516, 518; 718, 720, 722 of the chrome-based reflective coating 512, 716. In this embodiment, the at least one etched portion 514, 516, 518; 718, 720, 722 is substantially more transparent to light emitted by the at least one light source 502, 504; 702, 704, 706, 708 than the surrounding chrome-based reflective coating 512, 716, such that, as viewed from the surrounding environment of the outer portion 602, 802 of the vehicle bumper 600, 800 (e.g., as shown diagrammatically in Figures 5A and 6A), the light passing through the at least one etched portion 514, 516, 518; 718, 720, 722 of the chrome-based reflective coating 512, 716 is illuminated more brightly than the light passing through the surrounding chrome-based reflective coating 512, 716 coated on the outer surface 510, 714 of the transparent polymer portion 506, 710. Thus, multiple shades and / or intensities of light can be seen to simultaneously pass through at least one etched portion 514, 516, 518; 718, 720, 722 of the chrome-based reflective coating 512, 716 and the surrounding chrome-based reflective coating 512, 716 into which the at least one etched portion 514, 516, 518; 718, 720, 722 is etched. As a result, any figures, patterns, outlines of shapes, indicia, etc. that may be formed by the at least one etched portion 514, 516, 518; 718, 720, 722 can appear to be brighter illuminated than the surrounding chrome-based reflective coating 512, 716 that is simultaneously illuminated as light passes through it, and thus can be more visually emphasized.Additionally, at least one light source 502, 504; 702, 704, 706, 708 is hidden behind a chrome-based reflective coating 512, 716 coated on the outer surface 510, 714 of the transparent polymer portion 506, 710, at least while it is not illuminated and not emitting light. Further, as shown generally in Figures 5B and 6B, the at least one light source 502, 504; 702, 704, 706, 708 is positioned away from the at least one etched portion 514, 516, 518; 718, 720, 722 of the chrome based reflective coating 512, 716 such that the at least one light source 502, 504; 702, 704, 706, 708 cannot be directly seen through the at least one etched portion 514, 516, 518; 718, 720, 722 of the chrome based reflective coating 512, 716, whether the at least one light source 502, 504; 702, 704, 706, 708 is unlit and not emitting light or lit and emitting light. In this embodiment where at least one light source 502, 504; 702, 704, 706, 708 is hidden behind the transparent polymer portion 506, 710, it is advantageous that a chrome-based reflective coating 512, 716 coated on the outer surface 510, 714 of the transparent polymer portion 506, 710 can provide benefits such as, but not limited to, a smoother and more elegant design or appearance of the vehicle bumper 600, 800.

[0028] In a specific, non-limiting example of a lighting module 500 for a vehicle bumper 600 shown generally in FIGS. 5A and 5B , the at least one etched portion 514, 516, 518 of the chrome-based reflective coating 512 coated on the outer surface 510 of the transparent polymer portion 506 includes a first etched portion 514 disposed within a first boundary region 528 of the transparent polymer portion 506, a second etched portion 516 disposed within a second boundary region 530 of the transparent polymer portion 506, the second boundary region 530 being disposed adjacent to the first boundary region 528, and a third etched portion 518 disposed within a third boundary region 532 of the transparent polymer portion 506, the third boundary region 532 being disposed adjacent to the second boundary region 530. Additionally, the at least one light source 502 , 504 includes a plurality of light sources 502 , 504 , the at least one light reflecting portion 522 includes a plurality of light reflecting portions 522 , and the at least one light chamber 526 includes a plurality of light chambers 526 .

[0029] 5B is a schematic diagram primarily showing an enlarged cross-sectional end of the vehicle bumper 600 shown in FIG. 5A, so that further details regarding the first boundary region 528, the second boundary region 530, the third boundary region 532, the plurality of light sources 502, 504, the plurality of light reflectors 522, and the plurality of light chambers 526 will now be more clearly discussed. In the example shown in FIG. 5A, the first, second, and third boundary regions 528, 530, 532 of the transparent polymer portion 506 are each defined by a respective area of ​​the transparent polymer portion 506 defined between the upper and lower edges of the transparent polymer portion 506 and a respective longitudinal distance (i.e., the distance measured along the direction L1 from end to end of the vehicle bumper 600) corresponding to the respective upwardly projecting dashed measurement lines shown in FIG. 5A. In addition, although the plurality of light sources 502, 504 is shown in FIG. 5B as being two light sources 502, 504, the plurality of light sources 502, 504 may include any suitable and / or desirable number of light sources 502, 504 for use in the lighting module 500, as can be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and may be distributed along the lighting module 500 in the direction L1 (FIG. 5A) at least from one end of the vehicle bumper 600 to the other end of the vehicle bumper 600. Similarly, although the plurality of light reflectors 522 and the plurality of light chambers 526 are shown in FIG. 5B as being one light reflector 522 and one light chamber 526, as can be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, any suitable and / or desirable number of light reflectors 522 and light chambers 526 for use in the lighting module 500 may be distributed along the lighting module 500 in the direction L1 (FIG. 5A) at least from one end of the vehicle bumper 600 to the other end of the vehicle bumper 600. As a non-limiting example, the lighting module 500 may further include a plurality of opaque light chamber dividers (not shown) that may be generally planar and extend from the inner surface 508 of the transparent polymer portion 506 substantially perpendicular to the inner surface 508 of the transparent polymer portion 506.Each of the plurality of opaque light chamber dividers (not shown) may extend from the inner surface 508 of the transparent polymer portion 506 and may be disposed within the interior region 604 of the vehicle bumper 600 to correspond to the respective upwardly projecting dashed measurement lines shown in FIG. 5A to physically separate each of the first, second, and third boundary regions 528, 530, 532 of the transparent polymer portion 506 from one another. Additionally, in this non-limiting example, each of the plurality of light reflectors 522 may be disposed between the respective opaque light chamber dividers (not shown) and, together with the opaque light chamber dividers and the transparent polymer portion 506, may define a plurality of light chambers 526 that may be distributed along the lighting module 500 in the direction L1 ( FIG. 5A ) at least across the vehicle bumper 600. Similarly, the plurality of light sources 502, 504 may be at least partially disposed within at least the plurality of light chambers 526 along the lighting module 500 in the direction L1 at least across the vehicle bumper 600. In this manner, light emitted within each of the multiple light chambers 526 by the multiple light sources 502, 504 may be separated and dedicated to respective divided first, second and third boundary regions 528, 530, 532 of the transparent polymer portion 506.

[0030] In operation, with the plurality of light sources 502, 504 electrically connected to the vehicle, (i) light emitted by a first number of light sources (e.g., a first light source, or a first group of light sources) of the plurality of light sources 502, 504 is a first color of light emitted in response to a vehicle turn signal function being activated (e.g., by a driver input), and the first color of light is reflected by a first number of light reflectors (e.g., a first light reflector) of the plurality of light reflectors 522 to substantially reflect a first number of light chambers (e.g., a first light chamber) of the plurality of light chambers 526. (ii) the light emitted by a second number of light sources (e.g., a second light source or a second group of light sources) of the plurality of light sources 502, 504 is emitted in response to a vehicle daytime running light function being activated (e.g., by a control system of the vehicle). (iii) light of a second color, the light of the second color being reflected and distributed by a second number of light reflecting portions (e.g., a second light reflecting portion) of the plurality of light reflecting portions 522 into a second number of light chambers (e.g., a second light chamber) of the plurality of light chambers 526 toward the transparent polymer portion 506, thereby simultaneously passing through the chrome-based reflective coating 512 disposed within the second boundary region 530 of the transparent polymer portion 506 and the second etched portion 516 of the chrome-based reflective coating 512 disposed within the second boundary region 530; The light emitted by a third number of light sources (e.g., a third light source, or a third group of light sources) of the number of light sources 502, 504 is a third color of light emitted in response to another vehicle turn signal function being activated (e.g., by a driver input), and the third color of light is reflected and distributed by the third number of light reflecting portions (e.g., a third light reflecting portion) of the plurality of light reflecting portions 522 into a third number of light chambers (e.g., a third light chamber) of the plurality of light chambers 526 toward the transparent polymer portion 506, such thatThe light passes simultaneously through the chrome-based reflective coating 512 disposed within a third boundary region 532 of the transparent polymer portion 506 and a third etched portion 518 of the chrome-based reflective coating 512 disposed within the third boundary region 532. In this example, the first color of light is amber light, the second color of light is white or amber light, and the third color of light is amber light (often used for vehicle turn signal and vehicle daytime running light functions). However, as can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the multiple light sources 502, 504 may emit light of any desired color.

[0031] In a specific, non-limiting example of a lighting module 700 for a vehicle bumper 800 as shown generally in FIGS. 6A and 6B , at least one etched portion 718, 720, 722 of a chrome-based reflective coating 716 coated on an outer surface 714 of a transparent polymer portion 710 includes a first etched portion 718 disposed within a first subdivision region 746 of a first boundary region 740 of the transparent polymer portion 710 and further disposed within a second boundary region 742 of the transparent polymer portion 710, the second boundary region 742 being a subdivision region of the first boundary region 740. , the first etched portion 718 is further disposed within a first sub-division region 750 of a third boundary region 744 of the transparent polymer portion 710, the third boundary region 744 being disposed adjacent to the second boundary region 742, and the at least one etched portion 718, 720, 722 of the chrome-based reflective coating 716 further includes a second etched portion 720 disposed within a second sub-division region 748 of the first boundary region 740 and a third etched portion 722 disposed within a second sub-division region 752 of the third boundary region 744. Additionally, the at least one light source 702,704,706,708 includes a plurality of light sources 702,704,706,708, the at least one light reflecting portion 728,732 includes a plurality of light reflecting portions 728,732, and the at least one light chamber 736,738 includes a plurality of light chambers 736,738.

[0032] Since Figure 6B is a schematic diagram primarily showing an enlarged cross-sectional end of the vehicle bumper 800 shown generally in Figure 6A, further details regarding the first boundary region 740, the first and second sub-regions 746, 748 of the first boundary region 740, the second boundary region 742, the third boundary region 744, the first and second sub-regions 750, 752 of the third boundary region 744, the plurality of light sources 702, 704, 706, 708, the plurality of light reflectors 728, 732, and the plurality of light chambers 736, 738 will now be more clearly discussed. In the example shown diagrammatically in Figure 6A, the first, second, and third boundary regions 740, 742, 744 of the transparent polymer portion 710 are each defined by a respective area of ​​the transparent polymer portion 710 defined between an upper edge and a lower edge of the transparent polymer portion 710 and a respective longitudinal distance (i.e., the distance measured along the end-to-end direction L2 of the vehicle bumper 800) corresponding to the respective upwardly projecting dashed measurement lines shown in Figure 6A. Additionally, a first subdivision region 746 of the first boundary region 740 is substantially defined by a lower half of the first boundary region 740, and a second subdivision region 748 of the first boundary region 740 is substantially defined by an upper half of the first boundary region 740. Similarly, a first subdivision 750 of the third boundary region 744 is substantially defined by a lower half of the third boundary region 744, and a second subdivision 752 of the third boundary region 744 is substantially defined by an upper half of the third boundary region 744. In addition, although the plurality of light sources 702, 704, 706, 708 is shown in FIG. 6B diagrammatically as being four light sources 702, 704, 706, 708, the plurality of light sources 702, 704, 706, 708 may include any suitable and / or desirable number of light sources 702, 704, 706, 708 for use in the lighting module 700, as can be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and may be distributed along the lighting module 700 at least in the direction L2 ( FIG. 6A ) across the vehicle bumper 800.Similarly, although the plurality of light reflectors 728, 732 and the plurality of light chambers 736, 738 are shown in FIG. 6B as being two light reflectors 728, 732 and two light chambers 736, 738, as can be understood by one skilled in the art, any suitable and / or desirable number of light reflectors 728, 732 and light chambers 736, 738 for use in the lighting module 700 may be distributed along the lighting module 700 in the direction L2 (FIG. 6A) at least across the vehicle bumper 800. As shown in FIG. 6B, by way of non-limiting example, the lighting module 700 may further include one or more opaque horizontally extending light chamber dividers 705, which may be printed circuit boards (PCBs) 705 supporting a plurality of light sources, such as light sources 704, 706. In this example, a plurality of horizontally extending light chamber dividers 705 may be disposed in the interior region 804 of the vehicle bumper 800 to physically divide first and second sub-regions 746, 748 of the first boundary region 740 of the transparent polymer portion 710, as well as first and second sub-regions 750, 752 of the third boundary region 744 of the transparent polymer portion 710. Additionally, in this example, the lighting module 700 may further include a plurality of vertically extending opaque light chamber dividers (not shown), which may be generally planar and extend from the inner surface 712 of the transparent polymer portion 710 to be substantially perpendicular to the inner surface 712 of the transparent polymer portion 710. In this example, each of the multiple opaque light chamber dividers (not shown) may extend from the inner surface 712 of the transparent polymer portion 710 and may be positioned within the interior region 804 of the vehicle bumper 800 so as to (i) vertically abut or join the multiple horizontally extending light chamber dividers 705 and (ii) further physically divide at least a second subdivision region 748 of the first boundary region 740 from the second boundary region 742 and further physically divide at least a second subdivision region 752 of the third boundary region 744 from the second boundary region 742, corresponding to the respective upwardly protruding dashed measurement lines shown in FIG. 6A.Additionally, in this non-limiting example, the plurality of light reflecting portions 728, 732 may be disposed between at least respective opaque light chamber dividers (not shown) and / or respective horizontally extending light chamber dividers 705, and together with the transparent polymer portion 710, may be disposed at least across the vehicle bumper 800 in the direction L2(. 6A ) may define a plurality of light chambers 736, 738 that may be distributed along the lighting module 700. Similarly, the plurality of light sources 702, 704, 706, 708 may be at least partially disposed within the plurality of respective light chambers 736, 738 at least along the lighting module 700 in the direction L2 at least across the vehicle bumper 800. In this manner, light emitted within each of the plurality of respective light chambers 736, 738 by the plurality of light sources 702, 704, 706, 708 may be separated and dedicated to a first subdivision 746 of the first boundary region 740, a second subdivision 742 of the second boundary region 744, a first subdivision 750 of the third boundary region 744, a second subdivision 748 of the first boundary region 740, and a second subdivision 752 of the third boundary region 744 of each of the transparent polymer portion 710. Additionally, as shown generally in FIG. 6B , one or more optional opaque optical masks M may be included on the inner surface 712 of the transparent polymer portion 710 to further define (e.g., increase, decrease, or shape) areas of the transparent polymer portion 710 that are transparent to light emitted by at least one of the multiple light sources 702, 704, 706, 708.

[0033] In operation, with the plurality of light sources 702, 704, 706, 708 electrically connected to the vehicle, (i) light emitted by a first number of light sources (e.g., a first light source, or a first group of light sources) of the plurality of light sources 702, 704, 706, 708 is a first color of light emitted in response to a vehicle daytime running light function being activated (e.g., by a vehicle control system), and the first color of light is substantially reflected by a first number of light reflectors (e.g., a first light reflector) of the plurality of light reflectors 728, 732. The light is reflected and distributed into a first number of the light chambers (e.g., a first light chamber) of the transparent polymer portion 710, and is directed toward the transparent polymer portion 710, resulting in a chrome-based reflective coating 716 disposed in a first subdivision region 746 of a first boundary region 740 of the transparent polymer portion 710, a chrome-based reflective coating 716 disposed in a second boundary region 742 of the transparent polymer portion 710, a chrome-based reflective coating 716 disposed in a first subdivision region 750 of a third boundary region 744 of the transparent polymer portion 710, and a chrome-based reflective coating 716 disposed in a first subdivision region 750 of a third boundary region 744 of the transparent polymer portion 710. 46, the second boundary region 742, and a first etched portion 718 of the chrome-based reflective coating 716 disposed within a first subdivision region 750 of the third boundary region 744; and (ii) the light emitted by a second number of light sources (e.g., a second light source or a second group of light sources) of the plurality of light sources 702, 704, 706, 708 is a second color of light emitted in response to a vehicle turn signal function being activated (e.g., by a driver input), and the second color of light is emitted by a second number of light reflecting portions (e.g., , a second one light reflecting portion) into a second number of light chambers (e.g., a second one light chamber) of the plurality of light chambers 736, 738 toward the transparent polymer portion 710, thereby simultaneously passing through the chrome-based reflective coating 716 disposed within the second subdivision region 748 of the first boundary region 740 of the transparent polymer portion 710 and the second etched portion 720 of the chrome-based reflective coating 716 disposed within the second subdivision region 748 of the first boundary region 740; (iii) the plurality of light sources 702, 704, 706,The light emitted by the third number of light sources (e.g., a third light source or a third group of light sources) of 708 is a third color light emitted in response to another vehicle turn signal function being activated (e.g., by a driver input), and the third color light is substantially reflected and distributed by the third number of light reflecting portions (e.g., a third light reflecting portion) of the plurality of light reflecting portions 728, 732 into the third number of light chambers (e.g., a third light chamber) of the plurality of light chambers 736, 738 toward the transparent polymer portion 710, thereby simultaneously passing through the chrome-based reflective coating 716 disposed in the second subdivision region 752 of the third boundary region 744 of the transparent polymer portion 710 and the third etched portion 722 of the chrome-based reflective coating 716 disposed in the second subdivision region 752 of the third boundary region 744. In this example, the first color light is amber or white light, and the third color light is a third color light. The second color light is amber light and the third color light is amber light (these colors are often used for vehicle turn signal and vehicle daytime running light functions), however, as can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the multiple light sources 702, 704, 706, 708 may emit light of any desired color.

[0034] The transparent polymer lenses 112, 308 of the headlamp assembly 100 and taillamp assembly 300, respectively, and the transparent polymer portions 506, 710 of the lighting modules 500, 700 for the vehicle bumpers 600, 800, respectively, will now be further described with respect to at least the vehicle components mentioned above. As a non-limiting example, the transparent polymer lenses 112, 308 of the headlamp assembly 100 and taillamp assembly 300, respectively, and the transparent polymer portions 506, 710 of the lighting modules 500, 700 for the vehicle bumpers 600, 800, respectively, may be formed from a polymer material selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate, polyester, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyimide, polycarbonate, epoxy, phenolic, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate, acetal, and mixtures thereof. Alternatively, by way of non-limiting example, the transparent polymer lenses 112, 308 of the headlamp assembly 100 and taillamp assembly 300, respectively, and the transparent polymer portions 506, 710 of the lighting modules 500, 700 for the vehicle bumpers 600, 800, respectively, may be formed from a polymer material selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, poly(2,2′-dihydroxyphenylpropane) carbonate, polydiethylene glycol bis(allyl carbonate), polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, and mixtures thereof. As a further non-limiting example, the transparent polymer lenses 112, 308 of the headlamp assembly 100 and taillamp assembly 300, respectively, and the transparent polymer portions 506, 710 of the lighting modules 500, 700 for the vehicle bumpers 600, 800, respectively, may be formed by methods such as injection molding and / or thermoforming.Additionally, the transparent polymer lenses 112, 308 of the headlamp assembly 100 and taillamp assembly 300, respectively, and the transparent polymer portions 506, 710 of the lighting modules 500, 700 for the vehicle bumpers 600, 800, respectively, may include a precoat film in the form of a hard coat, a silicone hard coat, an inorganic oxide, a thin metal form, or a combination of these precoat films.

[0035] Additionally, the respective chrome-based reflective coatings 118, 314 coated on the headlamp assembly 100 and the taillamp assembly 300, and the respective chrome-based reflective coatings 512, 716 coated on the respective lighting modules 500, 700 for the vehicle bumpers 600, 800 will now be further described with respect to at least the vehicle components mentioned above. Chrome-based reflective coatings 118, 314, 512, 716 configured to be at least partially transmissive to at least some light are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,656,601 (B2), U.S. Pat. No. 9,181,616 (B2), U.S. Pat. No. 9,176,256 (B2), U.S. Pat. No. 9,819,343 (B2), and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0267179 (A1), each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. As a non-limiting example, the chromium-based reflective coating 118, 314, 512, 716 is an alloy of chromium and a dopant material. The dopant material may be selected from the group of hexagonal close-packed transition metals. The group of hexagonal close-packed transition metals may include at least one of zirconium, titanium, cobalt, hafnium, rubidium, yttrium, and osmium. Alternatively, the group of hexagonal close-packed transition metals may include at least one of zirconium, titanium, and cobalt. The alloy may have a crystal structure in which a primary body-centered cubic phase and a secondary omega hexagonal close-packed phase coexist. The alloy may be a binary alloy of chromium and a dopant material. The atomic percentage of the dopant material in the binary alloy may range from about 1.9 at.% to about 5.8 at.%. For example, the dopant material may be zirconium and the atomic percentage of zirconium in the binary alloy may range from about 4.5 at.% to about 5.8 at.%. Alternatively, the dopant material may be titanium and the atomic percentage of titanium in the binary alloy may range from about 1.9 at.% to about 5.8 at.%. Alternatively, the dopant material may be cobalt and the atomic percentage of cobalt in the binary alloy may range from about 1.9 at.% to about 5.7 at.%. Additionally, by way of non-limiting example, the chromium-based reflective coating 118, 314, 512, 716 may have a thickness of 200 nm or less, such as 200 nm, 100 nm, 40 nm to 80 nm, 50 nm to 70 nm, or about 60 nm. Thus, by way of non-limiting example, the chrome-based reflective coating 118, 314, 512, 716 may be configured to be at least partially transmissive to light when coated onto a polymer substrate (e.g., the transparent polymer lenses 112, 308 of the headlamp assembly 100 and tail lamp assembly 300, respectively, and / or the transparent polymer portions 506, 710 of the lighting modules 500, 700, respectively, for the vehicle bumpers 600, 800), such that between about 6% and about 21% of the light emitted therethrough (e.g., by the light sources 104, 106 of the headlamp assembly 100, by the light sources 304, 305 of the tail lamp assembly 300, by the light sources 502, 504 of the lighting module 500 for the vehicle bumper 600, or by the light sources 702, 704, 706, 708 of the lighting module 700 for the vehicle bumper 800) can pass therethrough. Thus, as can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, a light source (e.g., light sources 104, 106 of a headlamp assembly 100, light sources 304, 305 of a tail lamp assembly 300, light sources 502, 504 of a lighting module 500 for a vehicle bumper 600, or light sources 702, 704, 706, 708 of a lighting module 700 for a vehicle bumper 800) having sufficient light output is ideally selected and used depending at least on the desired brightness and / or intensity of the light to be passed through the chrome-based reflective coating 118, 314, 512, 716.

[0036] Thus, the disclosed headlamp assembly 100 and tail lamp assembly 300, as shown and described herein, can advantageously emit a sufficient amount of light to effectively serve its intended purpose, yet have an appearance that aesthetically matches and / or blends with other surrounding vehicle components mounted on the vehicle, particularly vehicle components coated with a metallic reflective coating exhibiting a chrome or mirror finish.

[0037] Moreover, the disclosed lighting modules 500, 700 for vehicle bumpers 600, 800, respectively, as shown and described herein, can advantageously emit a sufficient amount of light to effectively serve their intended purpose, yet provide substantially concealed lighting to give the vehicle a smoother, more elegant appearance, especially while unlit and not emitting light.

[0038] While one or more exemplary embodiments have been described above, it is not intended that these describe all possible forms of the disclosure. Rather, the words used herein are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

[0039] With respect to the processes, systems, methods, heuristics, and the like described herein, steps of such processes, and the like have been described as occurring according to a particular order, but it should be understood that the described steps may be performed in orders other than the order described herein to implement such processes. It should be further understood that certain steps may be performed simultaneously, that other steps may be added, or that certain steps described herein may be omitted. In other words, the process descriptions set forth above are provided to illustrate particular embodiments and in no way are intended to be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. should not be construed as limiting the

[0040] The features of the present disclosure disclosed in this specification, the claims, and the drawings can be used individually and together in any possible combination to implement the present disclosure in its various exemplary embodiments. In particular, all combinations of the features of the claims are encompassed in this application, regardless of claim dependency.

[0041] As used in this specification and claims, the terms "for example" / ("eg"), "for instance", "such as", and "like", as well as the verbs "comprising", "having", "including", and other verb forms thereof, when used in connection with a list of one or more carriers or other items, should each be construed as open-ended, meaning that the list is not to be considered as excluding other additional carriers or items. Other terms should be construed using their broadest reasonable meaning unless used in a context requiring a different interpretation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 100 Exemplary headlamp assembly 102 Headlamp assembly housing 104 Light source / daytime running light unit 106 Light source / vehicle turn signal unit 108 Light source / High beam unit 110 Light source / low beam unit 112 Transparent polymer lens 114 Inner surface of transparent polymer lens 116 Outer surface of transparent polymer lens 118 Chromium-based reflective coating 120 A first region coated with a chromium-based reflective coating 122 The second area without a chrome-based reflective coating 200 Exemplary Vehicles 202 Front of vehicle 204 Metallic reflective coatings applied to vehicle components, etc. 206 Vehicle components attached to the front of the vehicle 300 Exemplary tail lamp assembly 302 Tail lamp assembly housing 304 Light source / vehicle rear light unit 305 Light source / vehicle turn signal unit 306 Light source / vehicle taillight and stoplight unit 307 Light source / vehicle taillight and stoplight unit 308 Transparent polymer lens 310 Inner surface of transparent polymer lens 312 Outer surface of a transparent polymer lens 314 Chromium-based reflective coating 316 A first region coated with a chrome-based reflective coating 318 The second area without a chrome-based reflective coating 400 Another exemplary vehicle 402 Rear of vehicle 404 Metallic reflective coatings applied to vehicle components, etc. 406 Vehicle components attached to the rear of the vehicle 500 Exemplary lighting module for vehicle bumper 502 Light source 504 Light source 506 Transparent polymer part 508 Inner surface of transparent polymer part 510 Outer surface of transparent polymer part 512 Chromium-based reflective coating 514 First Etching Section 516 Second Etching Section 518 Third Etching Section 520 Etched Gap 522 Light reflecting part 524 Metallic reflective surface of light reflecting part 526 Light Chamber 528 First boundary region of transparent polymer portion 530 A second boundary region of the transparent polymer portion 532 Third boundary region of transparent polymer part 600 Exemplary vehicle bumper 602 Outer part of vehicle bumper 604 Vehicle bumper inner area L1 Vehicle bumper edge to edge direction 700 Another Exemplary Lighting Module for a Vehicle Bumper 702 Light source 704 Light source 705 Horizontally extending optical chamber divider / Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 706 Light source 708 Light source 710 Transparent polymer part 712 Inner surface of transparent polymer part 714 Outer surface of transparent polymer part 716 Chromium-based reflective coating 718 First Etching Section 720 Second Etching Section 722 Third Etching Section 724 Etched Gap 726 Etched Gap 728 Light reflecting part 730 Metallic reflective surface of light reflecting part 732 Light reflecting part 734 Metallic reflective surface of light reflecting part 736 Light Chamber 738 Light Chamber 740 First boundary region of transparent polymer portion 742 Second boundary region of transparent polymer part 744 Third boundary region of transparent polymer part 746 A first subdivision of a first boundary region of a transparent polymer portion 748 A second subdivision of a first boundary region of a transparent polymer portion 750 a first subdivision of a third boundary region of the transparent polymer portion 752 A second subdivision of a third boundary region of the transparent polymer portion. 800 Another exemplary vehicle bumper 802 Outer part of vehicle bumper 804 Vehicle bumper inner area L2 Vehicle bumper edge to edge direction M Opaque Light Mask

Claims

1. In a vehicle component (100, 300, 600, 800), at least one light source (104, 106, 108, 110, 304, 305, 306, 307, 502, 504, 702, 704, 706, 708) disposed at least partially within the vehicle component (604, 804) and configured to emit light based on receiving at least power from a power source; a transparent polymer portion (112, 308, 506, 710) substantially surrounding the interior (604, 804) and the at least one light source (104, 106, 108, 110, 304, 305, 306, 307, 502, 504, 702, 704, 706, 708), the transparent polymer portion having an inner surface (114, 310, 508, 712), an outer surface (116, 312, 510, 714) disposed opposite the inner surface (114, 310, 508, 712), and a chrome-based reflective coating (118, 314, 512, 716) coated on the outer surface (116, 312, 510, 714); wherein the chrome-based reflective coating (118, 314, 512, 716) is at least partially transmissive to at least a portion of light emitted by the at least one light source (104, 106, 108, 110, 304, 305, 306, 307, 502, 504, 702, 704, 706, 708) and passed through the transparent polymer portion (112, 308, 506, 710) when the at least one light source (104, 106, 108, 110, 304, 305, 306, 307, 502, 504, 702, 704, 706, 708) is receiving power from the power source; A vehicle component (100, 300, 600, 800), wherein at least one region (122, 318) of said exterior surface (116, 312, 510, 714) of said transparent polymer portion (112, 308, 506, 710) is free of said chrome-based reflective coating (118, 204, 314, 404, 512, 716).

2. the at least one region (122, 318) of the outer surface (116, 312, 510, 714) of the transparent polymer portion (112, 308, 506, 710) that is free of the chrome-based reflective coating (118, 314, 512, 716) comprises at least one etched portion (514, 516, 518, 718, 720, 722); 2. The vehicle component of claim 1, wherein the at least one etching exposes the outer surface of the transparent polymer portion within at least one etched gap defined by the at least one etching.

3. 3. The vehicle component of claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one light source (104, 106, 108, 110, 304, 305, 306, 307, 502, 504, 702, 704, 706, 708) is hidden behind the chrome-based reflective coating coated on the outer surface of the transparent polymer portion while it is not illuminated and not emitting light.

4. the at least one light source (104, 106, 108, 110, 304, 305, 306, 307, 502, 504, 702, 704, 706, 708) comprises a plurality of light sources; a first number of the plurality of light sources (104, 106, 304, 305, 306, 307) are hidden behind the chrome-based reflective coating (118, 314) coated on the outer surface of the transparent polymer portion (112, 308) while the first number of the light sources (104, 106, 304, 305, 306, 307) are not lit and do not emit light; The outer surface (116, 312) of the transparent polymer portion (112, 308) that is free of the chrome-based reflective coating, whether a second number of light sources (108, 110, 306, 307) of the plurality of light sources are lit and emitting light or not lit and emitting light.

4. The vehicle component of claim 1, wherein the at least one region (122, 318) of transparent polymer allows visibility through the transparent polymer portion (112, 308).

5. 5. The vehicle component of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source (104, 106, 108, 110, 304, 305, 306, 307, 502, 504, 702, 704, 706, 708) comprises at least one of an incandescent light source, a light emitting diode (LED) light source, or a combination of an incandescent light source and a light emitting diode (LED) light source.

6. 6. The vehicle component of claim 1, wherein the vehicle component is configured to be mounted on a vehicle and wherein the chrome-based reflective coating on the outer surface of the transparent polymer portion is positioned such that, when the vehicle component is mounted on the vehicle, the chrome-based reflective coating appears to aesthetically correspond to and substantially blend with a metallic reflective coating on at least a portion of another vehicle component immediately adjacent to the vehicle component.

7. 7. The vehicle component of claim 6, wherein the other vehicle component (206, 406) mounted on the vehicle (200, 400) immediately adjacent to the vehicle component (100, 300, 600, 800) is selected from the group consisting of a trim piece, a vehicle exterior component, a front grille, a front bumper, a rear bumper, a headlamp bezel, and a taillamp bezel.

8. The vehicle component (100, 300, 600, 800) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the vehicle component (100, 300, 600, 800) is selected from the group consisting of a lighting module, a vehicle exterior component, a trim piece, a front bumper, a rear bumper (600, 800), a lamp assembly, a head lamp assembly (100), and a tail lamp assembly (300).

9. said transparent polymer portion (112, 308, 506, 710) is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate, polyester, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyimide, polycarbonate, epoxy, phenolic, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate, acetal, and mixtures thereof; or said transparent polymer portion (112, 308, 506, 710) is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, poly(2,2'-dihydroxyphenylpropane) carbonate, polydiethylene glycol bis(allyl carbonate), polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, and mixtures thereof; or The vehicle component of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the transparent polymer portion (112, 308, 506, 710) comprises a pre-coat film in the form of a hard coat, a silicon hard coat, an inorganic oxide, a thin metal film, or a combination of these pre-coat films.

10. 10. The vehicle component of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the chromium based reflective coating (118, 314, 512, 716) is an alloy of chromium with a dopant material, the dopant material being selected from the group of hexagonal close packed transition metals, the alloy having a crystal structure in which a primary body-centered cubic phase and a secondary omega hexagonal close packed phase coexist.

11. The alloy is a binary alloy of the chromium and the dopant material, and in particular, the binary alloy 11. The vehicle component of claim 10, wherein the atomic percentage of the dopant material in gold ranges from about 1.9 at. % to about 5.8 at. %.

12. 12. The vehicle component of claim 10 or 11, wherein the group of hexagonal close-packed transition metals includes at least one of zirconium, titanium, cobalt, hafnium, rubidium, yttrium, and osmium.

13. 13. The vehicle component of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the alloy is a binary alloy, the dopant material is zirconium, and the atomic percentage of the zirconium in the binary alloy ranges from about 4.5 at. % to about 5.8 at. %.

14. 14. The vehicle component of any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the alloy is a binary alloy, the dopant material is titanium, and the atomic percentage of the titanium in the binary alloy ranges from about 1.9 at.% to about 5.8 at.%, or the alloy is a binary alloy, the dopant material is cobalt, and the atomic percentage of the cobalt in the binary alloy ranges from about 1.9 at.% to about 5.7 at.%.

15. the chrome-based reflective coating (118, 314, 512, 716) has a thickness of 200 nm or less; or The vehicle component of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chrome-based reflective coating (118, 314, 512, 716) has a thickness of 200 nm, 100 nm, 40 nm to 80 nm, 50 nm to 70 nm, or about 60 nm.

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