Backlit illuminated device with lighting through decorative plated surfaces

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016201874-A1
Application number	US-201514808490-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 24, 2015
Priority date	Jan 9, 2015
Publication date	Jul 14, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An ornamental device including a decorative plated surface and a backlit assembly is described, and includes a light engine including a light-emitting diode (LED), a light pipe optically coupled to the LED, a light diffuser and a lens assembly. The lens assembly includes a chrome surface finish, wherein the lens assembly encases the light engine, the light pipe and the light diffuser, and is assembled onto a back plate. When the LED is not illuminated, the lens assembly exhibits a chrome appearance, and when the LED is illuminated, light emanates through the lens assembly.

First claim

1 . An ornamental device including a decorative plated surface and a backlit assembly, comprising:
a light engine including a light-emitting diode (LED); a light pipe optically coupled to the LED; a light diffuser; and a lens assembly including a chrome surface finish, wherein the lens assembly encases the light engine, the light pipe and the light diffuser, and is assembled onto a back plate; wherein when the LED is not illuminated, the lens assembly exhibits a chrome appearance; and wherein when the LED is illuminated, light emanates through the lens assembly.

2 . The ornamental device of claim 1 , further comprising the light engine including the LED assembled onto the back plate.

3 . The ornamental device of claim 1 , further comprising an emblem insert assembled onto and covering a portion an outer surface of the lens assembly.

4 . The ornamental device of claim 3 , wherein the emblem insert comprises a translucent element.

5 . The ornamental device of claim 3 , wherein the emblem insert comprises an opaque element.

6 . The ornamental device of claim 3 , wherein when the LED is not illuminated, the lens assembly exhibits a chrome appearance over a portion of the lens assembly that is not covered by the emblem insert.

7 . The ornamental device of claim 3 , wherein when the LED is illuminated, light emanates through the lens assembly through a portion of the lens assembly that is not covered by the emblem insert.

8 . The ornamental device of claim 7 , wherein the LED includes a transparent lens, and wherein light emanates through portions of the lens assembly that are not covered by the emblem insert when the LED is illuminated.

9 . The ornamental device of claim 7 , wherein the LED includes a colored lens, and wherein non-white light emanates through portions of the lens assembly that are not covered by the emblem insert when the LED is illuminated.

10 . The ornamental device of claim 1 , wherein the light engine including an LED further comprises the light engine assembled onto the back plate and electrically connected to an electric power source.

11 . The ornamental device of claim 1 , wherein the lens assembly including the chrome surface finish further comprises a coated inner lens including the chrome surface finish sealably assembled within an outer lens.

12 . The ornamental device of claim 11 , wherein the outer lens comprises a transparent outer lens.

13 . The ornamental device of claim 11 , wherein the outer lens comprises a translucent outer lens.

14 . The ornamental device of claim 11 , wherein the coated inner lens comprises a molded element coated with a chrome layer.

15 . The ornamental device of claim 14 , wherein the molded element coated with a chrome layer comprises a molded transparent element coated with the chrome layer.

16 . The ornamental device of claim 14 , wherein the molded element coated with a chrome layer comprises a molded translucent element coated with the chrome layer.

17 . The ornamental device of claim 14 , wherein the molded element coated with the chrome layer further comprises the molded element coated with a chrome layer applied using a physical vapor deposition process.

18 . The ornamental device of claim 1 , wherein the light pipe has a shape that approximates the shape of the backlit ornamental device.

19 . An ornamental device including a decorative plated surface and a backlit assembly, comprising:
a light engine including a light-emitting diode (LED); a light pipe optically coupled to the LED; a light diffuser; a lens assembly including a chrome surface finish, wherein the lens assembly encases the light engine, the light pipe and the light diffuser, and is assembled onto a back plate; and an emblem insert covering a first portion of the lens assembly; wherein when the LED is not illuminated, the lens assembly exhibits a chrome appearance through a second portion of the lens assembly not covered by the emblem insert.

20 . An ornamental device including a decorative plated surface and a backlit assembly, comprising:
a light engine including a light-emitting diode (LED); a light pipe optically coupled to the LED; a light diffuser; a lens assembly including a chrome surface finish, wherein the lens assembly encases the light engine, the light pipe and the light diffuser, and is assembled onto a back plate; and an emblem insert covering a first portion of the lens assembly; wherein when the LED is illuminated, light emanates through a second portion of the lens assembly not covered by the emblem insert.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Inc

Inventors

• Stemmer Joseph A
• Naik Neil

Classifications

• G02B6/0051

  Diffusing sheet or layer · CPC title

• G02B6/0001

  specially adapted for lighting devices or systems (lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00) · CPC title

• F21Y2115/10

  Light-emitting diodes [LED] · CPC title

• F21W2107/00

  Use or application of lighting devices on or in particular types of vehicles · CPC title

• F21S43/14

  Light emitting diodes [LED] · CPC title