Illuminated chromatic emblem assembly with micro LEDS

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9481296-B2
Application number	US-201414275342-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 12, 2014
Priority date	Jun 19, 2012
Publication date	Nov 1, 2016
Grant date	Nov 1, 2016

Abstract

An illuminated emblem assembly is provided that includes a power source, a backing member, and a light-producing assembly coupled to the power source and supported by the backing member. The light-producing assembly includes a plurality of light-emitting diode sources. The light-producing assembly may also include a plurality of micro-sized, dispersed light-emitting diode sources. The illuminated emblem assembly further includes a translucent base region over the light sources, a chromatic layer over the translucent base region and a UV-stable translucent sealing structure over the chromatic layer that seals the backing member, the light producing assembly, and the chromatic layer. The sealing structure may be UV-stable and/or include a design feature. The illuminated emblem assembly exhibits a chrome- or mirror-like finish when viewed under ambient lighting conditions. Further, the illuminated emblem assembly possesses a glowing appearance when activated under low light or nighttime conditions.

First claim

We claim:

1. An illuminated emblem assembly, comprising:
a power source;
a backing member;
a light-producing assembly coupled to the power source and supported by the backing member that includes a plurality of light-emitting diode sources;
a translucent base region over the light sources;
an indium-containing chromatic layer over the translucent base region; and
a polycarbonate sealing structure over the chromatic layer that comprises a design feature and seals the backing member, the light-producing assembly, and the chromatic layer.

2. An illuminated emblem assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the backing member is mounted to a vehicle.

3. An illuminated emblem assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the backing member is mounted to a location within an engine compartment of the vehicle and the polycarbonate sealing structure comprises a blend of nylon and polycarbonate material at a ratio of 40 to 60% nylon to 40 to 60% polycarbonate material by weight.

4. An illuminated emblem assembly, comprising:
a power source;
a backing member;
a light-producing assembly coupled to the power source and supported by the member that includes a plurality of light-emitting diode sources;
a translucent base region over the light sources;
an indium-containing chromatic layer over the base region; and
a UV-stable polycarbonate sealing structure over the chromatic layer that comprises a design feature and seals the backing member, the light-producing assembly, and the chromatic layer.

5. An illuminated emblem assembly according to claim 4 , wherein the backing member is mounted to a vehicle.

6. An illuminated emblem assembly according to claim 5 , wherein the backing member is mounted to a location within an engine compartment of the vehicle and the translucent sealing structure comprises a blend of nylon and polycarbonate material at a ratio of 40 to 60% nylon to 40 to 60% polycarbonate material by weight.

7. An illuminated emblem assembly, comprising:
a power source;
a backing member;
a light-producing assembly coupled to the power source and supported by the backing member that includes a plurality of dispersed light-emitting diode sources;
a translucent base region over the light sources;
a chromatic layer over the translucent base region; and
a translucent sealing structure over the chromatic layer that comprises a design feature and seals the backing member, the light-producing assembly, and the chromatic layer.

8. An illuminated emblem assembly according to claim 7 , wherein the translucent sealing structure comprises a UV-stable polycarbonate material.

9. An illuminated emblem assembly according to claim 7 , wherein the backing member is mounted to a vehicle.

10. An illuminated emblem assembly according to claim 7 , wherein the chromatic layer comprises indium-containing particles.

11. An illuminated emblem assembly according to claim 7 , wherein the chromatic layer comprises aluminum-containing particles.

12. An illuminated emblem assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the backing member is mounted to a location within an engine compartment of the vehicle and the translucent sealing structure comprises a blend of nylon and polycarbonate material at a ratio of 40 to 60% nylon to 40 to 60% polycarbonate material by weight.

13. An illuminated emblem assembly according to claim 7 , wherein the light-producing assembly further comprises a negative electrode layer, a positive electrode layer and a dielectric region, each in electrical contact with at least a portion of the light-emitting diode sources.

14. An illuminated emblem assembly according to claim 13 , wherein the light-emitting diode sources are micro-sized light-emitting diode elements.

15. An illuminated emblem assembly according to claim 14 , wherein the micro-sized light-emitting diode elements comprise gallium nitride.

16. An illuminated emblem assembly according to claim 15 , wherein the micro-sized light-emitting diode elements are arranged on the positive electrode layer in the form of an ink.

17. An illuminated emblem assembly according to claim 15 , further comprising:
a light-diffusing layer arranged between the chromatic layer and the translucent base region.

18. An illuminated emblem assembly according to claim 13 , wherein the negative electrode layer comprises indium tin oxide.

19. An illuminated emblem assembly according to claim 13 , wherein the chromatic layer has partial transmissivity in the visible light spectrum.

20. An illuminated emblem assembly according to claim 13 , wherein the chromatic layer and the light-producing assembly are configured in the form of an emblem design.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc
• Colonial Plastics Inc

Inventors

• Roberts Richard J
• Brown Laron Michelle
• Gardner Cornel Lewis

Classifications

• G09F21/04 Primary

  by land vehicles · CPC title

• G09F13/06

  using individual cut-out symbols or cut-out silhouettes, e.g. perforated signs · CPC title

• B60Q1/2615 Primary

  mounted on the vehicle body, e.g. with magnets · CPC title