Illuminated chromatic emblem assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9834136-B2
Application number	US-201414276434-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 13, 2014
Priority date	Jun 19, 2012
Publication date	Dec 5, 2017
Grant date	Dec 5, 2017

Abstract

An 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 may include an electroluminescent light source. The emblem assembly further includes a chromatic layer over the light-producing assembly that comprises and emblem shape, and a translucent sealing structure over the chromatic layer that seals the backing member, the light-producing assembly, and the chromatic layer. The emblem assembly exhibits a chrome- or mirror-like finish when viewed under ambient lighting conditions. Further, the emblem assembly possesses a glowing appearance when activated under low light or nighttime conditions.

First claim

We claim:

1. An 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 an electroluminescent light source;
a chromatic layer comprising an emblem shape visible in ambient light over the light-producing assembly; and
a translucent sealing structure over the chromatic layer that comprises an embedded, non-etched design feature and seals the backing member, the light-producing assembly, and the chromatic layer.

2. An emblem assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the chromatic layer comprises aluminum-containing particles.

3. An emblem assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the translucent sealing structure comprises glass particles, and an acrylic material, a polycarbonate material, a nylon material, or a blend of these materials.

4. An emblem assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the electroluminescent light source comprises a pair of electrode structures and an active phosphor structure.

5. An emblem assembly according to claim 4 , wherein the pair of electrode structures include an electrode comprising indium tin oxide material and an electrode comprising carbon material.

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

7. An emblem assembly according to claim 6 , 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% polyester material by weight.

8. An emblem assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an air gap arranged between the light-producing assembly and the chromatic layer.

9. An 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 light-emitting diode source;
a chromatic layer comprising an emblem shape visible in ambient light over the light-producing assembly; and
a translucent sealing structure over the chromatic layer that comprises an embedded, non-etched design feature and seals the backing member, the light-producing assembly, and the chromatic layer.

10. An emblem assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the chromatic layer comprises indium-containing and aluminum-containing particles.

11. An emblem assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the translucent sealing structure comprises glass particles, and an acrylic material, a polycarbonate material, a nylon material, or a blend of these materials.

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

13. An emblem assembly according to claim 12 , 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% polyester material by weight.

14. An emblem assembly according to claim 9 , further comprising:
an air gap arranged between the light-producing assembly and the chromatic layer.

15. An 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 fiber optic light source;
a chromatic layer comprising an emblem shape visible in ambient light over the light-producing assembly; and
a translucent sealing structure over the chromatic layer that comprises an embedded, non-etched design feature and seals the backing member, the light-producing assembly, and the chromatic layer.

16. An emblem assembly according to claim 15 , wherein the chromatic layer comprises indium-containing and aluminum-containing particles.

17. An emblem assembly according to claim 15 , wherein the translucent sealing structure comprises glass particles, and an acrylic material, a polycarbonate material, a nylon material, or a blend of these materials.

18. An emblem assembly according to claim 15 , wherein the backing member is mounted to a vehicle.

19. An emblem assembly according to claim 18 , 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% polyester material by weight.

20. An emblem assembly according to claim 15 , further comprising:
an air gap arranged between the light-producing assembly and the chromatic layer.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc
• Colonial Plastics Inc

Inventors

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

Classifications

• G09F13/08

  using both translucent and non-translucent layers · CPC title

• B60Q3/30

  for compartments other than passenger or driving compartments, e.g. luggage or engine compartments · CPC title

• B60Q1/26

  the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic · CPC title

• G09F21/04 Primary

  by land vehicles · CPC title

• G09F2013/044

  Physics · mapped topic