Illuminated Emblem

• US 20150239390A1
• Filed: 02/24/2014
• Published: 08/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nissan North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Nissan North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: SURA, Bhargav, OLIVERIO, Sean
• Application Number:
  US14/187,874
• Publication Number:
  US 20150239390A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2661 mounted on parts having other functions on wheels B60Q1/326
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/50 Projected symbol or information, e.g. onto the road or car body
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/005 Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/08 Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle or waiting time

Abstract

An emblem device includes an emblem body, a lighting device and a controller. The emblem body is configured to be positioned on a portion of a vehicle, and has a translucent portion and an opaque portion. The lighting device is configured and arranged to disperse light though the translucent portion of the emblem body. The controller is programmed to alter a status of the lighting device based on predetermined criteria.

Claims

1. An emblem device comprising:

an emblem body configured to be positioned on a portion of a vehicle, and having a translucent portion and an opaque portion;

a lighting device configured and arranged to disperse light though the translucent portion of the emblem body; and

a controller programmed to alter a status of the lighting device based on predetermined criteria.

2. The emblem device according to claim 1, wherein

the emblem body has an outer perimeter and the translucent portion is adjacent the outer perimeter.

3. The emblem device according to claim 1, wherein

the controller is programmed to alter the illumination intensity of the lighting device based on a determination that a signal indicator of a vehicle equipped with the emblem device has been activated.

4. The emblem device according to claim 1, wherein

the lighting device includes a first light and a second light, the first light configured to disperse light through a first portion of the translucent portion and the second light configured to disperse light through a second portion of the translucent portion, and

the controller is programmed to alter the illumination intensity of one of the first and second lights based on a determination that a signal indicator of a vehicle equipped with the emblem device has been activated.

5. The emblem device according to claim 1, wherein

the controller is programmed to alter the illumination intensity of the lighting device based on a determination that a brake of a vehicle equipped with the emblem device has been activated.

6. The emblem device according to claim 1, wherein

the controller is configured to alter the illumination intensity of the lighting device based on a drivetrain speed of a vehicle equipped with the emblem device.

7. The emblem device according to claim 1, wherein

the controller is configured to alter the illumination intensity of the lighting device based on a change in a charge level of a battery of a vehicle equipped with the emblem device.

8. The emblem device according to claim 1, wherein

the lighting device is configured to emit a plurality of colors.

9. The emblem device according to claim 8, wherein

the controller is configured to alter the color emitted by the lighting device based on a change in a charge level of a battery of a vehicle equipped with the emblem device.

10. The emblem device according to claim 8, wherein

the controller is configured to alter the color emitted by the lighting device based on a change in ambient light intensity in an area adjacent the emblem body.

11. The emblem device according to claim 8, wherein

the controller is configured to alter the color emitted by the lighting device based on a change in operation status of a vehicle equipped with the emblem device.

12. The emblem device according to claim 11, wherein

the controller is configured to cause the lighting device to emit a first light color while the vehicle is in park mode and emit a second light color when the vehicle is moving.

13. The emblem device according to claim 1, wherein

the controller is configured to determine whether a light output of a light in the lighting device meets a predetermined minimum condition.

14. The emblem device according to claim 13, wherein

the controller is configured to notify an operator of a vehicle equipped with the emblem device when the controller determines that the light output of the light in the lighting device does not meet the predetermined minimum condition.

15. The emblem device according to claim 14, wherein

the translucent portion is a translucent polycarbonate material, and the opaque portion is a non-translucent polycarbonate material.