Vehicle badge

• US 9,656,598 B1
• Filed: 02/23/2016
• Issued: 05/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2016
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Salter, Stuart C., Musleh, Michael A., Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Buttolo, Pietro
• Primary Examiner(s): Han, Jason Moon
• Application Number:
  US15/051,029
• Time in Patent Office: 455 Days
• Field of Search: 362487, 362496, 362509-510, 362545
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0011 with light guides for distributing the light between several lighting or signalling devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2619 built in the vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/543 for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle indicating taxis' state of hire or fare G07B13/045
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/20 Multi-color single source or LED matrix, e.g. yellow blinker and red brake lamp generated by single lamp
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/005 Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/64 using wavelength conversion means distinct or spaced from the light-generating element, e.g. a remote phosphor layer
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/16 Light sources where the light is generated by photoluminescent material spaced from a primary light generating element
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/235 Light guides
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/236 characterised by the shape of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/31 Optical layout thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/045 Light guides
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0008 the light being emitted at the end of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/002 by shaping at least a portion of the light guide, e.g. with collimating, focussing or diverging surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0055 Reflecting element, sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0075 Arrangements of multiple light guides G02B6/0028 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0083 Details of electrical connections of light sources to drivers, circuit boards, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 : by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 : Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A badge for a vehicle is provided herein. The badge includes a substrate attached to a housing having a viewable portion. A light directing member defining a first light tunnel and a second light tunnel is disposed rearwardly of the viewable portion. The first light tunnel has a different cross-sectional geometry than the second light tunnel. A first light source is operably coupled with the first light tunnel. A second light source is operably coupled with the second light tunnel. The viewable portion is configured to illuminate in a first color from the first light source and in a second color from the second light source on the viewable portion.

Claims

1. A badge for a vehicle, comprising:

a substrate attached to a housing of said badge, the housing having a viewable portion;

a light directing member disposed within the housing and defining a first hollow light tunnel and a second hollow light tunnel disposed rearwardly of the viewable portion, the first light tunnel having a different cross-sectional geometry than the second light tunnel;

a first light source operably coupled with the first light tunnel; and

a second light source operably coupled with the second light tunnel, wherein the viewable portion is configured to illuminate in a first color from the first light source and in a second color from the second light source on the viewable portion.

2. The badge for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first light source emits a first excitation light and the second light source emits a second excitation light.

3. The badge for a vehicle of claim 2, further comprising:

a first photoluminescent structure and a second photoluminescent structure each including at least one photoluminescent material therein configured to perform an energy conversion on the first or second excitation light received from at least a portion of the first or second light source into a visible converted light.

4. The badge of claim 1, wherein the first light source is disposed proximate at least one of an outer edge and a corner of the viewable portion.

5. The badge of claim 1, wherein the badge further comprises a light diffuser proximate the viewable portion.

6. The badge of claim 1, wherein the first light source illuminates in a non-white color and wherein the second light source illuminates in a substantially white color.

7. A badge, comprising:

a housing of said badge having a viewable portion;

a light directing member having a top surface disposed rearwardly of the viewable portion;

a first light source operably coupled with a first hollow light tunnel defined by the light directing member; and

a second light source operably coupled with a second hollow light tunnel defined by the light directing member having a different cross-sectional geometry than the first light tunnel.

8. The badge of claim 7, further comprising:

a first photoluminescent structure is disposed between the light directing member and the viewable portion.

9. The badge of claim 8, wherein the first photoluminescent structure comprises at least one photoluminescent material configured to perform an energy conversion on an excitation light received from at least a portion of the first or second light source into a visible light that is outputted through the viewable portion.

10. The badge of claim 8, wherein the first photoluminescent structure includes a short persistence photoluminescent material therein that is configured to illuminate in a plurality of colors, wherein each color of converted light is emitted for 100 milliseconds or less once the excitation light is removed.

11. The badge of claim 7, further comprising a controller configured to control an output of each light source, wherein each light source illuminates in a differing color to create a prismatic appearance.

12. The badge of claim 11, wherein the viewable portion luminesces in a neutral white color.

13. The badge of claim 7, wherein each pulse of light from the second light source occurs for a time period of about 1/10 to 1/100 of a second.

14. The badge of claim 7, wherein the first light tunnel has a four-point star shaped cross section.