PRINTED EL FOIL FOR BACKLIT AIRBAG EMBLEM

• US 20100104780A1
• Filed: 01/30/2009
• Published: 04/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Paxton, Donald J., Phillips, Henry Vernon
• Application Number:
  US12/363,372
• Publication Number:
  US 20100104780A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/31
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/283 Steering wheels; Gear levers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/005 Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/21543 with emblems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/215 characterised by the covers for the inflatable member B60R21/2176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor

Abstract

A backlit (illuminated) emblem is used as part of an airbag cover to increase the visual appeal of the emblem. The emblem may represent the logo or trademark of the vehicle manufacturer. The emblem will generally include one or more windows which are openings or transparent/translucent areas. The emblem is backlit using EL foil. However, the EL foil will include one or more areas of opaque colors that correspond to the position of the windows on the emblem. More specifically, for the areas of the emblem that require opaque colors, the colors are not added to the emblem, but rather, this opaque color will be added to the EL foil and is visible through the windows in the emblem.

Claims

1. An airbag apparatus comprising:

an emblem comprising one or more windows;

EL foil positioned rearward of the emblem, the EL foil capable of illuminating the emblem; and

one or more opaque colors added to the EL foil, the opaque colors being aligned with and visible through the windows.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the opaque colors are screen printed on the EL foil.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising plastic lamination on the outside of the EL foil, the opaque colors being disposed between the EL foil and the lamination.

4. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the emblem is a chrome emblem.

5. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the emblem is added to an airbag cover.

6. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the emblem comprises poles and the EL foil comprises openings, wherein the poles pass through the openings to attach the EL foil to the emblem.

7. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the opaque colors are added to the front surface of the EL foil.

9. A method as in claim 1 further comprising the step of screen printing the opaque colors on the EL foil.

10. A method as in claim 1 further comprising the step of adding plastic lamination on the outside of the EL foil such that the opaque colors are disposed between the EL foil and the lamination.

8. A method for creating a backlit emblem on a steering wheel cover comprising:

obtaining a vehicle emblem comprising one or more windows;

obtaining EL foil that is capable of illuminating the emblem, the EL foil including one or more opaque colors;

positioning the EL foil rearward of the emblem; and

aligning the opaque colors with the windows such that the opaque colors are visible through the windows.