Vehicle logo

Abstract

A vehicle badge is disclosed, comprising a decorative layer; at least one lighting element illuminating the decorative layer; a generator powering the at least one lighting element, wherein the generator comprises a rotor comprising a support disc for at least one magnet; and a stator comprising at least one printed circuit board provided with windings. It allows to provide a badge in which the generator is optimized to be compatible with very small available space behind the front cover in axial direction.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle emblem, and more particularly to an emblem used in a fixed orientation on the wheel hub. Background Technology

[0002] The trend of enhancing vehicle appearance through increased illumination is becoming increasingly apparent. Furthermore, automakers and wheel manufacturers want to maintain the visibility of their signature logos under all possible external lighting conditions. One possible location combining these two goals is the wheel hub of a car, by illuminating a static graphic.

[0003] There are various devices that generate electrical energy using the torque of wheels. A combination of permanent magnets and coils allows power to be supplied to LEDs on a printed circuit board, thus illuminating advertising components.

[0004] The solution is limited in terms of technical feasibility due to available space, and in terms of economic feasibility due to the investment involved and the typically small manufacturing volume.

[0005] The following describes some available solutions:

[0006] US 7168831 B2 discloses a power generation unit and a magnetic core mounted on a fastened shaft that rotates with a wheel. This requires power terminals and wires to connect them to a printed circuit board containing LEDs. The power generation unit (or coil) requires a significant investment, and the overall solution requires substantial space in the axial direction.

[0007] US patent 10442242 B2 discloses an electrical energy generation system. This system includes magnets on the surface of a component that rotates with a wheel. Printed circuit boards electrically connected to the stator (coil) and LEDs are assembled onto bearings to prevent them from rotating with the shaft. The stator coils require significant investment, making it difficult to economically justify if the number of devices to be manufactured is small. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide an emblem in which the generator is optimized to be compatible in the axial direction with the very small available space behind the front cover.

[0009] The vehicle logo according to the invention addresses the aforementioned shortcomings and provides other advantages described below.

[0010] According to the present invention, the vehicle logo includes:

[0011] - Decorative layer;

[0012] -At least one lighting element that illuminates the decorative layer;

[0013] -A generator that supplies power to the at least one lighting element,

[0014] The generator includes:

[0015] - A rotor, the rotor including a support disk for at least one magnet; and

[0016] - Stator, which includes at least one printed circuit board having windings.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, these windings of the printed circuit board or each printed circuit board are connected in series.

[0018] Preferably, in order to maintain a fixed position, the vehicle emblem according to the invention also includes an eccentric counterweight.

[0019] Advantageously, a spacer is placed between the support disk and the printed circuit board, which ensures a controlled distance between the support disk and the printed circuit board in the axial direction.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the stator includes two printed circuit boards, and the windings of each printed circuit board are connected to each other via pins.

[0021] In addition, the at least one printed circuit board includes a magnetic layer and an optical guide, wherein the optical guide is mounted on the magnetic layer.

[0022] Preferably, the at least one lighting element is mounted on the at least one printed circuit board.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the support disk includes magnets located on both sides.

[0024] Furthermore, the vehicle logo according to the invention comprises a housing formed by a base and a cover.

[0025] In vehicle logos, the available space is very small, and in the logo according to the invention, the dimensions are optimized to be compatible with the available space in the axial direction. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To better understand the above description and for illustrative purposes only, non-limiting drawings are included that schematically depict actual embodiments.

[0027] Figure 1 This is an exploded view showing the main parts of the vehicle emblem according to the invention;

[0028] Figure 2 It was assembled. Figure 1 A detailed cross-sectional view of the logo shown;

[0029] Figure 3It is a layer of printed circuit board showing the traces forming the windings for use in the vehicle logo according to the invention; and

[0030] Figure 4 It is a simulation of the lighting power depending on the number of layers on the printed circuit board of the logo according to the invention and the vehicle speed. Detailed Implementation

[0031] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 They display the vehicle logo according to the invention.

[0032] The tightly sealed housing is formed by a base 1 and a cover 2 with a decorative ring 3. This housing is fixed to the hub of the vehicle wheel. The cover 2 may be fully or partially transparent on its front side. The housing provides waterproof, dustproof, or other protection against contamination to the internal components that generate electrical power to illuminate the front side.

[0033] A support disk 4 with permanent magnets 5 is fixed to the housing on its periphery to perform the function of a generator rotor when the wheel rotates. The permanent magnets 5 may or may not have alternating polarity. The support disk 4 holds a bearing 6 on its axis, thereby allowing the spacer 7 and the shaft 8 to rotate freely.

[0034] Shaft 8 holds the printed circuit board 9 located between the support plate 4 and the cover 2.

[0035] Spacer 7 ensures a controlled distance in the axial direction between support plate 4 and printed circuit board 9.

[0036] Printed circuit board 9 includes having Figure 3 The multiple sets of windings 10 shown represent one or more layers. The different layers of the printed circuit board 9 are connected by through-holes. The layout of the windings 10 can be a conventional design, maintaining the conductor traces following the same direction of rotation between layers.

[0037] All windings 10 are connected in series, thus providing a single output phase. This portion of printed circuit board 9 serves as the stator of the generator.

[0038] The conversion of the generated magnetic field to electrical power can be improved by adding a magnetic conductor layer 11 located on the surface of the printed circuit board 9. This magnetic conductor layer is further away from the permanent magnet 5, thereby limiting the magnetic field.

[0039] The generated electrical power can be increased by adding a second printed plate 9', which is held by a shaft 8 and positioned closer to the side of the support plate 4 that is further away from the cover 2.

[0040] Spacer 7' ensures a controlled axial distance between support disk 4 and printed circuit board 9'. The windings of printed circuit board 9' have a similar or identical design to the windings of printed circuit board 9, and these windings are connected in series via pins 12 located in the inner portion of shaft 8.

[0041] Similarly, the conversion of the generated magnetic field to electrical power can be improved by adding a magnetic conductor layer 11' located on the surface of the printed circuit board 9', which is further away from the permanent magnet 5, thereby confining the magnetic field.

[0042] The stationary assembly, which includes spacers 7 (and 7'), shaft 8, and printed circuit board 9 (and 9'), also includes an eccentrically arranged counterweight 13.

[0043] Although the wheels rotate and move, and thus the outer housing and the inner rotor rotate and move, the gravity acting on the counterweight 13 keeps the assembly in a relatively constant position.

[0044] The printed circuit board 9 located between the support plate 4 and the front cover 2 is also electrically connected to the lighting elements 14 (such as LEDs), thereby providing the generated electrical power to these lighting elements.

[0045] The lighting element 14 illuminates the light guide 15 located between the printed circuit board 9 and the decorative layer 16. The light guide 15 distributes the light, allowing the light to radiate through the decorative layer 16.

[0046] Decorative layer 16 can combine opaque and transparent / semi-transparent areas to define graphics that are desired to be highlighted by lighting (e.g., a manufacturer's logo).

[0047] The light guide 15 and the decorative layer 16 can be two separate parts included on the stationary assembly, secured by adhesive, mechanical interference, or brazing. Alternatively, they can be a single, integrated unit, where the decorative layer 16 is simply a film on the light guide 15, with both the decorative layer and the light guide included on the stationary assembly. In either case, the decorative layer 16 will also utilize the counterweight 13 to maintain its stationary position and make the graphic more easily identifiable to an external observer.

[0048] The number of layers of winding 10 used on printed circuit boards 9 (and 9') will depend on:

[0049] - Consumer-specified brightness (the range between the minimum and maximum values).

[0050] - It should be able to deliver the specified minimum speed of the vehicle with the minimum specified brightness.

[0051] Figure 4 Simulations of lighting power and vehicle speeds with different numbers of layers are shown. As expected, it can be seen that a larger number of layers allows for the achievement of the minimum required lighting at lower speeds.

[0052] The printed circuit board 9 connected to the lighting elements 14 may include protective devices to limit the power delivered to the lighting elements 14 when the maximum specified brightness is achieved, thereby protecting the lighting elements. These protective devices may take the form of low-pass filters to operate at vehicle speeds exceeding a specified value. This excess power can then charge an energy storage device (battery or supercapacitor) connected to the printed circuit board.

[0053] The available energy in the energy storage device can supply the lighting element 14 for a period of time when the vehicle speed is below the speed required to achieve the specified minimum lighting level. If the energy storage device is heavy, it is recommended to position it off-center to help the counterweight 13 keep the components in a stationary position due to gravity.

[0054] The front cover may include a protective layer (UV protection, impact resistance, and anti-reflective properties) that typically features a standard non-illuminated wheel logo.

[0055] To reduce vibration and increase mechanical robustness, the rear axle 17 can be included in a stationary assembly and radially positioned relative to the base 1 by means of a bearing 18.

[0056] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been referenced, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the vehicle emblem described herein is susceptible to variation and modification, and that all details mentioned may be replaced by other technically equivalent details without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle emblem used at a fixed position on a wheel hub, the vehicle emblem comprising: Decorative layer (16); At least one lighting element (14) that illuminates the decorative layer (16); A generator that supplies power to at least one lighting element (14), The generator includes: A rotor, comprising a support disk (4) for at least one magnet (5); and The stator includes at least one printed circuit board (9) having multiple sets of windings (10). The feature is that the at least one printed circuit board (9) includes one or more layers having the plurality of windings (10), and the at least one printed circuit board (9) includes one or more layers or each layer including a plurality of wire traces for forming the plurality of windings (10).

2. The vehicle emblem according to claim 1, wherein, The multiple sets of windings (10) of the at least one printed circuit board (9) are connected in series.

3. The vehicle emblem according to claim 1, wherein, The vehicle logo also includes an eccentric counterweight (13).

4. The vehicle emblem according to claim 1, wherein, The spacer (7) is placed between the support plate (4) and each printed circuit board (9).

5. The vehicle emblem according to claim 1, wherein, The stator includes two printed circuit boards (9), and the multiple sets of windings (10) of each printed circuit board (9) are connected to each other by pins.

6. The vehicle emblem according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one printed circuit board (9) includes a magnetic layer (11).

7. The vehicle emblem according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one lighting element (14) is mounted on the at least one printed circuit board (9).

8. The vehicle emblem according to claim 1, wherein, The vehicle logo also includes a light guide (15).

9. The vehicle emblem according to claim 8, wherein, The optical guide (15) is mounted on the magnetic layer (11).

10. The vehicle emblem according to claim 1, wherein, The support plate (4) includes magnets (5) located on both sides.

11. The vehicle emblem according to claim 1, wherein, The vehicle logo includes a housing formed by a base (1) and a cover (2).

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