Vehicle logo lighting device with light pipe

Abstract

The invention provides a vehicle logo lighting device with a light pipe. A vehicle sign lighting device includes a light source. The light source has an elongated light pipe having a first end operably coupled to the light source and a second end having a metallized surface. The light pipe also has a plurality of prismatic optics extending into an outer surface of the elongate body. An inner lens is operably coupled to the light pipe to receive light reflected from the plurality of prismatic optics and output a light beam.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to lighting devices, and more particularly to a vehicle lighting device having a light guide for use as an illuminated logo on a vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] Motor vehicles are often equipped with various lighting devices. For example, a vehicle exterior light can include a lighting device for use as a vehicle logo light to identify one or more vehicle characteristics. It can be desirable to provide a vehicle logo light that provides efficient and uniform brightness for use on a vehicle. SUMMARY

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle logo lighting device includes a light source. The light source has an elongated light pipe having a first end operably coupled to the light source and a second end having a metallized surface. The light pipe further has a plurality of prismatic optics extending into an outer surface of the elongated body. An inner lens is operably coupled to the light pipe to receive light reflected from the plurality of prismatic optics and output a light beam.

[0004] Embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure can include any one or combination of the following features:

[0005] - employing the lighting device as a vehicle logo light on an exterior of a vehicle;

[0006] - employing the lighting device within or proximate to a grille in a front end of the vehicle;

[0007] - positioning the lighting device with at least two additional vehicle logo lighting devices proximate to or within the grille;

[0008] - the elongated light pipe has a cylindrical body;

[0009] - the plurality of prismatic optics are present in a rear side of the light pipe;

[0010] - the plurality of prismatic optics each have an angle in a range of 5° to 45° (degrees);

[0011] - the plurality of prismatic optics each have an angle in a range of 10° to 30° (degrees);

[0012] - the plurality of prismatic optics are formed with a generally V-shaped groove having an angle as an angle of inclination;

[0013] - the inner lens has a forwardly extending body having a front end for emitting a light output; and

[0014] - the inner lens is overmolded to the light pipe.

[0015] According to a second aspect of the disclosure, a vehicle badge lighting device includes a light source and an elongated light pipe. The elongated light pipe has a cylindrical body and a first end operably coupled to the light source and a second end having a metallized surface. The light pipe further has a plurality of prismatic optics extending into an outer rear surface of the cylindrical body. An inner lens is operably coupled to the light pipe to receive light reflected from the plurality of prismatic optics and output a light beam.

[0016] Embodiments of the second aspect of the disclosure can include any one or combination of the following features:

[0017] - employing the lighting device as a vehicle identification light on an exterior of the vehicle;

[0018] - employing the lighting device within or proximate to a grille in a front end of the vehicle;

[0019] - the lighting device is positioned proximate to or within the grille with at least two additional vehicle lighting devices;

[0020] - the plurality of prismatic optics each have an angle in a range of 5° to 45° (degrees);

[0021] - the plurality of prismatic optics each have an angle in a range of 10° to 30° (degrees);

[0022] - the plurality of prismatic optics are formed with a generally V-shaped groove having an angle as an angle of inclination;

[0023] - the inner lens has a forwardly extending body having a front end for emitting a light output; and

[0024] - the inner lens is overmolded to the light pipe.

[0025] These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] In the drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a motor vehicle having a plurality of vehicle badge lighting devices arranged on a front end of the motor vehicle within a vehicle grille, according to one example;

[0028] Figure 2 is a front perspective view of a motor vehicle having a plurality of vehicle badge lighting devices arranged on a front end of the motor vehicle within a vehicle grille, according to one example; Figure 1enlarged perspective view of a portion of the grille at the front end of the motor vehicle of the vehicle emblem lighting device shown;

[0029] Figure 3 is Figure 2 is an exploded view of the vehicle grille and the vehicle emblem lighting device shown;

[0030] Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the vehicle emblem lighting device with a light pipe and overmolded inner lens;

[0031] Figure 4A is Figure 4 is an enlarged view of section IVA further showing the vehicle emblem lighting device shown;

[0032] Figure 4B is Figure 4 is a lower perspective view of the vehicle emblem lighting device shown;

[0033] Figure 5 is Figure 4 is an upper rear perspective view of the vehicle emblem lighting device shown;

[0034] Figure 5A is Figure 5 is an enlarged view of section VA further showing the prism optics on the light pipe; and

[0035] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken through Figure 5A line VI-VI further showing the prism optics. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In the drawings, the depicted structural elements are not drawn to scale and certain components are exaggerated relative to others for purposes of emphasis and understanding.

[0037] Detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it is understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure, which can be practiced in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some schematic drawings can be exaggerated or minimized to show the functional overview. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present disclosure in various ways.

[0038] For the purposes of description herein, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the application as Figure 1The concepts presented herein. It will be understood, however, that the concepts can assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0039] The embodiments of the present illustration primarily reside in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to vehicle emblem lighting devices. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Moreover, like reference numerals in the specification and drawings represent like elements.

[0040] As used herein, the term "and / or," when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; a combination of A and B; a combination of A and C; a combination of B and C; or a combination of A, B, and C.

[0041] In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like can be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but can include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, foreclose the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

[0042] As used herein, the term "about" means quantities, dimensions, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but can be approximated and / or larger or smaller than stated in order to be "about." When the term "about" is used in reference to a value or to a range of endpoints, the disclosure shall be understood to encompass the specific value or endpoint referred to. Whether or not the term "about" is used in reference to a value or range of endpoints, the endpoints of the range of values, both as to a particular value or a range, are intended to include both the point or endpoint as modified by "about" and the point or endpoint itself. It is also understood that each endpoint of a range is independently significant and that the endpoints are potentially the same or different.

[0043] The terms "substantial," "substantially," and variations thereof as used herein are intended to note that a described feature is equal or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a "substantially planar" surface is intended to indicate a surface that is planar or approximately planar. Additionally, "substantially" is intended to indicate that two values are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, "substantially" can indicate that a value is within about 10% of a reference value, such as within about 5%, or within about 2% of a reference value.

[0044] As used herein, the term "the," "a," or "an," means "at least one" and should not be limited to "only one" unless explicitly indicated as such. Thus, for example, reference to "a component" includes embodiments having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0045] Reference is made to Figure 1, an example of a motor vehicle 10 is shown generally equipped with a plurality of vehicle emblem lighting devices 20, also referred to as vehicle identification (ID) lights, shown generally on the exterior of the vehicle body at the front end 16 of the motor vehicle 10. The plurality of vehicle emblem lighting devices 20 in the illustrated example are arranged in a horizontal line and spaced apart at the front end 16 of the motor vehicle 10 and are configured as vehicle identification (ID) lights that can help identify one or more characteristics or features of the motor vehicle 10 by illuminating light in a pattern by lighting the lights in a certain pattern. For example, the vehicle emblem lighting devices 20 can indicate characteristics of the motor vehicle 10 such as vehicle size, vehicle shape, vehicle type, and direction of travel. The vehicle emblem lighting devices 20 are shown generally extending from a grille 18 at the front end 16 of the motor vehicle 10. It should be understood that the motor vehicle 10 can have a plurality of vehicle emblem lighting devices 20 located at other locations on the motor vehicle 10 such as on a fender, on a bumper, on components at the rear end of the motor vehicle 10, and other locations. Each of the vehicle emblem lighting devices 20 is configured as a light illumination light that advantageously provides light illumination with an effective and substantially uniform light brightness.

[0046] The motor vehicle 10 shown and described herein in one example is a wheeled motor vehicle having a plurality of tires and wheel assemblies 14 configured to engage and rotate on a roadway. The motor vehicle 10 has a vehicle body 20 that generally defines a vehicle cabin interior, also referred to as a passenger compartment. The vehicle body 20 generally defines the exterior shape of the motor vehicle 10. In the illustrated example, three separate vehicle emblem vehicle lighting devices 20 are shown spaced apart horizontally on the exterior of the vehicle body 20 along the width of a grille 18 that spans the front end of the motor vehicle 10. It should be understood that one or more vehicle emblem lighting devices 20 can be employed on the motor vehicle 10.

[0047] Each of the vehicle emblem lighting devices 20 is shown in Figure 2 FIG. 1 as at least partially assembled within or on the grille 18 and arranged to radiate light from the grille 18. The grille 18 generally has a housing including a rear housing portion 18A on a rear side and a front housing portion 18B on a front side that are connected together and define an overall housing. The three vehicle emblem lighting devices 20 are disposed within the interior of the grille 18 and spaced apart. Each of the three vehicle emblem lighting devices 20 is shown spaced apart generally evenly within the grille 18 across the width of the front end of the motor vehicle 10 and at the same height. It should be understood that the grille 18 can have any number of shapes and sizes.

[0048] The vehicle emblem illumination device 20 advantageously provides for identification of the identity of the motor vehicle 10, such as the type of vehicle, the size of the vehicle, or the shape of the vehicle, or one or more other characteristics or features of the motor vehicle 10, such as the operating status of the motor vehicle 10, for example, farewell and welcome lighting or direction of travel. In one example, three vehicle emblem illumination devices 20 are shown extending through openings 28A and 28B present in both the rear housing 18A and the front housing 18B, respectively, and partially in front of the openings 28A and 28B. Thus, when viewing the front side of the grille 18 and the front side of the motor vehicle 10, the three vehicle emblem illumination devices 20 are seen. It should be appreciated that one or more vehicle emblem illumination devices 20 can be located elsewhere on the motor vehicle 10 and arranged in different ways.

[0049] Each of the vehicle emblem illumination devices 20 includes a rear housing 22 and an outer lens 26, as shown. Figure 3 The vehicle emblem illumination device 20 has an elongated light pipe 30 at a rear end generally disposed within the rear housing 20. The light pipe 30 is overmolded with an inner lens 42 extending forward from a front end of the light pipe 30. The light pipe 30 has a generally cylindrical elongated body 30 with circular opposing first and second ends. A light source 25 is located at the first end 27 and is oriented to shine light into the light pipe 30, and a metallized surface that reflects light is disposed on an inner surface at the opposing second end 28. A custom near-field lens can be optically coupled between the light source 25 and the light pipe 24 to magnify the light before it reaches the optical prism. The near-field lens can be concave, convex, or planar in shape and can have multiple optical pillow structures. Light directed by the light source 24 into the first end 27 of the light pipe 30 is reflected forward within the inner lens 42 and output via the front side 42 of the inner lens 44. It should be appreciated that the metallized surface at the second end 28 advantageously reflects and recirculates light within the light pipe 30 and returns the light in the opposite direction until the light is redirected out of the front end 42 of the inner lens 44.

[0050] Referring to Figure 4 , Figure 4A and Figure 4BThe front portion of the light pipe 24 and the overmolded inner lens 40 are shown in greater detail. As can be seen, the light source 25 can include a circuit board having one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). The LEDs can include red, green, blue LEDs that can be controlled to provide selectable light colors and brightness. The LEDs are mounted to an LED circuit board that, in turn, is assembled to the circular first end 27 of the cylindrical light pipe housing 30 at an end opposite the metallized second end 28. The light source 25 can be mounted to a printed circuit board that can include circuitry for receiving electrical power, converting the electrical power to a suitable voltage (such as a pulse width modulated (PWM) voltage), and supplying the converted electrical power at the suitable voltage to the corresponding light source 25 to power the light source 25 to generate light.

[0051] The inner lens 40 is advantageously overmolded onto the cylindrical sidewall of the body 30 of the light pipe 24. The inner lens 40 can include a polymeric optical material, such as glass, plastic, polycarbonate, or other optically transparent medium. The inner lens 40 extends forward in a generally conical shape with a flat top surface and a flat bottom surface forming a platform that extends forward to a front exit 42 for emitting light output. The front surface defines the output of the inner lens 40 and can include a plurality of optical prisms 44 that can be formed in both the horizontal and vertical directions to scatter light in a substantially uniform manner.

[0052] Referring to Figure 5 and Figure 5A The light pipe 24 is also shown as having a plurality of optical prisms 50 formed on the back side of the cylindrical body 30 that act as a light collimator. According to one example, the light pipe 24 can be made of a light transmissive medium having a high refractive index in the range of about 1.4 to 1.7. According to one example, the light transmissive medium can include a transparent and rigid plastic, such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), which is a synthetic resin produced from the polymerization of methacrylic ester and has a refractive index of about 1.49. According to another example, the light transmissive medium can include a thermoplastic polymer, such as polycarbonate having a refractive index of about 1.59. The light pipe 30 can be formed using injection molding in a mold and can be rigid or flexible depending on the thickness.

[0053] The light pipe 24 is formed with a light collimator comprising a series of parallel aligned prismatic optics 50 extending in a periodic arrangement along the axial axis on a portion of the rear outer surface of the light pipe 24. The light collimator collimates the light into an output beam that is directed through the inner lens. The light pipe 24 has a generally cylindrical body with a series of V-shaped grooves on its rear outer surface forming the prismatic optics 50. The V-shaped grooves result in a sawtooth configuration in the rear outer surface of the light pipe 24. According to one embodiment, the V-shaped grooves forming the prismatic optics 50 have an angle Θ in the range of 5 degrees to 45 degrees, and according to another embodiment, the angle Θ is in the range of 10 degrees to 30 degrees. According to a specific exemplary embodiment, the plurality of V-shaped prisms 50 each have an angle Θ in the range of about 15 degrees. By providing an angle Θ in the range of 5 degrees to 45 degrees or more specifically about 15 degrees, light generated by the light source that is transmitted toward the prismatic optics 50 is reflected and emitted from the front output side of the inner lens 40 with substantially uniform illumination brightness over a wide range.

[0054] The vehicle emblem illumination device 30 advantageously provides an effective and substantially uniform brightness light output that can be used as an identifier emblem on the motor vehicle 10. A plurality of vehicle emblem illumination devices 30 arranged in a particular pattern can be used together to provide transition illumination effects such as color changes, illumination patterns, illumination sequences, and other effects.

[0055] It should be understood that changes and modifications can be made to the foregoing structure without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and it should be further understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the claims that follow, unless their language expressly contradicts such coverage.

[0056] According to the present disclosure, there is provided a vehicle emblem illumination device having a light source, an elongated light pipe having a first end operably coupled to the light source and a second end having a metallized surface, the light pipe further having a plurality of prismatic optics extending into an outer surface of the elongated body, and an inner lens operably coupled to the light pipe to receive light reflected from the plurality of prismatic optics and output a light beam.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the illumination device is employed on the exterior of the vehicle as a vehicle identifier light.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the illumination device is employed within or proximate to a grille in the front end of the vehicle.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the illumination device is positioned proximate to or within the grille with at least two additional vehicle emblem illumination devices.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the elongated light pipe has a cylindrical body.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the plurality of prismatic optics are present in a rear side of the light pipe.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the plurality of prismatic optics each have an angle in a range of 5° to 45° (degrees).

[0063] According to one embodiment, the plurality of prismatic optics each have an angle in a range of 10° to 30° (degrees).

[0064] According to one embodiment, the plurality of prismatic optics are formed with a generally V-shaped groove having an angle as a tilt angle.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the inner lens has a forwardly extending body having a front end for emitting a light output.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the inner lens is overmolded to the light pipe.

[0067] According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle emblem lighting device having a light source, an elongated light pipe having a cylindrical body and a first end operably coupled to the light source and a second end having a metallized surface, the light pipe further having a plurality of prismatic optics extending into an outer rear surface of the cylindrical body, and an inner lens operably coupled to the light pipe to receive light reflected from the plurality of prismatic optics and output a light beam.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the lighting device is employed on an exterior of a vehicle as a vehicle identification light.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the lighting device is employed within or proximate to a grille in a front end of the vehicle.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the lighting device is positioned proximate to or within the grille with at least two additional vehicle lighting devices.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the plurality of prismatic optics each have an angle in a range of 5° to 45° (degrees).

[0072] According to one embodiment, the plurality of prismatic optics each have an angle in a range of 10° to 30° (degrees).

[0073] According to one embodiment, the plurality of prismatic optics are formed with a generally V-shaped groove having an angle as a tilt angle.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the inner lens has a forward extending body having a front end for emitting light output.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the inner lens is overmolded to the light pipe.

Claims

1. A vehicle emblem illumination device comprising: a light source; an elongated light pipe having a first end operably coupled to the light source and a second end having a metallized surface, the light pipe further having a plurality of prismatic optics extending into an outer surface of the elongated body; and an inner lens operably coupled to the light pipe to receive light reflected from the plurality of prismatic optics and output a light beam.

2. The vehicle emblem illumination device of claim 1, wherein the illumination device is employed on an exterior of a vehicle as a vehicle identification light.

3. The vehicle emblem illumination device of claim 2, wherein the illumination device is employed within or proximate to a grille in a front end of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle emblem illumination device of claim 3, wherein the illumination device is positioned proximate to or within the grille with at least two additional vehicle emblem illumination devices.

5. The vehicle emblem illumination device of claim 1, wherein the elongated light pipe has a cylindrical body.

6. The vehicle emblem illumination device of claim 5, wherein the plurality of prismatic optics are present in a back side of the light pipe.

7. The vehicle emblem illumination device of claim 6, wherein the plurality of prismatic optics each have an angle in a range of 5° to 45° (degrees).

8. The vehicle emblem illumination device of claim 6, wherein the plurality of prismatic optics each have an angle in a range of 10° to 30° (degrees).

9. The vehicle emblem illumination device of claim 5, wherein the plurality of prismatic optics are formed with a generally V-shaped groove having an angle as an angle of inclination.

10. The vehicle emblem illumination device of claim 1, wherein the inner lens has a forwardly extending body having a front end for emitting a light output.

11. The vehicle emblem illumination device of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the inner lens is overmolded to the light pipe.

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