Vehicle logo arrangement and motor vehicle with such vehicle logo arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle logo arrangement (1) with a light source (2) which is arranged in a housing (3) and covered by a translucent cover (4). According to the invention, the light source (2) has several micro-LEDs (8) arranged in cross-section along a longitudinal center line (9) of the housing (3).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle logo arrangement with a light source which is arranged in a housing and covered by a translucent cover, according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle with such a vehicle logo arrangement.

[0002] From DE 10 2019 131 817 A1, DE 10 2007 029 213 A1 and DE 10 2004 009 208 A1, a generic vehicle logo arrangement with a light source is known, which is arranged in a housing and covered by a translucent cover. The light source has several micro-LEDs which, viewed in cross-section, are arranged along a longitudinal center line of the housing.

[0003] From EP 3 733 453 A1, a light source with a luminous surface formed by a pixel array and a vehicle lamp equipped with such a light source are known. Each pixel of the pixel array of the light source comprises an optical body with a front light-emitting surface and a rear light-intake surface, as well as a side surface connecting the light-intake surface and the light-emitting surface. At least the side surface of the optical body of each pixel of the light source is mirrored. At least one individually controllable LED is assigned as a light source to the light-intake surface of the optical body of each pixel of the light source.

[0004] From DE 103 55 610 B4, an arrangement for backlighting a viewing element is known, comprising a reflector arranged on a side of the viewing element facing away from the observer. The front of the reflector, facing the viewing element, is reflective, and a light source is arranged opposite its rear side. This light source emits light through an opening in the reflector towards the viewing element. A diffuser, integrally formed with the reflector, is located between the light-emitting side of the light source and the viewing element. The diffuser is formed from at least two, preferably three, ribs that converge at the center of the reflector's opening.

[0005] From EP 3 907 109 A1, a vehicle logo arrangement is known, comprising a cover, a light source, and a housing or support, wherein the light source is arranged in a space enclosed by the translucent cover and the support. The translucent cover has an outer pane and an inner pane that lie one above the other, with a first coating applied to each side of the outer pane facing the inner pane. A second coating is applied to the side of the inner pane facing the outer pane, wherein, in the assembled state, the two panes form a translucent section in the shape of the vehicle logo pattern between the first and second coatings.

[0006] From DE 10 2021 003 476 A1, an exterior trim panel for a motor vehicle with at least one three-dimensional ornament is known, the outer surface of which can be illuminated by an internally arranged light source. The exterior trim panel is manufactured by first forming a colored film and creating at least one recess in the area of ​​the at least one ornament. The outer surface of the film is then sprayed with a transparent plastic, which is injected through the at least one recess from the outside, so that the ornament is formed three-dimensionally on the inner surface of the film. Subsequently, an inner surface of the at least one ornament, which is congruent with the outer surface, is embossed and / or coated. Finally, an inner polyurethane layer is applied to the film, into which the ornament is embedded.

[0007] From DE 10 2023 000 313 A1, a method for manufacturing a decorative component with at least one decorative element is known, in which a plurality of micro-holes are created in at least one decorative element area of ​​the decorative component, forming the at least one decorative element. The decorative element is chemically modified, at least in the edge regions of the micro-holes, forming a corrosion protection layer.

[0008] In general, brand logos, especially on motor vehicles, have a high recognition value, both day and night. At night, lighting devices are used to illuminate such vehicle logos, but these require a considerable amount of installation space, which can potentially negatively affect the overall appearance. This can make an illuminated vehicle logo distinct from a non-illuminated one, leading to disadvantages in terms of installation and the vehicle's external appearance.

[0009] The present invention therefore deals with the problem of providing an improved or at least an alternative embodiment for a vehicle logo arrangement of the generic type, which in particular avoids the disadvantages known from the prior art.

[0010] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0011] The present invention is based on the general concept of equipping a vehicle logo assembly comprising a housing, a translucent cover, and a light source arranged within the housing with several micro-LEDs arranged along a longitudinal center line of the housing when viewed in cross-section through the translucent cover. This allows for not only space-optimized illumination of a vehicle logo but also ensures that the cold appearance remains unaffected, so that the vehicle logo, when unilluminated (e.g., during the day), is indistinguishable from previously known, non-illuminated vehicle logos. The vehicle logo assembly according to the invention has a light source, arranged in the housing described above and covered by the translucent cover, in a known manner.This makes it possible to avoid, in particular, the differences existing in the prior art between illuminated and non-illuminated vehicle logos, which lead to disadvantages in assembly and in the external appearance of the vehicle.

[0012] According to the invention, the translucent cover has, at least in certain areas, a trapezoidal cross-section with two side faces, a smaller parallel surface, and a larger parallel surface, forming the vehicle logo. This allows, for example, a Mercedes star to be displayed in relief. The light source, in turn, according to the invention, has several micro-LEDs which, viewed in cross-section of the trapezoidal translucent cover, are arranged along the longitudinal center line of the housing. The trapezoidal translucent cover rests on the edge of the housing, for example, a channel-like structure, with its larger parallel surface, thus sealing it off to the outside. The material for such a translucent cover can be, for example, transparent plastic, which is either clear or diffuse. In the latter case, a diffuser could be omitted. The housing, or...A support structure can, for example, follow the shape of a vehicle's body shell on which the vehicle logo is mounted, thereby compensating for differences in height. If, for instance, the two side surfaces of the trapezoidal, translucent cover are coated with a non-transparent layer, such as chrome plating, and only the smaller parallel surface is left exposed, then an extremely fine, line-like light emission contour can be created using a light source with several micro-LEDs arranged along this smaller parallel surface. This contour is virtually invisible during the day, i.e., when the vehicle logo is not illuminated, and produces an extremely fine visual outline of the vehicle logo at night, i.e., when the vehicle logo is illuminated.Depending on its width, the smaller parallel surface of the trapezoidal, translucent cover can influence the line thickness of an illuminated vehicle logo.

[0013] According to the invention, the translucent cover rests on the housing with its larger parallel surface. This allows for a broad contact area of ​​the translucent cover on the housing, whereby in this case the translucent cover only rests on a corresponding edge area of ​​the housing at its outer edges of the larger parallel surface. Thus, the larger parallel surface and the housing enclose a space in which the light source with the micro-LEDs is arranged. Depending on the inclination of the side surfaces of the trapezoidal translucent cover, the relief of the vehicle logo can also be individually influenced. It is understood, of course, that the inclination of the side surfaces or the width of the smaller parallel surface can vary, thereby allowing for individual influence on the overall relief of the vehicle logo.Alternatively, it is of course also conceivable that the translucent cover flies out onto the diffuser via its larger parallel side.

[0014] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the vehicle logo arrangement according to the invention, a non-transparent coating is arranged at least in one area of ​​the side surfaces. This coating is designed such that it does not cover the smaller parallel side of the trapezoidal cover, i.e., the cover with a trapezoidal cross-section, and / or any respective transition area of ​​the side surfaces into the larger parallel surface, leaving linear light-emitting surfaces exposed. The coating can, for example, be designed as a chrome coating and thereby give the vehicle logo an almost completely chromed appearance during the day.The linear light emission surfaces allow for the illumination at night of a linear, and depending on the width of the emission surfaces, extremely fine, line-like light contour of the vehicle logo, particularly a Mercedes star. For example, a linear light emission surface can be left open on the smaller parallel surface of the trapezoidal translucent cover and on the two transition areas of the side surfaces into the larger parallel surface, thus creating a total of three linear light emission surfaces that optically trace the contour of a beam, such as that of the Mercedes star, with extreme precision. The smaller parallel surface can also be so small that the translucent cover has an essentially triangular shape.

[0015] In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the vehicle logo arrangement according to the invention, the trapezoidal, translucent cover has a perforated and non-transparent coating at least in a region of its side surfaces, enabling a predefined light emission. This predefined light emission occurs through perforations, allowing for a customized visual design of the vehicle logo, depending on the spacing of the individual perforations. The perforations can be so small that the cold appearance preferably remains unaffected, as they are not visible when the vehicle logo arrangement is not illuminated.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment of the vehicle logo arrangement according to the invention, the micro-LEDs are surrounded by a diffuser that adjoins the larger parallel surface of the translucent cover. Such a diffuser ensures uniform light emitted by the individual micro-LEDs. This diffuser can, for example, be made of diffuse and transparent plastic or, alternatively, of silicone potting compound, which also secures the micro-LEDs. It is also conceivable, of course, that the diffuser is made of a rigid plastic that has corresponding recesses for the micro-LEDs, thereby positively enclosing and securing them.

[0017] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the solution according to the invention, several micro-LEDs are arranged on an associated circuit board and form a controllable unit. Alternatively, it is of course also conceivable that individual micro-LEDs can be controlled individually, thereby enabling special visual effects, in particular light-walking effects. By combining several micro-LEDs on an associated circuit board into a controllable unit, the assembly of the vehicle logo arrangement according to the invention can also be significantly simplified.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the vehicle logo arrangement according to the invention, at least two micro-LEDs of different intensities and / or at least two micro-LEDs of different colors are provided. This allows different areas of the vehicle logo to be designed with different colors or illuminated with different brightness, thereby enabling special lighting effects.

[0019] The present invention is further based on the general concept of equipping a motor vehicle with a vehicle logo arrangement described in the preceding paragraphs and thereby transferring the advantages described with respect to the vehicle logo arrangement according to the invention to the motor vehicle according to the invention. Specifically, these advantages lie in particular in the possibility of finely contoured illumination of a vehicle logo, whereby, due to the linear light-emitting surfaces, the vehicle logo, especially a Mercedes star, can appear as if drawn with a highlighter. This allows for the creation of special visual effects. Furthermore, the vehicle logo arrangement according to the invention can at least minimize a previously existing difference between an illuminated and a non-illuminated vehicle logo.

[0020] Advantageously, a control unit is provided for controlling the micro-LEDs, which, for example, controls the micro-LEDs depending on the driving mode. This makes it possible, for instance, to illuminate the vehicle logo in green during purely electric driving in a hybrid vehicle, while it is illuminated in white when the combustion engine is running. It is also conceivable that the control unit illuminates the vehicle logo depending on autonomous driving mode, so that different colors, brightness levels, etc., can be defined for different levels of autonomous driving. Of course, virtually all other common colors are conceivable in this context, thus enabling a high degree of individualization of the vehicle logo arrangement according to the invention and, consequently, of the vehicle according to the invention.

[0021] Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0022] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The components of a higher-level unit, such as a device, apparatus, or arrangement, mentioned above and those to be mentioned below, which are designated separately, can form separate parts or components of this unit or be integral areas or sections of this unit, even if this is depicted differently in the drawing.

[0023] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

[0024] They show, each schematically Fig. 1 a possible embodiment of a vehicle logo arrangement according to the invention in a frontal view, Fig. 2 a side view of the vehicle logo arrangement according to the invention on a motor vehicle according to the invention, Fig. 3 a possible section view along the section plane AA from Fig. 1, Fig. 4 a section view along the section plane BB from Fig. 1, Fig. 5 a sectional view through a possible embodiment of a translucent cover of the vehicle logo arrangement according to the invention, Fig. 6 a representation as in Fig. 5, however, in a different embodiment, Fig. 7 a representation by another possible embodiment of a vehicle logo arrangement according to the invention with a light source with integrated diffuser.

[0025] According to the Fig. 1, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 7 of the vehicle logo arrangement 1 according to the invention comprises a light source 2 which is arranged in a housing 3 and covered by a translucent cover 4. The translucent cover 4 has a prismatic or trapezoidal cross-section with two side surfaces 5, a smaller parallel surface 6 and a larger parallel surface 7, and thus forms, for example, the Fig. 1. Vehicle logo shown in a frontal view, here a Mercedes star. The light source 2 has several micro-LEDs 8 which, viewed in cross-section, are arranged along a longitudinal center line 9 of the housing 3. The longitudinal center lines 9 run according to the Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6 to Fig. 7 perpendicular to the plane of the leaf and according to the Fig. 1 in the plane of the leaf.

[0026] The luminous intensity of the light source 2 can also be adjusted via the distance a between two adjacent micro-LEDs 8.

[0027] A diffuser 10 is typically arranged between the light source 2 and the translucent cover 4. This diffuser serves to evenly distribute the light emitted by the micro-LEDs 8 of the light source 2. Of course, it is also conceivable that the translucent cover 4 is made of either clear or milky plastic, in which case the translucent cover 4 itself can act as a diffuser. The translucent cover 4 is positioned according to the Fig. 4 and Fig. 7 on the housing 3 or on an edge of the housing 3, wherein, if a diffuser 10 is provided, which can, for example, also be designed as a silicone potting compound and surrounds the micro-LEDs 8 in a form-fitting manner, the cover 4 can also rest on the diffuser 10, as is the case, for example, in the Fig. 3 is shown.

[0028] If one considers the Fig. 7, a vehicle logo arrangement 1 can be seen there, in which the light source 2 has an integrated collimator optic in the form of a diffuser 10, whereby in this case the diffuser 10 can also be made of silicone potting compound. Of course, the micro-LEDs 8 can also be built significantly flatter, as is the case in the Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows that a significantly more compact design can be achieved in this case. Regardless of the design of the diffuser 10, it ensures a uniformity of the light 11 emitted by the micro-LEDs 8.

[0029] At least in one area, according to the Fig. In both areas of the side surfaces 5, a non-transparent coating 12, for example a marking, can be provided, which is designed such that it does not cover the smaller parallel side 6 of the trapezoidal translucent cover 4 and / or a respective transition area 13 from the side surfaces 5 into the larger parallel surface 7, leaving linear light emission areas 14 free there. Alternatively, the translucent cover 4 can also have a perforated and non-transparent coating 15 in at least one area of ​​the side surfaces 5, which allows a predefined light emission through perforation holes 16. Depending on the size and number of perforation holes 16, individual illumination of the vehicle logo can be achieved.

[0030] To further enhance an optical effect and, in particular, to personalize the vehicle logo, the light source 2 can be provided with at least two micro-LEDs 8 of different intensities or at least two micro-LEDs 8 of different colors, thereby enabling special lighting effects. Generally, the light source 2 with its micro-LEDs 8 is arranged on an associated circuit board 17, and several micro-LEDs 8 arranged on such a circuit board 17 can form a separately controllable unit. Such micro-LEDs 8 or such controllable units can be controlled, in particular, by a control unit 18 (see Figure 18). Fig.2), which is arranged in a motor vehicle 19 according to the invention carrying the vehicle logo arrangement 1 according to the invention. The control unit 18 can control the micro-LEDs 8 and, consequently, the vehicle logo, for example, depending on the lighting conditions and a driving mode, so that the vehicle logo can, for example, glow green at night if the motor vehicle 19 is designed as a hybrid vehicle and is driven in electric mode. Alternatively, freely selectable colors are of course also conceivable, which allows for a high degree of individualization of the visual appearance of the vehicle logo. It is also conceivable that the control unit 18 illuminates the vehicle logo depending on autonomous driving operation, so that different colors, brightness levels, etc., can be defined for different levels of autonomous driving.

[0031] A suitable seal 20 can be used to create a tight connection between an electrical contact 21 and the motor vehicle 19. Furthermore, the housing 3 can be able to follow the shape of the body shell 22 of the motor vehicle 19 and thereby at least partially compensate for this shape.

[0032] In summary, the vehicle logo arrangement 1 and the motor vehicle 19 according to the invention enable the compact illumination of a relief-like vehicle logo. In particular, the linear light emission surfaces 14 create finely contoured light lines that define the vehicle logo at night. A further major advantage of such finely contoured illumination is that, for example, the chrome plating of the side surfaces 5 means that the unlit appearance of the vehicle logo remains virtually unchanged, while in the illuminated state, the linear light contours, reflected, for example, on the adjacent chrome-plated side surfaces 5, create a particularly visually appealing appearance. When the vehicle logo, in this case the illuminated Mercedes star, is not illuminated, it is virtually indistinguishable from an unlit Mercedes star.

Claims

[1] Vehicle logo arrangement (1) with a light source (2) arranged in a housing (3) and covered by a translucent cover (4), wherein the light source (2) has several micro-LEDs (8) arranged in cross-section along a longitudinal center line (9) of the housing (3), characterized by , - that the translucent cover (4) has at least in some areas a trapezoidal cross-section with two side surfaces (5), a smaller parallel surface (6) and a larger parallel surface (7) and forms a vehicle logo, - that the translucent cover (4) rests on the housing with its larger parallel surface (7). [2] Vehicle logo arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that at least in one area of ​​the side surfaces (5) a non-transparent coating (12) is arranged which is designed in such a way that it does not cover the smaller parallel side (6) of the translucent cover (4) and / or a respective transition area (13) of the side surfaces (5) into the larger parallel surface (7) and leaves line-like light emission surfaces (14) free there. [3] Vehicle logo arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by , that the translucent cover (4) has at least in one area of ​​the side surfaces (5) a perforated and non-transparent coating (15) which allows a predefined light emission. [4] Vehicle logo arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the micro-LEDs (8) are surrounded by a diffuser (10) which adjoins the larger parallel surface (6) of the translucent cover (4). [5] Vehicle logo arrangement (1) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the diffuser (10) is designed as a silicone potting compound and fixes the micro-LEDs (8). [6] Vehicle logo arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that several micro-LEDs (8) are arranged on an associated circuit board (17) and form a controllable unit. [7] Vehicle logo arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least two micro-LEDs (8) of different strengths and / or at least two micro-LEDs (8) of different colors are provided. [8] Motor vehicle (19) with a vehicle logo arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims. [9] Motor vehicle (19) according to claim 8, characterized by , that a control unit (18) is provided for controlling the micro-LEDs (8), which controls the micro-LEDs (8) depending on a driving mode.

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