Emblem assembly inside the airbag cover

Abstract

The emblem assembly, disposed within an airbag cover coupled to a vehicle structure such as a steering wheel within an automobile, includes an electronic unit, a decorative unit, and a control device. The electronic unit is carried by the airbag cover and has at least one light source. The decorative unit is disposed within the airbag cover and attached to the electronic unit such that the decorative unit covers at least a portion of the electronic unit. The control device is electrically connected to the electronic unit and adapted to control illumination of the decorative unit. Furthermore, the at least one light source of the electronic unit is regulated by the control device disposed within the vehicle structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - reference to Related Applications) This PCT application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C.§ 119 to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 383,809, filed on July, 23, 2021, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This disclosure relates to an assembly for an illuminated emblem within a vehicle. Specifically, this disclosure relates to an illuminated emblem disposed within an airbag cover of a vehicle's steering wheel.

Background Art

[0003] The description in this section merely provides background technical information related to this disclosure and does not constitute prior art.

[0004] Airbag systems that include front airbags as safety restraint devices on the driver's side and the passenger's side are essential in motor vehicles sold worldwide. Further, the driver - side front airbag system is particularly disposed within the steering wheel. In the event of a vehicle collision, the driver - side front airbag is designed to inflate and protect the occupant from colliding with and being injured by a portion of the steering wheel.

[0005] It is also known that most vehicle manufacturers desire to have their logo or trademark on the steering wheel as a characteristic design. Such logos or trademarks are often illuminated or colored images and are positioned on the steering wheel. Specifically, the logo or trademark is disposed within the steering wheel cover, which is generally used to cover the airbag, i.e., a portion of the steering wheel that is displaced when the airbag is deployed. Such positioning of the logo promotes brand recognition and also aids in reminding vehicle occupants that the vehicle manufactured by the vehicle manufacturer has an airbag and is thus safe. <s

[0006] To make their logos more prominent, some manufacturers are beginning to explore ways to illuminate their logos or emblems to provide aesthetic benefits. However, applicants have found that illuminated logos or emblems can be too bright during nighttime driving, distracting the driver, and that the combination of illuminated logos (emblems) with airbag systems installed in the steering wheel to protect the driver in the event of a vehicle collision is complex, making it difficult to control the illumination of logos or emblems placed within airbag covers. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0007] This disclosure relates to an emblem assembly positioned within an airbag assembly coupled to the steering wheel to protect the driver inside the vehicle from vehicle collisions. Specifically, the emblem assembly is mounted on an airbag cover, which is generally used to cover an airbag folded within the steering wheel. Furthermore, the manufacturer's logo or trademark within the emblem assembly is illuminated, and the illumination of the logo or trademark is easily and safely adjusted by a control device installed on part of the vehicle's steering wheel, so that the driver can control the illumination of the logo or trademark without removing their hands from the steering wheel.

[0008] According to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an emblem assembly disposed within an airbag cover coupled to a vehicle structure such as a steering wheel in an automobile includes an electronic unit held by the airbag cover and having at least one light source; a decorative unit disposed within the airbag cover and attached to the electronic unit such that the decorative unit covers at least a portion of the electronic unit; and a control device electrically connected to the electronic unit and adapted to control the illumination of the decorative unit. At least one light source of the electronic unit is regulated by the control device disposed within the vehicle structure (e.g., the steering wheel).

[0009] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the control device includes a toggle dimmer switch located within a handle, which adjusts the luminous intensity of at least one light source of the electronic unit.

[0010] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the control device is provided with various dimming switches, such as touch dimming switches, rotary switches, touch sensors, or voice-controlled dimmers, each located within a handle, for adjusting the luminous intensity of at least one light source of an electronic unit.

[0011] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the control device is connected to an electronic unit via an electrical cable attached to the body of the airbag cover within the handle. The electronic unit of the emblem assembly is attached to the airbag cover by a shape-fit, pressure-fit, or overmolding process. Furthermore, at least one light source of the electronic unit includes a light-emitting diode (LED) having a single color or having red-green-blue (RGB) colors for multiple colors and hues.

[0012] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the electronic unit of the emblem assembly further includes, in a packaged configuration, a housing, a circuit board, and a light guide. The electronic unit includes a first side and a rear side such that the decorative unit covers at least a portion of the front side of the electronic unit.

[0013] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the decorative unit includes a decorative element and a light-diffusing element formed of a transparent or translucent material for transmitting light emitted from at least one light source of the electronic unit.

[0014] Further areas of availability will become apparent from the descriptions provided herein. It should be understood that the descriptions and specific examples are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] To ensure that this disclosure is fully understood, various forms of this disclosure are described here by reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a side cross-sectional view of an emblem assembly attached to the airbag assembly of the steering wheel in a vehicle, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2A] Figure 2A shows a detailed cross-sectional view of the electronic unit attached to the airbag cover in Figure 1. [Figure 2B] Figure 2B shows a detailed cross-sectional view of the emblem assembly attached to the airbag cover in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view along plane 3-3 in Figure 1. [Figure 4A] Figure 4A shows a handle with a control device (toggle dimming switch) for the emblem assembly attached to the airbag cover in Figure 1. [Figure 4B] Figure 4B shows the handle with a touch-sensitive dimmer switch on the emblem assembly attached to the airbag cover in Figure 1. [Figure 4C] Figure 4C shows the handle with a rotary switch on the emblem assembly attached to the airbag cover in Figure 1. [Figure 4D] Figure 4D shows the handle with a touch sensor on the emblem assembly attached to the airbag cover in Figure 1. [Figure 4E] Figure 4E shows a handle with an audio-controlled dimmer for the emblem assembly attached to the airbag cover in Figure 1.

[0017] The drawings shown herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] The following descriptions are purely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure, use, or application. Throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals should be understood to indicate similar or corresponding parts and features.

[0019] Referring to Figure 1, an airbag assembly 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The airbag assembly 100 includes an airbag cover 102 and an emblem assembly 200. The airbag assembly 100 may be positioned and further used as part of a vehicle structure, such as a steering wheel 10 (see Figure 4A) in the vehicle. Alternatively, the airbag assembly 100 having the emblem assembly 200 may be positioned in any area of ​​the vehicle where an airbag system, such as a passenger front airbag, side airbags (SABs), knee or center airbag, is located within the vehicle. Furthermore, the emblem assembly 200 having a control device may be positioned separately in any area of ​​the vehicle where an occupant may be affected while driving. The airbag assembly 100 is connected to the airbag system by any means known in the art. As shown in Figure 1, the airbag cover 102 is used to cover the airbag 104 which is folded and housed in an airbag housing 106. In addition, the airbag cover 102 is mounted on the airbag housing 106 of the airbag assembly 100, which further includes the airbag 104 and the inflator 108.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the emblem assembly 200 is used to display, for example, the logo or trademark of a vehicle manufacturer and / or vehicle brand. In addition, at least a portion of the emblem assembly 200 is illuminated to provide a more distinctive appearance. As shown in FIG. 1, the emblem assembly 200 is connected to the central portion of the airbag cover 102. However, it should be understood that the emblem assembly 200 can be offset from the central portion of the airbag cover 102. Further, the emblem assembly 200 is attached to and held by the body 110 of the airbag cover 102 in a press-fit manner, a shape-fit manner, an overmold process, or an adhesive manner.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the emblem assembly 200 includes several components such as an electronic unit 202 and a decorative unit 204. The decorative unit 204 is the visible part of the emblem assembly 200 when it is installed in the vehicle, and the electronic unit 202 serves to illuminate the decorative unit 204. As shown in an exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2A, the electronic unit 202 has a packaged configuration and includes a circuit board 206 (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)), a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 208 used as light sources, a light guide 210, and a housing 212. However, the packaged configuration of the electronic unit 202 can be changed according to other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] In FIGS. 2A and 2B, the light guide part 210 is made of a general light guide plastic material, for example, amorphous polyamide (PA), and the shape of the light guide part 210 is the same as the shape of the circuit board 206. Further, the housing 212 includes a bottom wall 211 and side walls 213 so as to receive the circuit board 206, the light source 208, and the light guide part 210 to form a packaged configuration of the electronic unit 202. In addition, in order to efficiently use the light generated by the light source 206 (for example, an LED), the housing is preferably made of a white or light gray plastic material such that its surface reflects light. Alternatively, at least a part of the inner surface of the housing can be coated with a reflective coating (not shown). Further, the electronic unit 202 includes an end cover 214 having the shape of the bottom wall 211 of the housing 212.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2B, the decoration unit 204 includes a decoration element 216 and a light diffusion element 218. The decoration element 216 includes a visible part 215 having the logo of an automobile manufacturing company, and the light diffusion element 218 is in a disc shape, and its diameter corresponds to the diameter of the light guide part 210. Further, the light diffusion element 218 includes a region where the thickness is reduced according to the shape of the visible part 215 of the decoration element 216. These two elements 216 and 218 are attached to the electronic unit 202 to form a decoration unit 204 adapted to form the emblem assembly 200.

[0024] As described above, in Figures 2A and 2B, the circuit board 206, light source 208, light guide 210, and housing 212 are assembled to form the electronic unit 202. For example, the light source 208 mounted on the circuit board 206 is placed inside the housing 212, and the light guide 210 is placed on top of the circuit board 206. Finally, the end cover 214 is placed on the side wall 213 of the housing 212. For example, the end cover 214 can be snapped, glued, or welded to the housing 212 so that the electronic unit 202 of the emblem assembly 200 has a front side 201 and a rear side 203. However, the electronic unit 202 may be formed in a different structural configuration according to other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] Referring again to Figure 1, the electronic unit 202 is attached to the body 110 of the airbag cover 102. For example, in Figure 1, the body 110 of the airbag cover 102 is partially injection-molded around the electronic unit 202. However, as described above, the electronic unit 202 can be attached to the body 110 of the airbag cover 102 by shape-fit, pressure-fit, or adhesive, according to other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Mechanical tabs may be formed for additional accommodation, or molded plastic pins may be reshaped for additional attachment security. For example, a shape-fit between the electronic unit 202 and the body 110 of the airbag cover 102 typically has the effect of distributing the forces acting between the two elements over a relatively wide area when the airbag 104 deploys, which leads to very safe behavior when the airbag 104 deploys.

[0026] As shown in the example in Figure 1, the body 110 of the airbag cover 102 has a hole 112 (see Figure 2A), so that the outer surface of the end cover 214 is covered by the body 110 of the airbag cover 102, but the outer surface of the light guide 210 is not covered, so that the body 110 covers only a portion of the front side surface 201 of the electronic unit 202. In Figure 1, the hole 112 is located in the center of the body 110 to receive the emblem assembly 200. However, the location of the hole 112 for receiving the emblem assembly 200 may vary depending on the design of the emblem or the manufacturer's logo.

[0027] In Figures 2A and 2B, the decorative unit 204, which has decorative elements 216 and light-diffusing elements 218, is attached to the uncovered outer surface of the electronic unit 202 through a central hole 112. The decorative unit 204 is attached to the front side surface 201 of the electronic unit 202 by shape fitting, pressure fitting, or adhesive, so that the decorative unit 204 is held in place by the airbag cover 102 and the body 110 of the electronic unit 202.

[0028] Referring to Figure 3, the electronic unit 202 further includes a connector 220 formed with the housing 212 for electrical communication with a control device 222 formed within the handle 10 (see Figure 4A). At least one electrical cable 224 is connected to the connector 220 on the housing 212 and is mounted on the inner surface of the body 110 of the airbag cover 102. The connector 220 is configured to connect to the electrical cable 224 to provide electrical energy. For example, in Figure 3, the electrical cable 224 is partially molded within the body 110 (shown as a dashed line in Figure 3), which is one option for assembling the cable 224 together with the body 110 of the airbag cover 102. However, according to other embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to bond sections of the cable 224 to the inner surface of the body 110 in order to define the position of the electrical cable 224.

[0029] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the emblem assembly 200 is positioned in the central portion 114 of the main body 110 within the airbag cover 102, and the central portion 114 is surrounded by the broken portion 116 (shown by the dashed line) and the unbroken portion 118 of the airbag cover 102. When the airbag 104 deploys, the broken portion 116 of the airbag cover 102 breaks open, the airbag 104 inflates, and thus the central portion 114 of the airbag cover 102, including the emblem assembly 200, opens relative to the unbroken portion 118. Therefore, since the attached electrical cable 224 extends through the unbroken portion 118 of the main body 110 of the airbag cover 102, the emblem assembly 200 and the central portion 114 of the airbag cover 102 can still be held together so that the electrical cable 224 cannot obstruct the deployment of the airbag 104. Furthermore, the electrical cable 224 extends radially and is connected to the control device 222. As described above, the electrical cable 224 is either overmolded into the structure of the handle 10 or bonded to the inside of the handle 10 (not shown).

[0030] Referring to Figure 4A, the steering wheel 10 includes a connection to the airbag assembly 100, a wheel handle 14 (referred to as a rim), and a connecting member 16 formed between the airbag assembly 100 and the wheel handle 14. Furthermore, the emblem assembly 200 includes a control device 222 adapted to control the light intensity 208 of the light source of an electronic unit 202 mounted on the body 110 of the airbag cover 102. The control device 222 is generally positioned on one of the connecting members 16 to easily and safely adjust the light intensity of the light source 208 of the emblem assembly 200 while the occupant is driving the vehicle. As shown in one exemplary embodiment in Figure 4A, the control device 222 is positioned close to the wheel handle 14 so that the light intensity of the decorative element 216 (e.g., the manufacturer's logo or trademark) can be safely adjusted without the occupant removing their hands from the wheel handle 14.

[0031] As shown in Figures 4A to 4E, a control device 222 adapted to adjust the light intensity of the light source 208 is connected to the circuit board 206 of the electronic unit 202 via an electrical cable 224. In Figures 4A to 4C, the control device 222 is positioned on both connecting members 16 of the steering wheel 10, although generally the control device 222 is positioned on one of the connecting members 16. The control device 222 has various dimmer switches, such as a toggle dimmer switch 226, a touch dimmer switch 228, a rotary switch 230, a touch sensor 232, or a voice-controlled dimmer 234. Alternatively, the control device 222 (e.g., a toggle dimmer switch 226, a touch dimmer switch 228, a rotary switch 230, a touch sensor 232, and a voice-controlled dimmer 234) may also be located within the vehicle's visual display, on the instrument panel, near the control gear shift, or anywhere easily accessible to the driver to control the light intensity. According to an exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 4A, a control device 222 on the connecting member 16 has toggle dimmer switches 226 formed thereon. One of the toggle dimmer switches 226 increases the light intensity of the light source 208 to make the illumination of the logo (or emblem) of the emblem assembly 200 brighter. Another toggle dimmer switch 226 decreases the light intensity of the light source 208 to make the logo illumination of the emblem assembly 200 dimmer and eventually turn it off.

[0032] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the control device 222 includes a touch dimming switch 228 for adjusting the light intensity of the light source 208 of the emblem assembly 200 (shown in Figure 4B). The touch dimming switch 228 is adapted to adjust the light intensity by sliding it up and down via touch (shown in Figure 4B). Furthermore, the control device 222 includes a rotary switch 230 adapted to adjust the light intensity of the light source 208 by rotating a circular portion 231 (shown in Figure 4C). In addition, the control device 222 includes a touch sensor 232 formed around the logo or emblem of the emblem assembly 200 attached to the body 110 of the airbag cover 102. The touch sensor 232 positioned around the logo is adapted to adjust the light intensity of the light source 208 via a positioned touch mechanism (shown in Figure 4D). For example, the light intensity of the light source 208 is adjusted by touching the left (L) and right (R) sides of the logo (emblem) on which the touch sensor 232 is formed. Furthermore, the control device 222 is adapted to adjust the light intensity of the light source 208 via a voice-controlled dimmer 234 installed on the circuit board 206 of the emblem assembly 200 or on the connecting member 16 of the handle 10 (as shown in Figure 4E). For example, the light intensity of the light source 208 is adjusted by the voice of the occupant operating the vehicle.

[0033] While the above description constitutes a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood that the present invention can be modified, altered, and changed without departing from the appropriate scope and fair meaning of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An emblem assembly (200) is located inside the airbag cover (102) of an airbag assembly (100) coupled to a steering wheel (10) inside a car, wherein the emblem assembly (200) is An electronic unit (202) held by the airbag cover (102), the electronic unit (202) having at least one light source (208), A decorative unit (204) is disposed within the airbag cover (102) and attached to the electronic unit (202), the decorative unit (204) covering at least a portion of the electronic unit, A control device (222) electrically connected to the electronic unit (202), the control device (222) being adapted to control the lighting of the decorative unit (204), is included. The control device (222) is connected to the electronic unit via an electrical cable (224) attached to the main body of the airbag cover (102) inside the steering wheel. The main body of the airbag cover (102) has a central portion (114) on which the emblem assembly (200) is located, and the central portion (114) is surrounded by a breakable portion (116) that breaks when the airbag deploys and a non-breakable portion (118) that does not have a breakable portion (116). The electrical cable (224) is installed so as to extend through the unbroken portion (118) of the main body of the airbag cover (102). An emblem assembly (200) characterized in that the at least one light source (208) of the electronic unit (202) is regulated by the control device (222) located on a member (16) formed between the rim (14) of the handle (10) and the airbag assembly (100).

2. The emblem assembly according to claim 1, further characterized in that the control device (222) has a toggle dimmer switch (226) located in the handle, and the toggle dimmer switch (226) adjusts the light intensity of the at least one light source of the electronic unit.

3. The emblem assembly according to claim 2, wherein there are two toggle dimmer switches (226), one of which increases the light intensity of the at least one light source (208), and the other toggle dimmer switch (226) decreases the light intensity of the at least one light source (208).

4. The emblem assembly according to claim 1, further characterized in that the control device (222) has a touch dimmer switch (228) located in the handle, and the touch dimmer switch (228) adjusts the light intensity of the at least one light source of the electronic unit.

5. The emblem assembly according to claim 1, further characterized in that the control device (222) has a rotary switch (230) located in the handle, and the rotary switch (230) adjusts the light intensity of the at least one light source of the electronic unit.

6. The emblem assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further characterized in that the electronic unit (202) is attached to the airbag cover (102) by a shape-fit, pressure-fit, or overmolding process.

7. The emblem assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further characterized in that the electronic unit (202) further includes, in a packaged configuration, a housing (212), a circuit board (206), and a light guide (210).

8. The emblem assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further characterized in that the electronic unit (202) includes the front side (201) and the rear side (203) such that the decorative unit (204) covers at least a portion of the front side (201) of the electronic unit (202).

9. The emblem assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further characterized in that the decorative unit (204) includes a decorative element (216) and a light-diffusing element (218) formed of a transparent or translucent material for transmitting light emitted from the at least one light source.

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