Abstract:
An assembly for the illuminated display of a logo ( 12 ) in a motor vehicle includes a support ( 14 ) and at least one light source ( 24 ) which is arranged behind or adjacent to the support ( 14 ). The logo ( 12 ) can be represented by means of an emblem ( 10 ), particularly an opaque emblem.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention relates to an assembly for illuminated display of a logo. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The exterior and interior of motor vehicles are usually provided with emblems which display the manufacturer&#39;s logo. For this, the logo is either depicted on a flat emblem or the emblem itself has the shape of the logo or at least has structures which represent the logo. 
         [0003]    The sense of the quality of a vehicle interior can be accentuated by illuminating a logo arranged therein. Several solutions for illuminating a logo are known from the prior art, which are based on various techniques. DE-U-200 18 732, EP-A-1 000 809, JP-A-2005 215596, US-B-6 190 026, US-A-2005/0007752, US-A-2006/0023468 and WO-A-2005/016698 are named by way of example. 
         [0004]    The mounting and illuminating of a logo on an airbag cover, typically in the central region of the steering wheel, presents certain difficulties. In an illuminating assembly, it has to be understood that neither individual components are to be allowed to become detached from the assembly, nor is the entire assembly allowed to become detached from the cover, if the airbag is activated. 
         [0005]    Further requirements for the illuminating assembly are a low weight and a small overall height. In addition, it is desirable that emblems which up until the present have not been illuminated are still able to be utilized for illuminated use, so that no changes to the design and structure of the emblems are necessary. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    According to the invention, an assembly for illuminated display of a logo in a motor vehicle includes a support and at least one light source which is arranged behind or adjacent to the support. In most embodiments of the invention, the logo is represented by means of an emblem, particularly an opaque emblem. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of a first assembly; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows the photoconductor of the first assembly; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows the support of the first assembly; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows the printed circuit board of the first assembly; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  shows the base of the first assembly; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  shows the printed circuit board, held in the base, of the first assembly; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective sectional view of the first assembly; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 7   a ,  7   b  show detail views of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7   c  shows a detail view, in section, of the light outlet region of the first assembly; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  shows an exploded view of a second assembly; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  shows the second assembly in the assembled state; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  shows a perspective sectional view of the assembled second assembly; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  shows a diagrammatic sectional view of the second assembly; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  shows an exploded view of a third assembly; 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  shows the third assembly in the assembled state; 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  shows a sectional view of the third assembly; 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  shows a diagrammatic sectional view of the third assembly; 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  shows the injection-molded member of the third assembly; 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  shows a diagrammatic sectional view of a fourth assembly; 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  shows a diagrammatic sectional view of a fifth assembly; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 19  shows a diagrammatic sectional view of a sixth assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    An assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 1 to 7 . The assembly comprises an opaque emblem  10 , which shows, for example, a logo  12  of an automobile manufacturer. The assembly further comprises an opaque plastic support  14 , a photoconductor  16 , a printed circuit board  18  with electronic components and a base  20 . 
         [0029]    The emblem  10  is a three-dimensional, relief-like solid emblem and, just as in the majority of the following embodiments of the invention, it is substantially identical in structure to emblems as have been used hitherto in non-illuminated manner. The photoconductor  16  shown individually in  FIG. 2  is a component matched to the shape of the emblem  10  with specially arranged deflection surfaces  22  having a reflecting polish (see also detail view of  FIG. 7   b ). The photoconductor  16  may basically also be formed from a different material and may possibly have a reflecting coating. The plastic support  14 , shown individually in  FIG. 3 , for the emblem  10  is produced by injection-molding around the photoconductor  16 , preferably by a two-component injection molding process, if the photoconductor  16  is a plastic part, too. SMD components (surface mounted devices) are arranged on the printed circuit board  18  (see  FIG. 4 ), particularly a light-emitting diode (LED)  24  as a light source. A recess  26  is provided for the wiring of the printed circuit board  18  in the base  20  which holds and protects the printed circuit board  18  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). 
         [0030]    The assembly is shown in the assembled state in  FIG. 7 . The printed circuit board  18  is arranged so that the LED  24  lies centrally under the emblem  10  and the photoconductor  16 . The uniform coupling of the light emitted from the LED  24  into the photoconductor  16  is assisted by a cone  26  of the photoconductor  16  acting as a diffusor, which is arranged directly over the LED  24 . 
         [0031]    As can be seen from  FIG. 7  and the detail views of  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b , the photoconductor  16  is constructed so that the coupled-in light is directed to the rear side of the emblem  10 . This is made possible by the deflection surfaces  22  on which the coupled-in light is reflected. The photoconductor  16  has light outlet areas  28  which lie opposite the rear edge regions of the emblem  10  but do not project over them laterally (see  FIG. 7   c ). As the edge regions of the emblem  10  do not lie directly on the photoconductor  16 , the emblem  10  is therefore illuminated indirectly on the rear side. A lighting effect is produced here which is comparable with a corona. 
         [0032]    Like the emblem which was hitherto not illuminated, the assembly is fastened on the airbag cover of the steering wheel by means of the pins of the emblem  10 . To do this, after insertion into corresponding openings of the airbag cover, the pins are welded on the rear side of the cover, e.g. by ultrasonic welding. 
         [0033]    An assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 8 to 11 . The assembly comprises a three-dimensional, relief-like solid emblem  10 , an electroluminescence foil  24 ′ as the light source and a transparent plastic support  14 . The use of electroluminescence foils for illuminating emblems per se is known (see, for example, DE-U-298 20 304), for which reason the layer structure and the electrical stimulation of the foil  24 ′ is not entered into in further detail. The foil  24 ′ and the support  14  are coordinated with the emblem  10  as regards shape, fastening bores etc. 
         [0034]    The surface of the support  14  facing the emblem  10  is coated with an enamel  30  which is opaque per se. However, the enamel layer has gaps  32  so that light can pass through the support  14  at these places. The gaps  32  can be produced by means of a laser after the support  14  is coated. Basically any desired structures are able to be produced, e.g. fine honeycomb structures for a uniform illumination, or larger gaps  32  for a systematic illumination of a particular zone. 
         [0035]    A third embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 12 to 16 . The assembly shown in an exploded view in  FIG. 12  and in the assembled state in  FIGS. 13 and 14  comprises an opaque printed circuit board  18  equipped, inter alia, with LEDs  24 , an opaque support  14 , an opaque emblem  10  and a transparent plastic injection-molded member  34  over the emblem  10 . 
         [0036]    This assembly is distinguished in that the light of the LEDs  24  is coupled in through suitably arranged deflection surfaces  22  laterally past the support  14  and the emblem  10  into the transparent injection-molded member  34 , as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . In the injection-molded member  34 , a deflection takes place at its bevels  36  (see  FIG. 16 ). The light which is (at least partially) reflected on the inner surface of the injection-molded member then illuminates the emblem  10 . 
         [0037]    In the case of an emblem  10  which is not contiguous (i.e. if it has gaps), the light can (additionally) be coupled in between the emblem structures into the transparent injection-molded member  34 . In this case, corresponding gaps are provided in the support  14 . 
         [0038]    A further illumination design is shown in  FIG. 17 . Here, the assembly comprises a transparent support  14  which is illuminated from one side by one or more LEDs  24 . The other side of the support  14  is structured in accordance with the overlying opaque emblem  10 . The light can therefore only emerge through the elevated structures  38  of the support surface. (It is not absolutely necessary for the structures  38  to be elevated though.) 
         [0039]    As indicated in the left half of  FIG. 17 , the light can also be coupled in from the side into the transparent support  14 . The surface of the support  14  which is not visible can be coated with a reflection foil  40  or a reflecting enamel. The elevated structures  38  of the visible surface can be printed in order to achieve a particular illumination effect. 
         [0040]    The illumination design illustrated in  FIG. 18  is similar to the one previously described. Here, the support and emblem are exchanged, i.e. the support  14  is arranged on the side facing the observer and the emblem  10  has elevated structures  38 . Accordingly, the emblem  10  is transparent here and the support  14  is opaque. The elevated structures  38  of the emblem  10  are PVD-coated in the manner of a Venetian mirror (one-way mirror). The light of the LEDs  24  enters into the emblem  10  from the side facing away from the observer and can emerge through the elevated structures  18 . Conversely, however, the observer can not see through the PVD coating. 
         [0041]    A final illumination design is shown in  FIG. 19 . A transparent support  14  has elevated structures which correspond to the positive or negative logo  12  which is to be displayed illuminated. The support  14  is injection-molded around with a transparent plastic  34 , so that the logo structure is protected. The light of one or more LEDs  24  is coupled in from the other side into the support  14 . The support  14  is printed black on the side facing the observer, with the exception of the elevated structures  38 , so that no light can emerge there. The elevated structures  38 , on the other hand, are printed in color and are transparent, so that the logo  12  appears to be illuminated in color. 
         [0042]    The embodiments which are described by way of example show a range of measures for the illuminated display of a logo  12 , which are also able to be combined with each other.