Patent Abstract:
An illuminated exterior badge assembly for a vehicle includes a vehicle body surface-mounted badge and a circuit board underlying the badge and comprising three independently actuable sets of light sources. A controller is operatively connected to the circuit board and configured to control one or more of an activation sequence or an illumination intensity of the three independently actuable sets of light sources. On detecting a vehicle start-up condition, the controller incrementally actuates the set of light sources beginning with one or more light sources associated with a center portion of the circuit board and proceeding to a plurality of light sources associated with a perimeter of the circuit board. The converse actuation pattern is observed on vehicle power-down.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates generally to exterior badges for motor vehicles. More particularly, the disclosure relates to an illuminated exterior badge for a vehicle, which illuminates in particular patterns according to particular vehicle functions or signals to be given. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    While it is known to provide illuminated exterior badges for vehicles, typically there are regulations dictating particular ways that a badge may be illuminated. For example, conventionally regulations require that anterior (forward) vehicle lighting be a white color, while posterior (rear) lighting is typically red or yellow. Thus, indicating vehicle functions or conditions using a vehicle exterior badge can be hampered by such regulations. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In accordance with the purposes and benefits described herein, in one aspect the present disclosure provides an illuminated exterior badge assembly for a vehicle, including a vehicle body surface-mounted badge and a circuit board comprising a plurality of independently actuable sets of light sources. A controller operatively connected to the circuit board is configured to control one or more of an activation sequence or an illumination intensity of the plurality of independently actuable sets of light sources. Typically, the circuit board is disposed beneath the surface-mounted badge. In embodiments, the circuit board includes a first set of light sources emitting a first light color, intensity, and pattern, a second set of light sources emitting a second light color, intensity, and pattern, and a third set of light sources emitting a third light color, intensity, and pattern. In embodiments, the first light color, the second light color, and the third light color may be the same or different. In embodiments, the first light intensity, the second light intensity, and the third light intensity may be the same or different. In embodiments, the first light pattern, the second light pattern, and the third light pattern may be the same or different. 
         [0004]    In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an illuminated exterior badge assembly for a vehicle, including a vehicle body surface-mounted badge and a circuit board underlying the badge and comprising three independently actuable sets of light sources. A controller is operatively connected to the circuit board and configured to control one or more of an activation sequence or an illumination intensity of the three independently actuable sets of light sources. 
         [0005]    In embodiments, on detecting a vehicle start-up condition the controller is configured to incrementally actuate the set of light sources beginning with one or more light sources associated with a center portion of the circuit board and proceeding to a plurality of light sources associated with a perimeter of the circuit board. Conversely, on detecting a vehicle power-down condition the controller is configured to incrementally extinguish the set of light sources beginning with the plurality of light sources associated with the perimeter of the circuit board and proceeding to the one or more light sources disposed in the center portion of the circuit board. 
         [0006]    In other embodiments, the controller is configured to intermittently actuate a second set of light sources on detection of a vehicle malfunction condition, to alternately actuate the second set of light sources and a third set of light sources on receipt of a signal such as from a vehicle key fob, and/or to intermittently actuate the second set of light sources on actuation of a vehicle emergency flasher system. 
         [0007]    In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides an illuminated exterior badge assembly for a vehicle including a vehicle body surface-mounted badge, a circuit board underlying the badge and comprising a plurality of independently actuable sets of light sources; and a controller. The controller is operatively connected to the circuit board and configured to control one or more of an activation sequence or an illumination intensity of the plurality of independently actuable sets of light sources. In turn, the controller is configured to actuate or extinguish a set of light sources in a predetermined incremental pattern on detecting a vehicle start-up or power-down condition. 
         [0008]    In embodiments, on detecting the vehicle start-up the controller is configured to incrementally actuate the set of light sources beginning with one or more light sources associated with a center portion of the circuit board and proceeding to a plurality of light sources associated with a perimeter of the circuit board. Conversely, on detecting the vehicle power-down condition the controller is configured to incrementally extinguish the set of light sources beginning with the plurality of light sources associated with the perimeter of the circuit board and proceeding to the one or more light sources disposed in the center portion of the circuit board. In embodiments, the controller is configured to incrementally actuate the set of light sources beginning with the one or more light sources associated with the center portion of the circuit board and proceeding to incrementally illuminate light sources in a badge-vertical and a badge-horizontal direction providing a cross-shaped illumination pattern, and then to illuminate the plurality of light sources associated with a perimeter of the circuit board. Conversely, the controller is configured to incrementally extinguish the set of light sources beginning with the plurality of light sources associated with the perimeter of the circuit board and proceeding in the badge-vertical and a badge-horizontal direction to extinguish the one or more light sources disposed in the center portion of the circuit board. 
         [0009]    In the following description, there are shown and described embodiments of the disclosed vehicle illuminated exterior badge. As it should be realized, the device is capable of other, different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the devices and methods as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the disclosed illuminated exterior badge, and together with the description serve to explain certain principles thereof. In the drawing: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  depicts a vehicle including an exterior badge: 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  depicts an illuminated exterior badge assembly according to the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates a representative control schematic for the badge of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a representative activation pattern of the badge assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4B  illustrates continued activation of the badge assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4C  illustrates continued activation of the badge assembly of  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 4D  illustrates continued activation of the badge assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
       [0018]    Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosed illuminated exterior badge, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    With reference to  FIG. 1  as is known a vehicle badge  10  may be mounted on various vehicle V surfaces, including at a rear end  12  of the vehicle. As shown, the badge  10  is mounted on a rear door  14  of the vehicle V, between a set of running/brake lights  16 . In other embodiments, the badge  10  may be mounted on a front end  18  of the vehicle V, on a side  20  of the vehicle, etc. All such placements are contemplated for the exterior badge assembly disclosed herein. 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the present disclosure describes an illuminated exterior badge  100  including an underlying circuit board  102  including a series of associated light sources. In embodiments, the circuit board  102  is a printed circuit board (PCB). The exterior badge  100  includes an outer shell  101  which in use overlays the circuit board  102  and which may be configured in any desired shape, such as for example an emblem or logo associated with a particular vehicle and/or vehicle manufacturer. As is known, the outer shell  101  may be fabricated of any of a number of suitable materials, may be partially vacuum metalized on an outer surface thereof, may be deadfronted (i.e. of an opaque or semi-opaque plastic), etc. One or more controllers  104  operatively associated with the circuit board  102  in turn control illumination patterns of the light sources. 
         [0021]    The badge  100  and controller  104  are further associated with a power source  105  for providing current to the circuit board  102  and light sources. As will be appreciated, that power source  105  may be a vehicle power source such as a battery, or may be an independent power source associated with the badge  100 . This is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 3 , illustrating a control schematic for an exterior illuminated badge  100  including a controller  104  that in the depicted embodiment is a microprocessor including a memory M and at least one processor P. As shown, the controller  104  is further operatively associated with a vehicle control module such as a basic control module (BCM) by way of which certain functions of the illuminated exterior badge  100  as discussed below may be controlled and implemented. 
         [0022]    A variety of light sources may be disposed on the circuit board  102 , in accordance with the light pattern to be displayed and/or the function to be indicated by the illuminated exterior badge  100 . The light sources may be provided by means of a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arrayed on the circuit board  102 . Advantageously, this eliminates a need for more complex methods for causing emission of light under and/or through the shell  101 , such as for example light pipes or similar devices, while still providing a controlled, even illumination pattern. 
         [0023]    In an embodiment, a first set of LEDs  106  of a first color and intensity may be arrayed along a perimeter of the circuit board  102 , and also in an interior of the circuit board  102 . As shown, the LEDs  106  are arrayed in a cross-shaped pattern in an interior of the circuit board  102 , and then along the perimeter of the board as described. In turn, additional LEDs may be arrayed in other portions of the circuit board  102 . In the depicted embodiment, a second set of LEDs  108  of a second color and/or a second intensity and a third set of LEDs  110  of a third color and/or a third intensity are disposed in the interior of the circuit board  102 . As will be appreciated, multiple combinations of LED number, color and intensity are possible. In the depicted embodiment, LEDs  106  and  108  emit a same color (white) at a different intensity, while LEDs  108  and  110  emit a different color (red) at a same intensity. Of course, different combinations of LED color and/or intensity are possible and contemplated for use herein. For example, additional LED sets could be included emitting an amber color for a different warning or alert signal. 
         [0024]    In the depicted embodiment LEDs  106  are relatively smaller and/or less intense LEDs emitting white light, and illuminate in a predetermined desired pattern on vehicle start-up as an indicator to the operator that the vehicle (not shown) and its various systems are powering up/powered up. For example (see  FIGS. 4A-4D ), on vehicle start-up the controller  104  may cause the LEDs  106  to illuminate in an incremental “inside-out” pattern (see arrows) wherein the illumination of LEDs  106  begins at a center of the LED  106  array ( FIG. 4A ) and proceeds sequentially ( FIGS. 4A-4C ) to provide an X-shaped illumination pattern ( FIG. 4C ). The controller  104  then proceeds to illuminate the perimeter LEDs  106  ( FIG. 4D ). In turn, the LEDs  106  may be extinguished in an incremental “outside-in” pattern from the perimeter LEDs  106  to the interior LEDs  106  on vehicle power-down. 
         [0025]    In turn, LEDs  108  may be provided in the interior of the circuit board  102  that also emit a white light but are capable of emitting an increased wattage compared to LEDs  106 . When the illuminated exterior badge  100  is provided as a rear vehicle badge, such LEDs  108  may illuminate when an operator places the vehicle in reverse, i.e. as auxiliary “backup” lights. 
         [0026]    Still more, LEDs  110  that are of a similar intensity but a different color than LEDs  108  may be provided. In the depicted example, LEDs  110  emit a red color. When used in a badge  100  disposed at a front and/or rear of a vehicle, the red LEDs  110  may serve as auxiliary running lights during vehicle operation, to increase vehicle visibility. For badges  100  disposed both at a front and a rear of a vehicle, the controller  105  may cause LEDs  110  to illuminate intermittently on or after vehicle start-up to indicate a vehicle malfunction or “trouble” condition detected by one or more vehicle sensors, for example a low tire pressure condition, a low oil pressure condition, a high engine temperature condition, a “check engine” code, and others. This is accomplished by an operative association of controller  104  with a vehicle control module such as the BCM. Thus, as the owner starts the vehicle or approaches the vehicle after a remote start-up, she is immediately made aware that there is a potentially problematic vehicle condition that should be investigated. 
         [0027]    Various safeguards may be implemented to guard against excessive heat generation by the badge  100 . For example, on or before illumination of LEDs  108 , LEDs  106  may be extinguished to prevent excessive heat buildup. To further reduce excess heat generation, LEDs  106 ,  108 , and/or  110  may be serially connected. Still more, a temperature sensor associated with the microprocessor  104  may be used to determine a temperature of the illuminated exterior badge  100  and/or an ambient temperature adjacent to the vehicle, to prevent excessive heat generation by the badge. As will be appreciated, this arrangement allows a determination of ambient temperature to be factored into calculations determining an amount of current passed to the badge  100 , number of LEDs illuminated, etc. For example, in very high ambient temperatures and/or if the vehicle engine is generating significant heat, less current is passed to the badge  100  and/or fewer LEDs are illuminated, thus reducing the amount of heat generated. 
         [0028]    Of course, additional functions may be implemented by use of the above-described LED arrangement. For example, the controller  104  may cause the LEDs  110  to flash intermittently when the vehicle emergency flashers are actuated, thus further enhancing vehicle visibility. Still more, the illuminated badge  100  may be used as a vehicle finding tool, for example in a crowded parking lot. This may be accomplished by causing the LEDs  108  and/or LEDs  110  to illuminate intermittently when a vehicle operator actuates a “panic” button on, e.g. a key fob or the like, or when a “smart” key is in sufficient proximity to the owner&#39;s vehicle. This will draw the operator&#39;s attention to his car. As non-limiting examples, under the control of controller  104  the LEDs  108  may flash intermittently, LEDs  110  may flash intermittently, or LEDs  108  and LEDs  110  may alternate flashing intermittently for even more visibility. 
         [0029]    Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, alternative sequences for activation of one or more of the described sets of LEDs  106 ,  108 ,  110  by microprocessor  104  are possible. In turn, additional or fewer sets of LEDs of the same or differing colors/intensities may be provide to create alternative illumination patterns and/or intensities. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6