1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to logo units used for displaying images such as for advertising, and particularly to an electrically illuminated logo unit.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A conventional logo unit, such as a registration mark on a billboard or an insignia on a vehicle, cannot illuminate itself. If the image of the logo unit is to be clearly seen at night, it must be illuminated by an external source. However, external illumination has various inherent limitations, including the angle of illumination, the brightness of the source, and the reflective ratio of the logo unit. These limitations frequently result in the logo unit being unevenly illuminated. Furthermore, the brightness and overall aesthetic display of the logo unit may be unsatisfactory.
Generally, to solve the above-described problems, an active light source is arranged at the back of the logo unit. A logo unit having an active light source arranged at the back thereof is known as an illuminated logo unit.
A conventional illuminated logo unit as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,174,075 is represented in
Because the dot light source 101 is arranged at the center of the projection surface, the distribution of light energy over the whole projection surface from the dot light source 101 is uneven. For example, a central circular area 100 on the pattern body 12 receives much more light energy from the dot light source 101 than other portions of the pattern body 12. Accordingly, a brightness of the pattern 121 is not uniform. The result is that the overall pattern 121 cannot be clearly seen at night.
An object of the present invention is to provide an illuminated logo unit which has high brightness and uniformity of illumination.
In order to achieve the object set forth, an illuminated logo unit of the present invention includes a reflective board, a pattern panel, an illuminating device, and a reflective film. The pattern panel is arranged over the reflective board, and the reflective film is disposed under the pattern panel opposite to the reflective board.
In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the illuminated logo unit includes the reflective board and the reflective film. Therefore much light emanating from the illuminating device is reflected more than once by the reflective film and the reflective board before it reaches the pattern panel. This enhances the overall reflectivity and utility of light beams of the illuminated logo unit. It also enhances uniform distribution of light energy over the whole surface of the pattern panel, so that an overall brightness of the illuminated logo unit is improved. Even at night, the illuminated logo unit can be clearly viewed. The illuminated logo unit may be used for applications such as in a billboard, a logo displayed on a vehicle, and so on.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
The pattern panel 301 includes a transparent body 302, a scattering layer 303, a reflective film 305, and a pattern 304. The transparent body 302 is used to protect the pattern 304 from becoming worn or damaged, and is made from a highly transparent material in order to allow maximum transmission of light. Alternatively, if the need for transparency is not paramount or if the pattern panel 301 does not incorporate a scattering layer 303, the transparent body 302 may be made from a translucent material instead. Further, for enhancing the chroma and displaying multi-color images, the transparent body 302 can be made of different colored materials. In order to avoid leakage of light, a circumferential sidewall of the transparent body 302 is reflective. The scattering layer 303 is disposed under the transparent body 302, and diffuses the light received from the illuminating device 310. The scattering layer 303 is formed by mechanical processing or chemical etching of the transparent body 302 itself. The reflective film 305 is disposed under the pattern panel 301, opposite to the reflective board 320. The reflective film 305 can be made of a high reflectivity metal, particularly aluminum or silver. The pattern 304 is attached between the scattering layer 303 and the reflective film 305.
The reflective board 320 includes a substrate 321, and a reflective plate 322 disposed on the substrate 321. The illuminating device 310 is arranged at a center of the reflective board 320.
The illuminating device 310 includes a light source 311 and a driving circuit 312. The light source 311 is an LED, an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), a luminescent doped material, or a luminescent plastic. The position of the light source 311 is determined according to need. The driving circuit 312 provides a driving voltage for the light source 311. In alternative embodiments, two or more light sources 311 may be used.
In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the illuminated logo unit 300 includes the reflective board 320 and the reflective film 305. Therefore much light emanating from the illuminating device 310 is reflected more than once by the reflective film 305 and the reflective board 320 before it reaches the pattern panel 301. This enhances the overall reflectivity and utility of light beams of the illuminated logo unit 300. It also enhances uniform distribution of light energy over the whole surface of the pattern panel 301, so that an overall brightness of the illuminated logo unit 300 is improved. Even at night, the illuminated logo unit 300 can be clearly viewed.
The illuminated logo unit 300 may be used for applications such as in a billboard, a logo displayed on a vehicle, and so on. For example, if the illuminated logo unit 300 is used as a logo displayed on a vehicle, an electrical input terminal (not shown) of the illuminated logo unit 300 can be connected with an output terminal of a battery of the vehicle. That is, the energy needed by the illuminated logo unit 300 can be supplied by a general power supply of the vehicle itself.
It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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92119080 | Jul 2003 | TW | national |