Abstract: A vehicle interior lighting assembly includes a roof structure, a headliner and a light source. The roof structure has a lower surface portion located inboard of the outer periphery. The headliner is supported to the outer periphery of vehicle roof structure. The headliner has a central opening defined by an inner edge portion of the headliner. The opening exposes a portion of the roof structure. The inner edge portion of the headliner is spaced apart from the lower surface portion of the vehicle roof structure such that a gap is defined between the vehicle roof structure and inner edge portion of the headliner. The light source is installed to the lower surface portion of the vehicle roof structure such that when the light source is illuminated, light is emitted through the gap between the vehicle roof structure and inner edge portion of the headliner.

Abstract: An accent lighting system for a vehicle is disclosed that includes a light module and a transmitter. The light module includes a first inductive member and a diffuser that extends along a periphery of the light module so as to collect and distribute light generated by the light module. The transmitter includes a second inductive member that is configured for electromagnetic communication with the first inductive member so as to create current in the first inductive member and thereby power the light module.

Abstract: A vehicle interior lighting assembly includes a roof structure, a headliner and a light source. The roof structure has a lower surface portion located inboard of the outer periphery. The headliner is supported to the outer periphery of vehicle roof structure. The headliner has a central opening defined by an inner edge portion of the headliner. The opening exposes a portion of the roof structure. The inner edge portion of the headliner is spaced apart from the lower surface portion of the vehicle roof structure such that a gap is defined between the vehicle roof structure and inner edge portion of the headliner. The light source is installed to the lower surface portion of the vehicle roof structure such that when the light source is illuminated, light is emitted through the gap between the vehicle roof structure and inner edge portion of the headliner.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a first surface, a closure panel, an interactive display panel and a controller. The first surface has a first edge extending along an exterior portion of a vehicle and a second edge opposite the first edge extending along an interior portion of the vehicle. The first surface at least partially defines a door opening. The closure panel is movably coupled for movement between an open position exposing the first surface and a closed position covering the first surface such that a closure panel surface overlays the first surface. The interactive display panel is disposed along the first surface and is covered by the closure panel with the closure panel in the closed position and is exposed with the closure panel in the open position. The controller is in communication with the interactive display to display user inputted data on the interactive display panel.

Abstract: An illumination assembly for a vehicle includes an energy harvesting module disposed on an exhaust pipe of the vehicle. The energy harvesting module includes an energy harvesting device configured to capture heat and to convert the harvested heat to electrical energy. An illumination member is electrically connected to the energy harvesting module and is configured to be illuminated by the electrical energy supplied from the energy harvesting device.

Abstract: A vehicle panel assembly comprises a trim assembly, a light and a sensor. The trim assembly defines a recessed storage area. The light is disposed on the trim assembly and configured to emit visible light toward the recessed storage area. The sensor is disposed on the trim assembly proximate to the recessed storage area and configured to activate the light to emit the visible light upon the sensor sensing a presence of an object entering an area proximate to the sensor that includes the recessed storage area.

Abstract: An auxiliary power pack for a vehicle includes an energy harvesting system for converting energy from an ambient environment into electrical power, a storage device in communication with the energy harvesting device for storing energy in response to the electrical power, and an output interface in communication with the storage device for supplying the stored energy to an electronic device. The power pack further includes a portable housing for the energy harvesting system, the storage device and the output interface. The housing is configured for removable mounting to a vehicle.

Abstract: An illumination assembly for a vehicle includes an energy harvesting module disposed on an exhaust pipe of the vehicle. The energy harvesting module includes an energy harvesting device configured to capture heat and to convert the harvested heat to electrical energy. An illumination member is electrically connected to the energy harvesting module and is configured to be illuminated by the electrical energy supplied from the energy harvesting device.

Abstract: A vehicle panel assembly comprises a trim assembly, a light and a sensor. The trim assembly defines a recessed storage area. The light is disposed on the trim assembly and configured to emit visible light toward the recessed storage area. The sensor is disposed on the trim assembly proximate to the recessed storage area and configured to activate the light to emit the visible light upon the sensor sensing a presence of an object entering an area proximate to the sensor that includes the recessed storage area.

Abstract: A battery charging assembly for a vehicle includes a vehicle battery and a charging module electrically connected to the vehicle battery and configured to supply electrical energy to the battery. An energy harvesting module is electrically connected to the charging module. The energy harvesting module is configured to harvest energy, to convert the harvested energy to electrical energy and to supply the electrical energy to the charging module. A cooling circuit supplies a cooling fluid to the energy harvesting module to cool the energy harvesting module.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system for a vehicle includes a vehicle component having an outer surface facing an exterior of the vehicle and an inner surface facing an interior compartment of the vehicle, and an energy harvesting module disposed in the vehicle component. The energy harvesting module includes an accessory battery and first and second energy harvesting devices. The accessory battery is configured to supply power to a vehicle accessory. The first energy harvesting device is electrically coupled to the accessory battery and is configured to harvest ambient energy collected from the exterior of the vehicle. The second energy harvesting device is electrically coupled to the accessory battery and is configured to harvest ambient energy collected from the interior of the vehicle. The energy harvesting module converts the harvested ambient energy to electrical energy.

Abstract: A vehicle interior illumination assembly includes a lighting fixture and a controller. The lighting fixture has a proximity detection layer and an illumination layer, with one of the proximity detection layer and the illumination layer overlaying the other of the proximity detection layer and the illumination layer. The controller is operably connected to the proximity detection layer and the illumination layer. The controller is configured to toggle the illumination layer on and off in response to detecting a first movement gesture at the proximity detection layer. The controller is configured to adjust a first prescribed lighting parameter of the light produced by the illumination layer in response to detecting a second movement gesture at the proximity detection layer.

Abstract: A lighted vehicle cargo area arrangement includes a cargo area wall structure and a lighting system. The cargo area wall structure includes a first wall surface facing a vehicle cargo area. The lighting system includes a rail, a mounting bracket and a lamp. The rail is fixedly coupled to the cargo area wall structure and defines a lamp receiving space located laterally between an outboard surface of the rail and the first wall surface. The mounting bracket includes a rail attachment section rigidly attached to the rail and a lamp attachment section. The lamp is attached to the lamp attachment section. The lamp is aimed to shine light beneath the mounting bracket and the rail toward the vehicle cargo area.

Abstract: An auxiliary power pack for a vehicle includes an energy harvesting system for converting energy from an ambient environment into electrical power, a storage device in communication with the energy harvesting device for storing energy in response to the electrical power, and an output interface in communication with the storage device for supplying the stored energy to an electronic device. The power pack further includes a portable housing for the energy harvesting system, the storage device and the output interface. The housing is configured for removable mounting to a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle interior illumination assembly includes a lighting fixture and a controller. The lighting fixture has a proximity detection layer and an illumination layer, with one of the proximity detection layer and the illumination layer overlaying the other of the proximity detection layer and the illumination layer. The controller is operably connected to the proximity detection layer and the illumination layer. The controller is configured to toggle the illumination layer on and off in response to detecting a first movement gesture at the proximity detection layer. The controller is configured to adjust a first prescribed lighting parameter of the light produced by the illumination layer in response to detecting a second movement gesture at the proximity detection layer.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a first surface, a closure panel, an interactive display panel and a controller. The first surface has a first edge extending along an exterior portion of a vehicle and a second edge opposite the first edge extending along an interior portion of the vehicle. The first surface at least partially defines a door opening. The closure panel is movably coupled for movement between an open position exposing the first surface and a closed position covering the first surface such that a closure panel surface overlays the first surface. The interactive display panel is disposed along the first surface and is covered by the closure panel with the closure panel in the closed position and is exposed with the closure panel in the open position. The controller is in communication with the interactive display to display user inputted data on the interactive display panel.

Abstract: A lighted vehicle cargo area arrangement includes a cargo area wall structure and a lighting system. The cargo area wall structure includes a first wall surface facing a vehicle cargo area. The lighting system includes a rail, a mounting bracket and a lamp. The rail is fixedly coupled to the cargo area wall structure and defines a lamp receiving space located laterally between an outboard surface of the rail and the first wall surface. The mounting bracket includes a rail attachment section rigidly attached to the rail and a lamp attachment section. The lamp is attached to the lamp attachment section. The lamp is aimed to shine light beneath the mounting bracket and the rail toward the vehicle cargo area.