Abstract: An illumination device for a vehicle configured to illuminate an armrest on a door trim of the vehicle includes a light source and a light directing member. The light source is arranged above the armrest and has a light emitting portion configured to emit light toward the armrest. The light directing member is arranged so as to cover the light emitting portion from below. The light directing member is configured to direct the light emitted from the light emitting portion toward the armrest toward a front of the vehicle.

Abstract: A lighting device for use in a vehicle, is equipped with one light source and a linear light-guiding body which guides light from the light source. The light-guiding body has a linear, primary spotlight part which emits light in a linear shape and a secondary spotlight part which emits a spot of light from the tip of the light-guiding body, thus providing different lighting with one light source.

Abstract: An illumination module for a vehicle includes at least one illumination source for illuminating a target area at the vehicle. The illumination module may be mounted at a handle of a vehicle door and may be operable to illuminate the handle region and/or pocket region of the vehicle door and to illuminate a ground region adjacent to the vehicle and generally below the door handle assembly. The illumination module may include an icon established thereat and the at least one illumination source may back light the icon so that the icon, when the illumination module is activated, is viewable by a person viewing the vehicle. The illumination module may project or direct the illumination toward a targeted area so that the icon is discernible at the targeted area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a luminous garnish for a vehicle in which an illumination unit and a light emitting unit forms an integral part, wherein the garnish provides various patterns and illuminations at a same portion of an integral part, thereby realizing the luxury and high product value of the interior material.

Abstract: A handle assembly is provided for a door of a vehicle storage or baggage compartment and includes a latch module press fit onto the housing of the assembly. The handle assembly also includes a lock assembly with a security plate to preclude unauthorized manipulation of the lock arm. In one embodiment, a position switch is associated with the latch rotor to sense the unlatched position of the rotor. A remote control power unit may also be provided on the handle assembly for locking and unlocking the latch module via a key fob or other access system user interface. An LED may be associated with the power unit to indicate locking and unlocking events, or other vehicle status information. The mounting bracket of the assembly may be selected from interchangeable brackets for manual or power actuation of the lock assembly.

Abstract: On the surface of Fresnel lens part which is formed on the back face of the lens in a door mirror, grain is provided. This grain includes the first grain formed in the first area positioned in the outside of the boundary extending in the front and rear direction of a vehicle, and the second grain formed in the second area positioned in the door panel side of the boundary, and the concavity depth of the second grain is deeper than that of the first grain. Consequently, illumination intensity of the light irradiated toward the face of the door panel from the deeper grain side of the second area can be reduced compared with the illumination intensity of the light toward the footstep from the shallower grain side of the first area. Adoption of such lens makes possible to apply in the various vehicle models through changing only the boundary position and concavity depth of the grain on the face of the Fresnel lens part.

Abstract: A lighting system is provided that includes an interior trim component having a light transmissive element. The interior trim component is configured to move between a first position and a second position. The vehicle lighting system also includes a light source optically coupled to the light transmissive element at least while the interior trim component is located in the first position. The light source is configured to illuminate a region of a vehicle interior.

Abstract: An interior component having an illuminated portion comprises a trim cover positioned over a substrate. At least one light conductive element is in communication with an illumination source. A carrier engages the trim cover. The carrier further secures the light conductive element to the trim cover. The carrier has a plurality of windows formed therethrough such that the light conductive element is visible through the plurality of windows. The illuminated portion may further include an emblem in communication with the light source. The illuminated interior component may be formed by a method that includes the steps of forming a light conductive element that includes extruding an optical guide and a carrier having a mounting tab thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a door mirror for an automobile, in which molding errors are made difficult to occur in a housing and assembling accuracy between the housing and a lamp assy is improved. A housing applied to the door mirror for an automobile is divided into two parts, that is, an upper housing located on the upper side and a lower housing located on the lower side, and a lamp assy constituting a side-turn lamp is disposed between the upper housing and the lower housing. Since the housing is divided vertically into two parts, materials or colors of the upper housing and the lower housing can be made different so that a texture and an appearance of the housing can be easily changed. Moreover, assembling errors between the housing and the lamp assy due to deformation by injection molding or thermal deformation applied during painting can hardly occur, and a gap can be hardly generated between the housing and the lamp assy on the surface side of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a housing structure of a door mirror in which a fixed-side housing portion is reliably crimped to a fixing-side housing portion on the surface side of a housing. In the housing structure of a door mirror, a boss portion and a contact piece are located on the deeper side than first and second butting portions located on the surface side, and a projection portion is located farther than a screwing portion in a positional relationship in the vertical direction (an arrow Y direction) with respect to a horizontal plane passing through the first butting portion. Therefore, when the boss portion (first mounting portion) of an upper housing (fixing-side housing portion) and the contact piece (second mounting portion) of a lamp assy (fixed-side housing portion) are fixed by a screw, a screw tightening force can be concentrated on the projection portion as shown by an arrow A, and this force can be made to act on the first and second butting portions as shown by an arrow B.

Abstract: An illuminator of a door outside handle for a vehicle may perform both a function of a light source and a light guiding function. The illuminator may further employ a light guide having a mood lamp function on an inner surface of the door outside handle and a top LED combined with the light guide to illuminate the outer panel together with the illuminator, making it possible to enhance a product value due to realization of various illumination effects. The illuminator of a door outside handle for a vehicle can be turned on or off through various operation logics by employing multiple different illumination methods where lights of different colors can be realized according to the operation condition, making it possible to enhance product value.

Abstract: A door handle apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The door handle includes a door handle body that is configured to be disposed at a door of the vehicle. A light source is mounted inside the door handle body. A light-transmitting member is located between the light source and the door handle body. The light-transmitting member is partially exposed to an exterior of the door handle body.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a display device that includes a display screen and a plurality of illumination sources for backlighting the display screen. The display device is at least operable in (a) a first mode wherein the illumination sources are not activated so that the presence of the display device is substantially covert to a driver of the vehicle, (b) a second mode wherein the illumination sources are activated so that information displayed by the display screen is viewable by a driver of the vehicle, and (c) a third mode wherein (i) some of the illumination sources are activated so that information displayed by a corresponding backlit portion of the display screen is viewable by a driver of the vehicle and (ii) others of the illumination sources are non-activated so that the presence of a corresponding non-backlit portion of the display screen is substantially covert to the driver.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention provides an illumination structure that can illuminate both a neighborhood of an opening and a storage portion with a simple configuration. An illumination structure 1 includes an illumination device 4 provided in an opening 3 of a vehicle 2, and a person can get on and off the vehicle 2 through the opening 3. The illumination device 4 is fixed to a step garnish 5 provided in a lower end portion 3a of the opening 3. A translucent member 18 is provided in a bottom surface of a storage portion 9 formed in a door lining 10. When a door 6 is closed against the opening 3, the storage portion 9 is disposed on the step garnish 5, whereby the illumination structure 1 is retained while the illumination device 4, a first translucent member 18a, and a second translucent member 18b line up in the order from the bottom.

Abstract: A trim panel for a vehicle interior provides a distinctive ambient lighting effect. The trim panel has an opening therein and an illuminated insert panel is mounted on the trim panel within the opening. The insert panel is molded of a clear plastic material and has a front face located in the opening and a painted or other rear reflective surface. The insert panel has a clear plastic edge wall located beyond the opening of the trim panel. A light pipe extends alongside the clear plastic edge wall and directs light into the clear plastic edge wall so that the light reflects within the clear plastic material and onto the rear reflective surface of the insert panel to illuminate the insert panel over its entire surface area facing through the opening of the interior trim panel.

Abstract: A lighting system for a motor vehicle 1 is disclosed in which a light source 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d is fitted to the inside of each door 2L, 2R, 3L, 3R so as to selectively provide interior lighting when the respective door 2L, 2R, 3L, 3R is closed and puddle lighting when it is open. Each of the light sources 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d is mounted close to a waistline of the door 2L, 2R, 3L, 3R to which it is attached and is arranged to project light in a downward direction so as not to provide a distraction for a driver of the motor vehicle 1.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to a light system for use in a vehicle. The light system includes a door coupled to the vehicle, a portion of the door having a surface that is visible from outside of the vehicle when the door is opened, and an illumination device disposed on the door and comprising a plurality of illuminated elements. The illumination device is visible from outside of the vehicle when the door is opened. The illuminated elements are capable of being illuminated in a pattered sequence after the door is opened.

Abstract: In a vehicular illumination device which illuminates a lower part around an opened part of a door at a side of a vehicle, a side sill garnish is provided below the door-opened part, and a lamp and a lamp garnish which retains the lamp are arranged on a lower face of the side sill garnish. As the lamp is retained by the lamp garnish, the lamp can efficiently and appropriately illuminate an underfoot floor when a person rides on and off the vehicle. Moreover, the lamp garnish has a recess, and an edge which is provided around an opened part of the recess. As the lamp is arranged in the recess, the lamp is not visually recognized directly from the exterior of edge parts, thereby preventing a following vehicle from falsely recognizing the lamp as a backup lamp.

Abstract: A vehicle door safety warning lamp is provided. A light source is respectively disposed on each side of a light socket, and each light source is electrically connected to a power supply device of a vehicle. A white or transparent first shade body and a colored (for example, red or yellow) second shade body cover the two sides of the light socket. When a vehicle door is opened, the light sources disposed on the two sides of the light socket emit lights at the same time, light rays from the first shade body are used to irradiate a traveling path of passengers, and light rays from the second shade body are used to warn other vehicles at the back, thereby improving the safety of the passengers when getting on and off the passenger vehicles (for example, buses or touring vehicles).

Abstract: A light-emitting device driven by an inertial power includes an inertial module, a magnetic element, a magnetic-conductive element, at least one wire, and a light-emitting module. Under an inertial effect, the inertial module drives the magnetic element to rotate, such that a magnetic field generated by the magnetic-conductive element changes due to the rotation of the magnetic element. Moreover, the wire wound around the magnetic-conductive element generates a drive current in response to the changing of the magnetic field, so as to drive the light-emitting module to emit a light. As such, the magnetic field is changed under an inertial power, so as to generate a drive current for driving the light-emitting module, thereby achieving, a renewable energy source, environmental protection, and power-saving purposes.

Abstract: A door handle apparatus includes: a handle base (2) secured to a vehicle door (1); an operation handle (3) freely rotatably coupled to the handle base (2); and a lighting device (6) including a light emitting element (5) that emits light by being fed with power through wire harnesses (4) inserted through an inside of the operation handle (3). An irradiation opening (7) is formed on a sidewall of the operation handle (3), which is opposite to the ground in a state where the operation handle (3) is attached onto the door (1). The lighting device (6) is formed in a lens portion (9) sealing the light emitting element (5) in cooperation with sealing resin (8), and is secured to the operation handle (3) by fitting, to the irradiation opening (7), a fitting protruding portion (10) having a shape coinciding with the irradiation opening (7).

Abstract: A lighting device for use in a vehicle, is equipped with one light source and a linear light-guiding body which guides light from the light source. The light-guiding body has a linear, primary spotlight part which emits light in a linear shape and a secondary spotlight part which emits a spot of light from the tip of the light-guiding body, thus providing different lighting with one light source.

Abstract: Light generated at a specific wavelength corresponding to a particular color or color range that is distracting or disruptive to a driver during a normal operation is blocked through an inexpensive construction without blocking light in a required range of wavelengths. A projector is constructed such that a plurality of LEDs are arranged in an array configuration. The LEDs can include a tinge of red reduction LED and near-infrared LEDs. The projector can be installed in a vehicle and disposed in proximity to the camera. In some embodiments, the projector can be controlled by a control circuit to be turned on in conjunction with the shutter of a camera.

Abstract: The invention relates to an illuminating device of an automobile's tailgate handle. The illuminating device is installed in a groove formed in a tailgate handle, including a circuit board and a transparent covering. A through hole is bored in the groove. The circuit board is provided with plural LEDs and an electric wire connected with a control wire of an automobile's headlight. The transparent covering is put on the groove of the handle. Therefore, the LEDs in the handle can be lit as night warning signal if a car's headlight is turned on, as a turning signal a turning signal is turned on, or as a brake signal the brake is treaded on.

Abstract: An exterior component for a vehicle includes a first member having a decorative surface provided at an external portion thereof for transmitting light, the first member further including a first engaging portion, a second member having a second engaging portion engaging with the first engaging portion of the first member, the second member attached to the vehicle, the first member and the second member forming a double layered structure under the first engaging portion of the first member engaging with the second engaging portion of the second member, and a light-emitting member provided in the double layered structure of the first member and the second member for lighting up and shutting off the light in response to a supply of electricity supplied from the vehicle.

Abstract: A keyless entry system has a handle housing and a grip cover defining a door handle grip, a keyless entry pad defining a plurality of keys, each identified with a corresponding symbol, a plurality of sensors in proximity to the keys for detecting an object in the vicinity of the keys, an illumination source to selectively backlight the sensors and symbols, and a light-controlling membrane extending over the keyless entry pad. Entering a keyless entry code into the keyless entry pad by selecting keys in a predetermined sequence enables a latch to be selectively disposed in either a locked condition or an unlocked condition. In ambient light, the light-controlling membrane renders the symbol invisible. When the illumination source backlights the sensor and the symbol, the light-controlling membrane renders the symbol visible.

Abstract: A handle assembly includes a bezel having a handle cavity defined by a cavity wall and an open front providing access to the handle cavity. The bezel has a slot through the cavity wall and a lamp assembly is mounted to the bezel proximate the slot. The lamp assembly includes a housing and a light pipe held by the housing, where the light pipe includes a first leg extending along a primary axis and a second leg extending along a secondary axis generally perpendicular with respect to the primary axis. The second leg has a lens along an inner surface of the second leg, wherein light is directed through the light pipe along the primary axis to a primary reflective surface provided at the intersection of the first and second legs. The primary reflective surface directs light along the second leg toward the lens.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle capable of receiving power from a remote power source includes an exterior lamp assembly integrated with the vehicle. The lamp assembly includes an illumination source, and an electrical port configured to be electrically connected with the remote power source.

Abstract: An illumination module for a vehicle includes at least one illumination source for illuminating a target area at the vehicle. The illumination module may be mounted at a handle of a vehicle door and may be operable to illuminate the handle region and/or pocket region of the vehicle door and to illuminate a ground region adjacent to the vehicle and generally below the door handle assembly. The illumination module may include an icon established thereat and the at least one illumination source may back light the icon so that the icon, when the illumination module is activated, is viewable by a person viewing the vehicle. The illumination module may project or direct the illumination toward a targeted area so that the icon is discernible at the targeted area.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus for an automobile generally includes a projection device coupled to the automobile (e.g., an external component, such as a door handle assembly) wherein the projection device is configured to project an image onto a display surface that is external to the automobile (e.g., the ground adjacent to a door of the automobile or a region near the door handle itself). The lighting apparatus is configured to activate in response to one or more events, such as proximity of a key fob, the unlocking of one or doors, or the like.

Abstract: The invention is related to an exterior rear-view mirror for vehicles, having a mirror head with a housing in which an adjustable mirror pane is positioned and in which at least one light source is arranged which is located in an area behind a light window of the housing. Light window is part of a turn light signal device which comprises a colour screen to influence colour appearance to turn light signal not activated.

Abstract: There is provided a decorative part for decorating a vehicle interior, including a base; a cushion; and a skin with elasticity having a portion thereof being fixed to the base, the skin being adhered to the cushion and covering the cushion, the cushion being made of a gel elastomer having JIS A hardness of 5 or less or Asker C hardness of 20 or less.

Abstract: A vehicle door safety warning lamp is provided. A light source is respectively disposed on each side of a light socket, and each light source is electrically connected to a power supply device of a vehicle. A white or transparent first shade body and a colored (for example, red or yellow) second shade body cover the two sides of the light socket. When a vehicle door is opened, the light sources disposed on the two sides of the light socket emit lights at the same time, light rays from the first shade body are used to irradiate a traveling path of passengers, and light rays from the second shade body are used to warn other vehicles at the back, thereby improving the safety of the passengers when getting on and off the passenger vehicles (for example, buses or touring vehicles).

Abstract: A threshold lighting system for recreation vehicles and the like. The system includes a threshold with a first light cavity extending along one side of the threshold for emitting light inwardly into a recreational vehicle in a first direction generally parallel to the vehicle floor, and a second light cavity on the opposite side of the threshold for emitting light in a second direction down the stairs leading to the threshold. The light cavities are preferably part of an extrusion forming the threshold, and the threshold is typically part of a door frame assembly provided as a unit.

Abstract: In a vehicular illumination device which illuminates a lower part around an opened part of a door at a side of a vehicle, a side sill garnish is provided below the door-opened part, and a lamp and a lamp garnish which retains the lamp are arranged on a lower face of the side sill garnish. As the lamp is retained by the lamp garnish, the lamp can efficiently and appropriately illuminate an underfoot floor when a person rides on and off the vehicle. Moreover, the lamp garnish has a recess, and an edge which is provided around an opened part of the recess. As the lamp is arranged in the recess, the lamp is not visually recognized directly from the exterior of edge parts, thereby preventing a following vehicle from falsely recognizing the lamp as a backup lamp.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention provides an illumination structure that can illuminate both a neighborhood of an opening and a storage portion with a simple configuration. An illumination structure 1 includes an illumination device 4 provided in an opening 3 of a vehicle 2, and a person can get on and off the vehicle 2 through the opening 3. The illumination device 4 is fixed to a step garnish 5 provided in a lower end portion 3a of the opening 3. A translucent member 18 is provided in a bottom surface of a storage portion 9 formed in a door lining 10. When a door 6 is closed against the opening 3, the storage portion 9 is disposed on the step garnish 5, whereby the illumination structure 1 is retained while the illumination device 4, a first translucent member 18a, and a second translucent member 18b line up in the order from the bottom.

Abstract: A door handle apparatus for a vehicle, opening and closing a vehicle door, the door handle apparatus includes an informing portion for visually informing a state of the vehicle door, including a locking/unlocking state thereof, to a user by a decorative light, which is a visible light, an operation detecting portion for optically detecting an active-direct operation to the door handle apparatus by the user based on changes in an detection light, and an optical waveguide for transmitting the decorative light and the detection light, which is inputted from a first end portion of the optical waveguide, to a second end portion of the optical waveguide, the optical waveguide functioning as the informing portion by leaking the decorative light on a transmission path so as to be outwardly emitted and as the operation detecting portion by outputting the detection light from the second end portion of the optical waveguide.

Abstract: A lighting system is provided that includes an interior trim component having a light transmissive element. The interior trim component is configured to move between a first position and a second position. The vehicle lighting system also includes a light source optically coupled to the light transmissive element at least while the interior trim component is located in the first position. The light source is configured to illuminate a region of a vehicle interior.

Abstract: The invention relates to an outside actuation system for locks on doors, tailgates, or the like of motor vehicles (20). The outside actuation system has a handle (10) which is arranged on the outer side (22) of the door (21) and which can serve for opening the door (21). The handle (10) is fixed pivotably on a bearing axis (11). In addition, a grip recess is designed to be on the outer side (22) of the door (21) in the area of the handle (10), which grip recess can be illuminated by an illuminating device (30). Said illuminating device (30) comprises a housing (31) which is designed as a part of the handle (10) and which is located near the bearing axis (11). Said illuminating device (30) illuminates not only the grip recess but also simultaneously the area outside the vehicle (23) which is located on the ground (24) near the vehicle door (21).

Abstract: A door mirror comprising a mirror portion and a side blinker which is one example of lamp bodies allows easily performed maintenance for the side blinker. It is also structured so as to make a lamp body elongated in lateral dimension. A second opening is formed on the back side of a mirror housing with fixing pieces formed on the second opening. A lamp unit integrates a lens portion with the back face of a base body having an inner base and an outer base which covers the front face of the inner base and is structured so that the base end side avoids the vehicle body mounting portion. The lamp unit is inserted into the second opening through the back face side of the mirror housing, and fixing pieces on the lamp unit and the mirror housing-fixing pieces are tightened by screws.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle having a tail gate (10) affixed to a lateral, rear pillar of the vehicle structure by means of at least one hinge so as to be pivotable about a substantially vertical axis (A-A), a hinge part that swings out together with the tail gate is located in an area of a lateral tail light (18) of the vehicle when the tail gate (10) is closed.

Abstract: A motor vehicle light including a plastic cover disc and a light unit that is mounted behind the surface of the cover disc is provided. The light unit is at least partially encased by the plastic of the cover disc and is fixed in position against the cover disc by the casing.

Abstract: A dead front actuating assembly actuates a device in standard ambient light conditions. The dead front actuating assembly includes a housing defining a periphery and an interior volume. A cover plate is fixedly secured to the housing at the periphery. The cover plate defines an inboard surface facing the interior volume and an outboard surface opposite the inboard surface. The outboard surface is opaque in standard ambient light conditions. The dead front actuating assembly also includes a switch that is operatively connected to the inboard surface of the cover plate at a defined location for toggling the device between on and off conditions. Also included is a presence sensor identifying when an operator is disposed adjacent the cover plate. A back light inside the housing illuminates the cover plate such that light passes through the cover plate and out the outboard surface to illuminate the switch.

Abstract: An illuminated door handle (16) for a vehicle door (12,14) includes a mounting frame (22), a handle arm (24), an LED (26), an LED light guide (28), and a back plate (30). The handle arm (24) is pivotally attached to the mounting frame (22). The handle arm (24) includes one or more window portions (32) and a cavity (34), with the LED light guide (28) extending into the cavity (34) and emitting light through the window portion (32). The back plate (30) is attached to the handle arm (24) and extends across the cavity (34). The LED (26) is attached to the LED light guide (28) and transmits light through the LED light guide (28).

Abstract: The exterior handle configuration of the present invention includes a panel having a recess portion and a handle that covers the upper periphery of the recess portion. An inside surface of the handle is finished with a mirror treatment that reflects and diffuses light. At least one light source fixed at the panel emits light that is directed between the recess portion and the handle. A reflecting surface reflects light emitted from the light source to the inside surface of the handle. The handle configuration of the present invention improves the visibility of the exterior handle during nighttime in a visually pleasing manner.

Abstract: A lighting handle of a car comprises a handle body having a recess at an inner surface thereof; a light emitting device being installed at an inner side of the recess of the handle body; the light emitting device including: a seat installed with a supporting surface; one side of the supporting surface being formed with an inserting groove; a circuit board installed on the supporting surface of the seat; the circuit board being installed with a plurality of lighting emitting bodies; the circuit board having a power wire for connecting other electric circuit in a car; and a transparent lamp cover installed on the seat; an inner wall of the cover being a reflecting surface; one side of the cover having a protrusion which has passed through the through hole of the circuit board to be inserted into the inserting groove of the seat.

Abstract: An exterior mirror sub-assembly includes a reflective element, a back plate, and a display element having a light source that is activatable to emit light. The display element attaches to a display receiving portion of the back plate and the light source is activatable to emit light through the display receiving portion. The display receiving portion may be configured to orient the display element at a predetermined angle so that light exiting the display element when the light source is activated may be directed (a) generally away from the vehicle when the mirror assembly is mounted to the vehicle so as to be principally viewed by drivers of other vehicles or (b) generally toward the driver of the vehicle when the mirror assembly is mounted to the vehicle so as to be principally viewed by the driver of the host vehicle.

Abstract: A lighting handle of a car comprises a handle body having a recess at an inner surface thereof; a light emitting device being installed at an inner side of the recess of the handle body; the light emitting device including: a seat installed with a supporting surface; one side of the supporting surface being formed with an inserting groove; a circuit board installed on the supporting surface of the seat; the circuit board being installed with a plurality of lighting emitting bodies; the circuit board having a power wire for connecting other electric circuit in a car; and a transparent lamp cover installed on the seat; an inner wall of the cover being a reflecting surface; one side of the cover having a protrusion which has passed through the through hole of the circuit board to be inserted into the inserting groove of the seat.

Abstract: A molding for a vehicle includes a molding body provided at a door of the vehicle, at least one light-emitting body provided inside an end portion of the molding body for notifying an occupant of a state of the door, and a light-transmitting portion provided at the molding body for transmitting light emitted by the light-emitting body.

Abstract: A vehicle interior component and lighting assembly that includes a vehicle interior component having a fabric disposed over a substrate or foam layer, or both. An electroluminescent panel is located between the fabric and substrate/foam layer and directs light from the panel through the fabric. In this way, the light source can be effectively hidden when not in use and can be incorporated into the interior component in a manner that requires little space. The vehicle interior component can be any of a number of different interior articles, including, for example, a headliner, door panel, vehicle seat, rear deck, sun visor, and trunk panel. Also disclosed are vehicle interior illumination systems using touch switches and electroluminescent panels to provide back lighting of the switch and/or vehicle interior illumination through the switch.