Interior automotive components with illuminated reflective surface

摘要

An illuminating apparatus and method for an interior passenger compartment of a vehicle including, in combination, a panel, a manual operation element mounted to the panel, and a hidden light source mounted behind the panel providing indirect light directed along a path extending downwardly across a visible surface of the panel through an aperture in the panel. A bezel can be associated with the manual operation element. The bezel can define an edge with a reflective surface. The bezel is located on the visible surface of the panel within the path of indirect light. The edge reflects indirect light from the hidden light source to be visible to occupants of the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

主权项

1. A vehicle interior illuminating apparatus comprising:
an instrument board panel including an aperture, and a manual operation element mounted to the panel; a light pipe mounted hidden behind the panel and providing light directed along a path extending downwardly across a visible surface of the panel through the aperture in the panel: a bezel connected with the manual operation element, the bezel having at least one cross sectional area with a non-planar shaped contour defining an edge; and a highly reflective surface covering at least the edge, and positioned within the direct path of light from the light pipe, the edge reflecting light from the light pipe for highlighting the manual operation element.