Patent Publication Number: US-10759339-B2

Title: Vehicle light system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This patent application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/375,251, which was filed on Aug. 15, 2016, entitled “VEHICLE AMBIENT LIGHT SYSTEM.” The aforementioned related application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to vehicle light systems, and more particularly, to vehicle light systems that provide ambient and/or feature lighting within a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Ambient illumination of vehicle features offers a unique and attractive viewing experience. It is therefore desired to implement such structures in automotive vehicles for various lighting applications. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, a light system for a vehicle is disclosed. The light system includes a trim member defining an aperture. A light guide is disposed within the aperture. The light guide has a proximal portion operably coupled with a light source. A lens is integrally formed with the light guide and is disposed at a distal portion of the light guide. A deformable attachment mechanism is integrally formed on the light guide between the proximal and the distal portions of the light guide. The light guide is compressively retained within the aperture by a forward portion of the attachment mechanism and a rearward portion of the lens. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a light guide for a vehicle is disclosed. The light guide includes a proximal portion configured to accept light emitted from a light source therethrough. A distal portion of the light guide has an integrally formed lens configured to output light emitted from the light source. An integrally formed deformable attachment mechanism is proximately disposed to the lens. The light guide is maintained in a predefined position by the lens and attachment mechanism. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a light guide for a vehicle is disclosed. The light guide includes a proximal portion configured to accept light emitted from a light source therethrough. A distal portion has an integrally formed lens configured to output light emitted from the light source. An integrally formed deformable attachment mechanism is disposed proximately to the lens. The light guide, the lens, and the attachment mechanism are all formed from a single material. 
     These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vehicle interior having a light system incorporated into a door trim panel, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the light system, according to one embodiment, wherein a feature of the door trim panel defines an aperture through which a light guide is inserted; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the light system, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the light guide, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the light system have one or more optical fibers, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of the light guide prior to insertion through the aperture of the feature, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of the light guide of  FIG. 6A  partially inserted into the aperture; 
         FIG. 6C  is a perspective view of the light guide of  FIG. 6A  disposed within the aperture; 
         FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of the light guide prior to insertion through the aperture of the feature, according to an alternate embodiment; 
         FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of the light guide of  FIG. 7A  partially inserted into the aperture; 
         FIG. 7C  is a perspective view of the light guide of  FIG. 7A  disposed within the aperture; 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of the light system, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 8B  is an exploded view of the light guide and connector, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of the connector, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 9B  is a top plan view of the connector of  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIG. 9C  is a side plan view of the connector of  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIG. 9D  is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along the line IXD-IXD of  FIG. 9A ; and 
         FIG. 9E  is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along the line IXE-IXE of  FIG. 9A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 2 . However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to a detailed design and some schematics may be exaggerated or minimized to show function overview. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
     As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination. 
     The following disclosure describes a light system for a vehicle. The light system may advantageously employ a light guide that is integrated into a trim panel of the vehicle to provide ambient and/or feature lighting. In some embodiments, the light guide is configured from a flexible material. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a light system  10  is disposed within a door trim panel  12  of a vehicle  14  and is configured to illuminate a desired location within an interior  16  of the vehicle  14 . The door trim panel  12  may be configured as a trim panel that conceals a door structure of a vehicle door  18 . The light system  10  may provide accent and/or feature lighting and may be disposed proximate to one or more vehicle features  20 , such as a grab handle assembly  22 , disposed within the interior  16  of the vehicle  14 . It will be understood that the light system  10  may additionally, and/or alternatively, be disposed proximately to any other feature  20  within the interior  16  of the vehicle  14  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     With further reference to  FIG. 1 , an armrest  24  may be formed from a substrate and an outer panel  28  (or skin) that is coupled to the door trim panel  12 . The armrest  24  may additionally be configured as a pelvic bolster in some embodiments. The armrest  24  and door trim panel  12 , when coupled to one another, may define a void  26  that allows an occupant&#39;s hand to pass therethrough for utilizing the grab handle assembly  22 . The outer panel  28  is generally attached to the hard substrate to give the texture and appearance desired by customers. A foam layer may be disposed between the substrate and the outer panel  28  to provide or enhance the softness of the armrest  24 . The outer panel  28  may be formed from a soft material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer or any other material known in the art. As will be described in greater detail below, the grab handle assembly  22  may include a portion of the armrest  24 , a trim member  30 , and the light system  10 . It will be understood that the general configuration of the door trim panel  12  and the particular configurations of the armrest  24  and grab handle assembly  22  are shown for illustrative purposes only and are not intended as being limiting. Thus, the grab handle assembly  22  may be in any practicable configuration within the vehicle  14 . Moreover, the light system  10  may be used in conjunction with any other feature  20  within the vehicle  14  and/or be configured as a stand-alone component that provides ambient lighting and/or feature lighting within the vehicle  14 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the trim member  30  having the light system  10  attached thereto is illustrated, according to one embodiment. The trim member  30  has an A-surface  72  that is disposed in an occupant touch zone of the vehicle  14 . The term “touch zone,” as used in the present disclosure, defines a portion of the interior  16  of the vehicle  14  ( FIG. 1 ) that is capable of being contacted by an occupant of the vehicle  14  while the occupant is seated within the vehicle  14  and/or using a feature  20  of the vehicle  14  that is configured to be contacted by the occupant. As used herein, the term “A-surface”  72  refers to a surface of any component within the vehicle  14  that is visible and/or contactable by an occupant of the vehicle  14  when the component is in an assembled state. Contrastingly, the term “B-surface”  74  refers to a surface of any component within the vehicle  14  that is concealed and/or non-contactable by an occupant of the vehicle  14  when the component is in an assembled state. 
     The trim member  30  includes a substrate  32  and a cover material  34 . The cover material  34  may include any material commonly known in the art. By way of non-limiting examples, some of the known materials include cloth, leather, polymers, and/or elastomers that are capable of use in vehicle trim applications. Polymer trim materials may include a flexible closed cell polymer skin material such as polyvinyl, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic olefin (TPO), or thermoplastic urethane (TPU). Additionally, a foam backing  36 , which may be manufactured from a variety of foam materials, may be disposed between the substrate  32  and the cover material  34 . The foam backing  36  may be polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, or polystyrene foam in some of the embodiments that include the foam backing  36 . 
     A pair of retention clips  38  may be made of lightweight, generally rigid material having resilient characteristics. An example of such a material for the retention clips  38  is spring steel, or the like. It will be appreciated that any suitable material that allows the retention clips  38  to be positioned on the trim member  30  for subsequent attachment of the trim member  30  to the vehicle  14  may be utilized. In the illustrated embodiment, the retention clips  38  are first affixed to the trim member  30 , which is then secured to the armrest  24  of the vehicle  14 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the trim member  30  defines an aperture  40  through which a light guide  50  is inserted. A light source housing  42  encapsulates a printed circuit board (PCB)  44  ( FIG. 3 ) and a light source  46  ( FIG. 3 ). A connector  48  is configured to attach the light guide  50  to the housing  42 . The light guide  50  is configured to accept light emitted from the light source  46  through a proximal portion  52  of the light guide  50 . The emitted light is transmitted through the light guide  50  and exits the light guide  50  through a distal portion  54  thereof. More specifically, the distal portion  54  may include a lens  56  for directing the emitted light in any desired direction. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the light guide  50  may be flexible and/or soft to the touch such that contact with the distal portion  54  of the light guide  50 , or the lens  56 , by an occupant of the vehicle  14  may go unnoticed while utilizing the grab handle assembly  22 . 
     With further reference to  FIG. 2 , an integrally formed deformable attachment mechanism  58  is also formed in the distal portion  54  of the light guide  50 . The integrally formed deformable attachment mechanism  58  is configured such that the lens  56  of the light guide  50  is maintained in a desired position within the aperture  40 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the light source housing  42  may be formed from two pieces that may be removably attached to one another. However, in alternate embodiments, the housing  42  may be configured from any number (i.e. one or more) pieces without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. A base portion  60  of the housing  42  may have an integrally formed compression clip  62  that is configured to maintain the housing  42  in a substantially constant position within a concealed portion of the door trim panel  12  ( FIG. 1 ) when the vehicle door  18  ( FIG. 1 ) is assembled (i.e., between the B-surface of the door trim panel  12  and an exterior vehicle structure that forms the outer surface of the vehicle door  18  ( FIG. 1 )). 
     The PCB  44  is disposed on the base portion  60 , or otherwise disposed within the housing  42 , and contains a controller  64  having control circuitry including light source drive circuitry for controlling activation and deactivation of the light source  46 . The PCB  44  may be any type of circuit board including, but not limited to, any flexible PCB and/or rigid PCB. In alternate embodiments, the controller  64  may be disposed externally from the housing  42  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The light source  46  may be disposed on the PCB  44  and may include any form of light source. For example, fluorescent lighting, light emitting diodes (LEDs), organic LEDs (OLEDs), polymer LEDs (PLEDs), solid-state lighting, laser lighting, or any other form of lighting device configured to emit light may be utilized. 
     A top portion  66  of the housing  42  is configured to cover (or partially cover) the PCB  44  and/or the light source  46 . The top portion  66  of the housing  42  may also define a light output window  68 . The light output window  68  allows light emitted from the light source  46  to exit the housing  42  therethrough and may be configured in any desired geometry. 
     With further reference to  FIG. 3 , the proximal end of the light guide  50  is configured to be disposed within and/or operably coupled with the light output window  68  of the housing  42 . Accordingly, in some embodiments, the light output window  68  and the proximal portion  52  of the light guide  50  may have a substantially similar geometrical cross section. As discussed herein, the proximal portion  52  of the light guide  50  is configured to accept light emitted from the light source  46  and transmit the emitted light to the distal portion  54  of the light guide  50 . 
     The connector  48  is configured to surround the proximal portion  52  of the light guide  50  and attach to the top portion  66  of the housing  42 . The connector  48  is attached to the housing  42  through a snap feature  70 ; however, any type of attachment feature may be utilized. Alternatively, the connector  48  may be integrally formed with the housing  42 . When assembled, the connector  48  is configured to maintain the proximal portion  52  of the light guide  50  within the light output window  68 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the light guide  50  may be a substantially transparent or translucent guide suitable for transmitting light (e.g., light emitted from the light source  46 ). The light guide  50  may be a flexible light guide, wherein a suitable flexible material is used to create the light guide  50 . Such flexible materials include, but are not limited to, urethanes, silicone, flexible polycarbonate, optical grade flexible polypropylene, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), optical grade elastomeric, and/or any other flexible mold in clear (MIC) material or mixtures. The light guide  50  may be referred to as a light pipe, a light plate, a light bar or any other light carrying or transmitting substrate made from a clear or substantially translucent material. The light guide  50  may be formed through an injection molding process, or any other manufacturing process known in the art. 
     The flexible light guide  50  may have Durometer hardness below approximately 110 Shore A. According to one embodiment, the light guide  50  has a Durometer hardness of less than or equal to approximately 70 Shore A. According to an alternate embodiment, the light guide  50  has a Durometer hardness that is less than or equal to approximately 60 Shore A. 
     As discussed herein, the light guide  50  also includes the integrally formed lens  56 . The lens  56  is disposed proximately to the A-surface  72  of the trim member  30  and is configured to direct light emitted from the light source  46  towards a desired location and/or feature  20  disposed within the vehicle  14 . The flexibility and/or soft touch of the lens  56  allows for tactile homologation with minimal (or no) sharp edges (such as, but not limited to, flash from injection molding the light guide  50 ) and/or rigid materials that are contactable and/or noticeable by an occupant of the vehicle  14 . 
     With further reference to  FIG. 4 , the distal portion  54  of the light guide  50  includes the integrally formed deformable attachment mechanism  58  and the integrally formed lens  56 . The deformable attachment mechanism  58  is configured to pass through the aperture  40  defined by the trim member  30  ( FIG. 2 ). The lens  56 , however, is of a larger cross section than the deformable attachment mechanism  58  such that the lens  56  does not pass through the aperture  40  without a large amount of force and/or tension. Moreover, the deformable attachment mechanism  58  and the lens  56  are spaced apart from one another along the light guide  50  at a predefined distance d. The predefined distance d may be substantially equal to, or less than, the combined thickness of the trim member  30  (i.e., the substrate  32  and the cover material  34   FIG. 2 )). Due to the deformable attachment mechanism  58  and lens  56  being disposed on opposing sides of the trim member  30 , the light system  10  may be maintained in a constant position within the aperture  40  through compressive and/or elastic force. Moreover, as described above, the light guide  50 , and hence the integrally formed lens  56 , may be formed from a soft touch material such that an occupant of the vehicle  14  is unable to easily an/or quickly differentiate contact with the lens  56  and/or the light system  10  from contact with the cover material  34  and/or the A-surface  72  of the trim member  30  when utilizing the grab handle assembly  22  disposed within the vehicle  14 . For purposes of the present disclosure, “easily differentiate” is defined by an occupant&#39;s ability to touch the lens  56  and know that the lens  56  is projecting light therefrom without visible inspection of the lens  56 . 
     According to one embodiment, the light guide  50 , the lens  56 , and the attachment mechanism  58  may all be formed as a single component, from a single material, and/or in a single manufacturing process. For example, the light guide  50 , the lens  56 , and the attachment mechanism  58  may all be integrally formed through an injection molding process. As discussed above, the light guide  50  may be formed from an optical grade thermoplastic elastomer or any other material known in the art. 
     The deformable attachment mechanism  58  may be of any other practicable geometry. As illustrated, the deformable attachment mechanism  58  has a substantially rectangular geometry with a rearward portion  76  having a smaller diameter than a forward portion  78  to assist in insertion of the deformable attachment mechanism  58  through the aperture  40 . 
     The integrally formed lens  56  disposed on the distal portion  54  of the light guide  50  may be formed in any manner to direct light in a desired direction and/or towards a desired feature  20  of the vehicle  14 . For example, the lens  56  may be configured as a Fresnel lens, a pillow optic, and/or any other type of lens or optic that is configured to disperse, concentrate, and/or otherwise direct light emitted from the light source  46  therethrough in any desired manner. 
     The lens  56 , according to one embodiment, may be configured as a concave lens structure. As light exits the lens  56 , the light may be substantially uniformly dispersed to all directions because of light dispersion characteristics of the concave lens structure. Therefore, the light guide  50  can achieve light guiding and a uniform light dispersion effect while saving the fabrication cost, so that prior-art drawbacks such as light output non-uniformity, a high cost, a dramatic loss of light energy, and a low utilization value in production can be eliminated. Thus, the light guide  50  provided herein, in some embodiments, is capable of improving the light dispersion effect of the light guide plate and product quality while increasing design flexibility and industrial applicable value thereof. However, it will be understood that any other geometry of lens  56  may be utilized, such as a convex lens, without departing form the teachings provided herein. 
     In operation, the proximal portion  52  of the light guide  50  is inserted through the aperture  40  from the A-surface  72  of the trim member  30  ( FIG. 2 ). As the attachment mechanism  58  contacts the aperture  40 , the attachment mechanism  58  is resiliently deformed until the attachment mechanism  58  is substantially disposed on an opposing side of the trim member  30  from the lens  56 . The proximal portion  52  of the light guide  50  is then operably, and/or optically, coupled with the light source  46  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the light system  10  may include one or more optical fiber strands  80  that may be encapsulated within the light guide  50 . Alternatively, one or more optical fiber strands  80  may be used in place of the light guide  50  and the deformable attachment mechanism  58  and the lens  56  may be coupled to the one or more optical fiber strands  80  or integrally formed with the one or more optical fiber strands  80  during any forming, or manufacturing, process known in the art. The one or more optical fiber strands  80 , like the light guide  50 , may be flexible to allow for placement of the light system  10  into many locations within the vehicle  14  and/or to assist in assembly of the light system  10  during production of the vehicle  14 . To increase the amount of light outputted from the light guide  50 , the light source  46  may be configured as a laser diode that is optically coupled with the one or more optical fiber strands  80  and/or the light guide  50  in any of the embodiments provided herein. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6A-6C , a cross-sectional view of the light guide  50  taken along the line VI-VI of  FIG. 2  illustrating a method of installing the light system  10  into the trim member  30  is exemplarily shown, according to one embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 6A , the light guide  50  is initially inserted through the trim member  30  from the A-surface  72  towards the B-surface  74  in the direction of arrow A. As the light guide  50  is slid through the aperture  40 , as shown in  FIG. 6B , the deformable attachment mechanism  58 , which has a first diameter y 1 , is resiliently deformed. Once the deformable attachment mechanism  58  substantially passes through the aperture  40 , as shown in  FIG. 6C , the deformable attachment mechanism  58  substantially returns to its original shape. 
     Once the deformable attachment mechanism  58  substantially returns to its original shape, the light guide  50  is compressively retained within the aperture  40  due to the lens  56  having a second dimeter y 2  contacting the A-surface  72  and the deformable attachment mechanism  58  contacting the B-surface  74 . Accordingly, the distance d between the forward portion  78  of the deformable attachment mechanism  58  and a rearward portion  82  of the lens  56  may be substantially equal to the thickness t of the trim member  30 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-6C , the aperture  40  may have a varied width (e.g., chamfered) that may substantially correspond to the rearward portion  82  of the lens  56  such that the light guide  50  may be securely disposed and/or flushly mounted within the aperture  40 . Moreover, the distal portion  54  of the light guide  50  may be disposed in a position that is forwardly of, substantially flushly with, or rearwardly of the A-surface  72  of the trim member  30  based on the shape of the aperture  40  and/or the shape of the rearward portion  82  of the lens  56 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7A-7C , a cross-sectional view of the light guide  50  taken along the line VI-VI of  FIG. 2  illustrating a method of installing the light system  10  into the trim member  30  is exemplarily shown, according to an alternate embodiment. As illustrated in  FIGS. 7A-7A , the deformable attachment mechanism  58  defines an orifice  84  in a central portion thereof. With the orifice  84  in the central portion, the deformable attachment mechanism  58  may deform, as shown in  FIG. 7B , as the deformable attachment mechanism  58  passes through the aperture  40 . Once the deformable attachment mechanism  58  passes through the aperture  40 , as shown in  FIG. 7C , the deformable attachment mechanism  58  substantially returns to its original position such that the substrate  32  and cover material  34  are disposed between the deformable attachment mechanism  58  and lens  56  to maintain the light guide  50  in a substantially constant position. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the connector  48 , according to one embodiment, is configured to attach the light guide  50  to the housing  42 . The proximal portion  52  of the light guide  50  defines a connector portion  86 . The connector portion  86  may have a larger diameter d 1  than a diameter d 2  of a middle portion  88  of the light guide  50  that is disposed between the proximal and distal portions  52 ,  54 . The connector portion  86  of the light guide  50  may be partially encompassed by the connector  48 , as exemplarily shown in  FIG. 8A . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8A-9D , the connector  48  includes an elongated body  90  and may additionally include one or more feet  92  that extend from the body  90 . The body  90  extends along a central axis  94 , in some embodiments. However, it will be appreciated that the connector  48  and/or light guide  50  may have any practicable cross-sectional geometry without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The one or more feet  92  may rest along the housing  42  and assist in supporting the connector  48 . 
     The body  90  of the connector  48  includes a bottom section  96  defining a first opening  100  having a diameter x 1  that is larger than an exterior diameter x 2  ( FIG. 3 ) of the light output window  68 . Thus, according to one embodiment, the connector  48  is disposed over an exterior surface  108  of the light output window  68 . The connector  48  further includes a top section  98  that defines a second opening  102  having a diameter x 3  that is less than an inner diameter x 4  ( FIG. 3 ) of the light output window  68  and/or first opening  100 . Moreover, the connector portion  86  of the light guide  50  also has a diameter l 1  that is larger than the diameter x 3  of the second opening  102 . 
     In the assembled position, the light guide  50  may be disposed within the light output window  68  and the connector  48  may be disposed over the light output window  68 . The light guide  50  extends through the first and second openings  100 ,  102  of the connector  48 . The light output window  68  may have a light output window surface  104  ( FIG. 3 ) that extends into the light output window  68 . Thus, according to one embodiment, the connector portion  86  of the light guide  50  is disposed between the light output window surface  104  and the top section  98  of the connector  48 . Accordingly, the light guide  50  may be restricted from removal from the connector  48  and/or the light output window  68 . 
     The connector  48  further defines a slot  106  that extends along the connector  48 . The slot  106  may extend longitudinally and/or in a substantially parallel direction to the central axis  94 . During assembly, the middle portion  88  of the light guide  50  may be slid through the slot  106  such that the connector  48  partially encompasses a portion of the light guide  50 . As discussed above, the connector portion  86  and the distal portion  54  of the light guide  50  may each have larger diameters l 1 , y 1 , y 2  than the diameter x 3  of the second opening  102 . Thus, the slot  106  allows for placement of the light guide  50  within the connector  48 . The slot  106  may have a width that is equal to or larger than the diameter of the middle portion  88  of the light guide  50  such that the light guide  50  may slide through the slot  106 . Additionally, and/or alternatively, the width of the slot  106  may be less than a diameter l 2  of the middle portion  88  of the light guide  50 . The connector  48  may be configured from a resilient material, such as any practicable polymer known in the art, such that the width of the slot  106  may vary and substantially return to the original width of the slot  106  once the light guide  50  is inserted into and/or removed from the connector  48 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 8A-9D , the snap feature  70  may be configured as one or more projections  110  on the exterior surface  108  of the light output window  68 . The connector  48  defines one or more cavities  112  within the body  90 . The one or more projections  110  are configured to be disposed within the one or more cavities  112  when the connector  48  is disposed over the light output window  68  to attach the connector  48  to the housing  42 , as exemplarily shown in  FIG. 8A . As described above, the connector  48  may be formed of a resilient material such that the width of the slot  106  may enlarge as the connector  48  is slid over the projections  110 . Once the projections  110  are disposed within the cavities  112 , the connector  48  may substantially return to its original configuration. 
     Accordingly, a light system incorporated into a trim panel, or otherwise disposed within a vehicle, has been advantageously provided herein. The light system may incorporate a flexible and/or soft touch light guide that provides both functional and decorative illumination characteristics while providing many benefits. For example, the light system provided herein may have lower production costs. Due to the flexibility of the light system provided herein, the light system may also be disposed in locations previously unobtainable due to vehicle component constraints. Lastly, the light system provided herein may provide a higher perceived quality than previously utilized light systems. 
     It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described invention and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the invention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated. 
     Furthermore, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected” or “operably coupled” to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable” to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Some examples of operably couplable include, but are not limited to, physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components. 
     It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the invention as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector  48  or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system might be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations. 
     It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting. 
     It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.