Low profile switching and lighting integration within an interior vehicle component

1. An interior vehicle component comprising:

a base;

a panel coupled to the base and moveable between a first position and a second position, the panel having a first side and an opposite second side, the first side configured to be visible to a vehicle occupant when the panel is in the first position, the second side cooperating with the base to define a cavity;

a solid state switch integrated with or into the panel;

an indicator to indicate a zone for operating the solid state switch; and

a flexible circuit coupled to a backside of the solid state switch.

2. The interior vehicle component of claim 1 , further comprising a light source integrated with or into the panel.

3. The interior vehicle component of claim 1 further comprising a printed circuit board supported by the base at a location remote from of the solid state switch, the flexible circuit comprising a cable extending between the printed circuit board and the solid state switch.

4. The interior vehicle component of claim 3 wherein the printed circuit board is supported on a backside of the base, the base defining an aperture through which the cable is routed to the backside of the solid state switch.

5. The interior vehicle component of claim 1 wherein the flexible circuit comprises a printed circuit board that is supported at the backside of the solid state switch.

6. The interior vehicle component of claim 1 wherein a combination of the panel, of the solid state switch, and the flexible circuit has a total thickness that is less than approximately 10 mm

7. The interior vehicle component of claim 6 wherein the total thickness of the combination is less than approximately 5 mm.

8. The interior vehicle component of claim 1 wherein the interior vehicle component comprises at least one of an overhead console, floor console, door panel and a visor.

9. The interior vehicle component of claim 8 wherein the interior vehicle component comprises an overhead console, and wherein the cavity is a storage bin.

10. The interior vehicle component of claim 9 wherein the storage bin is configured to receive and retain a pair of sunglasses.

11. The interior vehicle component of claim 9 wherein panel is pivotally coupled to the base about a pivot shaft that allows for rotational movement of the panel between the first position and the second position.

12. The interior vehicle component of claim 9 wherein the combination of the flexible circuit, the solid state switch, and the indicator does not encroach upon a storage capacity of the storage bin.

13. The interior vehicle component of claim 9 further comprising a covering provided at the second side of the panel and disposed over the flexible circuit and the solid state switch.

14. A method of manufacturing an interior vehicle component, the method comprising:

providing a base;

coupling a panel to the base in a manner so that the panel can be selectively moved between a stowed position and a deployed position, the panel having a first side and an opposite second side, the first side configured to be visible to a vehicle occupant when the panel is in the stowed position, the second cooperating with the base to define a cavity;

integrating a solid state switch with or into the panel;

providing an indicator to indicate a zone for operating the solid state switch; and

coupling a flexible circuit a backside of the solid state switch.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the interior vehicle component is an overhead console.

16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising integrating a light source with or into the panel.