Illuminated exterior strip
A lighting system for a vehicle panel is provided herein. The lighting system includes an outer panel mated to an inner panel. An aperture is disposed in the outer panel. A light-producing assembly is arranged as a strip and includes a plurality of light sources. A photoluminescent structure is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the plurality of light sources. A retention feature is coupled to the light-producing assembly and insertable through the aperture for disposing the light-producing assembly on the outer panel.
1. A body panel for a vehicle, comprising:
a panel having an aperture provided therein;
a light-producing assembly comprising a plurality of light sources arranged as a strip attached to a portion of the panel; and
a photoluminescent structure on the light-producing assembly configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the plurality of light sources, wherein the plurality of light sources is dispersed in a variable density along the strip such that portions of the photoluminescent structure located above occupant seating areas exhibit a greater degree of luminescence than portions of the photoluminescent structure located above non-occupant seating areas.
2. The body panel of claim 1 , further comprising:
a retention feature coupled to the light-producing assembly and insertable through the aperture for disposing the light-producing assembly on the panel.
3. The body panel of claim 1 , wherein the panel includes an outer panel and an inner panel and a cavity is formed therebetween.
4. The body panel of claim 3 , further comprising:
a set of conductive leads disposed through the aperture and into the cavity.
5. The body panel of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light sources comprises LEDs dispersed in a printed LED arrangement.
6. The body panel of claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the photoluminescent structure is located proximate a vehicle feature and exhibits a first intensity of luminescence and a second portion of the photoluminescent structure is located further from the vehicle feature and exhibits a second, lower intensity of luminescence while illuminated.
7. The body panel of claim 1 , wherein the light-producing assembly is configured to illuminate in a plurality of colors.
8. A lighting system for a vehicle, comprising:
a panel having a light-producing assembly disposed on a first surface and a second surface offset from the first surface;
a photoluminescent structure on the panel, wherein the light-producing assembly is configured to excite greater degrees of luminescence proximate an occupant seating area than portions located above non-occupant seating areas; and
an overmold material disposed over the light-producing assembly at an intersection of the first and second surfaces.
9. The lighting system for a vehicle of claim 8 , further comprising:
a controller for selectively activating the plurality of light sources.
10. The lighting system for a vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of light sources comprises LEDs dispersed in a printed LED arrangement.
11. The lighting system for a vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the light-producing assembly illuminates indicia disposed over a portion of the light-producing assembly.
12. The lighting system for a vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the overmold material and a conductive lead are disposed in an indent in the panel at an intersection of the first and second surfaces of the panel.
13. A lighting system for a vehicle, comprising:
a first light-producing assembly disposed on a fender of said vehicle;
a second light-producing assembly disposed on a door of said vehicle, wherein the first and second light-producing assemblies are co-planar and each includes a plurality of light sources dispersed at variable densities; and
a photoluminescent structure configured to luminesce in greater degrees proximate a location relative to occupant seating areas than portions located above non-occupant seating areas.
14. The lighting system for a vehicle of claim 13 , further comprising a controller for selectively activating the plurality of light sources.
15. The lighting system for a vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the first and second light-producing assemblies appear as a single, continuous illuminated trim component.
16. The lighting system for a vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the first and second light-producing assemblies are disposed proximate to one another so as to appear as a single continuous strip.
17. The lighting system for a vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of light sources comprises LEDs dispersed in a printed LED arrangement.
18. The lighting system for a vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of light sources are dispersed such that portions of the photoluminescent structure proximate to a vehicle feature exhibit a greater degree of luminescence than portions of the photoluminescent structure located remotely from the feature.
19. The lighting system for a vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the first and second light-producing assemblies each illuminate in a first and a second color.