An accent lighting system for a vehicle is disclosed that includes a light module and a transmitter. The light module includes a first inductive member and a diffuser that extends along a periphery of the light module so as to collect and distribute light generated by the light module. The transmitter includes a second inductive member that is configured for electromagnetic communication with the first inductive member so as to create current in the first inductive member and thereby power the light module.

A method and apparatus include attaching a lighted cup holder to a seating arrangement. The lighted cup holder includes a cup holder body and a light-producing light source, with the cup holder body being attached to the seating arrangement and having a cup receptacle therein, the light-producing source being disposed within the cup receptacle for illuminating the receptacle. A light-sensitive element operatively connected to the light source selectively controls production of light by the light source in such a manner that illumination of the cup holder is provided only under conditions where visibility is reduced to the point that it becomes difficult to locate the cup holder. The light-sensitive element is mounted on a master lighted cup holder and controls illumination of the master lighted cup holder and one or more slave lighted cup holders operatively connected to the master lighted cup holder.

A method and apparatus include attaching a lighted cup holder to a seating arrangement. The lighted cup holder includes a cup holder body and a light-producing light source, with the cup holder body being attached to the seating arrangement and having a cup receptacle therein, the light-producing source being disposed within the cup receptacle for illuminating the receptacle. A light-sensitive element operatively connected to the light source selectively controls production of light by the light source in such a manner that illumination of the cup holder is provided only under conditions where visibility is reduced to the point that it becomes difficult to locate the cup holder. The light-sensitive element is mounted on a master lighted cup holder and controls illumination of the master lighted cup holder and one or more slave lighted cup holders operatively connected to the master lighted cup holder.

A method and apparatus include attaching a lighted cup holder to a seating arrangement. The lighted cup holder includes a cup holder body and a light-producing light source, with the cup holder body being attached to the seating arrangement and having a cup receptacle therein, the light-producing source being disposed within the cup receptacle for illuminating the receptacle. A light-sensitive element operatively connected to the light source selectively controls production of light by the light source in such a manner that illumination of the cup holder is provided only under conditions where visibility is reduced to the point that it becomes difficult to locate the cup holder. The light-sensitive element is mounted on a master lighted cup holder and controls illumination of the master lighted cup holder and one or more slave lighted cup holders operatively connected to the master lighted cup holder.

An illuminable vehicle component and a method for illuminating a vehicle component includes a vehicle component including an A-surface, a photoluminescent or electroluminescent light source covering the A-surface, a pigmented layer coving the photoluminescent or electroluminescent light source, and an optional optically clear top coat covering the pigmented layer. When the photoluminescent or electroluminescent light source is not activated and is not emitting light, the pigmented layer has an opaque appearance. When the photoluminescent or electroluminescent light source is activated to emit light, light emitted from the photoluminescent or electroluminescent light source is transmitted through the pigmented layer and the optional optically clear top coat such that the illuminable vehicle component has an illuminated appearance and the component is illuminated.

An in-cabin cup holder which holds a cup includes a recess with a bottom that is formed on a bottom surface of the cup holder and that supports the cup from below, an opening that is formed on a holder bottom surface around the recess with the bottom, and a lens that covers the opening from above and that emits light from below. An edge of the opening of the holder bottom surface protrudes upward, and a rib-shaped protrusion that surrounds an upper end of the edge from an outer side is formed on a lower surface of the lens.

A drink holder assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment, the drink holder assembly includes a drink holder, a ring insert, and at least one lighting device. The ring insert is configured to be inserted into the drink holder. The lighting device(s) are mounted to the ring insert. In this manner, the lighting device provides the light needed so that the user can place a beverage container in the drink holder appropriately when in a poorly lit environment.

An in-cabin cup holder which holds a cup includes an upper holder having a cup opening into which the cup is inserted, and a lower holder placed below the upper holder. The lower holder has a recess with a bottom that is positioned below the cup opening and that supports the inserted cup from below, and a side wall that is provided at a periphery of the recess with the bottom, and that surrounds a space above the recess with the bottom. A discharge port for discharging liquid is formed on the side wall.

A method and apparatus include attaching a lighted cup holder to a seating arrangement. The lighted cup holder includes a cup holder body and a light-producing light source, with the cup holder body being attached to the seating arrangement and having a cup receptacle therein, the light-producing source being disposed within the cup receptacle for illuminating the receptacle. A light-sensitive element operatively connected to the light source selectively controls production of light by the light source in such a manner that illumination of the cup holder is provided only under conditions where visibility is reduced to the point that it becomes difficult to locate the cup holder. The light-sensitive element is mounted on a master lighted cup holder and controls illumination of the master lighted cup holder and one or more slave lighted cup holders operatively connected to the master lighted cup holder.

A cup holder includes first and second concave housing portions to house a cup, and a light source to illuminate a bottom portion of the first housing portion and a bottom portion of the second housing portion. The light source is placed between the first housing portion and the second housing portion and at a higher position than the bottom portion of the first housing portion and the bottom portion of the second housing portion. The cup holder is configured such that light emitted from the light source provides an illuminance of the bottom portion of the first housing portion that is more than an illuminance of the bottom portion of the second housing portion.