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 illumination device for a vehicle includes a light guide body having a light entrance hole from which light from a light source enters, and an emission portion that emits the light which has entered from the light entrance hole toward an outer surface from a position of an outer rim part. A light shielding member covers the outer surface of the light guide body except the emission portion, and a light directing member disposed in the light entrance hole reflects the light from the light source toward the emission portion.

A vehicle visual element includes a substrate defining a lamp cavity. A light source is positioned within the lamp cavity which is configured to emit light. A film defining at least one of a holographic and a diffraction grating is disposed over the lamp cavity.

A cup holder includes a main body that includes a recess-shaped cup housing portion for housing a cup, a light source arranged on a back surface of the main body and located under the cup housing portion, and a plate-shaped light guide lens placed on a bottom surface of the cup housing portion of the main body. The main body includes a first hole and a second hole on the bottom surface of the cup housing portion. The second hole is arranged to guide light emitted from the light source to the light guide lens, and the first hole is arranged to drain liquid inside the cup housing portion.

A vehicle cup holder assembly is provided and includes a cup holder. A cup holder bezel is coupled to the cup holder and has an optical element that receives light and a reflective element that partially encloses the optical element and redirects light propagating inside the optical element, wherein light escapes through a light transmissive region of the optical element.

An exemplary vehicle container assembly includes an outer bin, an inner bin received within the outer bin, and a lighting assembly that illuminates an interior of the inner bin through a translucent area of the inner bin. An exemplary vehicle container illumination method includes illuminating an interior area of an inner bin through a translucent area of the inner bin.

A cup holder assembly for a console assembly of a vehicle includes a cover, a housing, a light source, a support frame, and a light emitting assembly. The cover includes an exterior surface, an opposite interior surface, and an opening extending between the exterior surface and the interior surface. The housing includes an open ended receptacle. The housing is connected to the interior surface of the cover such that the opening permits access to the open ended receptacle. The support frame is connected to at least one of the cover and the housing. The light emitting assembly is positioned between the interior surface of the cover and the support frame. The light emitting assembly is oriented to emit light outwardly away from the exterior surface of the cover.

A cup holder assembly for a console assembly of a vehicle includes a cover, a housing, a light source, and a support frame. The cover includes an exterior surface, an opposite interior surface, and an opening extending between the exterior surface and the interior surface. The housing includes an open ended receptacle defined by a floor and at least one sidewall. The at least one sidewall includes a slit. The housing is connected to the interior surface of the cover such that the opening of the cover permits access to the open ended receptacle. The support frame is connected to at least one of the cover and the housing. The light source is mounted to the support frame such that the light source is positioned adjacent the slit in the at least one sidewall to illuminate an interior of the receptacle.

A cup holder assembly for a console assembly of a vehicle includes a cover, a housing, a light source, and a support frame. The cover includes an exterior surface, an opposite interior surface, and an opening extending between the exterior surface and the interior surface. The housing includes an open ended receptacle defined by a floor and at least one sidewall. The at least one sidewall includes a slit. The housing is connected to the interior surface of the cover such that the opening of the cover permits access to the open ended receptacle. The support frame is connected to at least one of the cover and the housing. The light source is mounted to the support frame such that the light source is positioned adjacent the slit in the at least one sidewall to illuminate an interior of the receptacle.

An attachment structure for attaching a lighting device to an attachment object The lighting device includes a light source that outputs illuminating light, a casing that accommodates the light source, and a lens disposed on one side of the casing and through which the illuminating light passes. The attachment structure includes a tubular main body into which the lighting device is inserted, and the tubular main body has a side surface facing the lens, and an opening is formed on the side surface to allow the lens to be exposed to an exterior when the lighting device is inserted into the tubular main body.