Illuminated seat panel

Abstract

A seat panel for assembly into a rear surface of a seat assembly includes a light assembly which generates task lighting directed to a task area and of sufficient brightness to be useful in performing a task within the task area. The light assembly is selectively actuable to emit light through an aperture defined by the seat panel in a defined light pattern to illuminate a recessed space in the seat panel. The seat assembly when configured as a forward seat assembly of a vehicle provides task lighting for a passenger seated rearward of the forward seat assembly, to illuminate a task area which can include one or more of the exterior surface of the seat panel, a leg space between the forward seat assembly and the passenger's seat assembly, and/or a seat space generally including a portion of the upper leg and/or lap area of the passenger.

1 . A seat panel assembly for insertion into a vehicle seat, the seat panel assembly comprising:
 a seat panel including a recessed portion defining a recessed space;   at least one aperture defined by the recessed portion;   a light assembly operatively connected to the seat panel and selectively actuable to emit light through the at least one aperture;   wherein the at least one aperture defines a light pattern of the light emitted by the light assembly; and   wherein the light pattern at least partially illuminates the recessed space.   
     
     
         2 . The seat panel assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a switch in communication with the light assembly;   wherein the switch is selectively actuable to actuate the light assembly.   
     
     
         3 . The seat panel assembly of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the switch is a haptic switch; and   the switch is actuable by contact with the seat panel.   
     
     
         4 . The seat panel assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the light assembly includes a light source; and
 wherein the light source includes at least one light emitting diode (LED).   
     
     
         5 . The seat panel of  claim 4 , wherein the light source includes at least one of a LED bulb, an LED array, an LED strip, or an LED tube. 
     
     
         6 . The seat panel assembly of  claim 1 , wherein with the seat panel assembly inserted into a mounting surface of a vehicle sear, the seat panel defines a plane extending through the at least one aperture;
 wherein the plane is substantially parallel to the mounting surface; and   wherein the light pattern is contained between the plane and the mounting surface.   
     
     
         7 . The seat panel assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a control unit actuable to actuate the light assembly to emit the light pattern;   wherein the control unit is configured to:
 receive power at a first voltage level from a power source; and 
 output power at a second voltage level to the light assembly. 
   
     
     
         8 . The seat panel assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pocket portion at least partially enclosing the recessed space to define a pocket;   wherein the light pattern at least partially illuminates the pocket.   
     
     
         9 . A seat panel assembly configured for insertion into a vehicle seat including a rearward side having an opening for receiving the seat panel assembly; the seat panel assembly comprising:
 a seat panel including:
 an exterior side; 
 an interior side; 
 a perimeter portion; 
 a recessed portion defining a recessed space relative to the perimeter portion; 
 at least one aperture defined by the recessed portion; 
   the at least one aperture configured such that a light projected from the interior side to the exterior side of the seat panel illuminates the recessed space.   
     
     
         10 . The seat panel assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a light assembly operatively connected to the interior side of the seat panel and selectively actuable to emit the light through the at least one aperture.   
     
     
         11 . A seat panel assembly configured for insertion into a rearward side of a forward seat assembly of a vehicle including a rearward seat assembly positioned rearward of the forward seat assembly to define a leg space therebetween, the seat panel assembly comprising:
 a seat panel defining at least one aperture;   a light assembly selectively actuable to emit light through the at least one aperture;   wherein the at least one aperture defines a light pattern of the light emitted by the light assembly; and   wherein with the seat panel inserted into the forward seat assembly the light pattern is configured to illuminate the leg space.   
     
     
         12 . The seat panel assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the rearward seat assembly defines a seat space; and
 wherein the light pattern at least partially illuminates the seat space.   
     
     
         13 . The seat panel of  claim 11 , wherein the forward seat assembly is attachable to a floor of the vehicle and includes a seat back defining an incline angle relative to the floor;
 wherein with the seat panel inserted into the rearward side of the forward seat assembly the light pattern is contained between a plane and the floor of the vehicle;   wherein the plane extends through the at least one aperture and is substantially parallel to the floor.   
     
     
         14 . The seat panel of  claim 13 , wherein the incline angle is a first incline angle;
 wherein the seat back is movable between the first incline angle and a second incline angle which is different from the first incline angle; and   wherein with the seat back at the second incline angle the light pattern is contained between the plane and the floor of the vehicle.