Vehicle illumination systems and methods

An illumination system for a steering assembly of a vehicle, the illumination system comprising:

• a base;
• a housing having a ceiling and defining a window that faces an occupant of the vehicle;
• a light guide having a first surface and a second surface that extend between a first end and a second end of the light guide, the light guide further comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface and outer surface being spaced apart from each other and extending between the first and second ends and the first and second surfaces;
• and
• at least one light source disposed adjacent the first end of the light guide, the light source emitting light into the first end of the light guide,
• wherein:
• at least a first portion of the first surface of the light guide is disposed adjacent a surface of the base, and the base is coupled to the housing such that the light guide is disposed within the housing and such that at least a portion of the outer surface of the light guide is adjacent the window and the light guide transmits light from the light source through the portion of the outer surface of the light guide and through the window,
• the base comprises a first surface and a second surface that are opposite and spaced apart from each other, the second surface comprising a support surface on which the light guide is disposed, and
• the second surface further includes a singular sidewall that extends in a plane that is transverse to the support surface, and a portion of the inner surface of the light guide abuts the sidewall.

An illumination system for a steering assembly of a vehicle, the illumination system comprising:

• a base;
• a housing having a ceiling and defining a window that faces an occupant of the vehicle;
• a light guide having a first surface and a second surface that extend between a first end and a second end of the light guide, the light guide further comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface and outer surface being spaced apart from each other and extending between the first and second ends and the first and second surfaces;
• and
• at least one light source disposed adjacent the first end of the light guide, the light source emitting light into the first end of the light guide,
• wherein:
• at least a first portion of the first surface of the light guide is disposed adjacent a surface of the base, and the base is coupled to the housing such that the light guide is disposed within the housing and such that at least a portion of the outer surface of the light guide is adjacent the window and the light guide transmits light from the light source through the portion of the outer surface of the light guide and through the window,
• the base comprises a first surface and a second surface that are opposite and spaced apart from each other, the second surface comprising a support surface on which the light guide is disposed, and
• the housing has first and second inner surfaces that extend from the ceiling and are spaced apart from each other to define a chamber, and the outer and inner surfaces of the light guide are disposed within the chamber.