Abstract: A temperature moderation apparatus is structured to be positioned in vehicle passenger compartment. The apparatus includes an outer shell defining an interior of the shell, the wall has an exterior surface structured and positioned for physical contact with a skin surface of a vehicle occupant. The outer shell wall also has a plurality of through-holes formed therein. A phase change material element is positioned within the shell interior. The phase change material element includes a stretchable, thermally-conductive outer wall and a quantity of phase change material positioned therein. A pressurization mechanism is coupled to the phase change material element, the pressurization mechanism is structured to pressurize the phase change material element so as to force portions of the phase change material element to extend from the interior of the shell into associated ones of the through holes and past the outer shell wall exterior surface.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel includes a first volume of phase change material and a second volume of phase change material spaced apart from the first volume of phase change material. The first volume of phase change material contains a greater mass of phase change material than the second volume of phase change material. A first wall forms a rim of the steering wheel. The first wall is in direct contact with both the first volume of phase change material and the second volume of phase change material, so as to facilitate heat transfer between the first volume of phase change material and the second volume of phase change material.

Abstract: A vehicle component includes a first volume of phase change material and a second volume of phase change material spaced apart from the first volume of phase change material. The first volume of phase change material contains a greater mass of phase change material than the second volume of phase change material. The component also includes a thermally-conductive structure in direct contact with both the first volume of phase change material and the second volume of phase change material, so as to facilitate heat transfer between the first volume of phase change material and the second volume of phase change material.

Abstract: An adjustable vibration isolator for limiting transfer of vibrations from a first element to a second element coupled to the first element. The isolator includes conical disc spring members, each having a first end including a central opening, a central axis, and a second end opposite the first end. The second end includes an outer edge of the spring member. A spacer is coupled to each spring member so as to enable a transfer of forces between the spring member and the spacer. Spring member deflection resistance mechanisms are operable to adjustably resist movement of the outer edges of the spring members in directions radially outwardly during loading of the spring members. Resistance of movement of the outer edges of the spring members enables control of a force required to deflect the spring members, and control of the force-deflection curve of the vibration isolator.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing structure for a vibration isolator includes a conical disc spring member having a first end including a central opening and a second end opposite the first end. The structure also includes at least one spacer having a base portion with a first side. The base portion first side defines a cavity structured to receive therein a second end of the spring member. The cavity has a floor, and a second end of the spring member is positioned in contact with the floor. The floor includes an opening formed therein and positioned so as to reside opposite the first end of the spring member when the second end of the spring member is positioned in contact with the cavity floor. The opening is structured to receive at least a portion of the first end of the spring member therein during an inversion of the spring member.

Abstract: An adjustable vibration isolator for limiting transfer of vibrations from a first element to a second element coupled to the first element. The isolator includes conical disc spring members, each having a first end including a central opening, a central axis, and a second end opposite the first end. The second end includes an outer edge of the spring member. A spacer is coupled to each spring member so as to enable a transfer of forces between the spring member and the spacer. Spring member deflection resistance mechanisms are operable to adjustably resist movement of the outer edges of the spring members in directions radially outwardly during loading of the spring members. Resistance of movement of the outer edges of the spring members enables control of a force required to deflect the spring members, and control of the force-deflection curve of the vibration isolator.

Abstract: A vibration isolator mechanism is provided for limiting transfer of vibrations from a first element to a second element coupled to the first element. The vibration isolator mechanism may include a vibration isolator structured to provide a quasi-zero/negative stiffness response to a force applied to the vibration isolator when the applied force is within a predetermined range. The vibration isolator mechanism may also include a force application mechanism structured to apply a force to the vibration isolator. The vibration isolator mechanism may also include a force adjustment mechanism structured to adjust the force applied to the vibration isolator by the force application mechanism so that the applied force is within the predetermined range.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for predicting a desired position of or adjustment to one or more accommodation devices of a vehicle, e.g., a seat, a steering wheel, a rearview mirror, etc. A user's position or adjustment preferences may be learned over time by measuring or obtaining data regarding the position or adjustment of accommodation devices. These learned position or adjustment preferences may be stored along with a corresponding day, time of day, and/or vehicle location during or at which the position or adjustment preferences were measured or obtained. During a subsequent occurrence of the day, time of day, and/or if the vehicle is at or traverses a location during which a previous position or adjustment was made, the same or similar position or adjustment can be effectuated. Whether or not the position or adjustment is effectuated can depend on how accurate the predicted position or adjustment may be.

Abstract: A temperature moderation apparatus is structured to be positioned in vehicle passenger compartment. The apparatus includes an outer shell defining an interior of the shell, the wall has an exterior surface structured and positioned for physical contact with a skin surface of a vehicle occupant. The outer shell wall also has a plurality of through-holes formed therein. A phase change material element is positioned within the shell interior. The phase change material element includes a stretchable, thermally-conductive outer wall and a quantity of phase change material positioned therein. A pressurization mechanism is coupled to the phase change material element, the pressurization mechanism is structured to pressurize the phase change material element so as to force portions of the phase change material element to extend from the interior of the shell into associated ones of the through holes and past the outer shell wall exterior surface.

Abstract: Seats in vehicles may include a seat cushion having a seating surface, a vibration isolation structure and a foam structure, with the seating surface configured to support an occupant. The seat cushion may include either a seat bottom or a seat back, with the vibration isolation structure configured to evenly distribute forces exerted by the occupant. The vibration isolation structure may include a plurality of individual lattice blocks. The plurality of individual lattice blocks may occupy a pattern based on a spatial weight distribution of an average-sized occupant or a pattern based on a spatial weight distribution tailored for a specific occupant. The plurality of individual lattice blocks may cooperate to provide the even pressure distribution against forces exerted by the occupant. The vibration isolation structure may isolate vibration in a range from about 0.5 Hz to about 5.0 Hz.

Abstract: A seat for a vehicle is provided includes a padding member and at least one phase change material element supported in a passage formed within the padding member. The at least one phase change material element is supported in the passage so as to be movable between a first location in which the at least one phase change material element is spaced apart from an occupant support side of the padding member when the seat is unoccupied, and a second location in which at least a portion of the at least one phase change material element is at least level with the occupant support side of the at least one padding member when the seat is unoccupied. The at least one phase change material element is structured to absorb heat from a vehicle occupant, thereby cooling the occupant.

Abstract: A vehicle component includes a first volume of phase change material and a second volume of phase change material spaced apart from the first volume of phase change material. The first volume of phase change material contains a greater mass of phase change material than the second volume of phase change material. The component also includes a thermally-conductive structure in direct contact with both the first volume of phase change material and the second volume of phase change material, so as to facilitate heat transfer between the first volume of phase change material and the second volume of phase change material.

Abstract: A seat for a vehicle is provided includes a padding member and at least one phase change material element supported in a passage formed within the padding member. The at least one phase change material element is supported in the passage so as to be movable between a first location in which the at least one phase change material element is spaced apart from an occupant support side of the padding member when the seat is unoccupied, and a second location in which at least a portion of the at least one phase change material element is at least level with the occupant support side of the at least one padding member when the seat is unoccupied. The at least one phase change material element is structured to absorb heat from a vehicle occupant, thereby cooling the occupant.

Abstract: A fuse box assembly including a fuse box and a fuse holder. The fuse holder has a saddle configuration and overlies one of the terminal sockets of the fuse box. The fuse holder includes an opening to receive the body of a fuse and the fuse holder is mounted on the fuse box for movement between an operative position in which the terminal tabs of the fuse are received in the associated terminal socket of the fuse box and a raised, inoperative position in which the terminal tabs of the fuse are removed from the terminal socket. The holder includes a pair of legs which extend downwardly along opposite side walls of the fuse box and which include slots which coact with pins on the side walls of the fuse box to provide a detenting action to positively maintain the holder in its raised, inoperative position.