Abstract: An airbag assembly includes a housing and an airbag. The airbag is supported by the housing and includes a vent. The airbag assembly includes a tether supported by the housing and fixed to the vent. The airbag assembly includes a tether release operatively coupled to the tether. The airbag assembly includes a tether retractor supported by the housing and fixed to the tether.

Abstract: A system includes a seat having an upholstery, an infrared-light source spaced from the seat and aimed at the seat, and an infrared sensor having a field of view. The seat is disposed in the field of view. Infrared-indicator threads are threaded with the upholstery and include exposed portions overlapping the upholstery in a pattern.

Abstract: A powered folding steering wheel system includes a rim having upper and lower rim sections that are pivotably connected to a primary structure to permit rotation of the upper and lower rim sections forwardly and rearwardly from a driving position. The system includes a powered drive assembly that is configured to rotate the upper and lower rim sections forwardly and rearwardly.

Abstract: An airbag assembly includes a housing and an airbag. The airbag is supported by the housing and includes a vent. The airbag assembly includes a tether supported by the housing and fixed to the vent. The airbag assembly includes a tether release operatively coupled to the tether. The airbag assembly includes a tether retractor supported by the housing and fixed to the tether.

Abstract: A heating system for a vehicle steering wheel may include a conductive element surrounding at least a portion of the steering wheel, a power supply for the conductive element configured to provide an input voltage, and a transformer between the power supply and the conductive element and configured to receive the input voltage and provide an output voltage higher than the input voltage to the conductive element for heating the steering wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a heating system to selectively heat a vehicle device structured for contact by a vehicle occupant or for the occupant to view surroundings outside the vehicle from inside it. In one form, the vehicle device is a steering wheel, and the heating system encompasses a vehicle power supply electrically coupled to a rechargeable energy source to energize a heating element that together increase device temperature more rapidly than with just one of them alone. The heating system detects depletion of the rechargeable energy source and recharges it with the vehicle power supply, while increasing the temperature more slowly because the heating element is only being energized by the vehicle power supply. If the temperature is greater than or equal to a target level, energization of the heating element includes some form of time-varying modulation to approximately maintain the temperature target level.

Abstract: A system may include a steering wheel assembly including a plurality of heat mat sections configured to selective heat a subset of the steering wheel, and a controller coupled to the heat mat sections via at least one connector, the controller configured to instruct the connector to provide current to at least one of the heat mat sections based on a user preference associated with an identified user.

Abstract: A steering wheel armature includes a hub, a spoke and a rim. The hub has a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is attached to a steering column. The spoke is attached to the first portion of the hub via friction welding. The rim is friction welded to the spoke to interconnect the rim and the first portion of the hub, wherein the first portion is stir friction welded to the second portion such that the rim is attached to the steering column.

Abstract: A steering wheel assembly includes an inner body, a heat sink material overlying the inner body and a heating mat overlying the heat sink material. The steering wheel assembly also includes an outer wrap overlying the heating mat. A heated steering wheel system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A heating system for a vehicle steering wheel may include a conductive element surrounding at least a portion of the steering wheel, a power supply for the conductive element configured to provide an input voltage, and a transformer between the power supply and the conductive element and configured to receive the input voltage and provide an output voltage higher than the input voltage to the conductive element for heating the steering wheel.

Abstract: A motor vehicle steering wheel has an airbag module received and mounted within a recess having an opening of a predetermined shape. A cover having an outer surface and inner surface is disposed over and proximate the airbag module and substantially occludes the opening of the recess. The cover has a predetermined shape corresponding to the shape of the opening of the recess and an outer edge corresponding to an inner edge of the recess. The outer edge of the cover comprises a flexible loop proximate the inner edge of the recess about the outer edge of the cover.