Abstract: A seat includes a seat portion with an air bladder having an outer casing. Multiple fluidly interconnected cells are disposed within a cavity of the outer casing and are configured to inflate the outer casing from a deflated condition to an inflated condition. The cells may be arranged within the air bladder so as to provide a directional inflation of the air bladder from a first portion of the air bladder towards a second portion. First and second support substrates may be disposed within the seat portion, wherein the air bladder is positioned between the first and second substrates. The air bladder may be configured to inflate and displace the first and second substrates relative to one another from an at-rest position to an actuated position. A biasing mechanism may be coupled to at least one of the first and second substrates for biasing the substrates towards the at-rest position.

Abstract: A method of closing a vehicle door includes the steps of providing a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body, transmitting a door closing signal to a controller, identifying a current position of the door using a position sensor, closing the door using a power assist device powered from a hinge axis of the door, monitoring the door position during closing, releasing a catch of a latch mechanism when a latch striker of the vehicle body is partially received in the latch mechanism, and latching the door to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A lower seating structure comprises an upper support layer, an intermediate resilient layer, a molded bottom seat panel, a seat frame assembly, and a tension member. The molded bottom seat panel extends across a width of the lower seating structure and the tension member is fixedly attached to each of a pair of opposed sides of the molded bottom seat panel and extends across the width of the lower seating structure.

Abstract: A vehicle door controller is disclosed. The vehicle door controller is in communication with an actuator configured to control a door and is further in communication with a temperature sensing device. The controller is configured to receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensing device. Based on the temperature signal, the controller is configured to identify an actuator condition. In response to the actuator condition, the controller is configured to control the actuator to move the door to a resting position.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a base seat defining a seating surface configured to position an H-point of an occupant at a predetermined location. The base seat includes first and second sides. First and second seat bolsters are disposed at the first and second sides, respectively, of the base seat. First and second thigh supports are disposed forward of the base seat. The first and second thigh supports define a cushion split. A transverse seam extends across a forward edge of the base seat. The transverse seam is forward of the H-point a predetermined distance. The first and second thigh supports are pivotable about an axis disposed at the predetermined distance forward of the H-point.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a cushion and a seatback coupled with the cushion. At least one of the cushion and the seatback includes a base and an extension portion moveable along an axis toward and away from the base, an expandable fabric member coupled between the base and the extension portion, and an expandable support structure positioned on an interior of the expandable fabric member.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a cushion and a seatback coupled with the cushion. At least one of the cushion and the seatback includes a base and an extension portion moveable along an axis toward and away from the base, an expandable fabric member coupled between the base and the extension portion, and an expandable support structure positioned on an interior of the expandable fabric member.

Abstract: A seat includes a seat portion with an air bladder having an outer casing. Multiple fluidly interconnected cells are disposed within a cavity of the outer casing and are configured to inflate the outer casing from a deflated condition to an inflated condition. The cells may be arranged within the air bladder so as to provide a directional inflation of the air bladder from a first portion of the air bladder towards a second portion. First and second support substrates may be disposed within the seat portion, wherein the air bladder is positioned between the first and second substrates. The air bladder may be configured to inflate and displace the first and second substrates relative to one another from an at-rest position to an actuated position. A biasing mechanism may be coupled to at least one of the first and second substrates for biasing the substrates towards the at-rest position.

Abstract: An automated door system includes a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge axis defined by at least one hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the hinge assembly and further coupled to the door. The power assist device is configured to slow movement of the door along a door swing path from an initial velocity to a slow close velocity when the initial velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, thereby providing a slow and controlled close when a user attempts to slam the door. The power assist device is further configured to power opening and closing movement of the door as initiated by a user.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat frame seat frame having a longitudinal centerline and a seat H-point along the centerline. A first extendable member is disposed on a forward portion of the seat frame along a first side of the centerline and is operable between extended and retracted positions. A second extendable member adjacent to and independent of the first extendable member is disposed on the forward portion of the seat frame along a second, opposite side of centerline and is operable between extended and retracted positions. The first and the second extendable members extend forwardly from the seat H-point at a lateral angle of between 5 to 10 degrees relative the centerline, respectively.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback frame. An articulating upper thoracic region is operably coupled with the seatback frame and includes a cross-vehicle support, a torso vertical support, and a suspension support. The articulating upper thoracic region is pivotally coupled with a mid-portion of the seatback frame between stowed and deployed positions. A back panel is operably coupled to a rear side of the seatback frame. A front close-out panel is disposed between a rear portion of the articulating upper thoracic region and the back panel. A peripheral gap is disposed between the front close-out panel and the articulating upper thoracic region.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a door rotatably coupled to a vehicle body, wherein a power assist device is coupled between the door and the vehicle body on a hinge assembly. An audio sensor is disposed on the vehicle and is operably coupled to a controller. The controller is configured to receive voice command data from the audio sensor via a signal, identify a control command correlating to the voice command data, and output a signal to the power assist device to move the door according to parameters defined within the control command.

Abstract: A power assist device is provided herein. A motor is operatively coupled to a door of a vehicle. A controller controls a mechanical resistance applied by the motor to the door to resist door swing. The mechanical resistance applied to the door is a function of an angular position of the door.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a lower seat and a seatback structure extending upwardly relative the lower seat, the lower seat and the seatback structure defining a seat H-point, and the seatback structure having an upper seatback support, a lower seatback support, and a split between the upper seatback support and the lower seatback support. The split is disposed between 270 and 300 mm, preferably about 285 mm, above the H-point along a line extending substantially parallel to the seatback structure. The upper seatback support pivots about a pivot between a rearward position and a forward position relative the lower seatback support. A motorized actuation assembly is disposed within the seatback structure and operably coupled to the upper seatback support, wherein the motorized actuation assembly pivots the upper seatback support about the pivot between the rearward position and the forward position.

Abstract: A door assist system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator configured to control a position of the door about a hinge assembly. An interference sensor forms a portion of a door opening seal and is configured to detect an obstruction in a plurality of detection regions. The system further comprises a controller configured to control the actuator in response to a detection signal from the interference sensor.

Abstract: A cushion module is provided herein and includes a mounting manifold and a retaining plate. An array of pneumatic assemblies is coupled to and disposed between the mounting manifold and the retaining plate. Each pneumatic assembly includes a pneumatic cylinder having a piston rod and configured to receive pressurized air for moving the piston rod to a selected position. The pressurized air supplied to each pneumatic cylinder is variable and the piston rods collectively define a support surface having variable contour and firmness, and on which an object is rested to assess the comfortability of the support surface.

Abstract: An automated door system includes a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge axis defined by at least one hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the hinge assembly and further coupled to the door. The power assist device is configured to slow movement of the door along a door swing path from an initial velocity to a slow close velocity when the initial velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, thereby providing a slow and controlled close when a user attempts to slam the door. The power assist device is further configured to power opening and closing movement of the door as initiated by a user.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a door frame coupled to a vehicle frame at a hinge. A door operating mechanism is coupled to the door and vehicle frames for applying rotational force to the door frame about the hinge. The door operating mechanism including external cogs of an inner gear that mesh with inner cogs of an outer gear and a single oblong bearing that biases the inner gear in partial engagement with the outer gear.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle door includes a power assist device coupled between a door and a door opening of the vehicle and a sensor. The system further includes a controller that receives a signal from the sensor, identifies a recognized user from image data within the signal, interprets a control gesture by the recognized user from video data within the signal, and causes the power assist device to move the door in response to the control gesture.

Abstract: A vehicle door system is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator, at least one communication circuit, and a controller. The actuator is configured to adjust a position of a door. The controller is configured to receive a request for the vehicle to retrieve an occupant via the communication circuit. The controller is further configured to receive an authentication signal via the communication circuit authenticating an identity of the occupant. In response to the authentication, the controller is configured to control the actuator to make the vehicle accessible to the occupant.