Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly comprises a body with a center portion and four corner portions and a seating surface. A supporting layer is disposed below the body. A thermal transfer node is disposed in the body. The thermal transfer node includes a heat sink and a thermoelectric device. The heat sink is located between the seating surface and the thermoelectric device. The heat sink and the thermoelectric device are configured to draw heat away from the heating surface. A fluid moves proximate the thermal transfer node and into the supporting layer to draw heat away from the thermal transfer node. A phase change material is disposed between the seating surface and the heat sink.

Abstract: A vehicle seatback assembly includes an outer shell coupled to a seatback carrier via a releasable coupling arrangement. The releasable coupling arrangement can take various forms in order to securely couple the outer shell to the seatback carrier. A seatback frame is disposed between the seatback carrier and the outer shell in assembly. An airbag module is coupled to the seatback frame, and the releasable coupling arrangement is configured to release upon deployment of an airbag from the airbag module to define a peripheral gap between the outer shell and seatback carrier through which the airbag can be deployed.

Abstract: A seating assembly includes a base. A cushion assembly is rotatably coupled with the base proximate a forward portion of the cushion assembly. A first removable peripheral bin is disposed on a side wall of the base. A second removable peripheral bin is disposed on a rear wall of the base. A power and data assembly includes a power relay and a data relay configured for use with mobile devices. The power and data assembly is disposed proximate a rear of the first removable peripheral bin and a side of the second removable peripheral bin.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat operably coupled with a seatback. The seatback includes an adjustable headrest. A back panel is disposed on a rearward side of the seatback. The back panel includes engagement features removably coupled with a workstation. The workstation includes a plurality of connection features. The connection features includes a mechanical connector, a data connector, and a power connector. An upper support abuts a rear surface of the headrest. An open receptacle is disposed proximate the headrest. An intermediate compartment is disposed adjacent the open receptacle and concealed by first and second opposing doors. A lower compartment is concealed by a bottom door.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seating assembly for a motor vehicle has upwardly extending seat back assembly comprising a seat back frame, a decorative seat back rear panel module, and a seat back cushion and suspension module attached to the seat back frame. The decorative seat back rear panel module has a first seat back rear perimeter panel and a second seat back rear central panel operably connected with the first seat back rear perimeter panel that define a rear exterior surface area of the decorative seat back rear panel module.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a headrest assembly having an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a fore and aft position of a headrest bun. A cover member is disposed below the headrest assembly and includes a plate member engaged with the adjustment mechanism that is operable between deployed and retracted positions. The plate member is moved towards the deployed position as the headrest bun is driven outwardly by the adjustment mechanism. First and second extendable members include first ends coupled to the plate member and second ends coupled to side members of a frame assembly. The extendable connectors include outwardly extending body portions that contort to retract the plate member as the headrest bun is driven inwardly by the adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback. A support frame is partially enclosed by a seatback panel assembly. A seatback cushion assembly is supported on a seatback carrier and is proximate the seatback panel assembly. An external peripheral gap is defined between the seatback panel assembly and the seatback cushion assembly. A light source is defined in the seatback carrier and is configured to emit light into the external peripheral gap. A seat includes a support frame partially enclosed by a panel assembly. A seat cushion assembly is proximate the panel assembly. An external peripheral gap is defined between the panel assembly and the seat cushion assembly. A light source is defined in a seat carrier and is configured to emit light into the external peripheral gap.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly comprises a seat having a lower seat and a seatback extending upwardly from the lower seat. The seatback comprises a forward facing surface, a rearward facing surface, a headrest mounted on an upper portion of the seatback and received within a headrest cup disposed on the forward facing surface of the seatback, a speaker assembly mounted in the headrest cup, and a resonance cavity formed proximate the headrest cup within which the speaker assembly is received.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback frame and a seat frame defining a seating frame. A plurality of distinct assembly modules are configured for attachment with the seating frame. The plurality of distinct assembly modules include a back cushion module, a hard back module, a headrest module, and a seat cushion module. The seat cushion module includes a composite cushion pan having a rearward support defining an intermediate open area. A forward support is pivotally coupled to the rearward support. A suspension assembly is disposed in the intermediate open area. A cushion extends over the composite cushion pan. A coverstock covers the cushion.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly comprises a seat having a lower seat and a seatback extending upwardly from the lower seat. The seatback comprises a forward facing surface, a rearward facing surface, a headrest mounted on an upper portion of the seatback and received within a headrest cup disposed on the forward facing surface of the seatback, a speaker assembly mounted in the headrest cup, and a resonance cavity formed proximate the headrest cup within which the speaker assembly is received.

Abstract: A vehicle seatback assembly includes an outer shell coupled to a seatback carrier via a releasable coupling arrangement. The releasable coupling arrangement can take various forms in order to securely couple the outer shell to the seatback carrier. A seatback frame is disposed between the seatback carrier and the outer shell in assembly. An airbag module is coupled to the seatback frame, and the releasable coupling arrangement is configured to release upon deployment of an airbag from the airbag module to define a peripheral gap between the outer shell and seatback carrier through which the airbag can be deployed.

Abstract: A method for selecting and controlling massage functions of a motor vehicle seat having a control system comprising the steps of: switching the system to a selection mode and starting the selection mode; providing a menu list having options for querying the user's requirements during the massage; selection of an option by the user and providing predefined responses to the respective query and selection of the response by the user and if necessary repeating the steps for further queries; and terminating the selection mode and automatically determining suitable massage settings on the basis of the user's selection and controlling the massage actuators in the motor vehicle seat on the basis of determined massage settings to perform the massage function.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a rear panel having an outer surface. A rear pocket is defined by a recess in the rear panel. A rigid polymeric rear door is disposed over the rear pocket and is operable between an open position and a closed position. An outer surface of the rear door is flush with the outer surface of the rear panel when in the closed position. A side pocket is defined by a recess on an inboard side of a vehicle seatback. A rigid polymeric side pocket door is operable between an open position and a closed position. An outer surface of the side pocket door is flush with the outer surface of the rear panel when in the closed position. Flexible sidewalls are disposed between a body and the side pocket door. The flexible sidewalls are constructed from a flexible fabric.

Abstract: A method for selecting and controlling massage functions of a motor vehicle seat having a control system comprising the steps of: switching the system to a selection mode and starting the selection mode; providing a menu list having options for querying the user's requirements during the massage; selection of an option by the user and providing predefined responses to the respective query and selection of the response by the user and if necessary repeating the steps for further queries; and terminating the selection mode and automatically determining suitable massage settings on the basis of the user's selection and controlling the massage actuators in the motor vehicle seat on the basis of determined massage settings to perform the massage function.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a rear panel having an outer surface. A rear pocket is defined by a recess in the rear panel. A rigid polymeric rear door is disposed over the rear pocket and is operable between an open position and a closed position. An outer surface of the rear door is flush with the outer surface of the rear panel when in the closed position. A side pocket is defined by a recess on an inboard side of a vehicle seatback. A rigid polymeric side pocket door is operable between an open position and a closed position. An outer surface of the side pocket door is flush with the outer surface of the rear panel when in the closed position. Flexible sidewalls are disposed between a body and the side pocket door. The flexible sidewalls are constructed from a flexible fabric.

Abstract: A vehicle seatback assembly includes an outer shell coupled to a seatback carrier via a releasable coupling arrangement. The releasable coupling arrangement can take various forms in order to securely couple the outer shell to the seatback carrier. A seatback frame is disposed between the seatback carrier and the outer shell in assembly. An airbag module is coupled to the seatback frame, and the releasable coupling arrangement is configured to release upon deployment of an airbag from the airbag module to define a peripheral gap between the outer shell and seatback carrier through which the airbag can be deployed.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback frame and a seat frame defining a seating frame. A plurality of distinct assembly modules are configured for attachment with the seating frame. The plurality of distinct assembly modules include a back cushion module, a hard back module, a headrest module, and a seat cushion module. The seat cushion module includes a composite cushion pan having a rearward support defining an intermediate open area. A forward support is pivotally coupled to the rearward support. A suspension assembly is disposed in the intermediate open area. A cushion extends over the composite cushion pan. A coverstock covers the cushion.

Abstract: A lane departure warning system for a vehicle includes a positional input device and a seat having an inflatable bladder therein and a vibrational unit coupled with the bladder. A controller is communicatively coupled with the positional input device and with the vibrational unit and includes electronic circuitry programmed to detect a lane departure based on a signal from the positional input device and to cause the vibrational unit to vibrate in response thereto.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback. A support frame is partially enclosed by a seatback panel assembly. A seatback cushion assembly is supported on a seatback carrier and is proximate the seatback panel assembly. An external peripheral gap is defined between the seatback panel assembly and the seatback cushion assembly. A light source is defined in the seatback carrier and is configured to emit light into the external peripheral gap. A seat includes a support frame partially enclosed by a panel assembly. A seat cushion assembly is proximate the panel assembly. An external peripheral gap is defined between the panel assembly and the seat cushion assembly. A light source is defined in a seat carrier and is configured to emit light into the external peripheral gap.

Abstract: A vehicle seatback assembly includes an outer shell coupled to a seatback carrier via a releasable coupling arrangement. The releasable coupling arrangement can take various forms in order to securely couple the outer shell to the seatback carrier. A seatback frame is disposed between the seatback carrier and the outer shell in assembly. An airbag module is coupled to the seatback frame, and the releasable coupling arrangement is configured to release upon deployment of an airbag from the airbag module to define a peripheral gap between the outer shell and seatback carrier through which the airbag can be deployed.