Abstract: An air vent for thermally controlling the temperature in the cabin of a vehicle. The air vent includes an air mover and a plurality of thermal control channels. Each thermal control channel of the plurality of thermal control channels includes a magnetocaloric material. Further, the air vent includes a magnet for inducing a changing magnetic field in the magnetocaloric material, as well as a vent damper downstream of the plurality of thermal control channels. The vent damper is configured to selectively direct airflow from the air mover and divert air from at least one thermal control channel to a vent space and air from at least one other thermal control channel to a regulated temperature space.

Abstract: An air vent system includes a conduit for airflow. A stream of air is moved through the conduit.

Abstract: A vehicle interior panel includes a color-changing element with an active layer configured to change from a first color to a different second color when a voltage is applied across top and bottom electrode layers. The top electrode includes fullerenes in a configuration that is visibly transparent and permits the color-changing element to bend along sharp radii and/or stretch without losing electrical continuity. Fullerenes including ellipsoidal elements can provide these characteristics.

Abstract: A door module is equipped with an inflatable bladder configured to move an interior trim panel away from the door and toward a vehicle occupant in the event of a collision. The result is reduced occupant movement, additional absorption of kinetic energy, and distribution of remaining energy over an increased surface area. The bladder can have an accordion-like configuration that unfolds when changing from a deflated state to an inflated state, and more than one bladder can be used to control which portions of the trim panel move relative to each other.

Abstract: A cupholder assembly for storing waste in a vehicle. The cupholder assembly includes a cup compartment having a cup supporting surface configured to support a cup stored in the cup compartment. The cup supporting surface includes an opening area which provides access to a storage compartment for waste. The storage compartment is slidably stowable beneath the cup compartment. The storage compartment can include a waste bag attachment mechanism for convenient storage and removal of waste. The cupholder assembly may be integrated with a vehicle center console.

Abstract: A vehicle interior panel includes a capacitive touch panel with a control surface that can assume different contours. The capacitive touch panel includes a conductive layer beneath the control surface that is sufficiently flexible to maintain electrical continuity when the touch panel changes shape. The conductive layer can be formed from carbon nanobuds or other fullerenes to enable such flexibility, while also providing optical transparency. Pushers situated behind the touch panel extend and retract to stretch the touch panel and allow it to morph from one shape to another.

Abstract: A door module is equipped with an inflatable bladder configured to move an interior trim panel away from the door and toward a vehicle occupant in the event of a collision. The result is reduced occupant movement, additional absorption of kinetic energy, and distribution of remaining energy over an increased surface area. The bladder can have an accordion-like configuration that unfolds when changing from a deflated state to an inflated state, and more than one bladder can be used to control which portions of the trim panel move relative to each other.

Abstract: A vehicle interior panel includes a capacitive touch panel with a control surface that can assume different contours. The capacitive touch panel includes a conductive layer beneath the control surface that is sufficiently flexible to maintain electrical continuity when the touch panel changes shape. The conductive layer can be formed from carbon nanobuds or other fullerenes to enable such flexibility, while also providing optical transparency. Pushers situated behind the touch panel extend and retract to stretch the touch panel and allow it to morph from one shape to another.

Abstract: A cupholder assembly for storing waste in a vehicle. The cupholder assembly includes a cup compartment having a cup supporting surface configured to support a cup stored in the cup compartment. The cup supporting surface includes an opening area which provides access to a storage compartment for waste. The storage compartment is slidably stowable beneath the cup compartment. The storage compartment can include a waste bag attachment mechanism for convenient storage and removal of waste. The cupholder assembly may be integrated with a vehicle center console.

Abstract: A vehicle interior panel includes a color-changing element with an active layer configured to change from a first color to a different second color when a voltage is applied across top and bottom electrode layers. The top electrode includes fullerenes in a configuration that is visibly transparent and permits the color-changing element to bend along sharp radii and/or stretch without losing electrical continuity. Fullerenes including ellipsoidal elements can provide these characteristics.

Abstract: A vehicle floor mat for a passenger foot well or a cargo area of an automotive vehicle comprising a mat body, first and second cavities formed in the mat body, and first and second barriers respectively configured for receipt within the first and second cavities when the first and second barriers are horizontally oriented in a stored position. The first and second barriers can be moved from the stored position to an extended position, wherein the first and second barriers are vertically oriented and extend at least partially above a top surface of the mat body. In the extended position, opposing surfaces of the first and second barriers together define a confined region therebetween in which a package can be contained during transportation thereof.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing first and second trim parts of a vehicle, the first trim part having a first thickness and the second trim part having a second thickness different from the first thickness. The method includes introducing the first trim part and the second trim part between a front and a back tool of the forming mold, the front tool having a front fixed part and a front movable insert movable with respect to the front fixed part along a main direction, the back tool having a back fixed part and a back movable insert movable with respect to the back fixed part along the main direction; and adjusting settings of the forming mold to different values for the first and second trim parts.

Abstract: A vehicle interior panel includes an engraved image at a decorative side of the panel. The image is produced by selectively removing a film layer from a compression molding to expose an underlying surface of a substrate layer in a desired pattern. The substrate layer is formed from a composite material including natural fibers. A laser beam is configured to remove the film layer and to cauterize the natural fibers along the pattern. The cauterization has an anti-aging effect on the natural fibers by increasing color stability and water resistance of the exposed composite material.

Abstract: A vehicle floor mat for a passenger foot well or a cargo area of an automotive vehicle comprising a mat body and first and second barriers mounted to the mat body. The first and second barriers are moveable between a stowed position, in which the first and second barriers are at least partially received within the mat body, and a deployed position, in which the first and second barriers extend away from the mat body. Each of the first and second barriers comprises a support arm housed within a boot. When the first and second barriers are in the deployed position, opposing surfaces of the first and second barriers together define a confined region therebetween in which a package can be contained during transportation thereof.

Abstract: An air vent for thermally controlling the temperature in the cabin of a vehicle. The air vent includes an air mover and a plurality of thermal control channels. Each thermal control channel of the plurality of thermal control channels includes a magnetocaloric material. Further, the air vent includes a magnet for inducing a changing magnetic field in the magnetocaloric material, as well as a vent damper downstream of the plurality of thermal control channels. The vent damper is configured to selectively direct airflow from the air mover and divert air from at least one thermal control channel to a vent space and air from at least one other thermal control channel to a regulated temperature space.

Abstract: A vehicle floor mat for a passenger foot well or a cargo area of an automotive vehicle comprising a mat body, first and second cavities formed in the mat body, and first and second barriers respectively configured for receipt within the first and second cavities when the first and second barriers are horizontally oriented in a stored position. The first and second barriers can be moved from the stored position to an extended position, wherein the first and second barriers are vertically oriented and extend at least partially above a top surface of the mat body. In the extended position, opposing surfaces of the first and second barriers together define a confined region therebetween in which a package can be contained during transportation thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle floor mat for a passenger foot well or a cargo area of an automotive vehicle comprising a mat body and first and second barriers mounted to the mat body. The first and second barriers are moveable between a stowed position, in which the first and second barriers are at least partially received within the mat body, and a deployed position, in which the first and second barriers extend away from the mat body. Each of the first and second barriers comprises a support arm housed within a boot. When the first and second barriers are in the deployed position, opposing surfaces of the first and second barriers together define a confined region therebetween in which a package can be contained during transportation thereof.

Abstract: Interior panels for motor vehicles and methods for making such interior panels are provided. In one example, an interior panel includes a substrate and a cover skin that overlies the substrate. The cover skin has a tear seam configured as a double wave pattern including a first score line wave pattern and a second score line wave pattern that are substantially in phase. The first and second score line wave patterns each have an amplitude of from about 1.3 to about 1.7 mm and a period of from about 8 to about 10 mm.

Abstract: An air vent system includes a conduit for airflow. A stream of air is moved through the conduit.

Abstract: Interior panels for motor vehicles and methods for making such interior panels are provided. In one example, an interior panel includes a substrate and a cover skin that overlies the substrate. The cover skin has a tear seam configured as a double wave pattern including a first score line wave pattern and a second score line wave pattern that are substantially in phase. The first and second score line wave patterns each have an amplitude of from about 1.3 to about 1.7 mm and a period of from about 8 to about 10 mm.