Abstract: Seats that include sound cancelation systems are described. An example vehicle bench seat has a first backrest, a first speaker, a second backrest, a second speaker, a central portion, and a seat base. The first speaker is disposed within the first backrest and the second speaker is disposed within the second backrest. Each of the first and second speakers emit primary sound waves and secondary sound waves. The secondary sound waves of the first speaker are 180 degrees out of phase with the primary sound waves of the first speaker and the secondary sound waves of the second speaker are 180 degrees out of phase with the primary sound waves of the second speaker. The central portion includes channels that direct the secondary sound waves emitted by the first and second speakers into the vehicle cabin to cancel undesired primary sound waves.

Abstract: A sound system includes a seat including a seatback having a first dipole subwoofer, a second dipole subwoofer, a first speaker, and a second speaker; and a seat bottom having a third speaker. The first dipole subwoofer, the second dipole subwoofer, the first speaker, the second speaker, and/or the third speaker may be configured to receive audio signals from a receiver and provide sound corresponding to the audio signals toward an occupant position of the seat. The third speaker may be directed toward the seat back. The first dipole subwoofer, the second dipole subwoofer, the first speaker, the second speaker, and/or the third speaker may be configured to provide a sound zone for said occupant that facilitates (i) hearing of the sound by said occupant, and/or (ii) limiting transmission of the sound beyond the seat.

Abstract: A seat assembly having an occupant protection system. The occupant protection system may have a deployable shield. The deployable shield may extend around multiple sides of the seat assembly, may extend at least partially around a front of a seat occupant when deployed, may be deployable along a dynamic deployment path based on a detected position of a seat occupant, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A seat assembly, and method of operation, including a lateral support beans located adjacent to a seat back and having a pair of forward extending arms extending on opposite sides of a seat occupant's head, with each of the arms including a microphone fixed in the arm, flush with a passenger facing surface of the respective arm and located between a respective ear and a mouth of an occupant's head, and a speaker mounted in the arm adjacent to a respective one of the ears of the occupant's head; wherein at least one of the microphones communicates with a controller that actuates vehicle functions based on voice commands received from the microphone, and wherein each of the microphones and the speaker corresponding to each microphone communicate with an active noise cancelation system such that ambient noise detected by each of the microphones is canceled out by the corresponding speaker.

Abstract: Seats that include sound cancelation systems are described. An example vehicle bench seat has a first backrest, a first speaker, a second backrest, a second speaker, a central portion, and a seat base. The first speaker is disposed within the first backrest and the second speaker is disposed within the second backrest. Each of the first and second speakers emit primary sound waves and secondary sound waves. The secondary sound waves of the first speaker are 180 degrees out of phase with the primary sound waves of the first speaker and the secondary sound waves of the second speaker are 180 degrees out of phase with the primary sound waves of the second speaker. The central portion includes channels that direct the secondary sound waves emitted by the first and second speakers into the vehicle cabin to cancel undesired primary sound waves.

Abstract: A seat assembly having an occupant protection system. The occupant protection system may have a deployable shield. The deployable shield may extend around multiple sides of the seat assembly. may extend at least partially around a front of a seat occupant when deployed, may be deployable along a dynamic deployment path based on a detected position of a seat occupant, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A sound system includes a seat including a seatback having a first dipole subwoofer, a second dipole subwoofer, a first speaker, and a second speaker; and a seat bottom having a third speaker. The first dipole subwoofer, the second dipole subwoofer, the first speaker, the second speaker, and/or the third speaker may be configured to receive audio signals from a receiver and provide sound corresponding to the audio signals toward an occupant position of the seat. The third speaker may be directed toward the seat back. The first dipole subwoofer, the second dipole subwoofer, the first speaker, the second speaker, and/or the third speaker may be configured to provide a sound zone for said occupant that facilitates (i) hearing of the sound by said occupant, and/or (ii) limiting transmission of the sound beyond the seat.

Abstract: A vehicle seat frame includes a back panel and a load carrier component attached to the back panel. The back panel includes a first polymeric matrix and a first plurality of fibers disposed therein. The load carrier component includes a second polymer matrix and a second plurality of fibers disposed therein.

Abstract: A head restraint is provided for a seat for use with a motor vehicle. The head restraint includes a base configured to be attached to the seat, and a main portion configured to be positioned between the base and a head of a seat occupant when the base is attached to the seat and the seat is mounted in the vehicle. The head restraint further includes at least one movement mechanism associated with at least one of the base and the main portion and configured to move at least part of the main portion laterally or upwardly and downwardly relative to the base.

Abstract: A seat assembly having an occupant protection system. The occupant protection system may have a deployable shield. The deployable shield may extend around multiple sides of the seat assembly may extend at least partially around a front of a seat occupant when deployed, may be deployable along a dynamic deployment path based on a detected position of a seat occupant, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A head restraint is provided for a seat for use with a motor vehicle. The head restraint includes a base configured to be attached to the seat, and a main portion configured to be positioned between the base and a head of a seat occupant when the base is attached to the seat and the seat is mounted in the vehicle. The head restraint further includes at least one movement mechanism associated with at least one of the base and the main portion and configured to move at least part of the main portion laterally or upwardly and downwardly relative to the base.

Abstract: An airbag system for a vehicle includes a trim component having an A-side configured to face into a passenger compartment of the vehicle toward a vehicle seat and a B-side configured to face away from the passenger compartment. A base plate has a cavity disposed therein and is configured for attachment to the B-side of the trim component to form an at least substantially closed cavity configured to receive an airbag arrangement therein. The base plate has an outer perimeter generally conforming to an outer perimeter of the trim component. An airbag arrangement includes an inflatable airbag and an inflator configured to inflate the airbag, and may be disposed in the substantially closed cavity.

Abstract: A vehicle seat frame includes a back panel and a load carrier component attached to the back panel. The back panel includes a first polymeric matrix and a first plurality of fibers disposed therein. The load carrier component includes a second polymer matrix and a second plurality of fibers disposed therein.

Abstract: An airbag system for a vehicle includes a trim component having an A-side configured to face into a passenger compartment of the vehicle toward a vehicle seat and a B-side configured to face away from the passenger compartment. A base plate has a cavity disposed therein and is configured for attachment to the B-side of the trim component to form an at least substantially closed cavity configured to receive an airbag arrangement therein. The base plate has an outer perimeter generally conforming to an outer perimeter of the trim component. An airbag arrangement includes an inflatable airbag and an inflator configured to inflate the airbag, and may be disposed in the substantially closed cavity.

Abstract: An bag assembly is provided with a flat lateral profile for increased compactness in the lateral direction. A folded airbag is inflated by an inflator to unfold and project in a longitudinal direction. The folded airbag has a central fold extending in the longitudinal direction and a pair of distal folds disposed opposite the inflator and defining a distal end of the central fold.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a seat pad, a trim cover, an air bag module, and a pad shield. The air bag module has an air bag, an inflator, and a housing that receives the air bag when the air bag is in a stored condition. The pad shield extends at least partially around the housing. Inflation of the air bag forces the pad shield against the seat pad to inhibit the air bag from contacting at least a portion of the seat pad.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly may include an air bag module having an inflatable air bag and a housing that receives the air bag. The housing has a main body that substantially encloses the air bag prior to inflation of the air bag, and an extension formed integrally with the main body. The extension is substantially enclosed by the main body prior to inflation of the air bag, and the extension has an end. Upon inflation of the air bag, the end of the extension is configured to extend outside the main body such that the end extends between the air bag and a component of the seat assembly.

Abstract: An bag assembly is provided with a flat lateral profile for increased compactness in the lateral direction. A folded airbag is inflated by an inflator to unfold and project in a longitudinal direction. The folded airbag has a central fold extending in the longitudinal direction and a pair of distal folds disposed opposite the inflator and defining a distal end of the central fold.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly may include an air bag module having an inflatable air bag, a housing that receives the air bag, and a flexible member disposed in the housing and having an end. The seat assembly may further include a seat pad disposed outside the housing. Upon inflation of the air bag, the end of the flexible member is configured to extend outside the housing such that the end extends between a portion of the seat pad and the air bag.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly according to the present disclosure includes an air bag module having a front and a side, and the air bag module includes an inflatable air bag and a rigid cover at least partially covering the air bag. The rigid cover may include a protection portion that extends at least partially along the side of the air bag module. The protection portion has an end spaced away from the front of the air bag module. The seat assembly further includes a seat pad disposed outside of the air bag module, and a trim cover positioned over the seat pad. In at least one embodiment, upon inflation of the air bag, the end of the protection portion is configured to move forwardly such that the protection portion extends between the seat pad and the air bag.