Abstract: A thermal control system includes a component having a surface. A plurality of thermal generating devices include a first conductive plate, second and third conductive plates, a first semiconductor device arranged between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate, and a second semiconductor device arranged between the first conductive plate and the third conductive plate. The first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device have different types of doping. First ones of the plurality of thermal generating devices are arranged with the first conductive plate located adjacent to the surface of the component. Second ones of the plurality of thermal generating devices are arranged with the second and third conductive plates located adjacent to the surface of the component. The first ones and the second ones of plurality of thermal generating devices perform heating and cooling of the surface, respectively.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting an occupant within a seat of a vehicle. The method includes: obtaining onboard sensor data from at least one occupant detection sensor, wherein the at least one occupant detection sensor is a biometric sensor, and wherein the onboard sensor data includes data extracted from a sensor response of the biometric sensor; determining an occupant presence classification selected from a plurality of occupant presence classifications based on an evaluation of the onboard sensor data, wherein the evaluation is carried out using occupant detection sensor parameters in combination with the onboard sensor data, and wherein the plurality of occupant presence classifications include an occupant not present classification, an occupant spaced away from seat classification, and an occupant directly on seat classification; and carrying out a vehicle action in response to the determined occupant presence classification.

Abstract: A system for a seat of a vehicle includes a seat cushion, a seat cover, and a valve. The seat cushion forms at least part of a bottom of the seat. The seat cover encloses the seat cushion and forming a barrier to airflow out of the seat cushion. The seat cover forms a top surface of the seat bottom, a bottom surface of the seat bottom, and side surfaces of the seat bottom. The valve extends through the seat cover and is configured to regulate airflow out of the seat cushion through the valve.

Abstract: A system for a seat of a vehicle includes a seat cushion, a seat cover, and a valve. The seat cushion forms at least part of a bottom of the seat. The seat cover encloses the seat cushion and forming a barrier to airflow out of the seat cushion. The seat cover forms a top surface of the seat bottom, a bottom surface of the seat bottom, and side surfaces of the seat bottom. The valve extends through the seat cover and is configured to regulate airflow out of the seat cushion through the valve.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting an occupant within a seat of a vehicle. The method includes: obtaining onboard sensor data from at least one occupant detection sensor, wherein the at least one occupant detection sensor is a biometric sensor, and wherein the onboard sensor data includes data extracted from a sensor response of the biometric sensor; determining an occupant presence classification selected from a plurality of occupant presence classifications based on an evaluation of the onboard sensor data, wherein the evaluation is carried out using occupant detection sensor parameters in combination with the onboard sensor data, and wherein the plurality of occupant presence classifications include an occupant not present classification, an occupant spaced away from seat classification, and an occupant directly on seat classification; and carrying out a vehicle action in response to the determined occupant presence classification.

Abstract: A knitted seat trim cover for attachment to a vehicle seat includes a knitted trim panel configured to be installed over at least one foam support member of the vehicle seat and a fastener member integrally knitted in the knitted trim panel. The fastener member is configured to connect the knitted trim panel to the vehicle seat and at least a portion of the fastener member is made of a heat-activated yarn.

Abstract: A haptic device includes a first signal generator embedded in a host and configured to generate a first haptic signal. A first waveguide is operatively connected to and configured to transmit the first haptic signal away from the first signal generator. A first integrator is operatively connected to the first waveguide and configured to receive the first haptic signal. The first waveguide and the first integrator are in mechanical communication with the host. The first waveguide may include a first bent portion characterized by a first bend angle. An additional waveguide may be configured to transmit the first haptic signal to the first integrator. The additional waveguide may include an additional bent portion characterized by a second bend angle. The haptic device may be part of a seat assembly, where the host is at least one of a seat bottom, a seat back and a head rest.

Abstract: A method for operating an automobile vehicle pedestrian sensing system includes: embedding multiple piezoelectric sensors in a vehicle bumper fascia, each generating a voltage in response to an impact of an object with the fascia; retrieving multiple threshold values from a memory, each assigned to one of the sensors; reading the voltage from each of the sensors; grouping individual sensors into multiple different logic circuits, each including at least two of the sensors; determining for each sensor in each of the logic circuits if the voltage is greater than the assigned threshold value; creating a positive signal following any one of the logic circuits when the voltage is determined to be greater than the assigned threshold value for the sensors grouped into the one of the logic circuits; and generating a hood deployment system deployment signal when the positive signal is output from all of the logic circuits.

Abstract: A knitted seat trim cover for attachment to a vehicle seat includes a knitted trim panel configured to be installed over at least one foam support member of the vehicle seat and a fastener member integrally knitted in the knitted trim panel. The fastener member is configured to connect the knitted trim panel to the vehicle seat and at least a portion of the fastener member is made of a heat-activated yarn.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicles are provided. In various embodiments, the vehicle includes a body; one or more occupant seats disposed within the body for an occupant of the vehicle; and, for each occupant seat, a restraint device, one or more sensible elements, and one or more sensors. The restraint device is configured to provide restraint for the occupant when the restraint device is properly worn by the occupant. The one or more sensors are disposed within the occupant seat. The one or more sensible elements are disposed as part of the restraint device. The one or more sensors are disposed within the occupant seat, and are configured to sense the one or more sensible elements when the one or more sensible elements are in proximity to the one or more sensors, as an indication that the restraint device is not properly worn by the occupant.

Abstract: A seat trim cover management system for seat cushion length adjustment includes a seat cushion base having stationary portion and an adjustable portion wherein the stationary portion and the adjustable portion include a horizontal top surface and a vertical front surface. An adjustment mechanism is in mechanical communication with the stationary portion and the adjustable portion and is configured to manipulate the adjustable portion. A cover material includes a first end attached to the horizontal top surface of the stationary portion or the adjustable portion, and at least one seat cover management system is attached to a second end of the cover material and is configured to maintain tension between the first end and second end of the cover material while the cover material shrouds the gap created between the stationary portion and the adjustable portion when at the extended position.

Abstract: A seat trim cover management system for seat cushion length adjustment includes a seat cushion base having stationary portion and an adjustable portion wherein the stationary portion and the adjustable portion include a horizontal top surface and a vertical front surface. An adjustment mechanism is in mechanical communication with the stationary portion and the adjustable portion and is configured to manipulate the adjustable portion. A cover material includes a first end attached to the horizontal top surface of the stationary portion or the adjustable portion, and at least one seat cover management system is attached to a second end of the cover material and is configured to maintain tension between the first end and second end of the cover material while the cover material shrouds the gap created between the stationary portion and the adjustable portion when at the extended position.

Abstract: An animate object detection system includes an apparatus configured for supporting an animate object and a sensor disposed in physical communication with the apparatus. The sensor includes a piezoelectric material and is configured for producing an electric signal in response to a force applied to the apparatus by the animate object. The system also includes a signal conditioner disposed in electrical communication with the sensor and configured for manipulating the electric signal and producing an output signal, and a receiver configured for receiving the output signal and generating an indicator signal. A method of detecting an animate object is also disclosed.

Abstract: A haptic device includes a first signal generator embedded in a host and configured to generate a first haptic signal. A first waveguide is operatively connected to and configured to transmit the first haptic signal away from the first signal generator. A first integrator is operatively connected to the first waveguide and configured to receive the first haptic signal. The first waveguide and the first integrator are in mechanical communication with the host. The first waveguide may include a first bent portion characterized by a first bend angle. An additional waveguide may be configured to transmit the first haptic signal to the first integrator. The additional waveguide may include an additional bent portion characterized by a second bend angle. The haptic device may be part of a seat assembly, where the host is at least one of a seat bottom, a seat back and a head rest.

Abstract: Methods and systems for receiving, by a destination device at which a securement-monitoring application is operating, from a securement sensor device, a securement-condition communication indicating a condition of a securement remote to the destination device. Operations also include determining, by the destination device using the securement-monitoring application, an action to take responsive to the securement-condition communication, such as notifying a user of an undesired condition at the securement. The operations further include initiating the action determined.

Abstract: An occupant detection system includes a vehicle seat having a seat back and a seat base, and a biometric sensor arranged in at least one of the seat back and the seat base. The biometric sensor is configured to detect a physiological characteristic of a seat occupant. A controller is operatively connected to the biometric sensor. The controller is configured to provide an output signal in response to a physiological characteristic detected signal from the biometric sensor.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicles are provided. In various embodiments, the vehicle includes a body; one or more occupant seats disposed within the body for an occupant of the vehicle; and, for each occupant seat, a restraint device, one or more sensible elements, and one or more sensors. The restraint device is configured to provide restraint for the occupant when the restraint device is properly worn by the occupant. The one or more sensors are disposed within the occupant seat. The one or more sensible elements are disposed as part of the restraint device. The one or more sensors are disposed within the occupant seat, and are configured to sense the one or more sensible elements when the one or more sensible elements are in proximity to the one or more sensors, as an indication that the restraint device is not properly worn by the occupant.

Abstract: A resettable sensor assembly includes a body having a axis and defining a cavity therein. The body includes a first plurality of threads disposed about the axis. The assembly includes a housing mated to the body and including at least one electrical contact. The assembly further includes a plate. The assembly also includes an actuator element configured for translating the plate along the axis between a first position in which the plate contacts the at least one electrical contact and a second position in which the plate is spaced apart from the at least one electrical contact. The element is formed from a shape memory alloy that is transitionable between an austenite crystallographic phase and a martensite crystallographic phase in response to a thermal activation signal to thereby translate the plate between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor is arranged to sense a quantity of a liquid within a reservoir. The sensor includes a plurality of discrete sensing units disposed within the reservoir. Each of the plurality of sensing units has an output, and the output has a first value when the sensing unit is immersed in a liquid and a second value, different from the first value, when the sensing unit is not immersed in a liquid. A signal generator is operably electrically coupled to each of the plurality of sensing units. The signal generator is operable to provide an excitation signal to each of the plurality of sensing units. Each of the plurality of sensing units is operable to provide the output responsive to the excitation signal.

Abstract: A textile assembly includes a knitted or woven textile panel of non-conductive fibers, and defines a first delimited area. A first conductive filament is knitted or woven into the textile panel in the first delimited area, and is arranged to form an electronic device, such as a sensor or a switch, in the first delimited area. The textile assembly may further include a third conductive filament that is knitted or woven into the textile panel in a second delimited area. The third conductive filament is arranged to form a second electronic device, such as a sensor or a switch, in the second delimited area. A controller may use a signal from the first electronic device and the second electronic device to execute a function, such as generate a pressure map of the textile panel.