Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a frame and an inner suspension panel coupled to the frame. A plurality of suspension members attach the frame to the inner suspension panel. Each suspension member has a tab that is biased away from the inner suspension panel and is operable between extended and compressed positions. A cushion is coupled to at least one of the tabs. The cushion includes a plurality of comfort positions defined by the position of each of the tabs.

Abstract: A cushion pan for a vehicle seating assembly includes a body portion having at least one pocket including a module retention aperture disposed therein. First and second suspension assembly retainers are disposed in the body portion. A peripheral flange extends substantially orthogonal to the planar extent of the body portion and includes a plurality of trim tabs. A plurality of support ribs extend through a midportion of the body portion.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a pump and a headrest. The headrest has a support base, a flexible foam layer coupled with the support base, a flexible substrate overlying the foam layer and defining an outer surface, and an inflatable bladder assembly positioned between the base and the foam layer. The bladder assembly has a plurality of cells corresponding to respective regions of the outer surface that are independently operable between inflated and deflated conditions by the pump. The seating assembly further includes a control operably coupled to the pump.

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 method of controlling a climate control system. The method may include positioning a valve to block airflow from a desiccant to a port, permit airflow from the port to a blower, and circulate air through the desiccant and then through a trim component. The valve may be disposed between the port and the blower. The desiccant may be disposed between the blower and the valve.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a pump and a headrest. The headrest has a support base, a flexible foam layer coupled with the support base, a flexible substrate overlying the foam layer and defining an outer surface, and an inflatable bladder assembly positioned between the base and the foam layer. The bladder assembly has a plurality of cells corresponding to respective regions of the outer surface that are independently operable between inflated and deflated conditions by the pump. The seating assembly further includes a control operably coupled to the pump.

Abstract: An apparatus for customizing a vehicle seat includes a seat having a cushion and a back coupled thereto and a plurality of force sensors in respective locations along the cushion and the back. The apparatus further includes electronic circuitry coupled with the plurality of sensors and programmed to associate forces sensed by ones of the plurality of force sensors with the respective locations thereof and to output the sensed forces and associated areas.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a frame and an inner suspension panel coupled to the frame. A plurality of suspension members attach the frame to the inner suspension panel. Each suspension member has a tab that is biased away from the inner suspension panel and is operable between extended and compressed positions. A cushion is coupled to at least one of the tabs. The cushion includes a plurality of comfort positions defined by the position of each of the tabs.

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 climate control system for a vehicle and a method of control. The climate control system may include a trim component and a ventilation system. The ventilation system may have a desiccant having volcanic rock particles. Air is circulated through the desiccant to reduce air humidity in the vehicle passenger compartment.

Abstract: A spring for a vehicle seat comprising a foam body having an outer surface and a plurality of outwardly-extending walls defining a plurality of recesses, wherein top and bottom surfaces of the foam body are operable between an extended position and a compressed position, wherein the plurality of recesses are vertically compressed and the top surface rotates a predetermined distance relative to the bottom surface.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat structure. A carrier is disposed on the seat structure and includes a matrix of fluid transfer lines. A spacer material is positioned over the carrier. A trim cover is disposed over the spacer material. A desiccant is made from a volcanic ash and is supported by the seat structure. The matrix of fluid transfer lines thermodynamically influences a relative temperature of the trim cover through both the carrier and the desiccant.

Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension assembly includes a rear support for engagement with a torsion tube of a vehicle seat. First and second spring members have end portions engaged with the rear support. Intermediate cushion pan connectors are disposed on each of the first and second spring members. A cross support is coupled with the first and second spring members and includes power and data wiring apertures.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly with a cooling system includes a seatback structure with a permeable passenger support which is coupled with the seatback structure. The passenger support has a back support surface and a rear surface. A concave shell has a peripheral edge which is coupled with the rear surface of the passenger support. A conduit member has an intake opening between the passenger support and the shell and an exhaust opening. An air chamber is coupled with the exhaust opening of the conduit member and has a fan on an exterior portion of the air chamber to draw air from the back support surface through the air chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a frame and an inner suspension panel coupled to the frame. A plurality of suspension members attach the frame to the inner suspension panel. Each suspension member has a tab that is biased away from the inner suspension panel and is operable between extended and compressed positions. A cushion is coupled to at least one of the tabs. The cushion includes a plurality of comfort positions defined by the position of each of the tabs.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly for a vehicle having a seat back and a seat. Bolsters extend laterally from one of the seat back and the seat and include a static projection, a cushion, and a dynamic projection disposed between the static projection and the cushion. The dynamic projection is operably coupled to one of the seat back and the seat. An articulation feature is disposed between the dynamic projection and the static projection and is operable between articulated and unarticulated conditions. A control is operably coupled to the articulation feature and is operational to move the articulation feature between the articulated and unarticulated conditions, which consequently move the dynamic projection relative to the static projection, respectively, thereby adjusting the angle of the cushion relative to one of the seat back and the seat.

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 spring for a vehicle seat comprising a foam body having an outer surface and a plurality of outwardly-extending walls defining a plurality of recesses, wherein top and bottom surfaces of the foam body are operable between an extended position and a compressed position, wherein the plurality of recesses are vertically compressed and the top surface rotates a predetermined distance relative to the bottom surface.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly for a vehicle having a seat back and a seat. Bolsters extend laterally from one of the seat back and the seat and include a static projection, a cushion, and a dynamic projection disposed between the static projection and the cushion. The dynamic projection is operably coupled to one of the seat back and the seat. An articulation feature is disposed between the dynamic projection and the static projection and is operable between articulated and unarticulated conditions. A control is operably coupled to the articulation feature and is operational to move the articulation feature between the articulated and unarticulated conditions, which consequently move the dynamic projection relative to the static projection, respectively, thereby adjusting the angle of the cushion relative to one of the seat back and the seat.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat frame. A first leg support is pivotally coupled with a forward portion of the seat frame. The first leg support is operable between raised and lowered positions. A first extendable member is disposed on a top portion of the first leg support and is operable between extended and retracted positions. A second leg support is adjacent to and independent of the first leg support and is pivotally coupled with the forward portion of the seat frame. The second leg support is operable between raised and lowered positions. A second extendable member is disposed on a top portion of the second leg support and is operable between extended and refracted positions.