Abstract: A vehicle comprises a seating assembly including a seatback pivotally movable relative to a seat about an axis, the seatback including a bottom portion and a top portion disposed further away from the axis than the bottom portion; and a seatback support element having a first portion coupled to the vehicle at a position other than the seatback and a second portion where the seatback interacts with the seatback support element, the seatback support element resisting pivotal movement of the seatback about the axis. The seatback support element can further includ3 a third portion coupled to the vehicle at a position other than the seatback. The second portion is between the first portion and the third portion along a length of the seatback support element. The first portion is coupled to the vehicle forward of the axis of the seatback and the third portion is coupled rearward of the axis.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a seating assembly including a seatback pivotally movable relative to a seat about an axis, the seatback including a bottom portion and a top portion disposed further away from the axis than the bottom portion; and a seatback support element having a first portion coupled to the vehicle at a position other than the seatback and a second portion where the seatback interacts with the seatback support element, the seatback support element resisting pivotal movement of the seatback about the axis. The seatback support element can further includ3 a third portion coupled to the vehicle at a position other than the seatback. The second portion is between the first portion and the third portion along a length of the seatback support element. The first portion is coupled to the vehicle forward of the axis of the seatback and the third portion is coupled rearward of the axis.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for infrared sensor arrays for monitoring vehicle occupants and windows. An example vehicle includes a side window and an infrared sensor array. The infrared sensor array includes first pixels of measurement resolution to monitor an occupant and second pixels of measurement resolution to monitor the side window. The example vehicle also includes a cabin environment controller to detect, via the first pixels, whether a body temperature of the occupant is outside a predetermined temperature range and detect, via the second pixels, whether fog is on the side window.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for infrared sensor arrays for monitoring vehicle occupants and windows. An example vehicle includes a side window and an infrared sensor array. The infrared sensor array includes first pixels of measurement resolution to monitor an occupant and second pixels of measurement resolution to monitor the side window. The example vehicle also includes a cabin environment controller to detect, via the first pixels, whether a body temperature of the occupant is outside a predetermined temperature range and detect, via the second pixels, whether fog is on the side window.

Abstract: A beam module for a vehicle seat is mounted at a front of a seat, on top of a seat pan and underneath a seat cushion. The module includes a molded plastic beam. The module has a first shape substantially flush with the seat pan and a second shape projecting above the seat pan. The molded plastic beam has a mounting flange with a forward portion and a second portion. The molded plastic beam is inflatable. When inflated, the molded plastic beam assumes its second shape with the seat cushion being correspondingly displaced and deformed to raise the seat cushion when a frontal impact is detected.

Abstract: A beam module for a vehicle seat is mounted at a front of a seat, on top of a seat pan and underneath a seat cushion. The module includes a molded plastic beam. The module has a first shape substantially flush with the seat pan and a second shape projecting above the seat pan. The molded plastic beam has a mounting flange with a forward portion and a second portion. The molded plastic beam is inflatable. When inflated, the molded plastic beam assumes its second shape with the seat cushion being correspondingly displaced and deformed to raise the seat cushion when a frontal impact is detected.

Abstract: An active knee bolster for disposition in a motor vehicle dashboard includes a main bladder and a side bladder. The main bladder is formed of molded plastic and has an aperture therein at a first end. The main bladder also has a substantially flat undeployed shape and a deployed shape extending away from the dashboard. The side bladder is formed of molded plastic and has an open side. The open side is disposed over the aperture in the main bolster front panel and is sealingly connected to the main bladder. The side bladder has a substantially flat undeployed shape substantially flush with the undeployed shape of the main bolster. The side bladder has a deployed shape extending away from the main bladder.

Abstract: An occupant safety system includes an airbag module mountable to a vehicle seat frame. The airbag module includes a base and a retaining mechanism receivable by the frame. The base is attachable to the frame.

Abstract: A lighting arrangement for the interior of an automotive vehicle in which the light source, such as an LED, is recessed into the interior structure of the vehicle and covered with a layer of fabric. The light source is invisible when not in use, but shines through the fabric/foam layer when illuminated, and can be associated with a light transmitting member, such as a light bar and a light pipe. Such lighting arrangements can be disposed within the headliner to direct light where desired and for different functions, such as a map light or for area lighting. The lighting arrangement can be mounted in non-traditional locations, such as on vertically oriented pillars, visors, door panels, seat backs, seat fronts, and console sides. The light source is preferably one or more LEDs associated with a light transmitting medium to direct the discharge of light as desired within the automotive interior.

Abstract: A vehicle headliner includes an air permeable foam having open cells and a surface cover adhered to one side of the foam core. An air permeable hydrophobic layer is adhered to the opposite side of the foam core. The hydrophobic layer restricts liquid penetration and allows air permeation into the headliner for acoustic dampening.

Abstract: A lighting arrangement for the interior of an automotive vehicle in which the light source, such as an LED, is recessed into the interior structure of the vehicle and covered with a layer of fabric. The light source is invisible when not in use, but shines through the fabric/foam layer when illuminated, and can be associated with a light transmitting member, such as a light bar and a light pipe. Such lighting arrangements can be disposed within the headliner to direct light where desired and for different functions, such as a map light or for area lighting. The lighting arrangement can be mounted in non-traditional locations, such as on vertically oriented pillars, visors, door panels, seat backs, seat fronts, and console sides. The light source is preferably one or more LEDs associated with a light transmitting medium to direct the discharge of light as desired within the automotive interior.