Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a first knitted fabric layer defining an outer surface and a second knitted fabric layer defining an inner surface. The inner surface is opposite the outer surface. The vehicle seat further includes a knitted spacer fabric interconnecting the first knitted fabric layer and the second knitted fabric layer. The knitted spacer fabric resiliently biases the first knitted fabric layer and the second knitted fabric layer away from one another. The knitted spacer fabric is configured to buckle when a seated occupant exerts an occupant load on the vehicle seat. The first knitted fabric layer is more elastic than the second knitted fabric layer to conform to the seated occupant when the seated occupant exerts the occupant load on the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A trim component for attachment to a vehicle seat includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed on a first side of the trim component and defines a first knit. The second portion is disposed on a second side of the trim component and defines a second knit distinct from the first knit. The first and second portions are integrally knitted. The trim component is configured to be installed on or more support members of the seat. The first side is configured to face the support member. The second portion is configured communicate with an occupant of the seat. In various aspects, the first portion includes a first yarn and the second portion includes a second yarn that is distinct from the first yarn with respect to one or more of density, thickness, and material. In various aspects, the first yarn is a heat-activated yarn.

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 knitted structure is configured for heat generation and distribution. In some embodiments, the knitted structure includes a knitted fabric including a first knitted layer and a second knitted layer opposite the first knitted layer. The first knitted layer has a first thermal conductivity. The second knitted layer has a second thermal conductivity. The second thermal conductivity is greater than the first thermal conductivity to facilitate heat transfer toward the first knitted layer. The knitted structure may further include a plurality of electrodes at least partially disposed inside the knitted fabric. Each of the plurality of electrodes is configured to generate heat within the knitted fabric upon receipt of electrical energy in order to distribute heat along the knitted structure and toward the first knitted layer.

Abstract: An inflatable system includes a bladder configured to contain fluid, a first plurality of tethers disposed within a first region of the bladder, and a second plurality of tethers disposed within a second region of the bladder. The first plurality of tethers has a first tether length, a first tether spacing, a first tether angle relative to one wall of the bladder, and a first tether stiffness. The second plurality of tethers has a second tether length, a second tether spacing, a second tether angle relative to the one wall, and a second tether stiffness. At least one of: the second tether length is different than the first tether length; the second tether spacing is different than the first tether spacing; the second tether angle is different than the first tether angle; and the second tether stiffness is different than the first tether stiffness.

Abstract: A knitted seat trim cover for use on a vehicle seat equipped with an airbag assembly includes a first knitted panel with a first edge and a second knitted panel with a second edge. The first edge is positioned adjacent the second edge to define an airbag deployment zone. The seat trim cover also includes a pocket panel integrally knit with the first knitted panel and the second knitted panel. The pocket panel defines an airbag pocket configured to hold at least a portion of the airbag assembly.

Abstract: A knitted fabric for use on a vehicle seat includes a plurality of interconnected loops of yarn forming a repeating stitch pattern including a plurality of transversely-oriented courses and a plurality of longitudinally-oriented wales, wherein each loop of the plurality of loops in a first course of the plurality of courses is positioned in contact with an adjacent loop in the first course of the plurality of courses. The yarn is a flat yarn including at least two plies, each ply having a ply twist of at least three turns per inch and the yarn is characterized by an overall twist of at least eight turns per inch. A stitch density of the knitted fabric is greater than twelve wales per inch.

Abstract: Presented are deployable structures having multi-stable-state characteristics using skeletal architectures mounted onto textile backings, methods for making/using such structures, and vehicle components having bistable characteristics provided by polymeric exoskeletons printed onto textile substrates. A multi-stable-state deployable structure includes an elastic substrate fabricated from a (knitted) textile sheet, and an articulating (polymeric) framework mounted on the knitted textile sheet. The articulating framework and textile sheet structurally cooperate to transition from a first stable state, in which the deployable structure maintains a substantially planar shape, to a second stable state, in which the deployable structure maintains a first multidimensional topography, and from the second state to a third stable state, in which the deployable structure maintains a second multidimensional topography distinct from the first multidimensional topography.

Abstract: A trim component for attachment to a vehicle seat includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed on a first side of the trim component and defines a first knit. The second portion is disposed on a second side of the trim component and defines a second knit distinct from the first knit. The first and second portions are integrally knitted. The trim component is configured to be installed on or more support members of the seat. The first side is configured to face the support member. The second portion is configured communicate with an occupant of the seat. In various aspects, the first portion includes a first yarn and the second portion includes a second yarn that is distinct from the first yarn with respect to one or more of density, thickness, and material. In various aspects, the first yarn is a heat-activated yarn.

Abstract: A knitted seat trim cover for attachment to a vehicle seat includes a knitted trim panel configured to be installed over one or more support members of the vehicle seat and at least one fastener tube integrally knitted to the trim panel. The fastener tube is positioned on a back side of the trim panel facing the one or more support members. The knitted seat trim cover also includes an elongated fastener member positioned inside the at least one fastener tube. The elongated fastener member is configured to releasably connect to a complimentary fastener member on the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A method of testing a SMA element includes connecting the SMA element to a validation tool, and applying an electrical current to the SMA element over a test cycle. A resistance of the SMA element during the test cycle is measured, while the electrical current is being applied. The measured resistance of the SMA element during the test cycle is correlated to an estimated strain value of the SMA element during the test cycle. A temperature of the SMA element during the test cycle is estimated. A stress in the SMA element during the test cycle is estimated from a stress predicting grid, using the estimated strain value and the estimated temperature of the SMA element during the test cycle. The proper functionality of the SMA element may be determined based on the estimated stress in the SMA element.

Abstract: An oleophobic composition contains a carbon-fluorine bond containing additive and a thermoplastic polymer. The additive contains sufficient solubilizing segments to compatibilize the bulk thermoplastic and additive, providing debris-phobic molded articles prepared from the composition.

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 knitted seat trim cover for attachment to a vehicle seat includes a knitted trim panel configured to be installed over one or more support members of the vehicle seat and at least one fastener tube integrally knitted to the trim panel. The fastener tube is positioned on a back side of the trim panel facing the one or more support members. The knitted seat trim cover also includes an elongated fastener member positioned inside the at least one fastener tube. The elongated fastener member is configured to releasably connect to a complimentary fastener member on the vehicle seat.

Abstract: An inflatable control apparatus and deployment method thereof are provided. The apparatus includes an inflatable unit configured to receive and hold air pressure, a first rigid planar cap disposed at a first end of the inflatable unit, and a second rigid planar cap disposed at a second end of the inflatable unit.

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 fabric assembly includes a knitted fabric and a filament. The knitted fabric is adapted to move between a stretched state extended along a direction of an applied force, and a relaxed state. The filament is disposed in the knitted fabric, and includes a plurality of loops longitudinally spaced apart from one-another. Each loop of the plurality of loops are adapted to project outward from the knitted fabric when in the stretched state, and substantially retract into the knitted fabric when in the relaxed state.

Abstract: The knitted textiles include a knitted structure including a plurality of hollow yarns. Each hollow yarn includes a yarn body and defines a yarn hole extending through the yarn body to allow expansion of the yarn body upon inflation of each hollow yarn through the yarn hole. The knitted structure is configured to transition from an unexpanded state to an expanded state in response to the inflation of the hollow yarns through the yarn hole. The knitted structure has a first porosity in the unexpanded state, and the knitted structure has a second porosity in the expanded state. The second porosity is less than the first porosity such that a visibility through the knitted structure is greater when the knitted structure is in the unexpanded state than when the knitted structure is in the expanded state.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a first knitted fabric layer defining an outer surface and a second knitted fabric layer defining an inner surface. The inner surface is opposite the outer surface. The vehicle seat further includes a knitted spacer fabric interconnecting the first knitted fabric layer and the second knitted fabric layer. The knitted spacer fabric resiliently biases the first knitted fabric layer and the second knitted fabric layer away from one another. The knitted spacer fabric is configured to buckle when a seated occupant exerts an occupant load on the vehicle seat. The first knitted fabric layer is more elastic than the second knitted fabric layer to conform to the seated occupant when the seated occupant exerts the occupant load on the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A knitted structure is configured for heat generation and distribution. In some embodiments, the knitted structure includes a knitted fabric including a first knitted layer and a second knitted layer opposite the first knitted layer. The first knitted layer has a first thermal conductivity. The second knitted layer has a second thermal conductivity. The second thermal conductivity is greater than the first thermal conductivity to faciliate heat transfer toward the first knitted layer. The knitted structure may further include a plurality of electrodes at least partially disposed inside the knitted fabric. Each of the plurality of electrodes is configured to generate heat within the knitted fabric upon receipt of electrical energy in order to distribute heat along the knitted structure and toward the first knitted layer.