Abstract: An inflatable cabinet is provided and includes a first inflatable cabinet stand and a base. The first inflatable cabinet stand is for storing products. The first inflatable cabinet stand includes members and first connectors. The members include side walls, a back wall, and a top member. The base is connected to the first inflatable cabinet stand and includes an air pump, second connectors and air lines. An air pump is configured to pump air into at least one of the members of the first inflatable cabinet stand. The second connectors are configured to connect to the first connectors. The air lines are connected between the air pump and the second connectors.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat base and a seatback coupled to the seat base. The seatback includes a rigid frame, a first textile layer attached to the rigid frame, a second textile layer attached to the rigid frame, and at least one textile interconnecting tube coupling the first textile layer to the second textile layer. The textile interconnecting tube is attached in tension between the first textile layer and the second textile layer to dampen dynamic loads applied to the seatback. Instead of (or in addition to) the textile interconnecting tube, the seatback may include a plurality of tension elements interconnecting the first textile layer and the second textile layer.

Abstract: A pneumatic articulating structure includes a plurality of tiles, a flexible cover, and a plurality of resiliently flexible hinges. Each tile has a first surface and a second surface facing in opposite outward directions. An area of at least one respective first surface is greater than an area of at least one respective second surface. The cover is constructed to cover the tiles. The second surface of each one of the tiles is attached to the cover. Each tile is engaged to an adjacent tile by a respective hinge, and are proximate to the first surface. A vacuum chamber is define by at least the plurality of tiles and the flexible cover.

Abstract: A pressure regulator includes an inlet channel, an outlet channel, a bladder, a first plate, and a second plate. The bladder is connected to the outlet channel and extends alongside of the inlet channel. The first plate is disposed on one side of the inlet channel between the bladder and the inlet channel. The second plate is disposed on the other side of the bladder and is at least partially aligned with the first plate along the length of the inlet channel such that a portion of the inlet channel is disposed between the first and second plates. When the bladder is pressurized, the bladder urges the first plate toward the second plate and thereby pinches the portion of the inlet channel disposed between the first and second plates to regulate a ratio of a pressure in the outlet channel to a pressure in the inlet channel.

Abstract: An inflatable structure includes a top end cap, a bottom end cap, a bladder, a plurality of tethers, and an adjustment mechanism. The bladder is attached to the top and bottom end caps and configured to hold pressurized air therebetween. The plurality of tethers are disposed within the bladder. Each tether in the plurality of tethers has a first end coupled to the top end cap and a second end coupled to the bottom end cap. When the bladder is inflated, the plurality of tethers restrict a number of degrees of freedom of the inflatable structure and a type of the degrees of freedom. The adjustment mechanism is operable to move the second end of at least one tether in the plurality of tethers to adjust at least one of the number of the degrees of freedom and the type of the degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A method of forming a spacer fabric includes performing, via a knitting machine, an iterative process. The iterative process includes: knitting a tether from a first point to a second point on a first fabric layer; extending the tether from the second point to a third point on a second fabric layer to start formation of a tether segment; temporarily holding the tether at the third point via one of a temporary holding needles; extending the tether from the third point to a fourth point on the first fabric layer; temporarily holding the tether at the fourth point via another one of the temporary holding needles; extending the tether from the fourth point to a fifth point on the second fabric layer; and knitting the tether from the fifth point to a final point on the second fabric layer. The tether segment is released from the temporary holding needles.

Abstract: A pneumatic shade includes a plurality of slats, a plurality of first fold members, and a plurality of second fold members. Each slat is elongated and includes and spans laterally between opposite longitudinal edges. Each of the first- and second-fold members are elongated and co-extend longitudinally with the slats. Each first fold member is attached to longitudinal edges of the respective adjacent slats. Each second fold member is attached to longitudinal edges of respective adjacent slats and are alternatingly orientated with respect to the first fold members such that each slat spans laterally between a respective first fold member and second fold member. Each of the first fold members and the second fold members are adapted to move between a folded state and an unfolded state upon application of pressurized air.

Abstract: A multi-layer bladder includes: a first bladder layer; a mask including a plurality of apertures; a second bladder layer bonded to the first bladder layer within the apertures in the mask and where the mask is not present between the first and second bladder layers, where the mask is configured to prevent bonding of the second bladder layer to the first bladder layer where the mask is present; and a fluid channel that is located between the first and second bladder layers and that extends to the mask from an outer edge of the multi-layer bladder.

Abstract: Presented herein are active textile structures with selectively variable surface friction characteristics, methods for making/using such structures, and vehicle components fabricated with electronically controlled textile structures with modifiable surface friction characteristics. An active textile system for governing frictional force levels at an interface with a user or object is presented. The system includes a textile structure that is fabricated from interlaced first and second textile filaments. Each textile filament has a respective texture that exhibits a distinct coefficient of friction. The textile structure has an outer and/or upper contact surface at the interface with the user/object. An actuating element, which is connected to the textile structure, is operable to selectively transition the textile structure between first and second states.

Abstract: Cargo systems are provided for vehicles that include, in one embodiment: a variable cargo surface disposed within a body of the vehicle behind one or more occupant seats, the variable cargo surface including: a low friction surface that facilitates movement of cargo within the cargo system, the low friction surface having a first coefficient of friction; a high friction surface that inhibits movement of cargo within the cargo system, the high friction surface having a second coefficient of friction that is greater than the first coefficient of friction; and a control device that selectively activates the low friction surface and the high friction surface based on conditions for the vehicle; wherein the low friction surface contacts the cargo within the cargo system when the low friction surface is activated; and the high friction surface contacts the cargo within the cargo system when the high friction surface is activated.

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: An inflatable active flow control device includes a first surface, a second surface, and a spring including one end connected to the first surface and an opposite end connected to the second surface. A flexible material is connected to both the first surface and the second surface around the spring, defines an inflatable internal volume, and includes a plurality of threads extending between opposing inner surfaces of the flexible material at spaced locations through the inflatable internal volume.

Abstract: A pressure regulator includes an inlet channel, an outlet channel, a bladder, a first plate, and a second plate. The bladder is connected to the outlet channel and extends alongside of the inlet channel. The first plate is disposed on one side of the inlet channel between the bladder and the inlet channel. The second plate is disposed on the other side of the bladder and is at least partially aligned with the first plate along the length of the inlet channel such that a portion of the inlet channel is disposed between the first and second plates. When the bladder is pressurized, the bladder urges the first plate toward the second plate and thereby pinches the portion of the inlet channel disposed between the first and second plates to regulate a ratio of a pressure in the outlet channel to a pressure in the inlet channel.

Abstract: A shield assembly is employed for a friction brake used to decelerate a road wheel of a vehicle. The vehicle has a body with a first body end configured to face an incident ambient airflow, a second body end opposite of the first body end, and an underbody section spanning a distance between the first and second ends. The shield assembly includes a first shield component arranged proximate the brake and rotationally fixed relative to the vehicle body. The shield assembly also includes a second shield component operatively connected to the first shield component for shifting relative thereto. The shield assembly additionally includes an actuator employing a shape memory alloy element to shift the second shield component relative to the first shield component in response to a temperature of the brake to thereby direct at least a portion of the airflow to the brake and control temperature thereof.

Abstract: A vaneless ventilation system includes a rigid duct and a vent assembly in fluid communication with the duct. The vent assembly includes a rigid housing defining an outlet, a bendable duct disposed inside the rigid housing, a linkage assembly coupled to the bendable duct to allow deflection of the bendable duct upon movement of the linkage assembly, and an actuation mechanism coupled to the linkage assembly, wherein actuation of the actuation mechanism causes the linkage assembly to move, thereby deflecting the bendable duct.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing operator-state detection including tracking position of an operator-facing camera are described. Systems and methods include receiving a first image captured by an operator-facing camera, detecting a first position of the operator-facing camera with respect to the calibration object, ascertaining the first position with respect to at least one fiducial marker within a passenger compartment of a vehicle, capturing, via controller, a second image using the operator-facing camera, determining the second image is captured by the operator-facing camera from a second position with respect to the at least one fiducial marker, and analyzing, based on determining the second image is captured by the operator-facing camera from the second position, the second image to identify facial features of the operator. The receiving, detecting, ascertaining, determining, and analyzing are performed via a controller.

Abstract: A selectively rigidizable membrane for cargo management comprises a vacuum bladder, and a first architectural layer and a second architectural layer, each of the first and second architectural layers including a plurality of tiles interconnected by flexural elements, each of the tiles of the first and second architectural layers including at least one constraining element extending therefrom, wherein, when atmospheric pressure is present within the vacuum bladder, the first and second architectural layers are slidably moveable relative to one another and the membrane is flexible, and further wherein, when negative pressure is applied to the vacuum bladder, the first and second architectural layers are forced into engagement with one another, the constraining elements of the first and second architectural layers providing mechanical interference and preventing sliding movement of the first and second architectural layers relative to one another, causing the membrane to become substantially rigid.

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 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 textile comprising: i) a fabric including a laced region associated with a surface of the textile; and ii) a thread inlaid through a plurality of points proximate a perimeter of the laced region. Tightening the thread causes opposite sides of the laced region to be cinched together, thereby forming the laced region into a flap associated with a second surface of the textile opposite the first surface. The textile further comprises a listing wire disposed in the flap. The fabric forms a plurality of perforations within the laced region. The listing wire may be accessed by an attachment device through at least one of the plurality of perforations.