A vehicle interior assembly, such as a vehicle seat or a steering wheel, includes a cover assembly covering a frame. The cover assembly includes a vinyl or non-woven textile cover and an electrically conductive coating layer (“ECCL”) within an A-surface of the cover. The ECCL may function as a heater, a capacitive touch control, or lighting. Another cover assembly includes first and second ECCLs within an A-surface of a cover. The first ECCL functions as a heater and the second ECL functions as a capacitive touch control. Another cover assembly includes an ECCL and a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) coating layer within an A-surface of a cover. The ECCL functions as a heater dependent on current received from a power source via the PTC coating layer. The PTC coating layer regulates the current received by the ECCL from the power source dependent on a temperature of the PTC coating layer.

An example method of correcting a defect in a seat comprises the steps of: (a) imaging a seat to obtain an image of the seat, a portion of the seat having a defect; (b) applying a localized boundary around the portion of the seat having the defect within the image of the seat; (c) translating the localized boundary into a seat specific map of a baseline model of the seat such that a portion of the baseline model of the seat that corresponds to the portion of the seat having the defect within the image of the seat is disposed within a translated localized boundary; (d) selecting a predetermined path for an automated device to correct the portion of the seat having the defect based on the portion of the baseline model of the seat; and (e) correcting the portion of the seat having the defect.

A seat device includes a cushion portion configured to elastically support a seated person, and a seat frame configured to support the cushion portion. The cushion portion includes a plurality of divided cushions divided in a seat width direction. Each of the plurality of divided cushions includes a seat pad, and a seat cover individually covering the seat pad. A divided surface between the divided cushions adjacent to each other includes a first divided surface extending from a seat front side toward a seat back side, and a second divided surface that is bent from a seat back side extending tip of the first divided surface in a direction different from a direction in which the first divided surface extends and extends toward the seat back side.

A lengthwise fastener is fastened to a trim cover along a seam to provide piping exposed along the seam.

Lighting may be provided using light sources such as lighting systems with arrays of light-emitting diodes. A lighting system may be integrated into a seat, a door panel, a dashboard, or other interior portions of a system such as a vehicle. The interior portions of the vehicle may be illuminated using lighting systems to provide ambient light, to provide custom surface textures and other decorative patterns, to provide icons, text, and other information, and to provide custom gauges and other illuminated regions. Illuminated regions may overlap sensors such as capacitive touch sensors, force sensors, and other sensors. The light-emitting diodes in a lighting system may supply light that passes through openings in a cover layer. The layer may be formed from fabric, leather, or other materials. Lens structures may guide light through the openings.

The invention concerns a cushion or cushioning comprising, a cover an outer covering layer, a middle foam layer and an inner mesh layer. The cushion also includes an electric circuit connected to an electric generator, the circuit being made from conductive ink deposited on a support layer. The circuit extends opposite the complex; a block of elastically compressible padding, the support layer being formed either by the inner layer, or by an additional mesh layer interposed between the inner layer and the block.

A flexible lengthwise fastener is provided with a first retainer provided with a lengthwise substrate. The lengthwise fastener is also provided with a second retainer provided with a lengthwise substrate to engage with the lengthwise substrate of the first retainer. When the first retainer and the second retainer are combined, the first retainer and the second retainer provide the appearance of a traditional seam.

A vehicle seat system is provided that includes heating, cooling, and occupant sensing functionality in a single unit. The system includes carbon nanotube (CNT) elements disposed adjacent the seat surface. The CNT elements may be woven or stitched to a vehicle seat cover, or may be disposed in a mat that is placed between a seat cushion and the seat cover. The CNT elements may be used for heating, cooling, and occupant sensing, without requiring separate units or circuits. The system may include Peltier elements attached to the CNT elements, with the Peltier elements transferring heat between the CNT elements and a heat bank. The heat bank may be in the form of a heat sink, or the heat bank may be the seat rails of the vehicle seat, with the Peltier elements attached to the seat rails.

A vehicle seat assembly includes a panel defined as a portion of a vehicle seat, the panel defines a first aperture therethrough to access an anchor and a second aperture therethrough, and has an engagement region thereon adjacent to the second aperture, a trim cover assembly including a trim cover, a strap connecting the trim cover to the vehicle seat, a seat frame and/or a vehicle framework via the second aperture, and a holder member. The holder member is sized to retract into and emerge from the second aperture, and has an edge configured to engage the engagement region. The trim cover assembly has a first position covering the first aperture to visibly hide the anchor, and a second position with the trim cover assembly spaced apart from the aperture to provide access to the anchor, where the edge of the holder member is engaged with the engagement region.

A system and method for installing a badge on a vehicle seat may include placing a trim cover on a badge, and placing a tensioning strip over the trim cover. A retaining plate may be placed over the tensioning strip, and the badge and retaining plate pressed together to capture the trim cover and the tensioning strip therebetween to form an assembly. This assembly may be positioned over a support structure of the vehicle seat such that an A-side of the badge faces toward a front of the vehicle seat. A tensile force may be applied to the tensioning strip in a direction toward a back of the vehicle seat, and the tensioning strip may then be fastened to the support structure of the vehicle seat.