A device and a method for controlling a shading system of vehicle windows. A camera system detects image data of the head of a driver. The image data is evaluated to determine a gaze direction of the driver either as a function of a current pose of the head or body position of the driver ascertained based on the image data or as a function of eye positions of the driver determined based on image data. The shading system is controlled when the determined current gaze direction is looking in an interior rear view mirror, in the direction of the rear window, in the direction of one of the side windows, a reverse gear of the vehicle is set/activated, and the vehicle is in operation/activated. The control involves suspending or switching off a current shading/darkening of the rear window or of the side window in the gaze direction of the driver.

A device and a method for controlling a shading system of vehicle windows. A camera system detects image data of the head of a driver. The image data is evaluated to determine a gaze direction of the driver either as a function of a current pose of the head or body position of the driver ascertained based on the image data or as a function of eye positions of the driver determined based on image data. The shading system is controlled when the determined current gaze direction is looking in an interior rear view mirror, in the direction of the rear window, in the direction of one of the side windows, a reverse gear of the vehicle is set/activated, and the vehicle is in operation/activated. The control involves suspending or switching off a current shading/darkening of the rear window or of the side window in the gaze direction of the driver.

An articulation assembly for a vehicle seat includes a planar engagement surface. An inflatable member is operably coupled to the planar engagement surface. The inflatable member includes a plurality of polyhedral bodies that are configured to be formed via additive manufacturing. Each of the polyhedral bodies has a foldable portion that defines crease lines. A plurality of elastomeric members are disposed on each crease line. A planar base includes a port fluidly coupled to the polyhedral bodies. A manifold is fluidly coupled to the port of the planar base and is configured to translate fluid through the port to the polyhedral bodies.

A headrest removal assembly is disclosed. The assembly may include a plunger including a plunger shaft and lever portion. The assembly may include a compressible spring coupled to the plunger and configured to surround at least a portion of the plunger shaft. The plunger configured to translate the stopper between at least a first position and a second position when a force is applied to the lever portion of the plunger to cause the plunger to compress a portion of the compressible spring within the cavity of the base to cause the stopper to disengage from the cavity within the headrest support plate to cause the headrest removal assembly to disengage from the headrest support plate.

A headrest removal assembly is disclosed. The assembly may include a plunger including a plunger shaft and lever portion. The assembly may include a compressible spring coupled to the plunger and configured to surround at least a portion of the plunger shaft. The plunger configured to translate the stopper between at least a first position and a second position when a force is applied to the lever portion of the plunger to cause the plunger to compress a portion of the compressible spring within the cavity of the base to cause the stopper to disengage from the cavity within the headrest support plate to cause the headrest removal assembly to disengage from the headrest support plate.

An articulation assembly for a vehicle seat includes a planar engagement surface. An inflatable member is operably coupled to the planar engagement surface. The inflatable member includes a plurality of polyhedral bodies that are configured to be formed via additive manufacturing. Each of the polyhedral bodies has a foldable portion that defines crease lines. A plurality of elastomeric members are disposed on each crease line. A planar base includes a port fluidly coupled to the polyhedral bodies. A manifold is fluidly coupled to the port of the planar base and is configured to translate fluid through the port to the polyhedral bodies.

A seat is provided in which a seat cushion is pivotally coupled to a seat back by a recliner assembly. The recliner assembly is selectively operable between a locked condition preventing pivotal movement of the seat back and an unlocked condition allowing pivotal movement of the seat back. A riser assembly supports the seat assembly above a floor, such as the floor of a vehicle, and is configured for actuation and movement of the seat assembly between a generally upright seating position, a pitched easy entry position tilted forwardly and downwardly towards the floor to allow easier ingress and egress behind the seat, and a stowed position recessed within a compartment below the floor.

A vehicle seat trim assembly for concealing a vehicle seat frame is provided with at least two adjacent panels, which are oriented at angles relative to each other. At least one slot extends through the at least two adjacent panels. An interior lining is formed from a flexible nonwoven fabric material and sewn within the at least one slot. The interior lining includes a slot with a width smaller than the width of the at least one slot in the at least two adjacent panels to enclose the slot in the at least two adjacent panels and to deform to provide clearance for a head restraint post. An embroidered seam is sewn into the vehicle seat trim member around the at least one slot and sewn into the interior lining to attach the interior lining to the at least two adjacent panels.

A vehicle seat trim assembly for concealing a vehicle seat frame is provided with at least two adjacent panels, which are oriented at angles relative to each other. At least one slot extends through the at least two adjacent panels. An interior lining is formed from a flexible nonwoven fabric material and sewn within the at least one slot. The interior lining includes a slot with a width smaller than the width of the at least one slot in the at least two adjacent panels to enclose the slot in the at least two adjacent panels and to deform to provide clearance for a head restraint post. An embroidered seam is sewn into the vehicle seat trim member around the at least one slot and sewn into the interior lining to attach the interior lining to the at least two adjacent panels.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to vehicles capable of autonomous driving. These vehicles may include seats for accommodating different numbers of passengers. In some cases, the seats may be reconfigurable. For instance, a vehicle may include a first row of seating having a first, passenger use configuration. The first row may allow a passenger to sit in a seat of the first row of seating and access user input controls for the vehicle. The first row of seating may also have a second, folded configuration where the first row is in a folded configuration and no longer usable for passenger seating. The vehicle may also have a second row of seating. When the first row of seating is in the second, folded configuration, the second row of seating may still be usable for seating and may include additional legroom for the passenger as compared to when the first row of seating is in the first passenger use configuration.