Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.

Janet Christine Robincheck

Nancy L Johnson

Paul W Alexander

Adam Franklin Gross

Daniel W Booth

Heidi H Mcadoo-Wilson

Andrew Paul Nowak

Anthony L Smith

Ashley M Dustin

Dorel M Sala

William A Schumacher

Nicholas Herdzik

Neil Tagner

Andrew Raymond Nowasielski

Adam Richard Muehlhauser

Kaitlin Albanese

Dylan Hollrigel

Megan Shewey

Matthew Vandyke

Jerry Walter Slumski

Marie A Powers

A polyurethane foam and a method of forming a polyurethan foam. The polyurethane foam including the reaction product of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene copolymer polyol, a gelation catalyst, a blowing catalyst, lignin, a polymeric isocyanate, and a blowing agent. The method includes mixing polyethylene glycol and polypropylene copolymer polyol, a gelation catalyst, a blowing catalyst, lignin, a polymeric isocyanate, and a blowing agent. Vehicle components are formed from the polyurethane foam.

Polyurethane foams containing unmodified lignin

An antimicrobial interior component for a vehicle includes an interior component body having a contoured surface. The interior component also includes an antimicrobial jacket assembly having a first piece and a second piece coupled together and disposed over the contoured surface. The antimicrobial jacket assembly defines at least one touch surface disposed over the contoured surface of the interior component body. The first piece and the second piece each includes an antimicrobial metal material configured to prevent or minimize microbes from accumulating on the at least one touch surface.

Antimicrobial metallic touch surfaces and methods for making the same

An aqueous or water-borne precursor liquid for forming an odor-absorbing and anti-fouling heterophasic thermoset polymeric coating is provided. The precursor includes a fluorine-containing polyol precursor having a functionality &#x3e;about 2 that forms a branched fluorine-containing polymer component defining a first phase in the anti-fouling heterophasic thermoset polymeric coating. The precursor also includes a first precursor that forms a first component including a cyclodextrin present as second phase. The first phase can be a continuous phase and the second phase can be a first discrete phase, or the second phase can be the continuous phase and the first phase can be the first discrete phase. A crosslinking agent, water, and optional acid or base are also present. An emulsifier may also be included. Methods of making an odor-absorbing and anti-fouling heterophasic thermoset polymeric coatings with such precursors are also provided.

Precursors for forming heterophasic odor-absorbing and anti-fouling polymeric coatings

A system for bacteria irradiation from an occupant zone of a vehicle is provided. The system comprises an interior portion disposed in the occupant zone. The interior portion has one of a predetermined surface porosity and a predetermined surface roughness. The interior portion has phosphorescent paint for visual indication. The system further comprises a high energy visible (HEV) light source integrated within the interior portion. The HEV light source has an emission wavelength of between about 375 nm and about 425 nm. The HEV light source further provides a cumulative energy of between about 1 J/cmand about 50 J/cm. The system further comprises a vehicle processor in communication with the HEV light source. The vehicle processor is configured to enable the HEV light source. The system further comprises a sensor in communication with the vehicle processor and configured to provide input on when to enable light source.

System and method for bacteria irradiation from an occupant zone of a vehicle

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.

Knitted durable fabrics for use on vehicle seats

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.

Knitted-in laces for shaping and fitting textiles and fabrics

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.

Vehicle seat trim covers including integrally-knit backing materials and methods of manufacturing vehicle seat trim covers

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.

Vehicle seat trim covers with knitted attachment structures formed with heat-activated yarns

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.

Vehicle seat trim cover with integrally knitted attachment features

A support stand for supporting a test piece within a corrosion chamber comprises first and second side members interconnected by first and second support rods. The relative position of the support rods is adjustable so as to modify the orientation of the test piece. In some examples, each side member has a base, a first row of spaced-apart holes generally parallel to the base, and a second row of spaced apart holes generally perpendicular to the base. By selecting the holes with which the support rods engage, the orientation of the test piece can be set to a predetermined value.

Growing community of inventors

Sterling Heights, MI, United States of America

Janet Christine Robincheck