An assist handle assembly for use in an interior of a vehicle is provided. The assist handle assembly includes an assist handle configured to be gripped by a user, a connector configured to secure the assist handle assembly to a structural component in the interior of the vehicle, a proximity sensor assembly coupled to the assist handle for generating a sensed signal indicative of a user gripping the assist handle, and a controller controlling one or more vehicle devices based on the sensed signal.

A steering apparatus includes: a steering handle 2 including a ring-shaped rim part, a hub part provided in the center of the rim part, and left and right spoke parts connecting the hub part to the rim part; a core bar 6 supporting the rim part, the hub part, and the left and right spoke parts; and a grasp detection device 4 configured to estimate a capacitance between the core bar 6 and ground connection as an electrical characteristic of the core bar 6, and detect contact or proximity of the driver's hands with or to the steering handle 2 based on a result of the estimation. The core bar 6 includes a hub core bar 63 supporting the hub part and having a connection part 631 to which a steering shaft is connected and on which an insulating coating is provided.

Sensor devices and corresponding methods are provided. When a signal path output (COMP OUT) indicates no threshold crossings, diagnosis is performed with a timing based on a clock. In case threshold crossings are indicated, diagnosis is performed with a timing based on threshold crossings.

A method for calibrating a measuring device for a vehicle steering wheel, the measuring device comprising a detection sensor, and an acquisition unit, the calibrating method comprising the steps of: placing the vehicle steering wheel with the on-board detection sensor in a reference environment, carrying out a reference measurement, recording the level of the reference signal and/or adjusting and recording at least one initial threshold to be used by the electronic control unit to initiate a driver assistance action, depending on the level of the measured reference signal and/or recording a difference between the level of the reference signal and the initial threshold.

A method for calibrating a measuring device for a vehicle steering wheel, the measuring device comprising a detection sensor, and an acquisition unit, the calibrating method comprising the steps of: placing the vehicle steering wheel with the on-board detection sensor in a reference environment, carrying out a reference measurement, recording the level of the reference signal and/or adjusting and recording at least one initial threshold to be used by the electronic control unit to initiate a driver assistance action, depending on the level of the measured reference signal and/or recording a difference between the level of the reference signal and the initial threshold.

A touch detecting apparatus includes an electrostatic sensor provided at an object; and a processor configured to detect whether a hand touches the object based on a capacitance measured by the electrostatic sensor. The processor is configured to, in response to the capacitance being greater than or equal to a first touch threshold, detect that the hand touches the object, and, for a second predetermined time from when a change amount of the capacitance during a first predetermined time becomes greater than or equal to a noise threshold, continue a state where a correction value has been added to the first touch threshold.

A touch detecting apparatus includes an electrostatic sensor provided at an object; and a processor configured to detect whether a hand touches the object based on a capacitance measured by the electrostatic sensor. The processor is configured to, in response to the capacitance being greater than or equal to a first touch threshold, detect that the hand touches the object, and, for a second predetermined time from when a change amount of the capacitance during a first predetermined time becomes greater than or equal to a noise threshold, continue a state where a correction value has been added to the first touch threshold.

A capacitance detection device for detecting a capacitance between a detection electrode and an object in proximity to the detection electrode includes the detection electrode configured to detect a capacitance between the detection electrode and the object, an active shield electrode disposed in proximity to the detection electrode, a voltage output circuit for outputting an alternating voltage to be supplied to the active shield electrode, a first adjustment circuit for adjusting an amplitude of an alternating voltage output from the voltage output circuit, and a first operational amplifier for amplifying and outputting a voltage difference between an inverting input terminal thereof connected to one end of the detection electrode and a non-inverting input terminal thereof to which an alternating voltage adjusted by the first adjustment circuit is applied. The detection electrode has, between one end and the other end thereof, a resistance value from 5 kΩ to 270 kΩ.

A capacitance detection device for detecting a capacitance between a detection electrode and an object in proximity to the detection electrode includes the detection electrode configured to detect a capacitance between the detection electrode and the object, an active shield electrode disposed in proximity to the detection electrode, a voltage output circuit for outputting an alternating voltage to be supplied to the active shield electrode, a first adjustment circuit for adjusting an amplitude of an alternating voltage output from the voltage output circuit, and a first operational amplifier for amplifying and outputting a voltage difference between an inverting input terminal thereof connected to one end of the detection electrode and a non-inverting input terminal thereof to which an alternating voltage adjusted by the first adjustment circuit is applied. The detection electrode has, between one end and the other end thereof, a resistance value from 5 kΩ to 270 kΩ.

A magnetic field sensor configured to sense a parameter associated with a rotatable target that affects a magnetic field includes at least one magnetic field sensing element that is arranged to generate a signal that is indicative of the magnetic field, a magnitude calculator responsive to the signal and configured to generate a magnitude signal indicative of a magnitude of the magnetic field, and a harmonic compensator responsive to the magnitude signal and configured to generate an estimate of a harmonic error of the signal and apply the estimate of the harmonic error of the signal to the signal to generate a corrected signal.