An apparatus for heating a steering wheel and for detecting a steering wheel contact comprises a steering wheel armature (10) made from electrically conductive material and an electric heating conductor (12) arranged outside of the steering wheel armature (10). The apparatus further comprises a control and evaluation device (18) connected to the steering wheel armature (10) and the electric heating conductor (10) by means of which control and evaluation device the electric heating conductor (12) is repeatedly operated temporarily during a heating operation as a heating element for heating the steering wheel and temporarily during a measuring operation as a sensor element for detecting a steering wheel contact. The control and evaluation device (18) is configured so as to maintain the steering wheel armature (10) on a predetermined and especially constant potential at least during each measuring operation.

A PTC heating module for a battery-operated motor vehicle may include a first and a second electrode, and a plurality of PTC elements. The first and second electrodes may be configured to be electrically conductive. The plurality of PTC elements may be arranged between the first and second electrodes and may be spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction of the PTC heating module. The first and second electrodes may be connected to the plurality of PTC elements. At least one of the first and second electrodes may be subdivided into at least two electrode tracks. The at least two electrode tracks may be electrically isolated from one another. Each of the at least two electrode tracks may be connected to the plurality of PTC elements.

A multifunctional assembly having a resistive element a conductive element in electrical communication with the resistive element, the conductive element defining at least one of a plurality of multifunctional zones of the resistive element, wherein the conductive element is configured to direct a flow of electricity across at least one of the plurality of multifunctional zones of the resistive element in a preselected manner.

Systems and methods are provided for radiant heating by PTC radiant patches. A radiant heating system for warming an occupant of an enclosed space includes patches to radiate heat into the enclosed space toward the occupant. A power supply supplies electric power to the patches. A controller controls the electric power supplied to the patches based on a temperature in the enclosed space and locations of the patches within the enclosed space.

An electrically powered vehicle system includes a DC/DC converter stage with a rectified input terminal which receives a rectified input from an AC power input. The system also includes a vehicle battery which receives power output from the DC/DC converter stage, via a first link between the rectified input terminal and the DC/DC converter stage. A second link is connected to the first link and to a vehicle device.

A snowmobile including a warming element at a handlebar of the snowmobile. The warming element is configured to generate heat in response to electrical current driven therethrough. A user interface is configured to receive inputs from an operator of the snowmobile. The inputs include a first temperature input setting a first predetermined temperature for the warming element. A control assembly includes a warmer control button configured for setting the warming element at the first predetermined temperature. A control module is included with the control assembly and in receipt of inputs from the user interface and the control assembly. The control module is configured to, when the first predetermined temperature is selected by way of the warmer control button, direct sufficient electrical current to the warming element to generate heat equal to the first predetermined temperature.

A brake system comprising a brake disc, a wheel hub connected to the brake disc, and a bearing assembly mounted around the wheel hub, the brake system further comprising: a first electric circuit embedded inside the brake disc; a second electric circuit embedded inside the wheel hub and electrically connected with the first electric circuit; and a third electric circuit embedded inside the bearing assembly and electrically connected with the second electric circuit, wherein when an electric current flows to the first electric circuit through the second and third electric circuits, the first electric circuit generates heat for applying to the brake disc.

An electric control unit comprising: (a) a plurality of input wires; (b) a connector receiving the plurality of input wires on a first side, the first side of the connector including: (i) a plurality of slots that each receive one of the plurality of wires and (ii) a plurality of prongs having an alternating relationship with the plurality of slots so that the plurality of prongs and the plurality of slots support each of the plurality of input wires; and (c) control circuitry located within the connector and connected to each of the plurality of input wires; and (d) a plurality of output pins located on a second side of the connector that are configured to connect to a thermal element so that the electric control unit assists in powering the thermal element and controlling the thermal element.

A battery pack monitor includes a portable housing, a controller within the housing, and a memory communicatively connected to the controller. The battery pack monitor further includes a power source positioned within the housing and operatively connected to the controller. The battery pack monitor includes a battery pack connector comprising a wired battery interface electrically connectable between the controller and a battery pack management system of a high voltage battery pack. The controller includes executable instructions which, when executed, cause the controller to receive, via the wired battery interface, status information from the high voltage battery pack, store the status information in the memory, and based on the status information, generate one or more battery status alerts. In examples, the battery pack monitor includes a wireless interface for communication with a remote system for logging status information, and may have a diagnostics connector to allow connection of additional diagnostic equipment.

The present disclosure relates to a circuit and a method for carrying out an alternating heating and capacitive measuring mode by a common heating wire, including carrying out a heating mode, wherein, due to a switching by a control circuit, first switching elements and second switching elements are connected in series to the heating wire, and the heating wire is connected, to one of two heating potentials; triggering a switchover from the heating mode into a measuring mode by the control circuit; carrying out the measuring mode, in which the measuring capacitance of the heating wire relative to a reference potential is determined by a detecting circuit by applying to the heating wire an alternating voltage; carrying out a testing phase by a test circuit that is switched by the control circuit that a test impedance is connected to the measuring capacitance.