A steering control device includes a control unit. The control unit is configured to execute a control angle calculation process, an angle feedback process, and a standard value adjustment process. The control angle calculation process is a process of calculating a control angle as an absolute angle relative to a standard value, and the angle feedback process is a process of performing feedback control on the control angle, and the standard value adjustment process is a process of adjusting the stored standard value. The standard value adjustment process includes a process of, when, in a straight-ahead state, the control angle deviates from a value showing the straight-ahead state, adjusting the standard value such that the deviation of the control angle from the value showing the straight-ahead state decreases.

A heating and capacitive sensing device for a steering wheel of a motor vehicle. The device includes a support made from an electrically insulating flexible material to which at least an electrically conductive first track and at least an electrically conductive second track are fixed. An electronic control unit including a capacitance reading module is electrically connected to the at least one second track. The electronic control unit is configured to control the at least one first track and at least one second track, so that the at least one first track is suited to generate heat for heating the steering wheel, and at least one second track is configured to operate as a capacitive sensor means by sending capacitance values to the electronic control unit.

A self-standing sandwich structure includes at least one capacitive sensor member and/or at least one heater member for automotive vehicle application. The self-standing sandwich structure includes an upper protective layer that is attached, for manufacturing and storage purposes, to a carrier film member of sufficiently low surface energy for enabling separating the carrier film member and the upper protective layer in a non-destructive manner, a lower protective layer, a bottom adhesive layer that is attached to the lower protective layer, and at least an upper electrically conductive layer arranged between the upper protective layer and the lower protective layer.

A driving assistance apparatus predicts an appropriate operation amount which is an operation amount performed by a driver in correspondence with the external environment, and sets the appropriate operation amount range including the appropriate operation amount, an appropriate operation amount range including the appropriate operation amount, and changes the reaction force characteristics of the operation device when it is determined that the operation amount of the driver corresponding to the prediction time point of the appropriate operation amount is not included in the appropriate operation amount range.

The present disclosure provides a vehicle steering attachment configured to augment a vehicle steering device, the vehicle steering attachment comprising: a first end configured to secure to a left handle of the vehicle steering device; a second end configured to secure to a right handle of the vehicle steering device; and a middle portion disposed between the first end and the second end, wherein the left handle and the right handle connect to a center section.

A grasp detection device 6 includes: a capacitance measurer 68 configured to measure a capacitance of an electrode 60 provided in a steering handle 2 of a vehicle; a grasp detector 70 configured to detect grasp of the steering handle by a driver based on comparison between a capacitance measurement Ch_d by the capacitance measurer 68 and a grasp threshold Ch_thr; and a threshold setter 69 configured to set the grasp threshold Ch_thr based on a torque detection value Tr_d by a torque sensor 31 and the capacitance measurement Ch_d, the torque sensor 31 being configured to detect steering torque. The threshold setter 69 sets the grasp threshold Ch_thr based on the torque detection value Tr_d and the capacitance measurement Ch_d at the time when the vehicle is in a specific driving state, and the torque detection value Tr_d exceeds a torque threshold.

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.

A method for providing lane keeping support to enable improved one-hand operation of a vehicle is described. The method includes detecting a one-hand location of a vehicle operator on a steering wheel of the vehicle. The method also includes determining a level of control of the vehicle operator on the steering wheel during the one-hand operation of the vehicle. The method further includes adjusting a level of compensation applied to the steering wheel to facilitate the one-hand operation of the vehicle.

A method for providing lane keeping support to enable improved one-hand operation of a vehicle is described. The method includes detecting a one-hand location of a vehicle operator on a steering wheel of the vehicle. The method also includes determining a level of control of the vehicle operator on the steering wheel during the one-hand operation of the vehicle. The method further includes adjusting a level of compensation applied to the steering wheel to facilitate the one-hand operation of the vehicle.

Embodiments described herein are for an absolute position sensor system integrated into a steering column assembly. The absolute position sensor system comprises: a sector connected to a rake adjustment mechanism of the steering column assembly and operable to be moved thereby; a gear coupled to the sector and operable to be rotated by the movement thereof; a magnet connected to and retained by the gear such that the magnet rotates responsive to the rotation of the gear; and a sensor device positioned below the magnet and connected to a stationary part of the steering column assembly. The sensor device is configured to: detect an angle of rotation of the magnet, where the angle of rotation of the magnet corresponds to a position of the rake adjustment mechanism.