A method for friction coefficient determination on elastically connected subsystems, in which an overall system includes multiple subsystems and at least two subsystems are connected to one another by an elastic connection. The elastic connection has at least one static friction state and a sliding friction state for prescribed external state variables, in which the overall system is excited with a vibration having a variable excitation amplitude at a defined excitation frequency. The excitation amplitude is varied, in which a phase difference between the vibration and a measured reaction torque together with the excitation amplitude are recorded as a function of time, in which no phase difference occurs in the static friction state and a phase difference of 180° occurs in the sliding friction state. In a first step, the excitation amplitude is increased until a transition in the phase difference from 0° to 180° indicates the transition from the static friction state to the sliding friction state.

A method of operating a capacitive sensing device that includes exactly two electrically conductive antenna electrodes, which are placeable in two layers at a vehicle steering wheel rim, and a current measurement circuit for determining complex electric currents in the antenna electrodes. The method includes at least the following steps for constituting a measurement cycle: operating each one of the exactly two antenna electrodes in loading mode and determine the complex impedance of the respective antenna electrode; and generating a classification signal that is indicative of a present scenario, based on a fulfillment of at least one predetermined condition concerning at least one characteristic quantity of the first complex impedance as well as of the second complex impedance.

The present invention relates to a combined capacitive sensor and heating apparatus (10, 60, 70) having a capacitive sensor device for detecting the presence of a capacitively effective actuation means in a detection region of the sensor device, and having a heating device, wherein the sensor and heating apparatus (10, 60, 70) has an electrical combined sensor and heating element (4), wherein a synchronization device (40) is configured to capture an actual voltage applied to the first electrical path (P1) between the first pole (V+) of a voltage source and the first connection (5) of the combined sensor and heating element (4) and/or an actual current flow and/or to capture an actual voltage applied between the second connection (6) of the combined sensor and heating element (4) and the second pole (GND) and/or an actual current flow and to detect an instantaneous actual state of the heating device on the basis thereof, and to control the sensor device and/or output at least one control signal for at least partially controlling the sensor device on the basis of the detected actual state of the heating device.

A steering apparatus of a smart mobility vehicle includes: a cockpit module disposed in front of a driver seat and a passenger seat within a vehicle; a steering wheel part connected to the cockpit module, and switchable between a position toward the driver seat and a position toward the passenger seat in a longitudinal direction of the cockpit module; and a locking part to fix the steering part according to a preset condition. The cockpit module includes a first flat section disposed in front of the driver seat and a second flat section disposed in front of the passenger seat; and a locking section curved upward to connect the first flat section and the second flat section.

A steering apparatus of a smart mobility vehicle includes: a cockpit module disposed in front of a driver seat and a passenger seat within a vehicle; a steering wheel part connected to the cockpit module, and switchable between a position toward the driver seat and a position toward the passenger seat in a longitudinal direction of the cockpit module; and a locking part to fix the steering part according to a preset condition. The cockpit module includes a first flat section disposed in front of the driver seat and a second flat section disposed in front of the passenger seat; and a locking section curved upward to connect the first flat section and the second flat section.

A handle in which a sensor layer capable of detecting grip is disposed on a gripping portion that is gripped at a time of steering. The gripping portion includes a core material, a covering layer formed of urethane foam, which is disposed by die-molding so as to cover a periphery of the core material, the sensor layer, and a protective layer covering the sensor layer. The sensor layer is formed of a mold coat agent formed of a urethane-based paint containing a conductive material. The mold coat agent is applied to a die surface of a molding die of the covering layer. At a time of molding the covering layer, the sensor layer formed of the mold coat agent is disposed on a surface side of the covering layer.

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.

The invention relates to a heatable touch sensor and a steering wheel. It has an optical waveguide which is connected to an electrical heat conductor. The optical waveguide changes its transmission behavior, which is determined, with a change in position or bending. The heat conductor is a resistance heater which emits heat by applying an electrical voltage and by the associated current flow. The touch sensor operates by means of optical interferometry, which enables a very high sensing accuracy.

An operating device for a steering wheel comprises an operating element, which can be selectively rotated about a first rotation axis and a second rotation axis for controlling a control system by means of an actuation, wherein the operating element can be rotated to an actuation stage from a starting position, wherein the first rotation axis is coaxial to the longitudinal axis of the operating element, and the second rotation axis is substantially transverse to the first rotation axis, wherein a force application point has a mechanical advantage with respect to the second rotation axis when actuated about the second rotation axis, and wherein the force application point has no substantial mechanical advantage in relation to the second rotation axis when the operating element is actuated about the first rotation axis, in order to prevent a simultaneous actuation of the operating element about the first and second rotation axes.