A system for detecting hands-on or off of a steering wheel and a method thereof, include a direct sensor configured for detecting a hands-on sense value depending on a grip area of the steering wheel; an indirect sensor configured for detecting a hands-on sense value depending on a magnitude of a torque for rotating the steering wheel; and a controller connected to the first sensor and the second sensor and combining a direct hands-on sense value detected by the direct sensor and an indirect hands-on sense value detected by the indirect sensor to each other to determine a grip state of the steering wheel depending on a combined hands-on sense condition, and then to display and warn a result of determining the grip state of the steering wheel through an output unit.

An aspect of the disclosure sets forth a turn signal system for a steering wheel that is easier to use and improves turn signal usage compliance and, accordingly, safety. The turn signal system includes at least one hand location detection sensor; at least one pressure actuated switch mechanism which is actuatable by the operator; a turn signal control, the turn signal control operatively connected to the at least one hand location detection sensor and the at least one pressure actuated switch mechanism, the turn signal control also operatively connected to left and right turn signals of the vehicle to indicate a turn to the left or right. Wherein actuation of the at least one pressure actuated switch mechanism by a hand of the operator of the vehicle provides a signal to the turn signal control to indicate a turn to the left or right.

A planar carrier for mounting on a rim of a steering wheel without wrinkles, the planar carrier including a portion of planar flexible foil of roughly rectangular shape having two longitudinal sides and two lateral sides, wherein the length B of the lateral sides is 0.96 to 1.00 times the perimeter of the rim, and wherein N cut-outs per unit length are provided on each of the longitudinal sides. The cut-outs of one side are located in a staggered fashion relative to opposing cut-out portions on the opposite side. The optimum shape and size of the cut-outs may be determined as described. The planar carrier may be implemented as a heat carrier, a heating device and/or a sensing device.

The present disclosure relates to a method for operating a haptic system, the haptic system comprising at least one actuator and at least one haptic control device adapted to control the at least one actuator and to provide haptic feedback to a user, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining, from a feedback computational model, modelled feedback data, obtaining, from a feedback estimator, estimated feedback data based on measurement data determined from measurement made on the haptic system, overlaying the modelled feedback data and the estimated feedback data to generate blended feedback data, and providing the blended feedback data to control the haptic feedback to the user.

The present disclosure relates to a method for operating a haptic system, the haptic system comprising at least one actuator and at least one haptic control device adapted to control the at least one actuator and to provide haptic feedback to a user, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining, from a feedback computational model, modelled feedback data, obtaining, from a feedback estimator, estimated feedback data based on measurement data determined from measurement made on the haptic system, overlaying the modelled feedback data and the estimated feedback data to generate blended feedback data, and providing the blended feedback data to control the haptic feedback to the user.

A product that may involve a product that may include a structure that may be formed to be gripped. A sheath may surround a core. An actuator may be connected to move the core to adjust the sheath between an expanded position and a contracted position, providing adjustable grip size to the structure

Disclosed is a method for automotive vehicle including a steering wheel, an instrument cluster, the steering wheel including sensors which are arranged on the rim and configured to detect the presence of fingers (5) of a hand (4) of the driver in contact with the rim (25), situated one after the other in the circumferential direction, the method including the following steps: a) defining first and second zones of activation on the rim of the steering wheel, b) defining first and second interaction entities in the digital display zone, which are situated in positional correspondence with the activation zones, c) detecting a movement of fingers including at least one closing or gripping of a hand on an activation zone, d) undertaking an action in conjunction with the first interaction entity.

A switch device includes a switch body, which is arranged at the back side of a steering unit, and a lever unit, which is attached to the switch body to allow for switching by a pivotal operation about a first axis, which extends in the axial direction of a steering shaft. The lever unit includes a lever shaft, which extends in a direction intersecting the first axis of the pivotal operation, a lever head, which is arranged at the distal end of the lever shaft and has a larger dimension than the diameter of the lever shaft, and a push operation unit, which allows for switching by a push operation. The push operation unit is arranged so that the operation direction of the push operation is directed toward the first axis.

A steering wheel includes a steering hub portion, a wheel portion and a spoke portion. The spoke portion extends from the steering hub portion and is connected with the wheel portion. The wheel portion includes a core metal and a cover layer. The core metal circles around the steering wheel. The cover layer covers the core metal. A vibrator housing portion is provided at a part in a circling direction of the core metal. The core metal includes a U-shaped cross section in the vibrator housing portion in a radial direction of the wheel portion. A partition wall is provided inside of the core metal to divide and form the vibrator housing portion. A case is attached to the core metal to cover the vibrator housing portion. The vibrator is disposed in the vibrator housing portion between the core metal and the case. The vibrator is attached to the case.

A steering wheel includes a steering hub portion, a wheel portion and a spoke portion. The spoke portion extends from the steering hub portion and is connected with the wheel portion. The wheel portion includes a core metal and a cover layer. The core metal circles around the steering wheel. The cover layer covers the core metal. A vibrator housing portion is provided at a part in a circling direction of the core metal. The core metal includes a U-shaped cross section in the vibrator housing portion in a radial direction of the wheel portion. A partition wall is provided inside of the core metal to divide and form the vibrator housing portion. A case is attached to the core metal to cover the vibrator housing portion. The vibrator is disposed in the vibrator housing portion between the core metal and the case. The vibrator is attached to the case.