A vehicle steering wheel is provided that includes a rim having a core structure, a plurality of heaters surrounding at least a portion of the core structure to define a plurality of heating zones, at least one sensor for sensing location of a user's hand on the steering wheel, and a controller controlling the plurality of heaters to activate one or more of the heaters based on the sensed location of the hand.

Steering wheel sensor systems are described in which a sensor array is attached to or integrated with a steering wheel and provides information about the forces exerted on the steering wheel for interacting with or controlling other vehicle systems.

Steering wheel sensor systems are described in which a sensor array is attached to or integrated with a steering wheel and provides information about the forces exerted on the steering wheel for interacting with or controlling other vehicle systems.

A vehicle microclimate system includes a microclimate device that is configured to be arranged within an interior space that provides a macroclimate environment to an occupant. The microclimate device is configured to provide a microclimate environment to the occupant. The microclimate device is configured to be in close proximity to a region of the occupant having an increased thermoreceptive response compared to other occupant regions exposed to the macroclimate environment. A controller is in communication with the microclimate device. The controller is configured to determine an occupant personal comfort and automatically command the microclimate device in response to the occupant personal comfort to achieve a desired occupant personal comfort.

A device for detecting steering wheel contact comprises at least a first electrode (12) which is provided in a steering wheel (10) and which forms, together with a human body acting as a second electrode and a dielectric situated therebetween, at least one sensor capacitor (26). The device also comprises an evaluation circuit (24) having a reference capacitor (30) of known capacitance which can be connected parallel to the sensor capacitor (26), a direct current voltage source (34) which can be connected to the reference capacitor (30), and a measuring device for measuring the voltage at the reference capacitor (30). A method for detecting steering wheel contact using such a device comprises the following successive steps: charging the reference capacitor (30) by applying a known reference voltage, or charging the reference capacitor (30) and subsequently measuring a first voltage at the reference capacitor (30); connecting, in parallel, the sensor capacitor (26) to the reference capacitor (30) so that a portion of the charge of the reference capacitor (30) is transmitted to the sensor capacitor (26); measuring a second voltage at the reference capacitor (26); end determining the capacitance of the sensor capacitor (26) from the known capacitance of the reference capacitor (30), the reference voltage or the first voltage and the second voltage.

Example systems and methods for a driver detection steering wheel are disclosed. An example disclosed vehicle includes a steering wheel, a driver, a detector, and an enabling module. The example steering wheel includes a plurality of capacitive sensors. The example driver is to change voltage levels on the plurality of capacitive sensors. The example detector is to measure time delays corresponding to the plurality of capacitive sensors, and determine a number of hands on the steering wheel based on the time delays. The example enabling module is to, in response to the detector detecting two hands on the steering wheel, grant access to an infotainment system.

The present invention relates to a fabric (30, 31) with at least one support (41, 41′), with at least two electrical function elements (70), and with at least one seam (40). It is provided that at least two of the electrical function elements (70) are in the form of strands and integrated in the seam (40).

A steering wheel includes a core and a foamed polyurethane coating that covers a ring section of the core. The foamed polyurethane coating is formed by foam molding of a polyurethane material containing 91 parts by mass of a base polyol, 10 to 25 parts by mass of a pigment, 1 to 3 parts by mass of a benzotriazole ultraviolet absorber, 0.8 to 2.5 parts by mass of a hindered amine photostabilizer, and a polyisocyanate. A total amount of the ultraviolet absorber and the photostabilizer is 2.7 parts by mass or more. The foamed polyurethane coating is in the form of an integral skin foam including a highly foamed core foam and a lowly foamed skin layer. The surface of the skin layer is not provided with a coating film formed from a coating material, and serves as a product surface that assumes a color of the pigment.

A motor vehicle steering wheel assembly may include a ring-shaped member comprising a slot and an internal recess, wherein the slot and internal recess extend circumferentially about the ring-shaped member, the slot being provided in a surface of the ring-shaped member and forming an aperture into the internal recess; a support portion configured to be coupled to a vehicle support structure, the support portion extending through the slot; and a guide portion coupled to the support portion, the guide portion being slidably disposed in the internal recess such that the ring-shaped member is rotatable.

A motor vehicle steering wheel assembly may include a ring-shaped member comprising a slot and an internal recess, wherein the slot and internal recess extend circumferentially about the ring-shaped member, the slot being provided in a surface of the ring-shaped member and forming an aperture into the internal recess; a support portion configured to be coupled to a vehicle support structure, the support portion extending through the slot; and a guide portion coupled to the support portion, the guide portion being slidably disposed in the internal recess such that the ring-shaped member is rotatable.