A vehicle steering wheel is provided that includes a rim having a core structure, a plurality of heating zones surrounding at least a portion of the core structure, each heating zone having conductive circuitry to define a heater and a capacitive sensor for sensing location of a user's hand on the steering wheel, and a controller controlling the conductive circuitry in each heating zone to operate as the capacitive sensor to sense a presence of the user's hand in at least one heating zone and to switch to operate as the heater to heat the at least one heating zone when the hand is sensed in the at least one heating zone.

A self-capacitance-system electrostatic-capacitance detection sensor includes: a first electrode and a second electrode, one of the first and second electrodes being set as a sense electrode, and the other of the first and second electrodes being set as a drive electrode; a sense-signal generating unit that generates a sense signal to be applied to the sense electrode; a detecting unit that detects, as a detection value, an amount of charge movement corresponding to an electrostatic capacitance of the sense electrode; and a determining unit that determines whether or not a detection target is in close proximity to both the first and second electrodes, based on a subtraction difference between detection values detected by the detecting unit when a first drive signal is applied to the drive electrode and when a second drive signal having the same frequency and a different phase is applied to the drive electrode.

A wireless charging steering wheel device is described herein. The wireless charging steering wheel device is coupled to a power source via a clockspring included in the steering wheel. Also disclosed herein is an integrated wireless charging/heating system. Also disclosed herein are multiple coil placements for implementing the wireless charging steering wheel device.

Systems and methods are provided herein to simplify the functional offerings of vehicle control settings to those most frequently used by drivers. A virtual image of the switch set is depicted in the large information display of a vehicle showing the appropriate, context-based control functions for the task at hand. With the function graphics/instruction shown in the display, the graphics may be removed from the switch itself allowing for the user to interact with multipurpose controls that are easily understood and not limited by hard graphics printed on a switch. The use of the display may help a driver stay focused on the road.

A capacitive occupancy or proximity detector includes a heating circuit, an impedance measurement circuit connected to the heating element and a diagnostic circuit configured for determining integrity of the heater element. The heating circuit includes a heating element, a heating current source and a common mode choke having a first and a second winding, the heating element being connectable to the heating current source via the first and second windings. The diagnostic circuit includes at least one controllable switching element coupled across the second winding circuitry for injecting a DC current into a series connection formed by the first winding, the heating element and a parallel connection of the second winding and said at least one controllable switching element; and at least one detection circuit for detecting a voltage variation across the second winding.

A program and a control device capable of calibrating a detection value of a sensor that detects contact with a steering wheel are provided. The program in accordance with the present invention is characterized by causing a computer to execute processing of distinguishing whether or not a user is on a driver's seat of a vehicle; acquiring, from a sensor (21) that converts contact with a steering wheel (2) into an electric signal for detection, a detection value of the detected electric signal; determining whether or not a difference between the detection value acquired when it has been distinguished that the user is not on the driver's seat, and a reference value is equal to or larger than a threshold value; and setting the detection value as the reference value when it has been determined that the difference is not equal to or larger than the threshold value.

A program and a control device capable of calibrating a detection value of a sensor that detects contact with a steering wheel are provided. The program in accordance with the present invention is characterized by causing a computer to execute processing of distinguishing whether or not a user is on a driver's seat of a vehicle; acquiring, from a sensor (21) that converts contact with a steering wheel (2) into an electric signal for detection, a detection value of the detected electric signal; determining whether or not a difference between the detection value acquired when it has been distinguished that the user is not on the driver's seat, and a reference value is equal to or larger than a threshold value; and setting the detection value as the reference value when it has been determined that the difference is not equal to or larger than the threshold value.

The present disclosure relates to a steering device and a control method thereof, and the steering device includes a wheel housing in which an inner space is formed, a driving member disposed in the inner space and providing power by receiving power, a cable having one side connected to a driving shaft of the driving member and the other side fixed to the wheel housing at a position spaced apart from the driving member, and an idle roller provided at a position spaced apart from the driving member and rotating while supporting the cable.

The present disclosure relates to a steering device and a control method thereof, and the steering device includes a wheel housing in which an inner space is formed, a driving member disposed in the inner space and providing power by receiving power, a cable having one side connected to a driving shaft of the driving member and the other side fixed to the wheel housing at a position spaced apart from the driving member, and an idle roller provided at a position spaced apart from the driving member and rotating while supporting the cable.

A method for introducing electric conductors into an overmolding of a steering wheel frame is provided. The electric conductors are used for heating and shielding purposes and for sensing contact on a steering wheel. In a first step, at least one cut is introduced into the overmolding using a cutting tool. In a second step, both a first layer of an electric conductor and a second layer of an electric conductor are simultaneously introduced into the cut that has been created. The first layer forms both a heating layer for heating the steering wheel and a guard layer which, together with the second layer acting as a sensor layer, allows the capacitive sensing of hand contact.