This steering device of a vehicle includes: a steering wheel with a rim portion connected to a spoke portion extending from a hub portion; and a capacitance type of contact sensor that detects a grip of the steering wheel by a driver on the basis of a change in capacitance, wherein the contact sensor includes a detection electrode which is installed in the rim portion to sense a change in capacitance of the rim portion, and a conductive member which is disposed in a region of the spoke portion on a side facing the driver and one end portion of which is in contact with the detection electrode of the rim portion.

This steering device of a vehicle includes: a steering wheel with a rim portion connected to a spoke portion extending from a hub portion; and a capacitance type of contact sensor that detects a grip of the steering wheel by a driver on the basis of a change in capacitance, wherein the contact sensor includes a detection electrode which is installed in the rim portion to sense a change in capacitance of the rim portion, and a conductive member which is disposed in a region of the spoke portion on a side facing the driver and one end portion of which is in contact with the detection electrode of the rim portion.

A steering device adapted to be rotated about a steering central axis for maneuvering a vehicle, the steering device including a central portion disposed in a vicinity of the steering central axis, and a rim connected with the central portion. The rim includes left and right grip portions that are respectively disposed in left and right regions of the rim apart from the steering central axis, a grip sensor disposed in each of the left and right grip portions, and four luminous portions each of which is configured to be lit under control of a control unit for prompting the driver to grip the grip portions. The four luminous portions are respectively disposed in a vicinity of a first end of and in a vicinity of a second end of each of the left and right grip portions, in an area out of the left and right grip portions.

A steering device adapted to be rotated about a steering central axis for maneuvering a vehicle, the steering device including a central portion disposed in a vicinity of the steering central axis, and a rim connected with the central portion. The rim includes left and right grip portions that are respectively disposed in left and right regions of the rim apart from the steering central axis, a grip sensor disposed in each of the left and right grip portions, and four luminous portions each of which is configured to be lit under control of a control unit for prompting the driver to grip the grip portions. The four luminous portions are respectively disposed in a vicinity of a first end of and in a vicinity of a second end of each of the left and right grip portions, in an area out of the left and right grip portions.

A capacitive sensing device includes an antenna electrode for emitting an alternating electric field in response to an alternating voltage caused in the antenna electrode and a control and evaluation circuit that includes a transimpedance amplifier configured to maintain the alternating voltage equal to an alternating reference voltage on a reference voltage node by injecting a current into the antenna electrode and to measure the current. The control and evaluation circuit includes a microcontroller and a multiplexer configured and arranged to switch the antenna electrode alternately to a current input of the transimpedance amplifier and to the alternating reference voltage node. The microcontroller is configured to control the multiplexer. The multiplexer and the transimpedance amplifier and a low-pass filter operatively connected to the transimpedance amplifier form together a synchronous rectifier arrangement. The current input node of the transimpedance amplifier is AC-coupled to the reference voltage node by a protection capacitor.

A steering wheel cover manipulating device for installing and removing a steering wheel cover includes a bar, which is flat. The bar is arcuate proximate to a first end thereof defining a linear section of the bar and a tool head. The tool head is substantially semicircularly shaped when viewed from a respective opposed side of the bar. The tool head is substantially complementary to a cross-sectional segment of a steering wheel. The linear section can be grasped in a hand of a user so that the user is positioned to position the tool head between a steering wheel cover and the steering wheel. The tool head can be slid along an interface of the steering wheel cover and the steering wheel to facilitate installation and removal of the steering wheel cover.

A vehicle steering wheel is provided that includes a core structure, a heater mat surrounding a portion of the core structure to define a heated portion, a gap in the heater mat defining an unheated portion, a cover wrap surrounding the heater mat and having first and second edges stitched together at a seam, and a thermally conductive polymer thermally coupled to the heater mat and extending across the gap below the first and second edges of the cover wrap for conducting thermal energy.

A vehicle steering wheel is provided that includes a core structure, a heater mat surrounding a portion of the core structure to define a heated portion, a gap in the heater mat defining an unheated portion, a cover wrap surrounding the heater mat and having first and second edges stitched together at a seam, and a thermally conductive polymer thermally coupled to the heater mat and extending across the gap below the first and second edges of the cover wrap for conducting thermal energy.

The invention relates to a steering wheel for a motor vehicle, including a hub defining an axis of rotation, a main portion substantially in the shape of an arc of a circle secured to the hub and a complementary arc-shaped portion secured to said main portion. The complementary arc-shaped portion has two opposite ends each mounted with the ability to rotate on said main arc-shaped portion, in a manner substantially diametrically opposed.

The invention relates to a steering wheel for a motor vehicle, including a hub defining an axis of rotation, a main portion substantially in the shape of an arc of a circle secured to the hub and a complementary arc-shaped portion secured to said main portion. The complementary arc-shaped portion has two opposite ends each mounted with the ability to rotate on said main arc-shaped portion, in a manner substantially diametrically opposed.