A capacitive surface sensor for a vehicle seat or a steering wheel has at least one electrically insulating carrier layer and one electrically conductive layer allocated to each side of the carrier layer. The carrier layer is a three-dimensionally malleable layer and at least one of the electrically conductive layers forms a direct bond with the carrier layer.

A steering wheel for vehicle having a steering column includes a steering wheel main body and a horn control assembly. The steering wheel main body includes a pressing portion, a handle and at least one connection portion. The handle is disposed around the pressing portion. The connection portion connects the handle to the pressing portion. The horn control assembly includes a pressure sensing module, a control module and a horn. The pressure sensing module is disposed at the pressing portion for sensing the pressed status of the pressing portion and outputting a pressure sensing signal. The control module is configured to have preset pressure ranges and connected to the pressure sensing module. The preset pressure ranges correspond to multiple volume levels of the horn. The control module receives the pressure sensing signal and compares it with the preset pressure ranges to control the volume of the horn to sound.

A steering wheel for vehicle having a steering column includes a steering wheel main body and a horn control assembly. The steering wheel main body includes a pressing portion, a handle and at least one connection portion. The handle is disposed around the pressing portion. The connection portion connects the handle to the pressing portion. The horn control assembly includes a pressure sensing module, a control module and a horn. The pressure sensing module is disposed at the pressing portion for sensing the pressed status of the pressing portion and outputting a pressure sensing signal. The control module is configured to have preset pressure ranges and connected to the pressure sensing module. The preset pressure ranges correspond to multiple volume levels of the horn. The control module receives the pressure sensing signal and compares it with the preset pressure ranges to control the volume of the horn to sound.

Various implementations of illumination systems are described herein. For example, the illumination system includes a light guide having an outer surface and an inner surface that extend between a first end and a second end of the light guide, and at least one light source disposed adjacent the first end of the light guide. The light source emits infrared or visible light into the first end of the light guide. The light guide transmits the light from the light source through at least a portion of the outer surface of the light guide. In addition, the system may include a second light source disposed adjacent the second end of the light guide. The second light source emits infrared or visible light into the second end of the light guide.

Various implementations of illumination systems are described herein. For example, the illumination system includes a light guide having an outer surface and an inner surface that extend between a first end and a second end of the light guide, and at least one light source disposed adjacent the first end of the light guide. The light source emits infrared or visible light into the first end of the light guide. The light guide transmits the light from the light source through at least a portion of the outer surface of the light guide. In addition, the system may include a second light source disposed adjacent the second end of the light guide. The second light source emits infrared or visible light into the second end of the light guide.

According to various implementations, a sensor mat includes a mat substrate, a sensor electrode, and a shield electrode. At least a portion of the sensor and shield electrodes are spaced apart from and parallel to each other on a first surface of the mat substrate. The shield electrode is electrically coupled to a voltage source to create a capacitance between the shield electrode and the sensor electrode, and the sensor electrode is used to detect a change in the capacitance. The shield electrode may also be alternately used for heating the surface of the vehicle part adjacent the mat. For example, the sensor may be disposed adjacent a portion of a steering wheel or a seat assembly and is used for sensing presence of an occupant's hands or body adjacent the steering wheel or seat assembly.

A vehicle steering wheel includes a hoop, a plurality of presence sensors and an outer sheath. The presence sensors are each arranged so as to detect a proximity and/or contact between a user's limb and the hoop. The outer sheath covers the plurality of presence sensors and is stitched with at least one seam that extends around at least part of the hoop. The plurality of presence sensors is mounted on the same support.

A vehicle steering wheel includes a hoop, a plurality of presence sensors and an outer sheath. The presence sensors are each arranged so as to detect a proximity and/or contact between a user's limb and the hoop. The outer sheath covers the plurality of presence sensors and is stitched with at least one seam that extends around at least part of the hoop. The plurality of presence sensors is mounted on the same support.

An apparatus for inputting a vehicle command, a system having the same and method thereof are provided. The apparatus for inputting the vehicle command includes a storage configured to an algorithm and a processor configured to execute the algorithm to recognize a motion of a user based on an intensity of force applied to a steering wheel, and to recognize and execute the vehicle command based on the motion of the user. The storage is further configured to store data processed by the processor.

An apparatus for inputting a vehicle command, a system having the same and method thereof are provided. The apparatus for inputting the vehicle command includes a storage configured to an algorithm and a processor configured to execute the algorithm to recognize a motion of a user based on an intensity of force applied to a steering wheel, and to recognize and execute the vehicle command based on the motion of the user. The storage is further configured to store data processed by the processor.