A device is provided for operating a vehicle which can be driven in an at least partly automated manner, having a steering wheel which can be operated by a driver and which is also designed to carry out a substantially manual driving mode for controlling at least the lateral control of the vehicle. The device has at least one first operating mode which differs from a substantially manual operating mode in that one or more operations initiated by the driver in a first time interval at the steering wheel are not carried out in the first time interval, but instead are carried out in a second time interval in accordance with a predetermined condition.

A motor vehicle can include a steering hub mechanism and a steering wheel, the steering wheel can include an outer rim, a center section, and one or more modular accessories, and can include a first modular accessory configured to be fixed to the outer rim and a second modular accessory configured to be fixed to the outer rim, where the first modular accessory differs from the second modular accessory with respect to one or more of material, physical appearance, and/or a control function. The steering wheel can include one or more interchangeable spokes configured to be fixed to the center section and the outer rim, wherein said interchangeable spokes define the depth of the outer rim relative to the center section. The one or more interchangeable spokes comprise one or more control mechanisms, the control mechanisms being configured to attach to one or more attachment points of the outer rim.

A motor vehicle can include a steering hub mechanism and a steering wheel, the steering wheel can include an outer rim, a center section, and one or more modular accessories, and can include a first modular accessory configured to be fixed to the outer rim and a second modular accessory configured to be fixed to the outer rim, where the first modular accessory differs from the second modular accessory with respect to one or more of material, physical appearance, and/or a control function. The steering wheel can include one or more interchangeable spokes configured to be fixed to the center section and the outer rim, wherein said interchangeable spokes define the depth of the outer rim relative to the center section. The one or more interchangeable spokes comprise one or more control mechanisms, the control mechanisms being configured to attach to one or more attachment points of the outer rim.

An electrode structure includes: a base material; a conductive fabric on a first surface of the base material; and one or more conductive wires on a second surface of the base material so as to be electrically insulated from the conductive fabric. The second surface is opposite to the first surface of the base material. The base material includes: a first area and a second area. The first area is fitted into a groove of the rim and the second area is placed in a part of a rim of a steering wheel other than the groove, when the base material is attached to the rim. The one or more conductive wires are arranged at a lower wiring density in the first area than in the second area.

An electrode structure includes: a base material; a conductive fabric on a first surface of the base material; and one or more conductive wires on a second surface of the base material so as to be electrically insulated from the conductive fabric. The second surface is opposite to the first surface of the base material. The base material includes: a first area and a second area. The first area is fitted into a groove of the rim and the second area is placed in a part of a rim of a steering wheel other than the groove, when the base material is attached to the rim. The one or more conductive wires are arranged at a lower wiring density in the first area than in the second area.

The steering heater 11 is provided on the surface of the skin material 23. The resistance value of the steering heater 11 is set to a level at which a heat quantity for heating the steering wheel 2 to a desired degree according to a voltage supplied from a power supply 32 which will be described later can be secured. The resistance value of the steering heater 11 is 1Ω or less, or the like, for example. When the resistance value of the steering heater 11 is set to 1Ω or less, for example, if the power supplied from the power supply 32 is about 13V, the heat quantity of the steering heater 11 is about 170 W and thus can appropriately heat the steering wheel 2.

The steering heater 11 is provided on the surface of the skin material 23. The resistance value of the steering heater 11 is set to a level at which a heat quantity for heating the steering wheel 2 to a desired degree according to a voltage supplied from a power supply 32 which will be described later can be secured. The resistance value of the steering heater 11 is 1Ω or less, or the like, for example. When the resistance value of the steering heater 11 is set to 1Ω or less, for example, if the power supplied from the power supply 32 is about 13V, the heat quantity of the steering heater 11 is about 170 W and thus can appropriately heat the steering wheel 2.

The present invention relates to a combined capacitive sensor and heating apparatus (10, 60, 70) having a capacitive sensor device for detecting the presence of a capacitively effective actuation means in a detection region of the sensor device, and having a heating device, wherein the sensor and heating apparatus (10, 60, 70) has an electrical combined sensor and heating element (4), wherein a synchronization device (40) is configured to capture an actual voltage applied to the first electrical path (P1) between the first pole (V+) of a voltage source and the first connection (5) of the combined sensor and heating element (4) and/or an actual current flow and/or to capture an actual voltage applied between the second connection (6) of the combined sensor and heating element (4) and the second pole (GND) and/or an actual current flow and to detect an instantaneous actual state of the heating device on the basis thereof, and to control the sensor device and/or output at least one control signal for at least partially controlling the sensor device on the basis of the detected actual state of the heating device.

A handle in which a sensor layer capable of detecting grip is disposed on a gripping portion that is gripped at a time of steering. The gripping portion includes a core material, a covering layer formed of urethane foam, which is disposed by die-molding so as to cover a periphery of the core material, the sensor layer, and a protective layer covering the sensor layer. The sensor layer is formed of a mold coat agent formed of a urethane-based paint containing a conductive material. The mold coat agent is applied to a die surface of a molding die of the covering layer. At a time of molding the covering layer, the sensor layer formed of the mold coat agent is disposed on a surface side of the covering layer.

A section of (cured and non-liquid) textured foam includes at least a portion of a foam-upper-surface that substantially resembles a look of a human fingerprint for a purpose of providing enhanced grip traction between the at least the portion of the foam-upper-surface of the textured foam and a hand or a foot of a user of the textured foam. Disposed opposite of the foam-upper-surface of the textured foam may be an adhesive backing for attachment to a diverse variety of exterior surfaces where improved grip traction is desired. Systems and methods for making such textured foam that substantially resembles a look of a human fingerprint may utilize a heating means and a compression means. Such textured foam that resembles the look of a human fingerprint may be located on an upper surface of a vehicle and/or on an exterior surface of a handle to minimize against slippage.