The invention relates to a heatable touch sensor and a steering wheel. It has an optical waveguide which is connected to an electrical heat conductor. The optical waveguide changes its transmission behavior, which is determined, with a change in position or bending. The heat conductor is a resistance heater which emits heat by applying an electrical voltage and by the associated current flow. The touch sensor operates by means of optical interferometry, which enables a very high sensing accuracy.

The invention relates to a heatable touch sensor and a steering wheel. It has an optical waveguide which is connected to an electrical heat conductor. The optical waveguide changes its transmission behavior, which is determined, with a change in position or bending. The heat conductor is a resistance heater which emits heat by applying an electrical voltage and by the associated current flow. The touch sensor operates by means of optical interferometry, which enables a very high sensing accuracy.

A heater control system includes a heater driver, a current sensor, a slope calculator, and a mode selector. The heater driver is configured to control current to a heater. The current sensor is configured to sense current supplied to the heater. The slope calculator is configured to calculate a slope of the current supplied to the heater. The mode selector is configured to adjust current supplied to the heater by the heated driver based on the slope of the current.

An operator control unit for a steering wheel and a steering wheel having such an operator control unit. The operating control unit having a housing which is insertable into a steering wheel spoke of the steering wheel and which has at least one housing side wall and a housing base, having an electrical contact element provided in the housing, and having at least one actuating element which is mounted movably on the housing and which acts with an electrical switching action on the contact element. In order to extend the functionality of the operator control unit but maintain the compact structural form, it is proposed that the operator control unit have a fan for a steering wheel temperature control arrangement and a flow channel which is acted on by the fan, which flow channel is formed by the housing base and has an inlet and outlet opening on the housing.

An interface device to be mounted on an autonomous vehicle includes: a right operation switch and a left operation switch provided on a steering wheel; a display device disposed ahead of the steering wheel; and an IF controller configured to control the display device, the controller being configured to cause the display device to display an intention confirmation image when it is necessary to confirm a driver's intention regarding autonomous travel. The intention confirmation image includes an inquiry image, a right guide image displayed on the right side of a horizontal center of the inquiry image, the right guide image indicating a choice selectable with the right operation switch, and a left guide image displayed on the left side of the horizontal center of the inquiry image, the left guide image indicating a choice selectable with the left operation switch.

An interface device to be mounted on an autonomous vehicle includes: a right operation switch and a left operation switch provided on a steering wheel; a display device disposed ahead of the steering wheel; and an IF controller configured to control the display device, the controller being configured to cause the display device to display an intention confirmation image when it is necessary to confirm a driver's intention regarding autonomous travel. The intention confirmation image includes an inquiry image, a right guide image displayed on the right side of a horizontal center of the inquiry image, the right guide image indicating a choice selectable with the right operation switch, and a left guide image displayed on the left side of the horizontal center of the inquiry image, the left guide image indicating a choice selectable with the left operation switch.

A steering wheel is provided that is able to prevent damage to a layer adjacent to an outer surface layer due to an external force applied when a joined portion between outer surface layer material parts is finished. In a steering wheel comprising a rim portion having a core metal and a covering portion 5 covering the core metal, and a mat material 6 provided between an outer surface material 9 and the covering portion 5 of the rim portion and having a conductive portion 7 on a part facing the outer surface material 9, and the outer surface material 9 has a joined portion 91 formed in a direction intersecting a circumferential direction of the rim portion, the covering portion 5 is provided with a groove 51 in which the joined portion 91 and a part of the mat material 6 are housed, and between the outer surface material 9 and the conductive portion 7, a sliding member 8 is interposed at least in a vicinity of the joined portion 91.

A steering wheel is provided that is able to prevent damage to a layer adjacent to an outer surface layer due to an external force applied when a joined portion between outer surface layer material parts is finished. In a steering wheel comprising a rim portion having a core metal and a covering portion 5 covering the core metal, and a mat material 6 provided between an outer surface material 9 and the covering portion 5 of the rim portion and having a conductive portion 7 on a part facing the outer surface material 9, and the outer surface material 9 has a joined portion 91 formed in a direction intersecting a circumferential direction of the rim portion, the covering portion 5 is provided with a groove 51 in which the joined portion 91 and a part of the mat material 6 are housed, and between the outer surface material 9 and the conductive portion 7, a sliding member 8 is interposed at least in a vicinity of the joined portion 91.

A steering wheel configured to rotate about a steering axis, comprising a rim formed of a body molded onto a frame, the body having a first mold release axis, a first groovearranged in the body in a demoldable manner relative to the first mold release axis, a sheathing reinforcement arranged to be inserted into the first groove of the body and at least partially form a second groove, wherein the second groove is arranged to receive an insert in an insertion direction separate from the first mold release axis, and in that the sheathing reinforcement comprises at least one portion which is undercut relative to the first mold release axis.

A steering wheel configured to rotate about a steering axis, comprising a rim formed of a body molded onto a frame, the body having a first mold release axis, a first groove arranged in the body in a demoldable manner relative to the first mold release axis, a sheathing reinforcement arranged to be inserted into the first groove of the body and at least partially form a second groove, wherein the second groove is arranged to receive an insert in an insertion direction separate from the first mold release axis, and in that the sheathing reinforcement comprises at least one portion which is undercut relative to the first mold release axis.

A steering wheel configured to rotate about a steering axis, comprising a rim formed of a body molded onto a frame, the body having a first mold release axis, a first groovearranged in the body in a demoldable manner relative to the first mold release axis, a sheathing reinforcement arranged to be inserted into the first groove of the body and at least partially form a second groove, wherein the second groove is arranged to receive an insert in an insertion direction separate from the first mold release axis, and in that the sheathing reinforcement comprises at least one portion which is undercut relative to the first mold release axis.

A steering wheel configured to rotate about a steering axis, comprising a rim formed of a body molded onto a frame, the body having a first mold release axis, a first groove arranged in the body in a demoldable manner relative to the first mold release axis, a sheathing reinforcement arranged to be inserted into the first groove of the body and at least partially form a second groove, wherein the second groove is arranged to receive an insert in an insertion direction separate from the first mold release axis, and in that the sheathing reinforcement comprises at least one portion which is undercut relative to the first mold release axis.