Abstract: A sensor system includes a first electrode serving as a primary electrode with a controller electrically and physically coupled to the first electrode. Computer executable instructions execute software commands on the controller causing the controller to apply a voltage to the first electrode to generate an electric field around the first electrode. A second electrode has at least a portion of the second electrode being disposed within the electrical field generated by the first electrode, and the second electrode operates while being physically decoupled from the controller. The electrical field generated by the first electrode induces a corresponding charge on the second electrode, and proximity of a conductive material on or near the first or second electrode alters the electrical signal received back by the controller from the first electrode to allow for sensing the conductive material.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a first electrode serving as a primary electrode with a controller electrically and physically coupled to the first electrode. Computer executable instructions execute software commands on the controller causing the controller to apply a voltage to the first electrode to generate an electric field around the first electrode. A second electrode has at least a portion of the second electrode being disposed within the electrical field generated by the first electrode, and the second electrode operates while being physically decoupled from the controller. The electrical field generated by the first electrode induces a corresponding charge on the second electrode, and proximity of a conductive material on or near the first or second electrode alters the electrical signal received back by the controller from the first electrode to allow for sensing the conductive material.

Abstract: Systems and methods of printing sensor loops on a sensor mat for use in a steering wheel are disclosed herein. For example, the sensor mat may include a base substrate, one or more printed sensing loops, and an insulating material. The printed sensing loops are made with conductive ink that is disposed upon the base substrate or the insulating layer from a print head and adheres thereto. These sensor mats are versatile with respect to the type of base substrate and insulating materials that may be used, the shape of the sensing loops, and the area each loop may occupy. Shielding loop(s) may also be printed adjacent the sensing loop(s). This configuration allows shielding for the sensing loops as part of the sensing mat, which may reduce the thickness of the steering wheel rim and manufacturing and installation times.

Abstract: Systems and methods of shielding a hand sensor system in a steering wheel are disclosed herein. An exemplary hand sensor system includes a sensor mat and a heater mat that is disposed between the sensor mat and a frame of the steering wheel. A power source selectively provides a heating current to the heater mat to provide heat to the steering wheel and a shielding voltage signal to the heater mat to provide electrical shielding for the sensor mat when heating is not needed or when sensing takes priority over heating. Alternatively, the system may include a shield mat that is separate from the heater mat and is disposed between the sensor mat and the heater mat. In addition, to isolate the signal carried by individual sensor return wires, a metallic or insulating covering or conduit may be provided around the wires or portions thereof.

Abstract: Various implementations include a method of connecting wire to conductive fabric. The method includes (1) providing a conductive fabric having a main portion and a protrusion extending along a protrusion central axis from the main portion, the protrusion having a distal edge spaced apart from the main portion along the central axis and side edges that extend between the main portion and the distal edge; (2) placing a wire along at least a portion of the protrusion, the wire having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; (3) folding the distal edge of the protrusion over the wire one or more times to form a folded portion of the protrusion; and (4) after folding the distal edge, securing the folded portion of the protrusion with a securing device.

Abstract: Various implementations include a method of coupling a wire to conductive fabric. The method includes providing a conductive fabric, placing low-temperature solder in contact with a portion of the conductive fabric wherein the low-temperature solder has a liquidus temperature and a solidus temperature, placing a wire in contact with the low-temperature solder, increasing the temperature of the low-temperature solder to the liquidus temperature, and decreasing the temperature of the low-temperature solder to the solidus temperature. In some implementations, the low-temperature solder has a preformed shape corresponding to a surface of a portion of a wire, and the surface of the wire is placed in contact with the low-temperature solder.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a first electrode serving as a primary electrode with a controller electrically and physically coupled to the first electrode. Computer executable instructions execute software commands on the controller causing the controller to apply a voltage to the first electrode to generate an electric field around the first electrode. A second electrode has at least a portion of the second electrode being disposed within the electrical field generated by the first electrode, and the second electrode operates while being physically decoupled from the controller. The electrical field generated by the first electrode induces a corresponding charge on the second electrode, and proximity of a conductive material on or near the first or second electrode alters the electrical signal received back by the controller from the first electrode to allow for sensing the conductive material.

Abstract: Systems and methods of printing sensor loops on a sensor mat for use in a steering wheel are disclosed herein. For example, the sensor mat may include a base substrate, one or more printed sensing loops, and an insulating material. The printed sensing loops are made with conductive ink that is disposed upon the base substrate or the insulating layer from a print head and adheres thereto. These sensor mats are versatile with respect to the type of base substrate and insulating materials that may be used, the shape of the sensing loops, and the area each loop may occupy. Shielding loop(s) may also be printed adjacent the sensing loop(s). This configuration allows shielding for the sensing loops as part of the sensing mat, which may reduce the thickness of the steering wheel rim and manufacturing and installation times.

Abstract: Various implementations include a method of connecting wire to conductive fabric. The method includes (1) providing a conductive fabric having a main portion and a protrusion extending along a protrusion central axis from the main portion, the protrusion having a distal edge spaced apart from the main portion along the central axis and side edges that extend between the main portion and the distal edge; (2) placing a wire along at least a portion of the protrusion, the wire having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; (3) folding the distal edge of the protrusion over the wire one or more times to form a folded portion of the protrusion; and (4) after folding the distal edge, securing the folded portion of the protrusion with a securing device.

Abstract: Systems and methods of printing sensor loops on a sensor mat for use in a steering wheel are disclosed herein. For example, the sensor mat may include a base substrate, one or more printed sensing loops, and an insulating material. The printed sensing loops are made with conductive ink that is disposed upon the base substrate or the insulating layer from a print head and adheres thereto. These sensor mats are versatile with respect to the type of base substrate and insulating materials that may be used, the shape of the sensing loops, and the area each loop may occupy. Shielding loop(s) may also be printed adjacent the sensing loop(s). This configuration allows shielding for the sensing loops as part of the sensing mat, which may reduce the thickness of the steering wheel rim and manufacturing and installation times.

Abstract: Systems and methods of shielding a hand sensor system in a steering wheel are disclosed herein. An exemplary hand sensor system includes a sensor mat and a heater mat that is disposed between the sensor mat and a frame of the steering wheel. A power source selectively provides a heating current to the heater mat to provide heat to the steering wheel and a shielding voltage signal to the heater mat to provide electrical shielding for the sensor mat when heating is not needed or when sensing takes priority over heating. Alternatively, the system may include a shield mat that is separate from the heater mat and is disposed between the sensor mat and the heater mat. In addition, to isolate the signal carried by individual sensor return wires, a metallic or insulating covering or conduit may be provided around the wires or portions thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods of printing sensor loops on a sensor mat for use in a steering wheel are disclosed herein. For example, the sensor mat may include a base substrate, one or more printed sensing loops, and an insulating material. The printed sensing loops are made with conductive ink that is disposed upon the base substrate or the insulating layer from a print head and adheres thereto. These sensor mats are versatile with respect to the type of base substrate and insulating materials that may be used, the shape of the sensing loops, and the area each loop may occupy. Shielding loop(s) may also be printed adjacent the sensing loop(s). This configuration allows shielding for the sensing loops as part of the sensing mat, which may reduce the thickness of the steering wheel rim and manufacturing and installation times.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a steering apparatus for a vehicle having a including a light element providing indication and warning light signals to the user of the vehicle. The light element can be associated with a PCB mounted to the steering wheel grip for controlling the operation of the light element. The PCB may be thermally coupled to a heat exchange component such that heat from the light element is transferred from the PCB to the steering wheel grip.

Abstract: Systems and methods of shielding a hand sensor system in a steering wheel are disclosed herein. An exemplary hand sensor system includes a sensor mat and a heater mat that is disposed between the sensor mat and a frame of the steering wheel. A power source selectively provides a heating current to the heater mat to provide heat to the steering wheel and a shielding voltage signal to the heater mat to provide electrical shielding for the sensor mat when heating is not needed or when sensing takes priority over heating. Alternatively, the system may include a shield mat that is separate from the heater mat and is disposed between the sensor mat and the heater mat. In addition, to isolate the signal carried by individual sensor return wires, a metallic or insulating covering or conduit may be provided around the wires or portions thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods of printing sensor loops on a sensor mat for use in a steering wheel are disclosed herein. For example, the sensor mat may include a base substrate, one or more printed sensing loops, and an insulating material. The printed sensing loops are made with conductive ink that is disposed upon the base substrate or the insulating layer from a print head and adheres thereto. These sensor mats are versatile with respect to the type of base substrate and insulating materials that may be used, the shape of the sensing loops, and the area each loop may occupy. Shielding loop(s) may also be printed adjacent the sensing loop(s). This configuration allows shielding for the sensing loops as part of the sensing mat, which may reduce the thickness of the steering wheel rim and manufacturing and installation times.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a steering apparatus for a vehicle having a including a light element providing indication and warning light signals to the user of the vehicle. The light element can be associated with a PCB mounted to the steering wheel grip for controlling the operation of the light element.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a steering apparatus for a vehicle having a including a light element providing indication and warning light signals to the user of the vehicle. The light element can be associated with a PCB mounted to the steering wheel grip for controlling the operation of the light element. The PCB may be thermally coupled to a heat exchange component such that heat from the light element is transferred from the PCB to the steering wheel grip.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a steering apparatus for a vehicle having a including a light element providing indication and warning light signals to the user of the vehicle. The light element can be associated with a PCB mounted to the steering wheel grip for controlling the operation of the light element.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a steering apparatus for a vehicle having a including a light element providing indication and warning light signals to the user of the vehicle. The light element can be associated with a PCB mounted to the steering wheel grip for controlling the operation of the light element.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a steering apparatus for a vehicle having a including a light element providing indication and warning light signals to the user of the vehicle. The light element can be associated with a PCB mounted to the steering wheel grip for controlling the operation of the light element. The PCB may be thermally coupled to a heat exchange component such that heat from the light element is transferred from the PCB to the steering wheel grip.