Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
219204000 | Steering device | 43 |
20090065491 | HEATED HAND GRIPS - Heated hand grips for motorcycles or other applications, such as snowmobiles, are disclosed. The hand grips enable better control and comfort for the user. The hand grips described herein have a better design for mounting on the handle bars, allowing for a better seal against ingress of moisture and for sturdier mounting of the control circuitry. The control circuitry itself is simplified, and the control knob has built-in detents for more tactile feedback to the user. The heated elements themselves include a temperature sensor for simplified wiring and immediate feedback. | 03-12-2009 |
20090194518 | Hand Grip Member With Electric Heater - A handle grip member with electric heater can be produced in high yield through simple processing not using any core of synthetic resin and avoiding molding operation. Depressed groove ( | 08-06-2009 |
20090302020 | GRIP MEMBER PROVIDED WITH ELECTROTHERMAL HEATER - Provided is a grip member having an electrothermal heater, wherein an end section of a metal strip does not curl up when the metal strip is attached. A metal strip ( | 12-10-2009 |
20090308857 | STEERING WHEEL PLANAR HEAT GENERATING ELEMENT - The invention relates to a planar heat generating element for use on steering wheels of automotive vehicles and motorboats, and a problem of the invention is to adjust a temperature portion of a planar heat generating element which is attached to a steering wheel, so as to enhance the sensation of using the steering wheel by the user when he or she grips thereon. | 12-17-2009 |
20100193495 | Heated steering wheel cover - The heated steering wheel cover includes a resilient, flexible, substantially annular member having an open bottom portion enabling the substantially annular member to be removably fitted over a vehicle's steering wheel. A heating element is disposed inside of the steering wheel cover. A battery pack is electrically connected to the heating element. A switch is electrically connected to the battery pack and selectively turns the heating element on or off. The battery pack is removably attachable to a portion of the vehicle proximate the steering wheel so that safe operation of the heating element is possible while the vehicle is being driven. | 08-05-2010 |
20100258548 | Heatable handle device for vehicle - A handle device includes an inner handle having an outer periphery with two parallel, helical grooves each having first and second end sections at two ends of the outer periphery. The second end sections of the helical grooves meet with each other at a recessed connecting section including a projecting portion on an end of the outer periphery and having a receiving compartment in communication with the second end sections of the helical grooves. A heating wire extends through two through-holes in a wire seat formed on the other end of the outer periphery. The heating wire includes two wire sections respectively received in the helical grooves. The wire sections are interconnected to each other at a bend that is received in the receiving compartment. An outer handle is integrally formed around the outer periphery of the inner handle as a single monolithic piece. | 10-14-2010 |
20110073582 | Steering wheel - A steering wheel includes a rim metal core, a rigid covering member, a heating element, and a cover. The rim metal core forms the framework of the rim. The rigid covering member is provided about at least a part in the circumferential direction of the rim metal core. The heating element is formed by a flexible sheet having a heat generating member that generates heat when electrified. The heating element is arranged along the outer surface of the covering member. The cover is provided about the heating element and has an outer surface that serves as an ornamental surface of the rim. A hollow portion (an air layer) is formed between the rim metal core and a part of the covering member at which the heat generating member (a resistor layer) of the heating element is located. The hollow portion serves as a heat-insulating layer. | 03-31-2011 |
20110084055 | STEERING WHEEL-HEATING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF HEATING STEERING WHEEL - A steering wheel-heating system may include an ambient sensor detecting temperature of external air, an incar sensor detecting temperature of internal air of a vehicle, a water temperature sensor detecting temperature of engine cooling water, a temperature switch receiving FATC-set (Full Auto Temperature Control) temperature, and a controller supplying or cutting power supplied to heating wires in a steering wheel on the basis of the temperature of the external air detected by the ambient sensor, the temperature of the internal air detected by the incar sensor, the temperature of the engine cooling water detected by the water temperature sensor, and the FATC-set temperature. | 04-14-2011 |
20110233183 | STEERING WHEEL HEATER ASSEMBLY - A steering wheel heater assembly comprising a first layer made from a flexible mesh material, the first layer circumferentially wrapped around the steering wheel to add strength and durability to the heating assembly and to prevent movement of the heating assembly; a second layer comprising a double-sided adhesive for bonding the first layer to the steering wheel and to a third layer comprising a substrate made of polyamide material for distributing heat to the steering wheel; a fourth layer comprising a resistive material made from a carbon polymer; a fifth layer comprising a conductive layer of polymer based silver for providing electrical current to the steering wheel; and a sixth layer comprising a double-sided adhesive for insulating the fifth layer and for bonding the fifth layer to a seventh layer comprising a material for covering the exterior of the heater assembly. | 09-29-2011 |
20120061368 | Heated Grip Easy to Mount on and to Adapt to Handlebars of Different Vehicles - A grip to be mounted at the end of a handlebar of a motorcycle, snowmobile or the like, the grip being in particular the vehicle throttle control grip mounted rotatable about the handlebar and being heated by a heating member powered by an electrical conductor connected via an end thereof to the member, the end being positioned in proximity to the grip. This end is positioned within a casing close to this latter but separated from it, the conductor being present in the casing loosely without undergoing twisting about itself. | 03-15-2012 |
20120118868 | CARBON NANOTUBE-METAL PARTICLE COMPLEX COMPOSITION AND HEATED STEERING WHEEL USING THE SAME - The present invention relates to a carbon nanotube-metal particle complex composition prepared by: a) a step of preparing a carbon nanotube solution in which carbon nanotubes are dispersed; b) a step of performing acid treatment on the carbon nanotube solution prepared in operation a); c) a step of neutralizing the carbon nanotube solution prepared in operation b); and d) a step of mixing the carbon nanotube solution prepared in operation c) and a metal solution containing metal particles, in order to bond said metal particles to the surfaces of said carbon nanotubes. The present invention also relates to a heated steering wheel including a carbon nanotube heating coating layer formed from the composition. | 05-17-2012 |
20120118869 | DIRECT APPLICATION AUTOMOTIVE STEERING WHEEL HEATER - A primary support member defining a general shape of the steering wheel. A rigid over-molding layer generally encasing said primary support member. An electrically resistive layer disposed on said over-molding layer for being energized to create a heat source on the steering wheel. A first electrically conductive strip applied to said electrically resistive layer defining a positive electrical connection to said electrically resistive layer. A second electrically conductive strip applied to said electrically resistive layer defining a negative electrical connection to said electrically resistive layer. A dielectric layer encasing said electrically resistive layer and said first and second electrically conductive strips for insulation. A finishing cover layer applied over said dielectric layer generally encasing said dielectric layer. | 05-17-2012 |
20120305540 | CARBON POLYMER PAINT STEERING WHEEL HEATING SYSTEM - A steering wheel is provided and may include an armature having a rim and a coating at least partially surrounding the rim. A pair of electrodes may be respectively disposed within a pair of grooves formed in the coating. A polymer paint may be disposed on the coating and may include a plurality of carbon filaments that receive voltage from at least one of the pair of electrodes to selectively generate heat. | 12-06-2012 |
20120312796 | STEERING WHEEL HAVING HEATING ELEMENT AND APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING THE HEATING ELEMENT TO THE STEERING WHEEL - A steering wheel having a heating element is manufactured by directly transferring a transfer film on which an esthetic decoration pattern is printed. The heating element is an electrically conductive paste on a surface of a rim, and includes heating lines that are electrically separated from each other, and a connection unit that electrically short-circuits ends of the heating lines. Power is supplied to the heating element through the connection unit. | 12-13-2012 |
20130056455 | MEMBER, AND IN PARTICULAR, GRIPPING MEMBER, INTERIOR MEMBER, AND STEERING WHEEL - A member of the present invention is provided with: a base material | 03-07-2013 |
20130062329 | STEERING WHEEL - A steering wheel having a rim portion is provided. The rim portion includes a rim metal core, at least one heating element, which extends around the core, and a coating portion, which coats the heating element. The heating element includes a heat generating member for generating heat when electrified, a heat transfer sheet, and a flexible heat insulating sheet. The heat transfer sheet transfers heat of the heat generating member to the coating portion. The heat insulating sheet hinders heat of the heat generating member from being transferred to the core. The heat insulating sheet has first and second surfaces. The heat transfer sheet is laid on the first surface. The heat generating member is located between the first surface and the heat transfer sheet. The heating element is affixed to the core at the second surface, while being flexed to conform to the surface of the core. | 03-14-2013 |
20130098890 | Capacitive sensing system configured for using heating element as antenna electrode - A capacitive sensing system for a heating element comprises a capacitive detector connectable to the heating element and a common mode choke for connecting the heating element with a heating current supply. The detector drives an alternating current into the heating element and produces an output depending on the capacitive load, which the alternating current is subject to. Depending on the object sensed, the load varies in a range between a minimum and a maximum value. The choke represents an inductive load in parallel of the capacitive load. The capacitive load and the inductive load contribute to a complex impedance dominated by the inductive load. A compensation capacitor arranged parallel to the choke represents an additional capacitive load also contributing to the complex impedance. The compensation capacitor is dimensioned such that the sum of additional capacitive load and maximum value amounts to at least 50% of the inductive load. | 04-25-2013 |
20130228561 | STEERING WHEEL INCLUDING HEATING ELEMENT - Provided is a steering wheel having a heating element, wherein a surface of the heating element can be finished by directly transferring thereon a transfer film on which an aesthetic decoration pattern is printed. The heating element is an electrical conductive paste coated on a surface of a rim, and includes a plurality of heating lines that are electrically separated from each other, and a connection unit that electrically short-circuits the heating lines at both ends thereof, and power is supplied to the heating element through the connection unit. | 09-05-2013 |
20130248507 | METHOD OF APPLYING ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE HEATING ELEMENT ON SURFACE OF RIM OF STEERING WHEEL - A method relates to applying an electrically conductive heating element to a surface of a rim of a steering wheel. The rim of the steering wheel is structured such that a plurality of heating elements formed of a conductive paste is applied to outer circumferential surfaces of a rim. A first connection element for electrically connecting the heating elements is applied along circumferential edges of the rim contacting a separation space. A second connection element formed of a conductive paste and adapted to electrically connect the first connection elements is applied in the separation space. | 09-26-2013 |
20130292368 | STEERING WHEEL INCLUDING HEATING ELEMENT - A steering wheel includes a heating element which heats an entire rim to a uniform temperature. The heating element is coated as an electrically conductive paste on a surface of the rim, and is formed such that an electrical resistance increases away from an inner diameter portion of the rim toward an outer diameter portion of the rim. | 11-07-2013 |
20140110388 | HEATED STEERING WHEEL - A heated steering wheel having a first electrical circuit including, in series, a first heating element disposed adjacent to a 3 o'clock of the wheel, a second heating element disposed adjacent to a 9 o'clock position of the wheel, and a positive temperature coefficient thermistor heated by one of the first and second heating elements; and a second electrical circuit including, in series, a third heating element disposed at a 6 o'clock position of the wheel, a fourth heating element disposed at a 12 o'clock position of the wheel, and a negative temperature coefficient thermistor heated by one of the first and second heating elements. The flow of electricity through the second electrical circuit is delayed until after electricity has flowed through the first electrical circuit warm those portions of the wheel to a desired temperature. | 04-24-2014 |
20140151356 | HAND SENSING ON STEERING WHEEL USING HEATER ELEMENT - A steering wheel system for vehicle includes a steering wheel configured to be gripped by an occupant and a first electrode positioned within a first sensing zone on the steering wheel. The first electrode is configured to generate heat when a first signal is supplied to the first electrode. The first electrode is configured to be used to determine the proximity of a hand of an occupant of the vehicle to the first sensing zone when a second signal is supplied to the first electrode. The steering wheel system also includes a controller configured to control the supply of the first and second signals to the first electrode based on the proximity of the hand of the occupant to the first sensing zone. | 06-05-2014 |
20140175078 | FABRIC WITH ELECTRICAL FUNCTION ELEMENT - The present invention relates to a fabric ( | 06-26-2014 |
20140326708 | LIQUID RESISTANT HEATING ELEMENT - An improved heating element, comprising: (a) an electrically insulated resistive heating wire; (b) a flexible substrate that supports the electrically insulated resistive wire: (c) one or more electrical connection for an operational component of the heating element, the electrical connection including at least two wires that are joined together; (d) a spacer controlling spacing between the at least two wires approaching the electrical connection; wherein at least a portion of the electrical connection including the spacer is encapsulated in a shrunken heat shrinkable sheath that includes at least one mass of hot melt adhesive within the sheath so that the electrical connection is insulated from fluid penetration. | 11-06-2014 |
20150021309 | STEERING WHEEL HAVING A HEATING ELEMENT, AND FAIL-SAFETY DEVICE USING THE SAME - The present invention relates to a steering wheel having a heating element and a fail-safety device using the same. The steering wheel having a heating element has a rim, a surface of which is coated with an electrically conductive heating element. The heating element includes a plurality of unit heating elements arranged in parallel, each of which includes a first unit line, each of two ends of which connect a positive power-applying terminal and a negative power-applying terminal together in series; a second unit line spaced apart from the first unit line, each of two ends of which connects the positive power-applying terminal and the negative power-applying terminal together in series; and a connection line for connecting the first and second unit lines. | 01-22-2015 |
20150028014 | HEATABLE HANDLE JACKET FOR A VEHICLE - A heatable handle jacket includes a jacket mounted around a handle of a vehicle. The jacket is made of a thermally conductive material and includes an end having an outer surface with a recessed portion. A heating unit includes a heating wire mounted inside the jacket or to an inner side of the jacket. A controller is embedded in the recessed portion and electrically connected to the heating unit to control heating operation of the heating wire. | 01-29-2015 |
20150028015 | HEATING SYSTEM FOR STEERING WHEEL - A heating system for a steering wheel includes a rim is covered with different materials having a leather part and a wood grain part. The heating system includes a first heating body provided in the leather part and a second heating body is provided in the wood grain part. A power supply is connected with the first and second heating bodies so as to supply electric power thereto. A controller has a target temperature set for the first and second heating bodies and serves to, if the steering wheel needs to be heated, control the power supply to sequentially apply maximum electric power to the first and second heating bodies so as to regulate the heating operation of the first and second heating bodies. | 01-29-2015 |
20150034622 | STEERING WHEEL - The present invention is directed to a steering wheel. Turning portions are alternately formed in a longitudinal direction by way of heater wires of heating portions that are fixed to a skin body main body formed in a belt shape. Of the turning potions, on an outer circumferential side of an arc of a rim portion main body, central turning portions in a plurality of arrays are formed so as to be displaced from each other in a longitudinal direction of the rim portion main body. Among the turning portions, on an inner circumferential side of the arc of the rim portion main body, lateral turning portions are formed in such a manner that a dimension in the longitudinal direction of the rim portion main body is smaller in length than that of a respective one of turning pattern portions of the central turning portions. | 02-05-2015 |
20150102024 | OCCUPANCY SENSING WITH HEATING DEVICES - A system comprising: a heater located within a steering wheel and a heater located within a vehicle seat; wherein the steering wheel is a first plate and the vehicle seat is a second plate and a shift in a signal is monitored from the first plate, the second plate, or both so that a presence and absence of an occupant is detected, and wherein the heater in the steering wheel and the heater in the vehicle seat are a sensor. | 04-16-2015 |
20150122790 | STEERING HANDLE, AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A groove portion is arranged, along a circumferential direction of a circular arc, in a cover portion of a circular rim portion. A heater wire is housed in the groove portion. An outer layer portion is arranged which covers the heater wire and the cover portion of the rim portion. With a simple configuration, a line of the heater wire is less likely to stand out on the outer layer portion to cover the cover portion of the rim portion and the heater wire. It is possible to ensure a good appearance and improve productivity. | 05-07-2015 |
20150336601 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SHIELDING A HAND SENSOR SYSTEM IN A STEERING WHEEL - 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. | 11-26-2015 |
20150336602 | HEATER UNIT AND STEERING WHEEL - A heater unit includes a pair of substrates formed from a polymeric foam and a cord-shaped heater sandwiched between the pair of substrates. The thickness of a region of each of the substrates at which the cord-shaped heater is disposed is thinned relative to other regions of the substrates in such a manner as to be shaped to the cord-shaped heater and thus the heater unit forms a flat shape. In the heater unit, the substrates are bonded together by an adhesive layer that is composed only from a pressure-sensitive adhesive. | 11-26-2015 |
20150344061 | STEERING AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A steering and a method of manufacturing the steering are disclosed. In the steering, a heater is used in which a heating wire is fixed to a surface of a porous sheet having a density equal to 30±5 kg/m | 12-03-2015 |
20150353119 | STEERING WHEEL STRUCTURE - An inner face portion of a first heat generating body and an inner face portion of a second heat generating body, configuring a steering wheel, are respectively disposed facing a surface portion of a rim core metal section via a space portion. Configuring the space portion in a hollow state enables the inner face portion of the first heat generating body and the inner face portion of the second heat generating body to be configured in a non-constrained state. Accordingly, difference in deformation amounts between an outer face portion and the inner face portion of the first heat generating body can be suppressed from occurring when the first heat generating body generates heat. Moreover, difference in deformation amounts between an outer face portion and the inner face portion of the second heat generating body can be suppressed from occurring when the second heat generating body generates heat. | 12-10-2015 |
20150367875 | HEATER ELEMENT AND STEERING WHEEL - A heater element is disclosed, including a pair of substrates formed from foamed polyurethane resin and a cord-shaped heater disposed between the substrates, and the substrates are bonded together by hot pressing with an adhesive disposed between the substrates such that the cord-shaped heater is fixed between the substrates. The thickness of the heater element after being subjected to hot pressing exceeds 1.00 mm and the weight per unit area of the heater element after being subjected to hot pressing except a weight of the adhesive at an unallocated region where the cord-shaped heater is not disposed is within a range of 0.016 to 0.040 g/cm | 12-24-2015 |
20160009310 | STEERING DEVICE | 01-14-2016 |
20160016524 | SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR PATHWAY TO A VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL - The present invention is directed to systems for providing a pathway for at least one electrical conductor from a power source to a steering wheel comprising at least one working element therein or thereon. The working element of the steering wheel may comprise an exemplary heating element to which the electrical conductor(s) connect. Alternatively, the steering wheel may comprise controllers for vehicle functions, e.g., radio, telephone and the like to which the electrical conductor(s) connect. More specifically, several embodiments of the invention comprise an electrical conductor pathway from a power source and on/off switch through the steering column to exemplary steering wheel heating elements with accommodation for the continuous winding and unwinding that occurs when the steering wheel is turned relative to the steering column which remains stationary. | 01-21-2016 |
20160039449 | Steering Wheel - A steering wheel that enables heat to be efficiently conducted to a steering wheel outer covering. The steering wheel includes: a core; a spacer member arranged around an outer periphery of a rim portion of the core; a temperature adjusting element provided on the spacer member; and a resin layer formed to cover an outside portion of the spacer member. The spacer member keeps at least a part of the temperature adjusting element away from the core. | 02-11-2016 |
20160075365 | STEERING WHEEL HEATING SYSTEM - A heating system for a vehicle steering wheel may include a conductive element surrounding at least a portion of the steering wheel, a power supply for the conductive element configured to provide an input voltage, and a transformer between the power supply and the conductive element and configured to receive the input voltage and provide an output voltage higher than the input voltage to the conductive element for heating the steering wheel. | 03-17-2016 |
20160096543 | HANDLE HEATER, HANDLE HEATER DEVICE, AND STEERING HANDLE - A steering wheel heater device including: a heating wire; a power line connected in series to the heating wire, for supplying the heating wire with power; a ground line connected in series to the heating wire; a lead-out wire connected to a point along a wiring pattern formed of the heating wire; and a contact detection circuit electrically connected to the wiring pattern formed of the heating wire through the lead-out wire, wherein a portion of the wiring pattern is connected in series between the ground line and the contact detection circuit. | 04-07-2016 |
20160101805 | STEERING WHEEL HEATER DEVICE - A steering wheel heater device including: a steering wheel heater configured of an electrical resistor which produces heat by electrical energy; an inductor; at least one switch; and a sensor circuit, wherein the inductor is connected in series to a first terminal of the steering wheel heater, the at least one switch turns on and off the supply of power to the steering wheel heater, the sensor circuit is electrically connected to the first terminal and determines whether a detected subject is in contact with a steering wheel based on a magnitude of capacitance of the steering wheel heater, and the at least one switch is at least one of a switch connected in series to the first terminal of the steering wheel heater via the inductor and a switch connected in series to a second terminal of the steering wheel heater. | 04-14-2016 |
20160150593 | CONDUCTIVE HEATER HAVING SENSING CAPABILITIES - A combination heater and sensor comprising: (a) a heating layer, a sensing layer, or both; (b) one or more power application portions, one or more sensing application portions, or both; wherein the heating layer and the sensing layer are located within the same plane; and wherein the heating layer is a nonwoven layer that is comprised of a plurality of metallized fibers that are randomly oriented forming the heating layer so that upon application of power the heating layer provides heat. | 05-26-2016 |
20180022374 | STEERING WHEEL GRIP DETECTION DEVICE | 01-25-2018 |