Apparatus and method for heating a steering wheel

Abstract

Provided for herein is a method of making a heated steering wheel, comprising depositing an electrically conductive layer on at least a portion of a steering wheel substrate to produce thereon a heating element for receiving an electrical current and providing a source of heat. Also disclosed is a heating element for a steering wheel and a heated steering wheel assembly formed using this method.

1 . A method of making a heated steering wheel, comprising: 
 providing a steering wheel with a non-conductive substrate material having a non-uniform surface;    spraying an electrically conductive layer on at least a portion of said substrate material to produce thereon a heating element having an average surface resistivity of less than or equal to about 2 ohms based on an operational voltage of 14 volts for receiving an electrical current and providing a source of heat, said electrically conductive layer comprising a silver plated copper pigment and a thermoplastic binder;    providing a bus bar to provide an electrical connection to said electrically conductive layer, wherein said electrically conductive layer is applied in a manner to accommodate said non-uniform surface and said bus bar such that a smooth surface is provided.    
   
   
       2 . A heated steering wheel assembly, comprising: 
 an electrically conductive layer spray deposited on at least a portion of a non-uniform steering wheel substrate to produce thereon a heating element for receiving an electrical current and providing a source of heat, said heating element being applied in a manner to provide a smooth outer surface while being applied to said non-uniform steering wheel substrate; and    a second layer deposited over at least a portion of said heating element, wherein said electrically conductive layer comprises a silver pigment and an acrylic binder, wherein said steering wheel substrate comprises a non-conductive material encapsulating a magnesium frame.    
   
   
       3 . A method of making a heated steering wheel, comprising: 
 providing a steering wheel insert with a non-conductive substrate material having a non-uniform surface;    spraying an electrically conductive layer on at least a portion of said substrate material to produce thereon a heating element for receiving an electrical current and providing a source of heat, said electrically conductive layer;    providing a bus bar to provide an electrical connection to said electrically conductive layer, wherein said electrically conductive layer is applied in a manner to accommodate said non-uniform surface and said bus bar such that a smooth surface is provided, wherein said non-conductive substrate material is polyurethane and said electrically conductive layer comprises two elements disposed in a manner to avoid deposition of said electrically conductive layer on a parting line of said substrate material,    wherein said electrically conductive layer is formed from a curable electrically conductive ink comprising an electrically conductive material and a curable medium comprising a resin selected from the group consisting of thermosetting resins, elastomeric resins thermoplastic resins, and combinations comprising at lease one of the foregoing.