US Patent 10011222 On touch self-light growth steering wheel

A system includes a shell at least partially formed in a shape of a steering wheel and having a first layer and a second layer spaced apart from one another. The system further includes an LED coupled to the shell or the steering wheel. The system also includes a positive triboelectric material coupled to the first layer of the shell and that loses electrons in response to friction. The system further includes a negative triboelectric material coupled to the second layer of the shell and that gains electrons in response to friction. The system further includes an electrical connector coupled to the LED and at least one of the positive triboelectric material or the negative triboelectric material. Current flows through the electrical connector to illuminate the LED when force is being applied to the shell causing the positive triboelectric material to contact the negative triboelectric material.