Abstract: A method for measuring a degree of cross-linking of a component of elastomeric material obtained as a result of a hot-forming process, includes a preliminary calibration step in which a plurality of samples are provided, made of the same material as the component. The samples have different degrees of cross-linking following respective hot-forming processes conducted for different periods of time. The preliminary calibration step includes providing a measuring device having an electrical circuit, in which a voltage generator is arranged in series with metal contacts configured to selectively receive a sample, and an ammeter, positioning a sample between said metal contacts, providing a predetermined voltage value, and detecting the corresponding current value by means of said ammeter.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system includes a master cylinder. In a delivery line of the master cylinder there is a pressure transfer device, which generates a pressure in a hydraulic actuating line of a respective brake device following a fluid pressure communicated to a first inlet of the pressure transfer device from the delivery line and/or following a fluid pressure supplied to a second inlet of the pressure transfer device from an electrically-operated fluid pressure source. An electronic controller controls an enabling/disabling solenoid valve, and the electrically-operated fluid pressure source to create different operating modes of the system. The system does not include any vacuum-operated servo-assisting devices. The master cylinder is associated with a hydraulic device for adjusting the feeling on the brake pedal, in which a fluid pressure is generated that opposes the brake pedal actuation. The electronic controller controls the pressure in the device for adjustment of the feeling on the pedal.

Abstract: A system for assisting an operator in a work station includes a collaborative robot, with a robot electronic controller, configured for conducting an operation in an open, non-protected space, adjacent and in cooperation with the operator, an exoskeleton including one or more actuators, wearable by the operator for receiving assistance in conducting one or more operations, a plurality of sensors associable to the body of the operator and configured for detecting at least one parameter.

Abstract: A light duty vehicle includes a vehicle frame, including a pair of vehicle longitudinal beams connected to each other by a plurality of cross-members and a cabin frame, having a pair of cabin longitudinal beams rigidly connected to front ends of the vehicle longitudinal beams. A supporting structure for auxiliary units, such as gaseous fuel tanks or electric batteries, which is carried by the vehicle frame, and includes an auxiliary frame extending between the vehicle longitudinal beams and having connection plates arranged in vertical planes parallel to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle frame and which are in contact with mutually facing inner lateral walls of the vehicle longitudinal beams and are rigidly connected to these longitudinal beams. The auxiliary frame fulfills a structural function equivalent to the structural function of one or more cross-members at an area of the vehicle frame where the cross-members are omitted.

Abstract: A suspension device of a motor-vehicle wheel includes a support member of the motor-vehicle wheel connectable to the motor-vehicle structure by means of one or more suspension members, a brake disc connected in rotation with the motor-vehicle wheel, a brake caliper associated with the brake disc and a brake disc cover. The brake caliper is formed in a single piece with the support member of the motor-vehicle wheel by means of additive manufacturing technology.

Abstract: A gripping tool, usable on a manipulator device for picking up and handling items includes a support frame extending along a first axis, provided with an attachment element for connecting to the manipulator device; and a plurality of gripping devices distributed in assemblies. Each assembly is carried by a respective auxiliary frame connected to the support frame by means of respective connecting members configured to be able to adjust the auxiliary frames and the gripping devices in position with respect to the support frame.

Abstract: A method for moulding a sheet into a component of complex shape having areas with different mechanical properties, particularly a motor-vehicle component, includes a first heating step of the sheet carried out by a kiln, prior to forming the component. The kiln has a main body with a roller shape, having a plurality of sectors extending along a radial direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of the roller body. The sectors are configured to each receive a sheet, so that the main body with a roller shape is arranged to simultaneously carry a plurality of sheets. The kiln includes a plurality of heating elements incorporated in the roller-shaped main body, so as to heat the sheets in contact with the roller body. The kiln includes at least one electronically-controlled drive motor, arranged to rotate the roller-shaped main body around the longitudinal axis of the kiln, so as to vary the position of the sectors with respect to the inlet and outlet ports.

Abstract: A structural joint between two components of metal material is obtained by carrying out an electrical resistance welding spot between said components and subsequently performing a step of applying a cladding of metal material by an additive manufacturing technology. In one example, after a first step of applying a coarse base cladding, a second step of applying a fine cladding is carried out, again by additive manufacturing technology. The fine cladding can include a distribution of stiffening micro-ribs above the base cladding. The same method can also be applied to a single sheet metal component, rather than to a welded joint.

Abstract: A method for providing a welded joint includes: providing a first metal sheet having a first melting point; providing a second metal sheet having a second melting point, the second melting point being lower than the first melting point; providing a weld material; and joining the first metal sheet and the second metal sheet together by means of the weld material, thus defining a first joining interface between the first metal sheet and the weld material and a second joining interface between the second metal sheet and the weld material. The joining includes heating the second metal sheet at the second joining interface to a temperature higher than the second melting point, but lower than the first melting point.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an electro-hydraulic system for variable actuation of intake valves where each cylinder has two intake valves, associated with two intake conduits. A first conduit is generates within the cylinder a tumble motion of airflow introduced therein, when the intake valve associated thereto is at least partially opened. The second intake conduit generates within the cylinder a swirl motion of airflow introduced therein when the second intake valve is at least partially opened. A controller of controls one or more control valves to open only one of the intake valves of each cylinder in a condition of reduced engine operation, below a predetermined load and/or a predetermined speed of the engine, and to always open both intake valves in the remaining conditions of engine operation. The first intake valve is the only valve to be opened in the reduced engine operation condition.

Abstract: Described herein is a single-sided welding head including a first welding electrode and a second welding electrode, where the first and second welding electrodes are carried by a body of said welding head. The first welding electrode is movable relative to the body of said welding head at least along a first coordinate of motion. The second welding electrode is movable relative to the body of said welding head at least along a second coordinate of motion; where said first coordinate of motion is a coordinate of angular motion that develops about a first axis of rotation, and said second coordinate of motion is a coordinate of linear motion that develops along a first axis of translation.

Abstract: A method of controlling a pickup manoeuvre of a hybrid vehicle is actuated with an engine off, an electric motor active and a first clutch being open. In a first phase of the manoeuvre, vehicle advancement is obtained by progressively closing the second clutch so that the input shaft is set in rotation with an increasing speed, while the motor rotates at an increasing speed higher than a speed of the input shaft with the second clutch in a slip condition. Upon a request for starting the engine, the first clutch is progressively closed so that the engine starts to be driven by the motor, while the second clutch is kept in the slip condition, which is maintained until the engine and motor rotate substantially at a same speed, higher than the speed of the input shaft, and once this condition is reached, closing of the second clutch is started.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle hybrid propulsion system is provided. The propulsion system includes an internal combustion engine, first and second clutches, an electric motor, and a gearbox having an input shaft and an output shaft connected to drive wheels. The method includes a first operating mode of starting the engine by the motor, a second operating mode of actuating a gear shift, and a third operating mode which actuates starting of the engine and the gear shift. The method includes passing from the first to the third operating modes even if starting of the engine has not been completed, or passing from the second to the third operating modes even if actuation of the gear shift has not been completed, so that the transition from one operating mode to another can be freely actuated at any time, depending upon operating conditions of the hybrid propulsion system.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system includes a master cylinder. In a delivery line of the master cylinder there is a pressure transfer device, which generates a pressure in a hydraulic actuating line of a respective brake device following a fluid pressure communicated to a first inlet of the pressure transfer device from the delivery line and/or following a fluid pressure supplied to a second inlet of the pressure transfer device from an electrically-operated fluid pressure source. An electronic controller controls an enabling/disabling solenoid valve, and the electrically-operated fluid pressure source to create different operating modes of the system. The system does not include any vacuum-operated servo-assisting devices. The master cylinder is associated with a hydraulic device for adjusting the feeling on the brake pedal, in which a fluid pressure is generated that opposes the brake pedal actuation. The electronic controller controls the pressure in the device for adjustment of the feeling on the pedal.

Abstract: A hinge of a motor-vehicle mobile part includes a first and a second hinge element mounted articulated with respect to each other about a hinge axis. The second hinge element is articulated to the first hinge element by an articulation portion having two pins defining the hinge axis, and projecting in opposite directions from two sides of the second hinge element. The first hinge element and the second hinge element are obtained by an additive manufacturing technique in an already reciprocally articulated condition, with the pins mounted with clearance within respective articulation seats formed on two flanges of the first hinge element adjacent to the sides of the second hinge element. The hinge also includes two bushing-shaped members, each interposed between one of said two pins and the respective articulation seat.

Abstract: A device for detecting a sparkle effect of a transparent sample arranged in front of an image source, to which also a first polarizer having an optical axis of polarization is associated, wherein the detection device includes an imaging system, and wherein the transparent sample, the first polarizer and the imaging system are arranged along an optical path originated from the image source. The detection device includes a second polarizer, arranged between the transparent sample and the imaging system, having an optical axis of polarization directed at ninety degrees with respect to the optical axis of polarization of the first polarizer.

Abstract: An engine includes at least one cylinder, a first intake valve and a second intake valve associated with the cylinder, to control a flow of intake air from a first intake duct and a second intake duct, respectively. The two intake ducts communicate with a common intake manifold, so as to receive air at the same pressure. During the intake stage, in each cylinder operating cycle, initially an opening and closing movement of only the first intake valve is activated, while the second intake valve remains closed and, subsequently, an opening and closing movement of only said second intake valve is activated, while the first intake valve remains closed. In this way, the two air flows at the same pressure entering the cylinder give rise to a high turbulent kinetic energy, to the advantage of combustion efficiency and reduction of harmful exhaust emissions.

Abstract: A method for molding a sheet into a motor-vehicle component includes heating the sheet by a kiln, prior to forming the component. The kiln has a main body with a roller shape, having a plurality of sectors extending along a radial direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of the roller body. The sectors are configured to each receive a sheet, so that the main body with a roller shape is arranged to simultaneously carry a plurality of sheets. The kiln includes a plurality of heating elements in said main body with a roller shape and configured to heat only the first portion of the roller body, so that the roller shaped main body is designed to heat the sheets in a differentiated way, particularly at their areas in contact with said first portion of the roller body. The kiln includes at least one electronically-controlled drive motor, arranged to rotate the roller-shaped main body around the longitudinal axis of the kiln, so as to vary the position of the sectors with respect to the inlet and outlet ports.

Abstract: A structural joint between two components of metal material is obtained by carrying out an electrical resistance welding spot between said components and subsequently performing a step of applying a cladding of metal material by an additive manufacturing technology. In one example, after a first step of applying a coarse base cladding, a second step of applying a fine cladding is carried out, again by additive manufacturing technology. The fine cladding can include a distribution of stiffening micro-ribs above the base cladding. The same method can also be applied to a single sheet metal component, rather than to a welded joint.

Abstract: Described herein is a suction-type gripping device including a suction-cup and configured for handling a component, for example a sheet-metal component for a motor vehicle. The device includes a plurality of pins that can slide with respect to the suction cup. The pins define a variable-geometry bed configured for reproducing the geometry of the component to be handled.