Abstract: A seal for a movable part of a motor-vehicle includes at least one body formed of polymeric elastomeric material supplemented with carbon-based nanofillers. The body includes an outer surface having one or more piezo-resistive areas where the polymeric material supplemented with carbon-based nanofillers is piezo-resistive due to laser irradiation to define one or more electric deformation sensors activatable in response to a contact with a foreign body during the movement of the movable part of the motor-vehicle. The body also includes one or more conductive lines made locally electrically-conductive due to laser irradiation to define the one or more electrical connection lines connecting the electric deformation sensors to electrodes associated with the seal.

Abstract: A tube of elastomeric material for an air conditioning system or for other system which is on-board of a motor-vehicle is intended to be fitted over a metal connecting element and to be locked onto the latter by means of a crimping operation that envisages the clamping around the tube of a metal clamping element. The tube includes at least one body made of polymeric elastomeric material supplemented with carbon-based nanofillers wherein an outer surface with one or more piezo-resistive areas is provided, where the polymeric material supplemented with carbon-based nanofillers has been made locally piezo-resistive by means of laser irradiation. The piezo-resistive areas arranged on the body of polymeric elastomeric material of the tube can be used for verifying the correct execution of the crimping operation.

Abstract: A deformation detecting device includes weft yarns and warp yarns woven together. At least some of the weft yarns, or some weft yarns, and some warp yarns, are electrically conductive. The weft yarns include a flocking made up of non-electrically conductive fibers protruding substantially radially from the weft yarns. The electrically conductive yarns are connected to conductive ends for applying an electrical voltage, such that yarns that are connected to conductive ends with different polarities define respective plates of a capacitive sensor, while the fibers of the flocking of the weft yarns define a dielectric material interposed between the capacitive sensor plates. The device comprises an electronic control and processing unit configured to detect a deformation of the fabric based on a capacitance variation of the capacitive sensor.

Abstract: An elastic support for on-board suspension systems of a motor-vehicle includes at least one body formed of polymeric elastomeric material supplemented with carbon-based nanofillers. An outer surface is provided with one or more piezo-resistive areas where a polymeric material supplemented with carbon-based nanofillers has been made locally piezo-resistive by laser irradiation so as to define one or more electric deformation sensors configured to detect the load applied on the elastic support.

Abstract: A component for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle includes a rigid supporting body, made of plastic material, an outer upholstery skin, made of plastic material, and a padding body made of foamed plastic material, which is set between the rigid body and the outer upholstery skin. The rigid body and the outer skin have portions formed by a polymeric material with carbon-based nanofillers, which have respective inner surfaces facing the padding body, which include one or more paths where said polymeric material with carbon-based nanofillers has been rendered electrically conductive by laser irradiation to define one or more electrical circuits, and one or more piezoresistive areas where the polymeric material has been rendered piezoresistive by laser irradiation to define one or more electrical switches, which can be activated by exerting a localized pressure on the outer upholstery skin.

Abstract: A deformation detecting device includes weft yarns and warp yarns woven together. At least some of the weft yarns, or some weft yarns, and some warp yarns, are electrically conductive. The weft yarns include a flocking made up of non-electrically conductive fibers protruding substantially radially from the weft yarns. The electrically conductive yarns are connected to conductive ends for applying an electrical voltage, such that yarns that are connected to conductive ends with different polarities define respective plates of a capacitive sensor, while the fibers of the flocking of the weft yarns define a dielectric material interposed between the capacitive sensor plates. The device comprises an electronic control and processing unit configured to detect a deformation of the fabric based on a capacitance variation of the capacitive sensor.

Abstract: An elastic support for on-board suspension systems of a motor-vehicle includes at least one body formed of polymeric elastomeric material supplemented with carbon-based nanofillers. An outer surface is provided with one or more piezo-resistive areas where a polymeric material supplemented with carbon-based nanofillers has been made locally piezo-resistive by laser irradiation so as to define one or more electric deformation sensors configured to detect the load applied on the elastic support.

Abstract: A sealing and/or guiding seal for a motor-vehicle window or other movable part of a motor-vehicle, includes at least one body formed of polymeric elastomeric material supplemented with carbon-based nanofillers. The body includes an outer surface with one or more piezo-resistive areas where the polymeric material supplemented with carbon-based nanofillers has been made locally piezo-resistive by laser irradiation. One or more electric deformation sensors are defined so as to detect an interference with an unrelated body during the movement of the movable part of the motor-vehicle. The body also includes one or more conductive paths where the polymeric material supplemented with carbon-based nanofillers has been made locally electrically-conductive by means of laser irradiation, so as to define one or more electrical connection lines of the piezo-resistive areas with electrodes associated with the seal.

Abstract: A tube of elastomeric material for an air conditioning system or for other system which is on-board of a motor-vehicle is intended to be fitted over a metal connecting element and to be locked onto the latter by means of a crimping operation that envisages the clamping around the tube of a metal clamping element. The tube includes at least one body made of polymeric elastomeric material supplemented with carbon-based nanofillers wherein an outer surface with one or more piezo-resistive areas is provided, where the polymeric material supplemented with carbon-based nanofillers has been made locally piezo-resistive by means of laser irradiation. The piezo-resistive areas arranged on the body of polymeric elastomeric material of the tube can be used for verifying the correct execution of the crimping operation.

Abstract: A component for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle includes a rigid supporting body, made of plastic material, an outer upholstery skin, made of plastic material, and a padding body made of foamed plastic material, which is set between the rigid body and the outer upholstery skin. The rigid body and the outer skin have portions formed by a polymeric material with carbon-based nanofillers, which have respective inner surfaces facing the padding body, which include one or more paths where said polymeric material with carbon-based nanofillers has been rendered electrically conductive by laser irradiation to define one or more electrical circuits, and one or more piezoresistive areas where the polymeric material has been rendered piezoresistive by laser irradiation to define one or more electrical switches, which can be activated by exerting a localized pressure on the outer upholstery skin.

Abstract: A component for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle includes a rigid supporting body, made of plastic material, an outer upholstery skin, made of plastic material, and a padding body made of foamed plastic material, which is set between the rigid body and the outer upholstery skin. The rigid body and the outer skin have portions formed by a polymeric material with carbon-based nanofillers, which have respective inner surfaces facing the padding body, which include one or more paths where said polymeric material with carbon-based nanofillers has been rendered electrically conductive by laser irradiation to define one or more electrical circuits, and one or more piezoresistive areas where the polymeric material has been rendered piezoresistive by laser irradiation to define one or more electrical switches, which can be activated by exerting a localized pressure on the outer upholstery skin.

Abstract: A component for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle includes a rigid supporting body, made of plastic material, an outer upholstery skin, made of plastic material, and a padding body made of foamed plastic material, which is set between the rigid body and the outer upholstery skin. The rigid body and the outer skin have portions formed by a polymeric material with carbon-based nanofillers, which have respective inner surfaces facing the padding body, which include one or more paths where said polymeric material with carbon-based nanofillers has been rendered electrically conductive by laser irradiation to define one or more electrical circuits, and one or more piezoresistive areas where the polymeric material has been rendered piezoresistive by laser irradiation to define one or more electrical switches, which can be activated by exerting a localized pressure on the outer upholstery skin.