Elastic support with an integrated load sensor for suspension systems of a motor-vehicle
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.
1. Elastic support for suspension systems which are on-board of a motor-vehicle, comprising:
at least one body formed of polymeric elastomeric material supplemented with carbon-based nanofillers,
the outer surface of said body having one or more piezo-resistive areas where a polymeric material supplemented with carbon-based nanofillers of said body has been made locally piezo-resistive by laser irradiation, so as to define one or more electric deformation sensors capable of detecting the load applied on said elastic support;
wherein said piezo-resistive areas are in the form of a first and a second sensorized band, which both extend along the circumferential extension of the support, wherein said first band is substantially smaller than said second band.
2. Elastic support according to claim 1 , wherein said body includes one or more conductive paths where said polymeric material supplemented with carbon-based nanofillers has been made locally electrically-conductive by laser irradiation, so as to define one or more electrical connection lines of said piezo-resistive areas with electrodes associated with said body.
3. Elastic support according to claim 2 , wherein said support comprises a plurality of said piezo-resistive areas electrically connected in series with each other by said conductive paths.
4. A motor-vehicle suspension comprising at least one pair of supports according to claim 3 .
5. A motor-vehicle suspension comprising at least one pair of supports according to claim 2 .
6. A motor-vehicle comprising a plurality of supports according to claim 2 , and an electronic control unit configured to monitor the electrical resistance of one or more electrically-conductive paths including said piezo-resistive areas and to actuate an on-board system of said motor-vehicle adapted to improve the comfort of the driver of the motor-vehicle and/or to improve the grip of the motor-vehicle in the case in which the measured electrical resistance deviates from a predetermined threshold value.
7. Elastic support according to claim 1 , wherein said support is a pad of a shock absorber unit of a suspension of the motor-vehicle.
8. A motor-vehicle suspension comprising at least one pair of supports according to claim 7 .
9. A motor-vehicle comprising a plurality of supports according to claim 7 , and an electronic control unit configured to monitor the electrical resistance of one or more electrically-conductive paths including said piezo-resistive areas and to actuate an on-board system of said motor-vehicle adapted to improve the comfort of the driver of the motor-vehicle and/or to improve the grip of the motor-vehicle in the case in which the measured electrical resistance deviates from a predetermined threshold value.
10. Elastic support according to claim 1 , wherein said support is an elastic bushing for articulating a pivoting arm of a suspension of the motor-vehicle.
11. A motor-vehicle suspension comprising at least one pair of supports according to claim 10 .
12. A motor-vehicle comprising a plurality of supports according to claim 10 , and an electronic control unit configured to monitor the electrical resistance of one or more electrically-conductive paths including said piezo-resistive areas and to actuate an on-board system of said motor-vehicle adapted to improve the comfort of the driver of the motor-vehicle and/or to improve the grip of the motor-vehicle in the case in which the measured electrical resistance deviates from a predetermined threshold value.
13. Elastic support according to claim 1 , wherein said support is a plug of an engine suspension of the motor-vehicle.
14. A motor-vehicle suspension comprising at least one pair of supports according to claim 13 .
15. A motor-vehicle comprising a plurality of supports according to claim 13 , and an electronic control unit configured to monitor the electrical resistance of one or more electrically-conductive paths including said piezo-resistive areas and to actuate an on-board system of said motor-vehicle adapted to improve the comfort of the driver of the motor-vehicle and/or to improve the grip of the motor-vehicle in the case in which the measured electrical resistance deviates from a predetermined threshold value.
16. A motor-vehicle suspension comprising at least one pair of supports according to claim 1 .
17. A motor-vehicle comprising a plurality of supports according to claim 1 , and an electronic control unit configured to monitor the electrical resistance of one or more electrically-conductive paths including said piezo-resistive areas and to actuate an on-board system of said motor-vehicle adapted to improve the comfort of the driver of the motor-vehicle and/or to improve the grip of the motor-vehicle in the case in which the measured electrical resistance deviates from a predetermined threshold value.
18. A motor-vehicle comprising a plurality of supports according to claim 1 , and an electronic control unit configured to monitor the electrical resistance of one or more electrically-conductive paths including said piezo-resistive areas and to actuate an on-board system of said motor-vehicle adapted to improve the comfort of the driver of the motor-vehicle and/or to improve the grip of the motor-vehicle in the case in which the measured electrical resistance deviates from a predetermined threshold value.
19. An elastic support for a suspension system of a motor-vehicle, comprising:
at least one body formed of polymeric elastomeric material;
the outer surface of said body having one or more piezo-resistive areas where a polymeric material supplemented with carbon-based nanofillers of said body has been made locally piezo-resistive by laser irradiation, so as to define one or more electric deformation sensors capable of detecting a load applied on said elastic support; and
wherein said piezo-resistive areas are in the form of a first sensorized band and a second sensorized band, which both extend along the circumferential extension of the support, and wherein said first band is substantially smaller than said second band.