Patents by Inventor Andrea Merulla

Andrea Merulla has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240083507
    Abstract: A motor vehicle provided with a frame, a plurality of wheels and suspensions supporting the wheels at variable relative distances with respect to the frame. The motor vehicle defines a front portion and a rear portion with respect to an advancement direction of the motor vehicle, which are opposite to each other along a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle. The frame comprises, in turn, a first body arranged on the side of the front portion and a second body arranged on the side of the rear portion. The motor vehicle further comprises a subframe, to which at least some of the suspensions are attached and which is fixed to the second body through the interposition of elastic insulator elements at a plurality of fixing points. The motor vehicle further comprises a reinforcing structure attached to the frame. The subframe is operatively interposed between the frame and the reinforcing structure and in contact with the frame and the reinforcing structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventor: Andrea MERULLA
  • Publication number: 20240025481
    Abstract: Front frame assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a suspension attachment structure, which can be fixed to a body cell of the motor vehicle defining a passenger compartment of said motor vehicle; and an absorption element adapted to absorb the energy associated with a front crash of the motor vehicle; the absorption element being distinct from the structure, being fixed to the latter and extending along a first direction. The structure comprises a first opening adapted to be passed through by a component of a steering system of the motor vehicle, a second opening having an elongated shape along a second direction transversal to the first direction; and at least one third opening opposite the second opening with respect to the first opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventor: Andrea MERULLA
  • Patent number: 11766931
    Abstract: A car having: a frame; two rear drive wheels; two rear suspensions, which support the two rear wheels; a drivetrain having two axle shafts, which transmit the motion to the rear drive wheels; a rear subframe, which is fixed to the frame in four fixing points through the interposition of elastic isolating elements, directly supports at least part of the drivetrain, and provides a coupling for the rear suspensions. The four fixing points are substantially arranged at the same vertical height. The frame has two “C”-shaped elements, each having its two ends in the area of two fixing points. Two stiffening beams are provided, each arranged longitudinally and screwed to the frame in the area of the ends of a corresponding “C”-shaped element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: FERRARI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Pezzati, Andrea Merulla
  • Publication number: 20220041055
    Abstract: A car having: a frame; two rear drive wheels; two rear suspensions, which support the two rear wheels; a drivetrain having two axle shafts, which transmit the motion to the rear drive wheels; a rear subframe, which is fixed to the frame in four fixing points through the interposition of elastic isolating elements, directly supports at least part of the drivetrain, and provides a coupling for the rear suspensions. The four fixing points are substantially arranged at the same vertical height. The frame has two “C”-shaped elements, each having its two ends in the area of two fixing points. Two stiffening beams are provided, each arranged longitudinally and screwed to the frame in the area of the ends of a corresponding “C”-shaped element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Andrea PEZZATI, Andrea MERULLA
  • Patent number: 9045099
    Abstract: A collapsible strut with controlled deformation for the frame of a road vehicle, the strut consists of an internally hollow tubular body, which presents a closed transverse section, extends between an inner end and an outer end, which are axially opposite to one another, is suited to be fixed in a projecting manner to the frame of the road vehicle at the inner end, and fulfills the function of deforming in a controlled manner in case of crash, thus collapsing axially, furthermore the strut presents a thickness which axially varies from the inner end to the outer end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Merulla
  • Publication number: 20130307289
    Abstract: A collapsible strut with controlled deformation for the frame of a road vehicle, the strut consists of an internally hollow tubular body, which presents a closed transverse section, extends between an inner end and an outer end, which are axially opposite to one another, is suited to be fixed in a projecting manner to the frame of the road vehicle at the inner end, and fulfils the function of deforming in a controlled manner in case of crash, thus collapsing axially, furthermore the strut presents a thickness which axially varies from the inner end to the outer end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Merulla