Patents by Inventor Andrea Raffaelli

Andrea Raffaelli 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).

  • Patent number: 12194855
    Abstract: The present invention relates to saddle-ride type vehicle, motorcycle or motorbike, comprising a frame (2), at least a steering wheel (3) rotatably connected to the frame and a single driving wheel (4). The vehicle further comprises a motor assembly (10) and a transmission unit (T) that mechanically connects the motor assembly (10) to the driving wheel. The motor assembly comprises a thermal engine (MT) including a crankshaft (11), an electric machine (E) including a stator (S) and a rotor (R), and a clutch (C) including a driving shaft (C1) and a driven shaft (C2). The motor assembly (10) further comprises a gearbox (G) provided with an input shaft (111) and an output shaft (112).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Piaggio & C. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Cappellini, Andrea Raffaelli, Mario Santucci
  • Publication number: 20240399847
    Abstract: A saddle-ride motorcycle comprises a drive wheel and a hybrid-type propulsion unit. The propulsion unit comprises a thermal combustion engine which includes a drive shaft, a first transmission assembly mechanically connecting the drive shaft to the drive wheel and an electric machine which can be operated independently of/in combination with the thermal combustion engine. The propulsion unit further comprises a second transmission assembly mechanically connecting a rotor of the electric machine to the drive wheel and separated from the first transmission assembly. The motorcycle also comprises a support bracket shaped to rotatably support the drive wheel and having the electric machine mounted thereon. The rotation axis of the rotor of the electric machine is parallel with respect to a rotation axis of the drive wheel. Furthermore, the rotation axis of the rotor is placed in an offset position with respect to the rotation axis of the drive wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Andrea Raffaelli, Mario Donato Santucci
  • Publication number: 20240359774
    Abstract: Electric scooter having: a footboard; at least one driving wheel that is coupled to the footboard and is arranged in a front or rear position; at least one driven wheel which is coupled to the footboard and is arranged in a rear or front position; a handlebar operatively coupled to the footboard to turn a front wheel; an electric motor that is suitable for turning the driving wheel; and a gearbox with two or more gear ratios that is interposed between the electric motor and the driving wheel to receive the motion from the electric motor and transmit motion to the driving wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Inventors: Andrea Raffaelli, Alessandro Sorio, Alessandro Summa
  • Publication number: 20240278871
    Abstract: The motor vehicle comprises two front steering and rolling wheels (4, 4?) and at least one rear rolling wheel (9). The motor vehicle comprises a roll four bar linkage (10) connected to a frame (2A-2B) and which supports the front steered wheels (4, 4?). A suspension group (71, 71?) is interposed between the front wheels (4, 4?) and the roll four bar linkage (10) to allow movement of the front wheels with respect to the roll four bar linkage (10). The roll four bar linkage (10) comprises: a lower cross member (11) and an upper cross member (12) hinged to the frame to pivot around first roll axes (101, 101?); and a right upright (21) and a left upright (21?) hinged to the cross members (11, 12) so as to rotate around second roll axes (212, 212?, 221, 221?) parallel to the first roll axes (101, 101?). The lower cross member (11) extends along a longitudinal direction between the front wheels and beyond said front wheels to form a loading surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Inventors: Andrea RAFFAELLI, Mario Donato SANTUCCI
  • Publication number: 20240270342
    Abstract: The motor vehicle comprises two front steering and rolling wheels (4, 4?) and at least one rear rolling wheel (9). The motor vehicle comprises a rolling four-bar linkage (10) connected to a frame (2A-2B) and which supports the front steered wheels (4, 4?). A suspension group (71, 71?) is interposed between the front wheels (4, 4?) and the rolling four-bar linkage (10) to allow movement of the front wheels with respect to the rolling four-bar linkage (10). The rolling four-bar linkage (10) comprises: a lower cross member (11) and an upper cross member (12) hinged to the frame to pivot around first roll axes (101, 101?); and a right upright (21) and a left upright (21?) hinged to the cross members (11, 12) so as to rotate around second roll axes (212, 212?, 221, 221?) parallel to the first roll axes (101, 101?). The lower cross member (11) extends along a longitudinal direction and above the upper cross member (12) so as to carry a load above the upper cross member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Andrea RAFFAELLI, Mario Donato SANTUCCI
  • Publication number: 20240253726
    Abstract: A saddle-riding type motor vehicle comprises steerable and rollable front wheels, at least one drive rolling wheel, an articulated rolling quadrilateral connected to a frame, and a steering assembly pivotably connected to the frame to control the front wheels. A suspension assembly is interposed between the front wheels and the quadrilateral to allow a sussultatory movement of the wheels with respect to the quadrilateral. The latter comprises lower and upper cross-members hinged to the frame to oscillate about rolling median axes parallel and substantially lying on a center plane of the motor vehicle. The articulated rolling quadrilateral further comprises first and second uprights hinged to the cross-members so as to rotate about further rolling axes parallel to the median rolling axes. A front-end fairing is directly and rigidly connected to one of the cross-members of the articulated roll quadrilateral, and comprises two wheel arch portions arranged above the front wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: ANDREA RAFFAELLI, Mario Donato SANTUCCI
  • Publication number: 20240246630
    Abstract: The tilting saddle-riding motor vehicle (1) includes a frame (3), two front steered wheels (11A, 11B) and two rear driving wheels (15A, 15B). The front steered wheels and the frame are adapted to perform a tilting movement during travel, while the rear driving wheels are supported on a carriage (19) which does not have a tilting movement and is connected to the frame by means of a tilting joint, which allows the frame to rotate around the roll axis, for example on a bend, while the carriage (19) does not participate in the tilting movement, i.e. it does not tilt to the right or left.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Inventor: Andrea RAFFAELLI
  • Patent number: 12030584
    Abstract: The motor vehicle (1) includes a rolling forecarriage (3) and a non-rolling rear carriage (5). The forecarriage is connected to the rear carriage by a linkage system (23) that includes a four-bar linkage defining a roll axis that remains in a fixed position and on the supporting surface (S) of the motor vehicle (1) when the motor vehicle performs a roll movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Raffaelli
  • Patent number: 11999434
    Abstract: The saddle-riding motor vehicle (1; 107; 207) comprises a rear driving wheel (5; 105; 205) and a front steered wheel (7; 107; 207). The front steered wheel (7; 107; 207X, 207Y) is connected to a rotatable arm (9; 109; 209X, 209Y) provided with a rotary motion about a steering axis (A-A). A wheel support (37; 137) is connected to the rotatable arm (9; 109; 209) with the interposition of a suspension (17; 117; 217X, 217Y) comprising a shock absorber (22; 122). The suspension (17; 117) comprises a Watt four-bar linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Raffaelli
  • Patent number: 11993339
    Abstract: The motor vehicle (1) comprises a forecarriage frame (11) to which a steering tube (13) is constrained, inside which a steering column (15) is rotatingly housed. The motor vehicle also comprises a four-bar linkage (23) connected to the forecarriage frame (11) and that supports a first front wheel (5?) by means of a first supporting member (35) and a second front wheel (5?) by means of a second supporting member (35?). The four-bar linkage comprises two crossbars (25, 27). A steering linkage (19) transmits the steering movement, controlled by means of the steering column, to the first front wheel (5) and to the second front wheel (5?). The motor vehicle also comprises suspensions (71?) for the first front wheel (5?) and for the second front wheel (5?). The two suspensions are at least partially housed in cavities (41) of the respective uprights (29?, 29?) of the four-bar link-age (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & CO. S.P.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Raffaelli
  • Patent number: 11952076
    Abstract: There is described a three-wheeled vehicle (1) with two front steered wheels and two footboards (41.1, 41.2) on which the driver stands to drive the vehicle. The footboards are supported on a tilting four-bar linkage, having a front crosspiece 27 and a rear crosspiece 33, between which two rocker arms 31.1 and 31.2 extend. The front steered wheels are supported by the rocker arms and rotate around steering axes (S.1, S.2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Raffaelli
  • Publication number: 20240067293
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a saddle-riding type vehicle (1) comprising a frame (2) extending mainly along a longitudinal direction (L) and comprising a front portion (2A), a central portion (2B) and a rear portion (2C). The vehicle comprises a powertrain connected to the frame (2) and comprising at least one electric motor (11) operatively connected to at least one driving wheel (9). The vehicle also comprises an electrical power supply assembly suitable for powering said electric motor (11) so as to allow the traction of the vehicle (1) and comprising at least one first pair of batteries (12, 12?) arranged on opposite sides with respect to a longitudinal center plane (a) of the vehicle (1), orthogonal to the axis of rotation of said at least one driving wheel (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Andrea Raffaelli, Stefano Bartolozzi, Valentino Mariotti
  • Publication number: 20240043086
    Abstract: The motor vehicle (1) includes a rolling forecarriage (3) and a non-rolling rear carriage (5). The forecarriage is connected to the rear carriage by a linkage system (23) that includes a four-bar linkage defining a roll axis that remains in a fixed position and on the supporting surface (S) of the motor vehicle (1) when the motor vehicle performs a roll movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2021
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventor: Andrea RAFFAELLI
  • Publication number: 20240010295
    Abstract: An oscillating arm front suspension for a saddle riding vehicle including: a steering bar mechanically connected, or adapted to be connected, to a steering handlebar of the saddle riding vehicle; a first oscillating arm having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion, where the first end portion of the first oscillating arm is rotatably joined to the steering bar and where the first oscillating arm directly carries a rotation pin of an associable front wheel of the saddle riding vehicle; a shock absorber assembly which extends between a attachment head and a attachment foot; a support element adapted and configured to support the shock absorber assembly and a braking member, the attachment foot being rotatably joined to the support element; a second oscillating arm operatively interposed between the steering bar and the support element, where the second oscillating arm is rotatably joined to the steering bar and to the support element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Andrea RAFFAELLI, Valentino MARIOTTI, Mario Donato SANTUCCI
  • Patent number: 11794844
    Abstract: Riding-saddle motor vehicle including a front frame which extends along a longitudinal direction having at least one front wheel, a rear frame having a pair of rear wheels mounted on opposite sides of a rear wheel axis, a motor unit mounted on board the front frame and adapted to provide a driving torque to the pair of rear wheels and/or the front wheel, where the motor unit is connected to the rear wheel axis by means of an articulated transmission joint adapted to allow a relative rotation, around the longitudinal direction, between the front frame and the rear frame, and transmit a driving torque to the pair of rear wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.A
    Inventor: Andrea Raffaelli
  • Patent number: 11713090
    Abstract: The motor vehicle (1) comprises at least one rear driving wheel (5) and two front steered wheels (7?, 7?). A tilting four bar linkage (11) allows the motor vehicle to perform a tilting movement, for example, when cornering. Support arms (21?, 21?) for front steered wheels (7?, 7?), which rotate around steering axes (21A?, 21A?) and are joined to each other by a steering bar (23), are associated with the tilting four bar linkage. Each wheel is constrained to the respective support arm with the interposition of a suspension (33; 33?). A tilting locking device comprises a brake (53?, 53?) which locks the springing movement of the respective suspension and the tilting movement of the four bar linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Raffaelli
  • Patent number: 11708125
    Abstract: Shock absorber having a main sheath and a main piston sliding inside the main sheath in a sliding direction (X-X), the main piston including a main rod coming out of the main sheath and a main head contained inside the main sheath, the main sheath being filled with hydraulic fluid, a secondary sheath fluidically connected to the main sheath and provided with at least one damping valve, where the secondary sheath is connected to the main sheath by a first and a second passage placed at opposite ends to the main head of the main piston, along the sliding direction (X-X), the secondary sheath including a control valve movable, according to a regulation stroke, between an unlocking position, in which it does not interfere with the first and second passages, and a blocking position, where it occludes the first and second passages so as to realize a selective two-way block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.A
    Inventor: Andrea Raffaelli
  • Publication number: 20230009612
    Abstract: The present invention relates to saddle-ride type vehicle, motorcycle or motorbike, comprising a frame (2), at least a steering wheel (3) rotatably connected to the frame and a single driving wheel (4). The vehicle further comprises a motor assembly (10) and a transmission unit (T) that mechanically connects the motor assembly (10) to the driving wheel. The motor assembly comprises a thermal engine (MT) including a crankshaft (11), an electric machine (E) including a stator(S) and a rotor (R), and a clutch (C) including a driving shaft (C1) and a driven shaft (C2). The motor assembly (10) further comprises a gearbox (G) provided with an input shaft (111) and an output shaft (112).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Antonio Cappellini, Andrea Raffaelli, Mario Santucci
  • Publication number: 20220402569
    Abstract: There is described a three-wheeled vehicle (1) with two front steered wheels and two footboards (41.1, 41.2) on which the driver stands to drive the vehicle. The footboards are supported on a tilting four-bar linkage, having a front crosspiece 27 and a rear crosspiece 33, between which two rocker arms 31.1 and 31.2 extend. The front steered wheels are supported by the rocker arms and rotate around steering axes (S.1, S.2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventor: Andrea RAFFAELLI
  • Publication number: 20220396332
    Abstract: The saddle-riding motor vehicle (1; 107; 207) comprises a rear driving wheel (5; 105; 205) and a front steered wheel (7; 107; 207). The front steered wheel (7; 107; 207X, 207Y) is connected to a rotatable arm (9; 109; 209X, 209Y) provided with a rotary motion about a steering axis (A-A). A wheel support (37; 137) is connected to the rotatable arm (9; 109; 209) with the interposition of a suspension (17; 117; 217X, 217Y) comprising a shock absorber (22; 122). The suspension (17; 117) comprises a Roberts four-bar linkage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventor: Andrea RAFFAELLI