Patents by Inventor Antonio Frello
Antonio Frello 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).
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Patent number: 11828092Abstract: An electrical latch for a closure system of a motor vehicle and method of operating are provided. The electrical latch includes a latching mechanism having a pawl and ratchet, a cinching mechanism having a cinching lever, and an electric actuator mechanism for actuating at least the cinching lever. The electrical latch further includes a control unit powered by a main power source and having a control circuit controlling operation of the actuator mechanism to affect the position of the cinch lever, and a backup energy source providing power to the control circuit and the actuator mechanism in the event a fault condition is experienced by the main power source. The electrical latch is configured to return the cinching lever to a home uncinched position in response to switching of power from the main power source to the backup energy source.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2020Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES S.P.A.Inventors: Davide Dente, Emanuele Leonardi, Antonio Frello
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Patent number: 11377896Abstract: A window regulator system for a window coupled to a door and movable between fully open and closed positions and a short drop position and method of operation are disclosed. The system includes rails with window regulator lifter plate assemblies being moveable along the rails by cables. A motor winds the cables to move the window. An electronic control unit detects operation of at least one of a door handle and a latch of the door to identify a short drop request corresponding to the door shut or opened. The electronic control unit ensures that no freeplay exists in the window regulator system to provide accurate movement of the window and controls the motor to selectively raise the window to the fully closed position in response to the door being shut and temporarily lower the window to the short drop position in response to identifying the short drop request.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2019Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.Inventors: Jacopo Fanucchi, Fabio Bernardo, Antonio Frello
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Publication number: 20210108451Abstract: An electrical latch for a closure system of a motor vehicle and method of operating are provided. The electrical latch includes a latching mechanism having a pawl and ratchet, a cinching mechanism having a cinching lever, and an electric actuator mechanism for actuating at least the cinching lever. The electrical latch further includes a control unit powered by a main power source and having a control circuit controlling operation of the actuator mechanism to affect the position of the cinch lever, and a backup energy source providing power to the control circuit and the actuator mechanism in the event a fault condition is experienced by the main power source. The electrical latch is configured to return the cinching lever to a home uncinched position in response to switching of power from the main power source to the backup energy source.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2020Publication date: April 15, 2021Inventors: Davide Dente, Emanuele Leonardi, Antonio Frello
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Patent number: 10876329Abstract: An electrical latch for a closure system of a motor vehicle and method of operating are provided. The electrical latch includes a latching mechanism having a pawl and ratchet, a cinching mechanism having a cinching lever, and an electric actuator mechanism for actuating at least the cinching lever. The electrical latch further includes a control unit powered by a main power source and having a control circuit controlling operation of the actuator mechanism to affect the position of the cinch lever, and a backup energy source providing power to the control circuit and the actuator mechanism in the event a fault condition is experienced by the main power source. The electrical latch is configured to return the cinching lever to a home uncinched position in response to switching of power from the main power source to the backup energy source.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2016Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES S.P.A.Inventors: Davide Dente, Emanuele Leonardi, Antonio Frello
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Publication number: 20200186062Abstract: A control system for controlling a mechanically commutated direct current electric motor and corresponding method of operation are provided. The control system includes a motor current sensing circuit for sensing a motor current comprising a plurality of ripples due to commutation of the motor and outputting a motor current signal. The control system also includes a controller including a finite state machine unit and is configured to detect the plurality of ripples in the motor current and to determine whether each of the plurality of ripples is a valid ripple using the finite state machine unit. The controller is also configured to count the plurality of ripples determined to be valid using the finite state machine unit and to determine at least one of a motor rotational position and a motor speed of the motor based on a quantity of the plurality of ripples determined to be valid.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2019Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventors: Luca FANCELLU, Antonio FRELLO, Jacopo FANUCCHI
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Patent number: 10655368Abstract: An e-latch assembly and method for operating for a closure panel of a vehicle, the closure panel operable between an open state and a closed state. The e-latch assembly is configured to control via an open command to operate an electric motor of the e-latch assembly in order to change a state of the electric motor during a latch release operation from a motor home position to a motor open position; and to control via a a reset command to change the state from the motor open position to the motor home position by controlling the reset command only when one or more sensors indicate a position of at least one of the closure panel or a ratchet or a pawl of the e-latch assembly reflecting the closure panel returning from the open state to the closed state.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2017Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.Inventors: Antonio Frello, Davide Dente
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Patent number: 10428560Abstract: An e-latch assembly for a closure member and a method of operating the e-latch assembly coupled to a closure member are provided. The e-latch assembly includes an actuation group operable to selectively secure the closure member. An electronic control circuit is coupled to the actuation group and includes a control unit configured to manage a plurality of handle activation signals. The control unit is also configured to receive a plurality of signals indicative of the state of a vehicle. Additionally, the control unit is configured to control the actuation group to selectively allow the closure member to be opened in response to receiving the plurality of signals indicative of the state of the vehicle and based on the plurality of handle activation signals.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2016Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES S.P.A.Inventors: Davide Dente, Emanuele Leonardi, Antonio Frello
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Publication number: 20190257135Abstract: A window regulator system for a window coupled to a door and movable between fully open and closed positions and a short drop position and method of operation are disclosed. The system includes rails with window regulator lifter plate assemblies being moveable along the rails by cables. A motor winds the cables to move the window. An electronic control unit detects operation of at least one of a door handle and a latch of the door to identify a short drop request corresponding to the door shut or opened. The electronic control unit ensures that no freeplay exists in the window regulator system to provide accurate movement of the window and controls the motor to selectively raise the window to the fully closed position in response to the door being shut and temporarily lower the window to the short drop position in response to identifying the short drop request.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventors: Jacopo FANUCCHI, Fabio BERNARDO, Antonio FRELLO
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Patent number: 10138656Abstract: An electronic latch assembly for a closure device of a motor vehicle, having an actuator group operable for actuation of the closure device and an electric motor controllable to drive the actuator group (6). The electronic latch assembly has a backup energy source, and a control unit controlling the electric motor and the backup energy source to provide a backup supply voltage (Vsc) during an emergency operating condition. The control unit is configured to enter an emergency mode to cause disabling of actuation of the closure device, upon detecting the occurrence of the emergency operating condition, and to maintain disabled the actuation of the closure device, during the emergency operating condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2013Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.Inventors: Davide Dente, Antonio Frello
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Publication number: 20180044949Abstract: An e-latch assembly and method for operating for a closure panel of a vehicle, the closure panel operable between an open state and a closed state. The e-latch assembly is configured to control via an open command to operate an electric motor of the e-latch assembly in order to change a state of the electric motor during a latch release operation from a motor home position to a motor open position; and to control via a a reset command to change the state from the motor open position to the motor home position by controlling the reset command only when one or more sensors indicate a position of at least one of the closure panel or a ratchet or a pawl of the e-latch assembly reflecting the closure panel returning from the open state to the closed state.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2017Publication date: February 15, 2018Inventors: Antonio Frello, Davide Dente
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Patent number: 9806623Abstract: A multiple output DC-DC converter comprises a transformer, a primary circuit, a plurality of secondary circuits, and a controller. The transformer has a primary and at least one secondary winding. The primary circuit connects to a DC power supply source and includes the primary winding of the transformer and a primary switch connected in series. The plurality of secondary circuits includes the at least one secondary winding of the transformer, wherein each secondary circuit provides a DC power supply output, and at least one of the secondary circuits has a secondary switch. The controller monitors an output signal of each secondary circuit and controls operation of the primary and secondary switches based on the monitored signals. The controller co-ordinates operation of the secondary switch with the primary switch, such that the primary switch and the secondary switch are switched on simultaneously, or with a controlled offset.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2012Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)Inventors: Renato Grosso, Alessandro Da Canal, Luca Fanucci, Antonio Frello, Stefano Rissotto, Sergio Saponara
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Publication number: 20170107747Abstract: An electrical latch for a closure system of a motor vehicle and method of operating are provided. The electrical latch includes a latching mechanism having a pawl and ratchet, a cinching mechanism having a cinching lever, and an electric actuator mechanism for actuating at least the cinching lever. The electrical latch further includes a control unit powered by a main power source and having a control circuit controlling operation of the actuator mechanism to affect the position of the cinch lever, and a backup energy source providing power to the control circuit and the actuator mechanism in the event a fault condition is experienced by the main power source. The electrical latch is configured to return the cinching lever to a home uncinched position in response to switching of power from the main power source to the backup energy source.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Inventors: Davide Dente, Emanuele Leonardi, Antonio Frello
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Publication number: 20150330111Abstract: An electronic latch assembly for a closure device of a motor vehicle, having an actuator group operable for actuation of the closure device and an electric motor controllable to drive the actuator group (6). The electronic latch assembly has a backup energy source, and a control unit controlling the electric motor and the backup energy source to provide a backup supply voltage (Vsc) during an emergency operating condition. The control unit is configured to enter an emergency mode to cause disabling of actuation of the closure device, upon detecting the occurrence of the emergency operating condition, and to maintain disabled the actuation of the closure device, during the emergency operating condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2013Publication date: November 19, 2015Inventors: Davide Dente, Antonio Frello
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Publication number: 20150131333Abstract: A multiple output DC-DC converter comprises a transformer, a primary circuit, a plurality of secondary circuits, and a controller. The transformer has a primary and at least one secondary winding. The primary circuit connects to a DC power supply source and includes the primary winding of the transformer and a primary switch connected in series. The plurality of secondary circuits includes the at least one secondary winding of the transformer, wherein each secondary circuit provides a DC power supply output, and at least one of the secondary circuits has a secondary switch. The controller monitors an output signal of each secondary circuit and controls operation of the primary and secondary switches based on the monitored signals. The controller co-ordinates operation of the secondary switch with the primary switch, such that the primary switch and the secondary switch are switched on simultaneously, or with a controlled offset.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2012Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET L M ERICSSON (PUBL)Inventors: Renato Grosso, Alessandro Da Canal, Luca Fanucci, Antonio Frello, Stefano Rissotto, Sergio Saponara