Patents by Inventor Davide Dente
Davide Dente 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: 11713601Abstract: A method of operating an entry system of a motor vehicle includes monitoring a battery voltage and the entry system continuously using a control circuit of the latch assembly in a non-emergency mode. Power is provided to the control circuit in the event of a loss of power from a main power source using a backup energy source of the control circuit. The method includes transitioning to an emergency mode in response to determining loss of power from the main power source or failure of the component of the entry system. An actuation group associated with the latch assembly is operated with the control circuit using power from the backup energy source of the control circuit in response to determining that actuation from a plurality of pins of a mechanical emergency switch assembly indicates a command from a user to unlatch the closure member in the emergency mode.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2022Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.Inventors: Emanuele Leonardi, Davide Dente, Marco Marlia
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Patent number: 11542731Abstract: A handle assembly for a closure of a vehicle includes a force-based sensor disposed beneath an uninterrupted class-A surface and responsive to a force applied thereto. The handle assembly includes a handle ECU, configured to monitor the force-based sensor and to communicate with an electronic latch controller. A super-capacitor is disposed on a PCB within the handle assembly for providing electrical power to the handle ECU and the force-based sensor. The handle ECU includes one or more feedback devices such as LED lights, acoustic, and haptic devices to provide information about the status of the closure and the electronic latch system. The handle assembly is also configured to provide different responses to two or more different levels of force applied to the force-based sensor. An output interface in the handle assembly provides wired and wireless backup communications to the electronic latch controller.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2019Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.Inventors: Emanuele Leonardi, Davide Dente, Claudio Cambini, John G. Zeabari
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Publication number: 20220325565Abstract: A method of operating an entry system of a motor vehicle includes monitoring a battery voltage and the entry system continuously using a control circuit of the latch assembly in a non-emergency mode. Power is provided to the control circuit in the event of a loss of power from a main power source using a backup energy source of the control circuit. The method includes transitioning to an emergency mode in response to determining loss of power from the main power source or failure of the component of the entry system. An actuation group associated with the latch assembly is operated with the control circuit using power from the backup energy source of the control circuit in response to determining that actuation from a plurality of pins of a mechanical emergency switch assembly indicates a command from a user to unlatch the closure member in the emergency mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2022Publication date: October 13, 2022Inventors: Emanuele Leonardi, Davide Dente, Marco Marlia
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Patent number: 11371270Abstract: A touch pad for operating an e-latch assembly of a motor vehicle entry system that includes a control circuit with a backup energy source and method of operating the entry system are provided. The touch pad includes a touch pad controller in communication with the control circuit of the e-latch assembly. The touch pad also includes at least one entry input sensor coupled to the touch pad controller for outputting a signal indicative of a touch to operate the e-latch assembly. The touch pad further includes a mechanical emergency switch assembly adjacent the at least one entry input sensor and including a plurality of pins electrically coupled to the control circuit for operating the e-latch assembly when the at least one input sensor is not operable due to one of a power loss and malfunction of the at least one input sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2018Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.Inventors: Emanuele Leonardi, Davide Dente, Marco Marlia
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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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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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Publication number: 20200011096Abstract: A handle assembly for a closure of a vehicle includes a force-based sensor disposed beneath an uninterrupted class-A surface and responsive to a force applied thereto. The handle assembly includes a handle ECU, configured to monitor the force-based sensor and to communicate with an electronic latch controller. A super-capacitor is disposed on a PCB within the handle assembly for providing electrical power to the handle ECU and the force-based sensor. The handle ECU includes one or more feedback devices such as LED lights, acoustic, and haptic devices to provide information about the status of the closure and the electronic latch system. The handle assembly is also configured to provide different responses to two or more different levels of force applied to the force-based sensor. An output interface in the handle assembly provides wired and wireless backup communications to the electronic latch controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2019Publication date: January 9, 2020Inventors: Emanuele LEONARDI, Davide DENTE, Claudio CAMBINI, John G. ZEABARI
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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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Patent number: 10378251Abstract: An electronic latch assembly for a closure device of a motor vehicle, having an actuator group operable to control actuation of the closure device and an electric motor controllable to drive the actuator group and supplied, during a normal operating condition, by a main power source of the motor vehicle providing a main supply voltage (Vbatt); the electronic latch assembly has a backup energy source, and a control unit controlling the backup energy source to supply the electric motor during a failure operating condition. The backup energy source has a supercapacitor group, which stores energy during the normal operating condition and provides a backup supply voltage (Vsc) to supply the electric motor (9) during the failure operating condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2013Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.Inventor: Davide Dente
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Patent number: 10377332Abstract: A safety-relevant system (S) in a vehicle comprises an electrical unit (EE) with at least one signal line input (SE). The signal line input (SE) is connected to a signal line. The electrical unit (EE) additionally comprises a supply connection (VA) for feeding the electrical unit (EE) with electrical energy. For supplying electrical energy to the electrical unit (EE), the signal line is in addition electrically coupled to the supply connection (VA) of the electrical unit (EE).Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2014Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignees: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, MAGNA CLOSURES, S.P.A.Inventors: Thomas Baumeister, Davide Dente
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Publication number: 20190085600Abstract: A touch pad for operating an e-latch assembly of a motor vehicle entry system that includes a control circuit with a backup energy source and method of operating the entry system are provided. The touch pad includes a touch pad controller in communication with the control circuit of the e-latch assembly. The touch pad also includes at least one entry input sensor coupled to the touch pad controller for outputting a signal indicative of a touch to operate the e-latch assembly. The touch pad further includes a mechanical emergency switch assembly adjacent the at least one entry input sensor and including a plurality of pins electrically coupled to the control circuit for operating the e-latch assembly when the at least one input sensor is not operable due to one of a power loss and malfunction of the at least one input sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2018Publication date: March 21, 2019Inventors: Emanuele LEONARDI, Davide DENTE, Marco MARLIA
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Patent number: 10174527Abstract: A backup energy source (1) for an automotive system (102) in a motor vehicle (101) is designed to receive a main supply voltage (Vbatt), during a normal operating condition, and to provide a backup supply voltage (Vsc) during a failure operating condition, different from the normal operating condition. The backup energy source (1) has a control unit (2), and a supercapacitor group (4), operable by the control unit (2) to store energy during the normal operating condition and to provide the backup supply voltage (Vsc) during the failure operating condition. A diagnostic module (10) is coupled to the supercapacitor group (4) to provide the control unit (2) with information concerning an operating status of the supercapacitor group (4).Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2013Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.Inventor: Davide Dente
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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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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: 20160207485Abstract: A safety-relevant system (S) in a vehicle comprises an electrical unit (EE) with at least one signal line input (SE). The signal line input (SE) is connected to a signal line. The electrical unit (EE) additionally comprises a supply connection (VA) for feeding the electrical unit (EE) with electrical energy. For supplying electrical energy to the electrical unit (EE), the signal line is in addition electrically coupled to the supply connection (VA) of the electrical unit (EE).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2014Publication date: July 21, 2016Inventors: Thomas BAUMEISTER, Davide DENTE
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Publication number: 20150330116Abstract: An electronic latch assembly for a closure device of a motor vehicle, having an actuator group operable to control actuation of the closure device and an electric motor controllable to drive the actuator group and supplied, during a normal operating condition, by a main power source of the motor vehicle providing a main supply voltage (Vbatt); the electronic latch assembly has a backup energy source, and a control unit controlling the backup energy source to supply the electric motor during a failure operating condition. The backup energy source has a supercapacitor group, which stores energy during the normal operating condition and provides a backup supply voltage (Vsc) to supply the electric motor (9) during the failure operating condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2013Publication date: November 19, 2015Inventor: Davide DENTE
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Publication number: 20150329009Abstract: A backup energy source (1) for an automotive system (102) in a motor vehicle (101) is designed to receive a main supply voltage (Vbatt), during a normal operating condition, and to provide a backup supply voltage (Vsc) during a failure operating condition, different from the normal operating condition. The backup energy source (1) has a control unit (2), and a supercapacitor group (4), operable by the control unit (2) to store energy during the normal operating condition and to provide the backup supply voltage (Vsc) during the failure operating condition. A diagnostic module (10) is coupled to the supercapacitor group (4) to provide the control unit (2) with information concerning an operating status of the supercapacitor group (4).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2013Publication date: November 19, 2015Inventor: Davide Dente