IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,044,055
Granted Patent B2
US 12,044,055 · App. 18/170,590 · Granted Jul 23, 2024

Handle for operating an automatic moving mechanism of a door of a motor vehicle

Inventors: Stefano Alneri (Modena, IT); Ivan Moranzoni (Modena, IT)
Assignee: FERRARI S.p.A.
E05F15/73E05B85/18E05F15/60E05Y2400/44E05Y2400/86
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,044,055
App. No.
18/170,590
Granted
Jul 23, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A handle for a door of a motor vehicle includes an attachment portion to be fixed to the door of the motor vehicle, a maneuverable portion coupled to the attachment portion in a movable manner between at least three distinct positions including a neutral position, a first activation position, and a second activation position, and a transducer device configured to detect a first movement of the manoeuvrable portion reaching the first activation position, generate a first signal to trigger an automatic opening of the door by means of an actuator device of the motor vehicle when the first movement is detected, and detect a second movement of the manoeuvrable portion reaching the second activation position, wherein the transducer device is further configured to generate a second signal to trigger an automatic closing of the door by means of the actuator device when the second movement is detected.

Claims (47)

1. A handle ( 7 ) for a door ( 4 ) of a motor vehicle ( 1 ), the handle ( 7 ) comprising

an attachment portion ( 8 ) to be fixed to the door ( 4 ) of the motor vehicle ( 1 ),

a maneuverable portion ( 9 ) coupled to the attachment portion ( 8 ) in a movable manner between at least three distinct positions including a neutral position, a first activation position, and a second activation position, and

a transducer device ( 15 ) configured to

a) detect a first movement of the maneuverable portion ( 9 ) reaching the first activation position,

b) generate a first signal to trigger an automatic opening of the door ( 4 ) by means of an actuator device ( 5 ) of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) when the first movement is detected, and

c) detect a second movement of the maneuverable portion ( 9 ) reaching the second activation position,

wherein the transducer device ( 15 ) is further configured to generate a second signal to trigger an automatic closing of the door ( 4 ) by means of the actuator device ( 5 ) when the second movement is detected,

the handle further comprising:

a slide assembly ( 20 ),

a guide device ( 21 ) constraining the slide assembly ( 20 ) to translate along a straight direction (A), and

coupling means ( 30 , 31 ) configured to transmit the first and the second movement to the slide assembly ( 20 ), so that the slide assembly ( 20 ) consequently has a first and a second translations, respectively,

wherein the transducer device ( 15 ) comprises a first and a second sensitive element ( 16 , 17 ) arranged in respective distinct positions such that the first and the second sensitive elements ( 16 , 17 ) cooperate in contact with the slide assembly ( 20 ) during the first and the second translations, respectively,

the transducer device ( 15 ) being configured to generate the first and the second signal, respectively, when the first and the second sensitive element ( 16 , 17 ) cooperate in contact with the slide assembly ( 20 ),

wherein the slide assembly ( 20 ) comprises a first portion or first block ( 24 ) having a first face ( 29 ) inclined relative to a plane orthogonal to the straight direction (A) and facing one of the first and the second sensitive element ( 16 , 17 ).

2. The handle according to claim 1 , wherein the first and the second movement start from the neutral position in respective opposite directions.

3. The handle according to claim 1 , further comprising first elastic means ( 13 ) configured to exert a first elastic reaction upon the maneuverable portion ( 9 ) towards the neutral position in response to a displacement of the maneuverable portion ( 9 ) from the neutral position.

4. The handle according to claim 1 , wherein the slide assembly ( 20 ) further comprises a second portion or second block ( 24 ) having a second face ( 29 ) inclined relative to said orthogonal plane in a way that is contrary to the first face ( 29 ) and facing the other one of the first and the second sensitive element ( 16 , 17 ).

5. The handle according to claim 1 , wherein the maneuverable portion ( 9 ) is hinged to the attachment portion ( 8 ) about a hinge axis (H).

6. A motor vehicle ( 1 ) comprising

a door ( 4 ),

the handle ( 7 ) according to claim 1 , with the attachment portion ( 8 ) fixed to the door ( 4 ),

a control unit ( 6 ) coupled to the transducer device ( 15 ) to receive the first and the second signal, and

the actuator device ( 5 ) that can be controlled by the control unit ( 6 ) so as to open and close the door ( 4 ),

wherein the control unit ( 6 ) is configured to control the actuator device ( 5 ) so as to open and close the door when it receives the first and the second signal, respectively.

7. A handle ( 7 ) for a door ( 4 ) of a motor vehicle ( 1 ), the handle ( 7 ) comprising

an attachment portion ( 8 ) to be fixed to the door ( 4 ) of the motor vehicle ( 1 );

a maneuverable portion ( 9 ) coupled to the attachment portion ( 8 ) in a movable manner between at least three distinct positions including a neutral position, a first activation position, and a second activation position;

a transducer device ( 15 ) configured to

a) detect a first movement of the maneuverable portion ( 9 ) reaching the first activation position,

b) generate a first signal to trigger an automatic opening of the door ( 4 ) by means of an actuator device ( 5 ) of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) when the first movement is detected, and

c) detect a second movement of the maneuverable portion ( 9 ) reaching the second activation position,

wherein the transducer device ( 15 ) is further configured to generate a second signal to trigger an automatic closing of the door ( 4 ) by means of the actuator device ( 5 ) when the second movement is detected;

a centering pin ( 32 ) carried by the maneuverable portion ( 9 ) in a sliding manner along a straight axis (K); and

an abutment element ( 33 ) fixed relative to the attachment portion ( 8 ) and having an abutment surface ( 34 ) facing one end ( 32 a ) of the centering pin ( 32 ) along the straight axis (K),

wherein the abutment surface ( 34 ) has a recess ( 35 ) defining a seat to receive the end ( 32 a ) of the centering pin ( 32 ), the end ( 32 a ) of the centering pin ( 32 ) being accommodated in the recess ( 35 ) in a rest position when the maneuverable portion ( 9 ) is in the neutral position, and

wherein the handle ( 7 ) comprises second elastic means ( 36 ) configured to exert a second elastic reaction upon the centering pin ( 32 ) along the straight axis (K) towards the abutment surface ( 34 ) at least in response to a displacement of the end ( 32 a ) of the centering pin ( 32 ) from the rest position along the straight axis (K) towards an intermediate zone of the centering pin ( 32 ), so that the second elastic reaction pushes the end ( 32 a ) of the centring pin ( 32 ) against the abutment surface ( 34 ).

8. The handle according to claim 7 , wherein the first and the second movement start from the neutral position in respective opposite directions.

9. The handle according to claim 7 , further comprising first elastic means ( 13 ) configured to exert a first elastic reaction upon the maneuverable portion ( 9 ) towards the neutral position in response to a displacement of the maneuverable portion ( 9 ) from the neutral position.

10. The handle according to claim 7 , wherein the slide assembly ( 20 ) further comprises a second portion or second block ( 24 ) having a second face ( 29 ) inclined relative to said orthogonal plane in a way that is contrary to the first face ( 29 ) and facing the other one of the first and the second sensitive element ( 16 , 17 ).

11. The handle according to claim 7 , wherein the maneuverable portion ( 9 ) is hinged to the attachment portion ( 8 ) about a hinge axis (H).

12. A motor vehicle ( 1 ) comprising

a door ( 4 ),

the handle ( 7 ) according to claim 7 , with the attachment portion ( 8 ) fixed to the door ( 4 ),

a control unit ( 6 ) coupled to the transducer device ( 15 ) to receive the first and the second signal, and

the actuator device ( 5 ) that can be controlled by the control unit ( 6 ) so as to open and close the door ( 4 ),

wherein the control unit ( 6 ) is configured to control the actuator device ( 5 ) so as to open and close the door when it receives the first and the second signal, respectively.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 11, 2024
From: ALNERI, STEFANO; MORANZONI, IVAN
To: FERRARI S.P.A.
Reel/Frame 067684/0984 →
Priority Claims (1)
IT 102022000003422 · Feb 24, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230265707A1 · Aug 24, 2023