Patents Assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC
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Patent number: 11975687Abstract: A vehicle running board assembly includes, among other things, a reinforcing insert, and a beam that is extruded over the reinforcing insert. A step pad is extruded over the beam. A vehicle running board manufacturing method according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, extruding a beam over a reinforcing insert, extruding a step pad over the beam, and cutting the beam, the reinforcing insert, and the step pad to provide the running board.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2021Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Paul Kenneth Dellock, Patrick J. Reed, David Brian Glickman, Stuart C. Salter, Harry Lobo
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Patent number: 11975680Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seatback and a seat portion supported by a frame assembly. The seat portion includes a carrier assembly and a displaceable platform pivotally coupled thereto for pivoting movement between a use position and a deployed position. A retraction mechanism includes a first bracket operably coupled to the frame assembly, and a second bracket operably coupled to the displaceable platform. The first and second brackets are operably coupled to one another by an actuator, and the second bracket is operable between first and second positions relative to the first bracket. A belt assembly includes a tether member and a belt member. The tether member is coupled between the first and second brackets, and the belt member is operable between a deployed position outside of the seatback, and a stowed position within an interior of the seatback.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2022Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Rachel Demerly, Raed EL-Jawahri, Robyne McBride, Benjamin Yilma, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Kevin Michael Pline, S. M. Akbar Berry
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Patent number: 11975712Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to identify a first scenario in which a vehicle is operating from a plurality of scenarios, prompt an operator to activate an adaptive cruise control of the vehicle in response to a preference score for the first scenario being above a threshold, refrain from prompting the operator to activate the adaptive cruise control in response to the preference score for the first scenario being below the threshold, and activate the adaptive cruise control in response to receiving an input to activate the adaptive cruise control from the operator. The scenarios indicate at least one characteristic of a road on which the vehicle is traveling. The preference score indicates a preference of the operator for activating the adaptive cruise control in the first scenario.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2021Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Fling Finn Tseng, Himanshu Verma, Aed M. Dudar
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Patent number: 11975738Abstract: A first image can be acquired from a first sensor included in a vehicle and input to a deep neural network to determine a first bounding box for a first object. A second image can be acquired from the first sensor. Input latitudinal and longitudinal motion data from second sensors included in the vehicle corresponding to the time between inputting the first image and inputting the second image. A second bounding box can be determined by translating the first bounding box based on the latitudinal and longitudinal motion data. The second image can be cropped based on the second bounding box. The cropped second image can be input to the deep neural network to detect a second object. The first image, the first bounding box, the second image, and the second bounding box can be output.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2021Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gurjeet Singh, Apurbaa Mallik, Rohun Atluri, Vijay Nagasamy, Praveen Narayanan
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Patent number: 11975688Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including: a front trunk; a housing adjacent a floor of the front trunk; and a panel moveable relative to the housing between a retracted position and a deployed position, wherein, when in the panel is in the deployed position, the panel provides a work surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2022Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael John Harmon, Hussain Z. Tajmahal, Benjamin Howard, Kathryn N. Cezar, Sarah Shaw, Charlie Qian
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Patent number: 11975614Abstract: Informed towing is provided. Towing information is identified, by a towing vehicle, with respect to a towed vehicle to be towed by the towing vehicle. A towed configuration of the towed vehicle is monitored. Responsive to the towed configuration of the towed vehicle being incorrect according to the towing information, a warning is displayed in the HMI indicating the incorrect towing configuration.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2021Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Brendan F. Diamond, Keith Weston, Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Jordan Barrett, Michael Alan McNees, Lars Niklas Pettersson
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Patent number: 11975710Abstract: A vehicle can be detected approaching a limited operation zone of a travel area. It can be determined that the vehicle is able to execute wireless commands from a computer. The object can be identified within the limited operation zone. Based on identifying the object within the limited operation zone, the vehicle can be controlled by providing a control command via wireless communications, the control command including whether the vehicle is permitted to enter the limited operation zone.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2021Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gregory P. Linkowski, Mario A. Santillo
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Patent number: 11975742Abstract: Methods of refining a planned trajectory of an autonomous vehicle are disclose. For multiple cycles as the vehicle moves along the trajectory, the vehicle will perceive nearby objects. The vehicle will use the perceived object data to calculate a set of candidate updated trajectories. The motion planning system will measure a discrepancy between each candidate updated trajectory and the current trajectory by: (i) determining waypoints along each trajectory; (ii) determining distances between at least some of the waypoints; and (iii) using the distances to measure the discrepancy between the updated trajectory and the current trajectory. The system will use the discrepancy to select, from the set of candidate updated trajectories, a final updated trajectory for the vehicle to follow.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2021Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Scott Julian Varnhagen, Colen McAlister, Timothy Andrew Potts, Jr., David Breeden, Pragati Satpute, Alice Kassar
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Patent number: 11975724Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to determine vehicle trailer weight. An example apparatus includes a first sensor disposed on a hitch coupled to a vehicle to measure a first rate of change of a weight of the vehicle. The example apparatus also includes a second sensor disposed on a chassis of the vehicle to measure a second rate of change of the weight of the vehicle. The example apparatus also includes a controller to monitor the first rate of change and the second rate of change to determine if the vehicle is improperly loaded.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2019Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Anton Rogness, Joshua Rajasingh, Andrew Niedert, Elliott Pearson
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Patent number: 11975599Abstract: An assembly includes a housing. The assembly includes a sensor supported by the housing. The assembly includes a shell enclosing the sensor and rotatable relative to the housing in a first direction, the shell defining a window. The assembly includes a deflector extending radially outward from the shell at a leading edge of the window.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2021Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Segundo Baldovino, Rashaun Phinisee, Michael Robertson, Jr., Vahan Kazandjian, Venkatesh Krishnan, Navvab Khajehosseini
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Patent number: 11975736Abstract: A computer, including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions to be executed by the processor to calibrate utility functions that determine optimal vehicle actions based on an approximate Nash equilibrium solution for multiple agents by determining a difference between model-predicted future states for the multiple agents to observed states for the multiple agents. The instructions can include further instructions to determine a vehicle path for a vehicle based on the optimal vehicle actions.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2020Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Qi Dai, Jinhong Wang, Wen Guo, Xunnong Xu, Suzhou Huang, Dimitar Petrov Filev
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Patent number: 11975647Abstract: This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle including a lift assembly. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including a panel and an actuator assembly configured to raise and lower the panel between a highest position and a lowest position. When the panel is in the lowest position, an underside of the panel is spaced-apart above a ground surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2022Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jesse Rene Diephuis, Michael John Harmon, Hussain Tajmahal, Amol Borkar
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Patent number: 11975612Abstract: A vehicle includes a first wheel, a second wheel, and a controller. The first and second of wheels have first and second tires, respectively. The controller is programmed to receive inputs indicative of tire tread wear of the first and second wheels. The controller is further programmed to, in response to a command to adjust torques of the first and second wheels to first and second desired torque values, respectively, and a difference between a tire tread wear of the first wheel and a tire tread wear of the second wheel exceeding a threshold, adjust the torque of the first electric machine to less than the first desired torque value and adjust the torque of the second electric machine to greater than the second desired torque value.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2020Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Brendan F. Diamond
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Patent number: 11975651Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to, heat a passenger cabin of a vehicle, actuate a thermal sensor to collect temperature data in the passenger cabin, identify a surface in the passenger cabin that has a temperature below a temperature threshold, and actuate one or more components to sanitize the identified surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2020Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Erick Michael Lavoie
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Patent number: 11975577Abstract: A trailer coupling assembly for a motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a cross-beam extending in a transverse direction of the motor vehicle. The cross-beam is configured to connect to a trailer coupling. The assembly further includes a mount connected to a body of the motor vehicle and a connection assembly. The connection assembly includes a plate connecting the mount to the cross-beam. The plate is configured to absorb energy and deform in response to application of a threshold force. The design does not compromise trailer towing capability or package space and can be regarded as a hybrid approach between existing bumper beam and trailer tow designs.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2021Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christoph Kueppers, Ulrich Reske
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Patent number: 11976800Abstract: A vehicle lighting assembly includes a light housing, a lens, a light source within a cavity provided by the light housing and the lens, and a light blade projecting from the lens outside the cavity. A vehicle lighting method includes emitting light from a light source that is inside a cavity provided by a light housing and a lens, and directing the light through a light blade that is outside the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2023Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark Kaski, Omar Benjamin Lara Monarrez, Derek English, Brandon Schwandt, Linsheng Chen, Dean Carbis, Robert Todd Laster
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Patent number: 11975604Abstract: A vehicle includes a first rail and a second rail elongated along a vehicle-longitudinal axis and spaced from each other along a vehicle-lateral axis. The vehicle includes an energy storage device between the first rail and the second rail. The vehicle includes a support structure between the first rail and the second rail. The vehicle includes a cable under tension and extending from the first rail to the second rail, the cable between the energy storage device and the support structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2022Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Saeed D. Barbat
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Patent number: 11976945Abstract: An assembly includes a housing defining a pressurized chamber. The assembly includes a sensor supported by the housing. The assembly includes a shell enclosing the sensor and rotatable relative to the housing, the shell enclosing a second chamber in fluid communication the pressurized chamber, the housing and the shell defining a gap therebetween. The assembly includes a ring supported by the housing, the ring defining an internal passage having an exhaust vent at the gap.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2022Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Subba Reddy Boggu, Vahan Kazandjian, Venkatesh Krishnan, Rashaun Phinisee, Michael Robertson, Jr.
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Patent number: 11979068Abstract: A rotor includes a rotor core lamination. The rotor core lamination includes a first metal alloy that at least partially defines adjacent magnet pockets proximate an outer periphery of the rotor core lamination. The rotor core lamination further includes a second metal alloy different than the first metal alloy that forms at least a portion of a bridge that extends between the magnet pockets. The rotor core lamination further includes permanent magnets disposed in the magnet pockets at opposing sides of the second metal alloy.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2021Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Leyi Zhu, Michael W. Degner, Feng Liang
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Patent number: 11976946Abstract: An assembly includes a housing and a sensor supported by the housing. The assembly includes a deflector supported by the housing forward of the sensor. The deflector and the sensor define a spacing therebetween. The spacing is open to an ambient environment external of the housing. The deflector includes transparent material that permits light to pass through the deflector.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Navvab Khajehosseini, Rashaun Phinisee, Segundo Baldovino, Venkatesh Krishnan