Patents Assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC
  • Publication number: 20200247463
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to initiate a calibration based on a portable device stability and a steering wheel angle, detect a vehicle pedal actuation, and, then, based on a portable device acceleration, determine a calibration vector between a portable device coordinate system and a vehicle coordinate system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yu Seung Kim, Chun-Yu Chen
  • Publication number: 20200247285
    Abstract: A seating assembly is attached to the floor and includes a seat that is rotationally operable relative to a seatback. A retention device is attached to the seat. When the seat is pivoted upright to a stadium position, the retention device is selectively deployable from a stored position to a cargo storage position that defines an enclosure at least partially defined by the seat and the floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Hugh Fowler, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Kevin Wayne Preuss
  • Publication number: 20200247197
    Abstract: A vehicle control system comprises a sensor configured to capture sensor data and a controller configured to identify a coupler position of a trailer in the sensor data. The controller is further configured to control a vehicle alignment routine aligning the hitch with the coupler position and control an emergency braking operation in response to detecting an obstruction in the sensor data. The controller is configured to suppress the emergency braking operation in response to the obstruction corresponding to the coupler in the sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Eric L. Reed, Roger Arnold Trombley, Robert D. Klosek
  • Publication number: 20200247309
    Abstract: A system includes at least one sensor; a plurality of lamps fixed relative to the sensor; at least one vehicle component attached to the lamps; and a computer communicatively coupled to the lamps, the at least one sensor, and the at least one vehicle component. The computer is programmed to sequentially activate the lamps, determine that an intensity for at least one of the lamps is below a respective intensity threshold based on data from the sensor during the sequential activations of the lamps, and actuate the at least one vehicle component in response to one of the intensities being below the respective intensity threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, Ashwin Arunmozhi
  • Patent number: 10731028
    Abstract: A material includes a base polymer, cellulose fibers dispersed through the base polymer, a pigment coloring the base polymer and the cellulose fibers, and a sealant selected from epoxidized soybean oil and polyolefin. The sealant coats and seals the cellulose fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Gall, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Stuart Salter, Talat Karmo, LaRon Michelle Brown
  • Patent number: 10733400
    Abstract: Ride-share status information of an autonomous ride-share vehicle is made available to potential passengers by transmitting a status data record an HMI device outside the vehicle. The data record (D?) is projected onto a projection area selected outside the vehicle using a projection device (8) of the motor vehicle. The projected data record (D?) is read-in using a reading device (10), such as a camera, of the HMI device. The HMI device decodes the read-in data record (D?), and provides the status information to a potential passenger on the HMI device (4) based on the decoded data record (D?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Maximilian Engelke
  • Patent number: 10730267
    Abstract: A badge may include an amorphous metal shell having a visible surface and an opposed back surface, and a plastic base molded to the back surface. The badge may also include a polymer visible layer molded to a portion of the visible surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Dellock, Michael A. Musleh, Stuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, Richard Gall
  • Patent number: 10730362
    Abstract: A radiator assembly in a vehicle comprises a first coolant tank; a second coolant tank spaced apart from the first coolant tank; a plurality of moveable blades; a linkage coupled to the plurality of blades; and an actuator coupled to the linkage to adjust positions of the blades. Each of the plurality of blades has a first end pivotally coupled to the first coolant tank, a second end pivotally coupled to the second coolant tank and has a hollow body portion extending between the first end and the second end, and each of the blades is fluidly communicated with the first and second coolant tanks to form a coolant passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Robert John Tilbury
  • Patent number: 10730447
    Abstract: A pickup truck that includes a bed having a side wall with an electric panel; and a lockbox having walls secured to, extending laterally from the side wall and surrounding the electric panel, and a security panel pivotally mounted on the walls to enclose the electric panel within the lockbox. The lockbox may also include a divider pivotally mounted to the walls inboard of the security panel and movable between a closed position extending longitudinally adjacent to the security panel and an open position extending laterally into the bed. A lock may secure the divider to the walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua R. Hemphill, Jack Marchlewski, Dragan B. Stojkovic, Robert Reiners, Jeffrey Gray
  • Patent number: 10730403
    Abstract: A thermal management system for a vehicle includes a controller. The controller pre-heats a coolant in a power electronics loop via heat transfer between the coolant and an electronic component in response to an ambient temperature being less than a threshold and a coolant temperature being less than a battery temperature. The controller also pumps the coolant through a battery loop in response to the coolant temperature exceeding the battery temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Angel Fernando Porras, Timothy Noah Blatchley, Kenneth J. Jackson, Randy Lee Mallari
  • Patent number: 10730441
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body structure defining a front trunk having a front opening. A grille coves the front opening in a closed position and is pivotable about a vertical hinge, or a horizontal hinge along a top edge, secured to the body structure to provide access to the front opening. The grille may include a bin mounted on an inner surface of the grille and pivotable with the grille, a heating/cooling duct or a video display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David Brian Glickman, Stuart C. Salter, Mark A. Wisneski, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Patent number: 10735895
    Abstract: A plurality of transducers positioned at respective specified locations in a vehicle are actuated to generate a plurality of respective tones. A plurality of respective time differences are determined between times that each respective tone is generated by the respective transducer and the tone is detected by a portable device. A location of the portable device is determined based at least in part on the time differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Kevin Holub, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Adil Nizam Siddiqui, Jeffrey Allen Greenberg, Brad Alan Ignaczak
  • Patent number: 10734629
    Abstract: A vehicle traction battery assembly including a battery cell, a busbar, and a thermal spray is provided. The battery cell may include a terminal having an angled taper upper portion extending therefrom. The busbar may define a through-hole having a taper defining an angle substantially opposite of the angled taper upper portion such that a cavity is defined therebetween when the terminal extends through the through-hole. The thermal spray may be deposited within the cavity to secure the busbar to the terminal. The thermal spray may be formed from a metallic powder selected to include particles that deform and connect when accelerated to a speed of approximately 500 mph or more to join the particles and form a bond securing the terminal to the busbar. The particles of the metallic powder may be iron, copper, aluminum, nickel, iron, or magnesium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Joseph Robert, Thomas P. Brackett, James Maurice Boileau
  • Patent number: 10730515
    Abstract: A method of operating an auto-braking system of a vehicle in coordination with operation of a speed limiting system (SLS) of the vehicle to prevent undesired loss of auto-braking functionality. If: a) a driver input of an engine power control parameter (such as throttle setting) exceeds an activation threshold of the SLS so that the SLS is therefore limiting vehicle speed to a set-speed corresponding to the activation threshold; and b) the driver input of the power control parameter is below a SLS override threshold; and c) the SLS override threshold exceeds an auto-braking override threshold for the power control parameter; then the auto-braking override threshold is increased to at least equal the SLS override threshold. The speed limiter activation threshold may be determined from speed limit information supplied by a vehicle navigation system of by an image evaluating unit from images obtained by a camera of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregor Allexi, Daniel Blickheuser, Florian Schweter
  • Patent number: 10734764
    Abstract: Apparatus are disclosed for vehicle connectors for monitoring connection with trailer connectors. An example connector of a vehicle for coupling a trailer to the vehicle includes a wall defining a cavity to receive a trailer connector, a seal to engage the trailer connector when the cavity receives the trailer connector, and a first trailer-connection sensor disposed in the seal to monitor engagement of the trailer connector with the seal to identify a secure connection with the trailer connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Joel Allen Pittenger, Aed M. Dudar, Swadad A. Carremm
  • Patent number: 10730424
    Abstract: A device for fastening a headrest to a backrest of a vehicle seat comprises first and second guide units for receiving first and second headrest columns. First and second receiving units fixed on the backrest receive sleeve-like portions of the first and second guide units. The second guide unit comprises a locking mechanism for locking various vertical positions of the second headrest column relative to the second guide unit. At least one rib is arranged on an outer lateral surface of each sleeve-like portion. At least one recess, in which the rib of the respective guide unit engages in a positive locking manner, is arranged on each receiving unit. A width of the rib of the first guide unit is greater than a width of the recess of the second receiving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Matthias Frey
  • Patent number: 10730444
    Abstract: A vehicle seating arrangement includes first and second seating assemblies that are each equipped with a seat and a seatback. A surface of the seat of the first seating assembly is vertically above a surface of the seat of the second seating assembly. A forward extreme of the first seating assembly is displaced rearward of a forward extreme of the second seating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ryan Welch
  • Patent number: 10731545
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing vehicle maneuverability when operating on sand, snow, or rocky terrain, as well as while performing cornering and sliding maneuvers. Boost path actuators are held in positions that enable manifold pressure to be held above barometric pressure as torque demand changes, including when torque demand drops. Engine torque is reduced or raised via adjustments to one or more of fuel delivery, spark timing, and intake throttle opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Baitao Xiao, Adam Nathan Banker, John Erik Mikael Hellstrom
  • Patent number: 10730407
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seating system is provided. The seating system comprises two or more seats and a guide track extending between three or more spaced apart seating positions within an interior of the motor vehicle, wherein each of the seats is movably coupled to the guide track, such that the seats are movable between the seating positions. A seat, suitable for use in the motor vehicle seating system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Guy, Marcus Hoggarth, Ben Carroll, Matthew Graeme Leck, Kyle Loughlin
  • Patent number: 10730463
    Abstract: Systems and methods include a vehicle monitoring for trigger events each corresponding to a defined vehicle activity. Responsive to identifying an occurrence of one of the trigger events, the vehicle captures, via a vehicle camera, video showing an area outside the vehicle for a set capture time. Responsive to the vehicle identifying that the vehicle is rendered inoperative from the identified trigger event, the vehicle transmits the captured video to a remote server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Abraham Mezaael