Ford Patents

Ford Motor Company is a a global automotive manufacturer and distributor of Ford and Lincoln branded vehicles.

Ford Patents by Type
  • Ford Patents Granted: Ford patents that have been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
  • Ford Patent Applications: Ford patent applications that are pending before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
  • Patent number: 11958556
    Abstract: An assembly tool for assembly of a window pane in a window frame of a vehicle is provided. The assembly tool includes a tool body with a support for supporting and holding the tool body on a first edge of the window pane and a tool arm extending along a longitudinal axis. A distal end of the tool arm includes a distance gauge extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the tool arm and configured to be inserted between a second, guided edge of the window pane and a pane guide part which guides the guided edge of the window pane within the window frame. The assembly tool also includes a push arm that is displaceable relative to the tool body and configured to clamp the tool body between the first edge of the window pane and a frame part of the window frame. The push arm is actuated by external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marvin Wagner, Daniel Zwetkow
  • Patent number: 11958431
    Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle includes a vehicle body having a body side. A seat is adjacent the body side. The seat includes a seatback and a seat bottom extending in a seat-forward direction from the seatback. The seatback and seat bottom defines an occupant-seating area. A head airbag is mounted to the seatback and is inflatable over the occupant-seating area. A knee airbag is mounted to the body side. The knee airbag is inflatable from the body side to an inflated position. The knee airbag in the inflated position is adjacent to the seat bottom in the seat-forward direction from the seat bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raed Essa EL-Jawahri, Marcos Silva Kondrad
  • Patent number: 11958363
    Abstract: A vehicle includes first and second electric machines constrained to rotate in unison and configured to power a common axle. A controller is programmed to, in response to activation of the vehicle, select one of the first and second speed sensors as a representative speed sensor, and, in response to the electric machines being in speed control, command speeds to the first and second electric machines based on a difference between a target speed of the electric machines and a measured speed of the representative speed sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dev Saberwal, Christopher Golecki
  • Patent number: 11959758
    Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for optimizing vehicle deployment. A software application is used to obtain information about a travel route. The information is used to evaluate an energy storage depletion characteristic of a battery that is used to operate a battery-operated vehicle and to determine whether the battery-operated vehicle can be deployed on the travel route. One of the factors that can affect the energy storage depletion characteristic of the battery is ambient temperature, because battery performance may be adversely affected by extreme temperatures. Consequently, a range of operation of the battery-operated vehicle may be impacted if the travel route has extreme ambient temperatures. If the evaluation indicates that the energy storage depletion characteristic of the battery is unsuitable for the travel route, another battery-operated vehicle with a better battery may be deployed on the travel route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brendan Diamond, Erik J. Christen
  • Patent number: 11958435
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat portion having a frame assembly. A routing mechanism includes a plate member that is operably coupled to the frame assembly. The plate member includes a first portion having first and second raised portions spaced-apart from one another to define a channel therebetween. The routing mechanism further includes a connection assembly having upper and lower tabs spaced-apart from one another with a routing column assembly interconnecting the upper and lower tabs. A tether member includes a body portion that is routed through the routing mechanism, in that the body portion of the tether member is received in the channel of the routing mechanism and is wrapped around the routing column assembly and directed in forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Joseph Michael Kish, Macit Aktas, Benjamin Yilma, Derek Board, Kevin Michael Pline, Raed EL-Jawahri, Jeffrey Charles Paddock, James Robert Chascsa, II, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Rachel Demerly, Robyne McBride
  • Patent number: 11960621
    Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting privacy for safety, comfort, and infotainment of one or more occupants of an autonomous vehicle are disclosed. For example, the system may capture image data indicative of an interior of the autonomous vehicle via one or more cameras integrated with the autonomous vehicle. The captured image data is then transformed to remove personal identification information of the one or more occupants, and the transformed image data may be analyzed to identify a concern, e.g., an occupant safety concern or a vehicle safety concern. The level of concern may be determined, and a mitigation strategy may be deployed based on the safety concern identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raj Sohmshetty, Vikas Rajendra, Scott Mayberry
  • Patent number: 11960198
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a front trunk including a screen for displaying still images or video. Among other benefits, which will be appreciated from the below description, the disclosed features increase the usability of the front trunk, and, in turn, the vehicle overall. In particular, many of the features discussed below are intended to make the front trunk more usable at worksites, tailgating events, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael John Harmon, Hussain Z Tajmahal, Benjamin Howard, Kathryn N. Cezar
  • Patent number: 11958430
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a first pillar and a second pillar spaced along a vehicle-longitudinal axis. The first pillar and the second pillar define a door opening therebetween. An airbag is above the door opening in an uninflated position and is inflatable across the door opening to an inflated position. A cable is above the door opening when the airbag is in the uninflated position. The cable extends across the door opening from the first pillar to the second pillar when the airbag is in the inflated position. A pyrotechnic retractor is below the airbag and the cable when the airbag is in the uninflated position. The pyrotechnic retractor is connected to the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Saeed D. Barbat
  • Patent number: 11958702
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle includes determining, via a processor disposed in communication with a sensory device disposed in an interior surface of a cargo bin of a delivery vehicle, that a first package is loaded in the cargo bin, causing to scan, via the processor, a bar code disposed on an exterior surface of the first package, causing to measure, via a RADAR sensory device disposed in the cargo bin, dimensional information associated with the first package, determining, based on the dimensional information, that the cargo bin is loaded at full capacity, causing to illuminate an output device indicative that the cargo bin is loaded at full capacity, determining, via the processor, a cargo bin door closed status and generating, via the processor, an output indicating whether the vehicle is ready for delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Adam Carlson, Peter Phung, Hussein Berry, Benjamin Richer
  • Patent number: 11958499
    Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods to classify a road based on a level of support offered by the road for autonomous driving operations. An example method may involve a computer receiving sensor data from a vehicle, the sensor data containing information about a current functional condition of a road. The computer may predict a future functional condition of the road by using a deterioration model to evaluate the sensor data. The computer may then determine a level of support offered by the road for autonomous driving operations based on the future functional condition of the road, and assign a classification to the road based on the level of support offered by the road for autonomous driving operations. The level of support offered by the road for autonomous driving operations may also be based on items such as road markings, traffic signs, traffic signals, and/or infrastructure elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Twumasi-Boakye, Xiaolin Cai, Shan Chy Chueh, James Fishelson, Archak Mittal, Andrea Broaddus
  • Publication number: 20240116368
    Abstract: A wheel motor compensation system is for a vehicle. The vehicle has a wheel motor and a tire coupled to the wheel motor. The system includes a hybrid wireless tire sensor (HWTS) coupled to an interior of the tire, a processor electrically connected to the wheel motor, and a memory. The memory has instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including gathering real time data with the HWTS, and utilizing the real time data to compensate the wheel motor so that preferred torque is applied to the tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Engels, Mahmoud Ghannam, Sai Prasanth Velusamy, Dilip Patel
  • Publication number: 20240116745
    Abstract: A system to display liquid levels in vehicle auxiliary tanks is disclosed. The vehicle includes a plurality of auxiliary tanks disposed on a vehicle cargo bed. The vehicle further includes a first detection unit to detect a user activity associated with the plurality of auxiliary tanks, and a second detection unit to measure a vehicle weight. The vehicle further includes a control unit to identify a first auxiliary tank, from the plurality of auxiliary tanks, which is associated with the user activity. The control unit further determines a vehicle weight change based on the measurement of weight and an initial vehicle weight. In addition, the control unit correlates first auxiliary tank identification and weight change determination, and calculates a liquid level change associated with the first auxiliary tank. Responsive to the calculation, the control unit displays the liquid level change on a user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Publication number: 20240116382
    Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods related to an electric vehicle charging arrangement. An example method executed by a first computer can include evaluating an agreement between a first party associated with an electric vehicle and a second party associated with a property in which the first computer can be located. The method can further include granting to a second computer of the electric vehicle, an authorization to permit the electric vehicle to enter the property of the second party during a time slot defined in the agreement; and granting, to the electric vehicle, access to an electric vehicle charging station on the property during the time slot defined in the agreement. The time slot, which is available for use on a repetitive basis over a stipulated period of time, can be outside of business hours of an activity performed by the second party on the property.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Ryan O'Gorman, Ryan Edwin Hanson, Peter Phung, John Van Wiemeersch
  • Publication number: 20240116572
    Abstract: A structural assembly of a vehicle includes a pair of hinge pillars, a pair of channel members and a pair of rails. Each channel member of the pair of channel members includes a vertical wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall. The vertical wall is secured to a respective hinge pillar of the pair of hinge pillars and the bottom wall is spaced apart from and below the top wall to define a cavity therebetween. A longitudinal portion of each rail of the pair of rails is secured to a respective channel member of the pair of channel members and at least partially received in the cavity. The longitudinal portion of the rail extends along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle above a respective wheel well of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dragan B. Stojkovic, Joseph Antoni, Andre Jurkiewicz, Karen Nuler
  • Publication number: 20240116159
    Abstract: A tool system for installing a parking pawl includes a tool that includes a base, a plate, and an actuator. The base includes a base surface configured to support a parking pawl in a predetermined position. The plate includes a protrusion that extends upward from a front portion of the plate. A rear portion of the plate is coupled to a front portion of the base. The plate is movable relative to the base between a retention position in which the protrusion is positioned to retain a pawl spring loaded on the parking pawl in a pretensioned state, and a release position in which the protrusion is configured to release the pawl spring. The actuator is operably coupled to the plate such that activation of the actuator moves the plate between the retention position and the release position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Brandon Paul Wilson, Zachary Alan Westhoff, Edward Lee Hollingsworth, Sr., David Eastman, Thomas Edward Krol
  • Publication number: 20240119817
    Abstract: A theft detection system for a vehicle is provided. The theft detection system includes a hybrid wireless tire sensor (HWTS) coupled to an interior of a tire of the vehicle, a processor, and a memory. The memory has instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including detecting a change in voltage across the HWTS responsive to a change in deformation of the tire, and determining, based on the change in deformation of the tire, if a theft is occurring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Engels, Mahmoud Ghannam, Sai Prasanth Velusamy, Dilip Patel
  • Publication number: 20240116347
    Abstract: A single monolithic body extends in a longitudinal direction and includes multiple closed sections stacked vertically. A first end portion of the single monolithic body extends from one of the closed sections into an adjacent closed section, and a second end portion of the single monolithic body extends from one of the closed sections, along an exterior of an adjacent closed section, and laterally away from the single monolithic body to form a connecting flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vladimir Vladimirovich Bogachuk, Kevin A. Gustafson, Robert Reiners
  • Publication number: 20240119514
    Abstract: A peer-to-peer (P2P) vehicle sharing method is disclosed. The method includes receiving a request from a user to rent a vehicle. The request includes a rent time period. The method further includes receiving a plurality of inputs associated with the user. The plurality of inputs includes a vehicle type for the vehicle owned by the user. Responsive to receiving the request and the plurality of inputs, the method includes obtaining a set of available vehicles, and corresponding availability periods associated with the available vehicles. The method further includes determining a rent time period overlap extent with the available vehicles' availability periods. Based on the overlap extent determination and the plurality of inputs, the method includes selecting the rent vehicle from the set of available vehicles, and reserving the rent vehicle for the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yifan Chen, Sarah Garrow
  • Publication number: 20240118880
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a first control module. The first control module is programmed to generate an update command including a plurality of authentication keys and a mapping associating the authentication keys with a plurality of second control modules transmit the update command over a vehicle network. The update command is functionally addressed to be receivable by the second control modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkata Kishore Kajuluri, Jacob David Nelson, Cameron Smyth
  • Publication number: 20240116385
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing the allocation of incoming charge power between an on-board power supply power output and HV battery power input. An electric vehicle (EV) may be used to provide power to one or more electrical devices connected to an on-board power supply of the EV. When the EV is connected to a charging device, a rate of charge may be determined. An allocation of the incoming charge power from the charging device may be determined as between a high voltage (HV) battery of the electric vehicle and the on-board power supply of the electric vehicle. Power may be simultaneously provided to the HV battery and the on-board power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Vyas Shenoy, Tyler James-Ray Kaldobsky, David Lew, Brendan Diamond
  • Publication number: 20240116401
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base, a seatback, a track assembly, a front actuator assembly, and a rear actuator assembly. The seat base includes forward and rearward regions. The seatback is pivotably coupled to the seat base proximate to the rearward region. The track assembly is coupled to the seat base. The track assembly includes an upper track and a lower track. The upper track is movable relative to the lower track. The front actuator assembly couples the seat base to the upper track proximate to the forward region. The rear actuator assembly couples the seat base to the upper track proximate to the rearward region. The vehicle seating assembly is movable between a design position, a lowered position, a raised position, and a reclined-and-raised position by adjusting at least one component chosen from the front actuator assembly and the rear actuator assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas J. Susko
  • Publication number: 20240116245
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a component by fused filament fabrication includes a substrate plate for depositing layers of the component. The substrate plate is magnetized before depositing a first layer of the component on the substrate plate by the fused filament fabrication, the first layer including a first substance that contains magnetic material. At least one further layer of the component including a second substance that does not contain a magnetic material is deposited on the first layer by the fused filament fabrication, and the substrate plate is demagnetized after forming the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Baranowski, Maik Broda, Markus Franzen, Pascal Rebmann
  • Publication number: 20240116578
    Abstract: A vehicle having a tailgate configured to move between retracted and extended positions is disclosed. The vehicle includes a first detection unit, a second detection unit, a third detection unit and a control unit. The control unit obtains a first input from the first detection unit and determines whether the tailgate is in extended position. The control unit further obtains a second input and a third input from the second and third detection units respectively, when the tailgate is in the extended position. Responsive to obtaining the second and third inputs, the control unit identifies a tailgate extended orientation. In addition, the control unit detects an obstacle presence in a vehicle rear side proximity and calculates a calibrated distance between the obstacle and a tailgate top side, based on the tailgate extended orientation. The control unit notifies a vehicle user when the calibrated distance is less than a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Bradford Scott Bondy, Muhannad Anwar Hamdan, Christian Wegner
  • Publication number: 20240116437
    Abstract: A trailer sideswipe avoidance system for a vehicle towing a trailer includes a sensor system configured to detect an object in an operating environment of the vehicle. The trailer sideswipe avoidance system also includes a controller that processes information received from the sensor system to determine whether an object detected in the operating environment of the vehicle is in a forward travel path of the towed trailer as the vehicle turns. The trailer sideswipe avoidance system further includes a visual display that displays bird's eye view representations of the vehicle and the trailer and a collision warning band that extends around at least a portion of the bird's eye view representation of the trailer. A portion of the collision warning band changes color based on the controller determining that the object is in the travel path of the towed trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hira Khan, Douglas Rogan
  • Publication number: 20240116363
    Abstract: Electric vehicle battery monitoring systems and methods are disclosed herein. An example method includes displaying a state of charge for a battery of an electric vehicle on a display screen of the electric vehicle, determining a frequency of how often a user views the state of charge, inferring that the user has anxiety over a range for the electric vehicle based on the frequency, and presenting the user with options to extend the state of charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Swati Rawat, Bhagyashri Satyabodha Katti, Fling Finn Tseng, Himanshu Verma, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante
  • Publication number: 20240116449
    Abstract: A glove box for a vehicle includes a bin having an upper rim and defining a storage cavity accessible via an opening defined by the upper rim. The glove box further includes a retainer pivotably coupled to the bin and operable to pivot relative to the bin between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a portion of the retainer is positioned within the storage cavity. In the second position, the retainer is positioned wholly outside of the storage cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory Paul Thomas
  • Publication number: 20240120816
    Abstract: A rotor includes a plurality of rotor cores arranged in a vertical stack, an end plate having a specified roughness on a surface engaging the vertical stack, and a binder material bonding the end plate to the vertical stack of rotor cores. The specified roughness is configured to allow venting of air beyond the end plate and to prevent passage of resin beyond the end plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Devan James Anderson, Singar Rathnam
  • Publication number: 20240116507
    Abstract: An adaptive control system is for a vehicle having an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). The system includes a hybrid wireless tire sensor (HWTS) coupled to an interior of a tire of the vehicle, a processor electrically connected to the ADAS, and a memory. The memory has instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including gathering real time data with the HWTS, and utilizing the real time data with the ADAS to adaptively control the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Engels, Dilip Patel, Mahmoud Ghannam, Sai Prasanth Velusamy
  • Publication number: 20240119119
    Abstract: A method includes generating one or more nominal images of at least a portion of a digital twin of an environment, defining one or more anomalous characteristics of the one or more components, generating one or more anomalous images of the portion of the digital twin of the environment based on the field of view and the one or more anomalous characteristics, performing a tessellation routine and a texture mapping routine on the one or more nominal images and the one or more anomalous images to generate a plurality of synthetic images, and labeling, for each synthetic image from among the plurality of synthetic images, the synthetic image as one of an anomalous type, a nominal type, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Walter Laplante, Francis Maslar, Harry Kekedjian, Nagharajhan KPK, Siva Sankar R.
  • Publication number: 20240116512
    Abstract: A drive mode adaptation system is for a vehicle. The vehicle has a drive mode selector. The system includes a hybrid wireless tire sensor (HWTS) coupled to an interior of a tire of the vehicle, a processor electrically connected to the drive mode selector, and a memory. The memory has instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including gathering real time data with the HWTS, and utilizing the real time data with the drive mode selector to determine a preferred drive mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Engels, Dilip B. Patel, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Sai Prasanth Velusamy
  • Publication number: 20240120851
    Abstract: An electrified vehicle includes an active discharge system having a plurality of resistors connected in parallel, a switch connected in series with the plurality of resistors with the switch and the plurality of resistors connected across positive and negative legs of a high-voltage DC bus, and a controller coupled to the switch and programmed to close the switch in response to a vehicle shutdown signal, and in response to voltage of the DC bus exceeding a first threshold after a predetermined elapsed time from closing the switch, open the switch. The controller may also open the switch when the voltage of the DC bus is below a second threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hongjie WU, Yuqing TANG
  • Patent number: 11951948
    Abstract: A cargo bed system of a vehicle includes a floor assembly of a cargo bed. The floor assembly is configured to transition back-and-forth between a standard position and an extended position. A step that moves with the floor assembly back-and-forth between the standard position and the extended position. The step is movable back-and-forth between a stowed position and a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael John Harmon, Ryan Mathew Sandor, Matthew B. Rutman, Amol Borkar, Hussain Z. Tajmahal
  • Patent number: 11953914
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for platooning vehicles or other types of nodes. The platooning may involve receiving a request from a vehicle to initiate a platoon. In response to the request, another vehicle may indicate a desire to form the platoon with the requesting vehicle. Before the platoon is formed, a verification process may be performed to determine the eligibility of the vehicle to join a platoon, which may be based on a rating associated with the vehicle. Once the vehicle is verified, the platoon may be established. Upon establishment, the vehicles may proceed to coordinate actions, and a lead vehicle may be identified for the platoon. Vehicles may request to join and leave the platoon throughout the lifetime of the platoon. The platoon may eventually be dismissed, for example if the lead vehicle leaves the platoon and no one vehicle is willing and/or able to serve as lead vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Brian Bennie, Pramita Mitra
  • Patent number: 11955020
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating done flights over public roadways are disclosed herein. An example method includes transmitting, by a first drone, a drone safety message, the drone safety message being received by a vehicle or a roadside infrastructure device located along a first planned flight path, determining an emergency condition for the first done, transmitting a warning message over a vehicle-to-everything communication that indicates that the first drone is experiencing the emergency condition. A connected vehicle or mobile device receives the warning message over the vehicle-to-everything communication. Determining drone operating evidence as the first drone traverses along the first planned flight path, and storing the drone operating evidence in a distributed ledger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Syed Amaar Ahmad, Krishna Bandi, Richard Ortman
  • Patent number: 11951857
    Abstract: This disclosure describes liquid cooled electrical connectors for connecting components of electrified vehicles or components of any other type of power connection/power transfer system. Exemplary electrical connectors include integrated cooling circuits that employ heat exchanger channels for circulating a fluid for convectively cooling bus bars of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas B. Chase, Myung Ki Sung, Man Prakash Gupta, Alfredo R. Munoz
  • Patent number: 11955851
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a stator core defining slots and a first hairpin assembly installed in the stator core. The first hairpin assembly includes first and second same hairpins, each having first and second ends and separately coated to have first and second outer coating surfaces, respectively. The hairpin assembly is in first and second ones of the slots such that the first and second outer surfaces are touching. A weld material joins the first ends and another weld material joins the second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Feng Liang, Michael W. Degner
  • Patent number: 11954950
    Abstract: An information interaction system for a vehicle is provided. The information interaction system comprises: an information processing device including a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor, that, when executed by the processor, cause the latter to perform steps comprising: providing a first customization option for a user to set a first trigger condition and a corresponding first customized content; detecting whether the first trigger condition is met by a vehicle computer; and when the first trigger condition is met, running the first customized content by the vehicle computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hailan Liu, Xiaojing Zhang, Sheena Meng
  • Patent number: 11952971
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine that may be rotated by an electric machine during engine starting are described. In one example, an amount of electric current that is available to rotate the engine via the electric machine may be adjusted in response to an indication that a vehicle that includes the engine may be parked in a geographical area that may be flooded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed Dudar
  • Patent number: 11951893
    Abstract: A modular robot system which may be configured to accommodate packages of varying sizes is provided. The modular robot may include a base have omni-directional wheels and cameras and sensors, one or more modular containers, and a lid, which may be releasably linked together to form a small, medium or larger units. The base, one or more modular containers, and the lid may be electrically linked to provide information to be used in a number of ways. For example, the electrical link may allow two or more modular robots to communicate with each other, enable external displays of multiple modules to act as one large unit, control the motion of the drawers, e.g., allowing them to open/close, and allow the processor(s) in the lid to communicate with the drive system of the omni-directional wheels. A set of alternating interlocking rails and tracks on corresponding surfaces enable the various layers of the modular robot to interlock with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John Galin
  • Patent number: 11951950
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly is provided that includes a seat that includes a base and a removable support member pivotably coupled to the base and movable between a closed position and an open position. The vehicle seating assembly further includes a seatback and an attachment assembly disposed between the removable support member and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eduardo Arturo Aguilar Ruelas, Jonathan Eli Contla Valenzuela, Amparo Sonia Sala Macias, Jessica Yobana Mayo Anzurez
  • Patent number: 11951854
    Abstract: This disclosure details exemplary portable power systems for vehicles. The portable power systems may be configured as a secondary battery pack that is removably stored within a front trunk of a vehicle. The portable power systems may include a plurality of individually removable battery units that can be used to extend vehicle driving range or power electrically powered devices that are separate from the vehicle. In some embodiments, when the portable power system is stored in the vehicle and an electrically powered device is connected to the portable power system, the vehicle may be controlled in a Following Mode in which the vehicle is autonomously moved to follow an operator of the electrically powered device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Aaron Gould, Vivien J. Martinage
  • Patent number: 11951972
    Abstract: Methods and a system are provided for shaping a torque profile for a motor of a hybrid vehicle. In one example, the method includes during a vehicle launch, an off condition of an engine, and upon receiving an engine start request, predicting a time of engine engagement, predicting a driver requested torque at the engine engagement; and reducing the driver requested torque until the predicted time of engine engagement based on the predicted driver requested torque at the engine engagement. The predicting of at least one of the time of engine engagement and the driver requested torque at the engine engagement may be based on a current position of an accelerator pedal and a driver profile. The method may further include controlling motor torque profile based on the reduced driver request torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Nicholas DeWalt, Fazal Urrahman Syed, Sassan Farahmand, Minku Lee, Justin Panhans, Andrew Burt
  • Patent number: 11952039
    Abstract: An electric-vehicle frame includes a mid-section and an end section. The mid-section has first and second frame rails spaced from each other by a first distance along a cross-vehicle axis defining a battery compartment therebetween. The end-section has first and second frame rails spaced from each other by a second distance along the cross-vehicle axis smaller than the first distance. A first connector is fixed to the first frame rail of the mid-section and to the first frame rail of the end-section. A second connector is fixed to the second frame rail of the mid-section and to the second frame rail of the end-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ajay Kumar Gupta, Leonard Anthony Shaner, Yu Liu, John Wesley Stanley, Yu-Kan Hu, Fungtai Charles Ko, Petros Frantzeskakis
  • Patent number: 11951925
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a bulkhead. The vehicle includes a base supported by the bulkhead and inflatable from a stowed position away from the bulkhead to a deployed position. The vehicle includes an airbag supported by the base and inflatable away from the bulkhead to a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq
  • Patent number: D1021693
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joel Piaskowski, Doyle Letson, Christopher Walter, Omead Dorandish, Christopher Stevens
  • Patent number: D1021694
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joel Piaskowski, Doyle Letson, Christopher Walter, Omead Dorandish
  • Patent number: D1021720
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joel Piaskowski, Doyle Letson, Christopher Walter, Omead Dorandish, Christopher Stevens
  • Patent number: D1021722
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kemal Curic, Earl Lucas, Darren Luke, Jaewoo Chang
  • Patent number: D1021746
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Denatale, Jr., Dong Park, James A. Marleau, Jr.
  • Patent number: D1022799
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joel Piaskowski, Doyle Letson, Christopher Walter, Omead Dorandish, Christopher Stevens