Patents Assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC
  • Publication number: 20240086820
    Abstract: A delivery vehicle for autonomously delivering a plurality of packages is described. The delivery vehicle includes a set of rails and a cargo management unit slidably engaged with the set of rails. The cargo management unit is configured to engage with a package and move the package inside the delivery vehicle. The cargo management unit includes a gripping member that includes a lower claw and an upper claw. The lower claw and the upper claw are attached with each other via a pair of first line screws, and are configured to move along the pair of first line screws to secure the package. The cargo management unit further includes a second line screw configured to engage the gripping member with a first rail, and is configured to rotate the gripping member along a second line screw axis and move the gripping member vertically along the second line screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jair Garcia, Rafael Medina, Victor Jose Cisneros Moreno, Gerson Figueroa Flores
  • Publication number: 20240087360
    Abstract: A computer, including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions to be executed by the processor to acquire a first image by illuminating a first object with a first light beam, segment the first image of the first object to determine regions that correspond to a first surface material and determine a first measure of pixel values in regions of the first image that correspond to the first surface material. The instructions include further instructions to perform a comparison of the first measure of pixel values to a second measure of pixel values determined from a second image of a second object, wherein the second image is previously acquired by illuminating the second object with a second light beam and when the comparison determines that the first measure is equal to the second measure of pixel values within a tolerance, determine that the first object and the second object are a same object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ali Hassani, Jonathan Diedrich, Hamid M. Golgiri, Hemanth Yadav Aradhyula, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Publication number: 20240083392
    Abstract: A sensor-cleaning system includes a sensor of a vehicle, an electrode, and a computer communicatively coupled to the electrode. The sensor includes a lens. The electrode is positioned to draw dust from the lens when the electrode is energized. The computer is programmed to energize the electrode in response to the vehicle moving and deenergize the electrode in response to the vehicle being stationary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Lorne Forsythe, Lars Niklas Pettersson, Venkatesh Krishnan, Michael Robertson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20240087136
    Abstract: A computer that includes a processor and a memory can determine a final trajectory for a vehicle by determining a candidate trajectory of a first object based on a detected second object. The candidate trajectory can be input to a reachable polyhedral marching processor to determine dynamic occupancy polyhedrals based on a shape of the candidate trajectory. A reachable tube can be determined based on combining the dynamic occupancy polyhedrals and the final trajectory can be determined based on the reachable tube avoiding the detected second object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT Technology Licensing Office
    Inventors: Md Tawhid Bin Waez, Yue Meng, Zeng Qiu, Chuchu Fan
  • Publication number: 20240083319
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body, an access aperture that is defined by the body, a closure panel, and an auxiliary panel. The closure panel is movably coupled to the body. The closure panel is movable between an open position and a closed position such that the closure panel selectively covers the access aperture. The auxiliary panel is removably coupled to the closure panel. The auxiliary panel is movable between an engaged state and a disengaged state relative to the closure panel. The auxiliary panel travels with the closure panel when the auxiliary panel is in the engaged state. The disengaged state of the auxiliary panel corresponds with a use position of the auxiliary panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Pablo Francisco Santos Zubiaur, Carlos Ricardo Rios Guadarrama
  • Publication number: 20240083389
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for cleaning one or more sensors of a self-driving system (SDS). For example, the SDS is provided with a sensor with a lens that is formed with a convex outer surface. A nozzle is formed with an opening to provide a liquid in a stream at a fan angle relative to a spray axis. The nozzle is spaced apart from the sensor at a distance based on a radius of the lens and the fan angle and configured to spray the liquid with laminar flow onto a proximal end of the lens such that the liquid flows across the lens from the proximal end to a distal end of the lens to remove debris.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Carlos Francisco MACIEL CASTELLANOS, Pablo Arturo ZUNIGA PEREZ
  • Publication number: 20240083327
    Abstract: A cup holder assembly includes a body that defines a cup-receiving cavity and an aperture that extends through a side wall of the body, a first bracing feature and a second bracing feature, each of which is coupled to the body and positioned outside of the cup-receiving cavity, and a retention finger. The retention finger includes a first portion that extends into the cup-receiving cavity through the aperture, a first engagement feature coupled to the first portion and pivotably engaged with the first bracing feature, and a second engagement feature coupled to the first portion and engaged with the second bracing feature. The retention finger is operable to move via pivotal movement of the first engagement feature relative to the first bracing feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Diego F. Villacres Mesias, Gustavo Llamas Maldonado, Jose Carlos Hernandez, Matthew J. Hickey, Michele M. Mathews
  • Publication number: 20240087332
    Abstract: A computer is programmed to receive image data from a sensor; generate a feature pyramid from the image data, the feature pyramid including a plurality of features; apply a plurality of preliminary bounding boxes to the features to generate a plurality of preliminarily bounded features, each preliminarily bounded feature being a pairing of one of the preliminary bounding boxes and one of the features; execute a machine-learning program on the preliminarily bounded features to determine a plurality of classifications and a respective plurality of predicted bounding boxes; and actuate a component of a machine, e.g., a vehicle, based on the classifications and the predicted bounding boxes. The machine-learning program is a two-stage object detector having a first stage and a second stage. The first stage selects a subset of the preliminarily bounded features to pass to the second stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Cédric Picron, Tinne Tuytelaars, Punarjay Chakravarty, Shubham Shrivastava
  • Publication number: 20240082867
    Abstract: A system for applying material to a substrate includes a nozzle, robot, actuator, sensor, and controller. The robot provides primary movement such that the nozzle traverses a predefined global bead path across and spaced apart from the substrate. The actuator provides secondary relative movement between the nozzle and substrate. The sensor senses a first location on the substrate that is spaced apart from a location where the nozzle deposits material by a distance based on a sensor response time and relative speed of the nozzle and substrate. The controller detects a feature of the substrate based on the data received from the sensor. The controller directs the actuator to provide the secondary relative movement such that a bead of material is applied to the substrate along a feature-relative bead path. The controller controls the actuator to provide the secondary relative movement based on the response time and the relative speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ahmad Mojdehi, David John Hill, Jim Derry
  • Publication number: 20240083320
    Abstract: A table assembly for a vehicle includes a first mounting bracket attachable on a first fixed vehicle component and a table body. The table body has a plurality of rigid segments joined together by a corresponding plurality of flexible joints. A first one of the flexible joints extends in a first direction and at least another of the flexible joints extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The table body is configured to be removably coupled with the first mounting bracket such that the first mounting bracket supports the table body in a generally horizontal position with the table body in a first configuration folded along the first flexible joint such that the at least another of the flexible joints is positioned to extend along one of the plurality of rigid segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Oscar Martinez, Juan Carlos Aquino Bustamante, Misael Gonzalez, Raul Ezequiel Alvarez Ruiz, Jorge Flores Corona
  • Publication number: 20240083321
    Abstract: An armrest center console for a vehicle includes a housing defining a storage bin, a track assembly having a first and second tracks provided on opposite sides of the housing, and an armrest cover assembly supported on the housing and having a deployable table. The armrest center console also includes a linkage assembly coupling the armrest cover assembly to the first and second tracks, wherein the armrest cover assembly is configured to slide forward on the first and second rail and to rotate upward via the linkage assembly to deploy the deployable table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Paul Thomas, Glen D. Skinner, Brian Robb, Thomas Junior Luckett, Ryan Welch
  • Patent number: 11926260
    Abstract: A method for operating a parking assistance function of a motor vehicle is described, wherein the motor vehicle comprises at least one sensor for detecting the road surrounding the motor vehicle. The method includes the following steps: Finding and specifying a free parking space; Determining a trajectory for parking the motor vehicle in the parking space and a sequence of an at least partially automated parking process; Determining at least one outer boundary line of the road surface required for parking along the identified trajectory; Detecting at least one road user approaching the determined outer boundary line on the road by means of at least one sensor; Determining the distance of the road user approaching the determined outer boundary line from the outer boundary line; if the determined distance falls below a specified first threshold, outputting a warning signal to the approaching road user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marc Roeber, Florian Vieten
  • Patent number: 11926200
    Abstract: This relates to a vehicle including a rear closure assembly having a liftgate and a tailgate. The liftgate and the tailgate are moveable by a common actuator. In one embodiment, a vehicle includes a liftgate moveable between a liftgate closed position and a liftgate open position to selectively cover and uncover a first portion of a rear opening in a body of the vehicle, a tailgate moveable between a tailgate closed position and a tailgate open position to selectively cover and uncover a second portion of the rear opening, and an actuator mechanically coupled to both the liftgate and the tailgate. The actuator is configured to move the liftgate between the liftgate closed position and the liftgate open position, and the actuator is configured to move the tailgate between the tailgate closed position and the tailgate open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Adrian Nania
  • Patent number: 11926282
    Abstract: Systems and methods for random vehicle movement to prevent theft are disclosed. The vehicle system may automatically reposition to make it seem like the user is home and to reduce battery drain and flat spots on the tire. The system may randomize the start time based on the preferences of the user. At the randomly decided time, the vehicle may start up on its own and reposition itself. In addition, the system may learn a driving behavior pattern of the vehicle via machine learning based on driving behavior associated with the vehicle, such that the vehicle may perform vehicle movement based on the learned driving behavior pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Castaldini, Naman Kohli, Vidhya Iyer, Shounak Athavale, Sonal Doomra
  • Patent number: 11926308
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an internal combustion engine that is coupled to a power split transmission are described. In one example, the internal combustion engine is operated in a speed control mode or a torque control mode in response to a braking torque and a transmission shift command. Operating the engine in the torque control mode may allow the engine to charge a battery while a neutral transmission state is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Shen, William David Treharne, Carol Louise Okubo
  • Patent number: 11927159
    Abstract: An air induction system is disclosed for an engine that comprises an air cleaner, an inlet air conduit, a Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAFS), and a secondary air induction system. The air filter encloses a filter element that removes contaminants from the air supplied to the engine. A MAFS is disposed in the inlet air conduit and measures the mass of the air flowing through the inlet air conduit to an intake manifold of the engine and provides data to an engine control module that controls the air/fuel mixture supplied to the engine. The secondary air system receives air from the air cleaner that is provided to a vehicle component and includes an inlet port located upstream from the MAFS. The secondary induction conduit draws air through a port integrated with the MAFS bore with an air pump to provide clean air to an engine component or exhaust system component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher B. Bishop, Angela D. Pyle, John Emley, Roger Joseph Khami, Ivan Lage Matos
  • Patent number: 11926283
    Abstract: A system includes a first controller including a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive first acceleration data from an accelerometer; upon determining that the first acceleration data satisfies a first criterion, transmit a wake-up instruction to a second controller; upon determining that the first acceleration data fails to satisfy the first criterion, instruct the accelerometer to send second acceleration data; and upon determining that the second acceleration data satisfies a second criterion, transmit the wake-up instruction to the second controller. The first criterion includes jerk exceeding a jerk threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Khalid Shamsuddin Hossain
  • Patent number: D1017465
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Max Wolff, Maurizio Tocco, David Dewitt, Andrew Wolton, Nonthawat Kongsari, Siddhartha Kazami, Rohan Satyamurthy, Emily Lai, Luana Teixeira, Peter Jones
  • Patent number: D1017626
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Bo Bao, Seyed Armin Raeis Hosseiny, Katherine Rouen, Clay Cundiff
  • Patent number: D1017852
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ehab Kaoud, William K. Moore, Richard L. Howard, Joshua P. Henry, Samuel R. Haire