Patents Assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC
  • Publication number: 20250145225
    Abstract: A trunk assembly for a vehicle includes a stowage compartment disposed within the vehicle. The stowage compartment defines a stowage compartment opening. A hood is operable between an opened position and a closed position. The hood includes an outer panel and an inner panel coupled to the outer panel. A waterfall structure is integrally formed with a front section of the hood inner panel and extends outward from the front section. The waterfall structure abuts the stowage compartment to at least partially seal the stowage compartment opening when the hood is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2023
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Pablo Torres Sainz, Luis Manuel Mendoza Vega, David Zavala Sanchez, Omar Eduardo Valdez Hernandez, David Michael Kehrer, Mark Joseph Courtright
  • Publication number: 20250148569
    Abstract: A computer that includes a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions executable by the processor to determine a first prediction with a machine learning system based on receiving a first image from a first camera and determine a second prediction with a machine learning system based on receiving a second image from a second camera. When the first prediction does not equal the second prediction within a user determined tolerance, determine color consistency based on comparing pixel values from the first image with a threshold determined based on previously determined pixel values, determine color correction parameters by determining pixel statistics based on pixel values from the first image to include in an image signal processing system and apply the color correction parameters to a third image from the first camera by receiving the third image at the image signal processing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2023
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, Larry Dean Sanders, Akshay Vaidya
  • Publication number: 20250145065
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base, a seat back pivotably coupled with the seat base, a seat portion pivotably coupled with the seat back. The seat portion pivotably coupled with the seat base. The vehicle seating assembly further includes an articulation mechanism coupled to the seat back to pivot the seat back between an upright position and a folded position. The seat portion translates in response to the seat back pivoting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2023
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sandeep Khengare, Arya Sabeti, Swati Pol, Anand Arumugam, Krishnan Haridoss, Parameswararao Pothuraju
  • Publication number: 20250144697
    Abstract: A die for stamping sheet metal comprises a first portion with a convex bead, a second portion with a concave channel, at least one accelerometer positioned near the concave channel. When a sheet metal is positioned between the first portion and the second portion, the first portion and the second portion are configured to be brought together so that the convex bead mates with the concave channel to apply a blank holding force (BHF) to the sheet metal to clamp the sheet metal. The at least one accelerometer measures a time domain parameter or profile or a frequency domain parameter or profile during the placement of the sheet metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, CIAB Tech, LLC
    Inventors: James Pelong, Chandra Sekhar Jalluri
  • Publication number: 20250147202
    Abstract: A weather detection system for a vehicle includes a weather sensor configured to sense an environmental condition of a region external to the vehicle in an operable state, an actuator for controlling a response to the environmental condition, a network interface configured to access weather data from a vehicle fleet, and control circuitry in communication with the weather sensor and the actuator. The control circuitry is configured to access the weather data via the network interface, compare the weather data to the environmental condition, detect an inoperable state of the weather sensor based on the comparison, and control the actuator based on detection of the inoperable state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Robert Schroeter, Jake Schwartz, Anthony Dwayne Cooprider
  • Patent number: 12294321
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an electric drive system for an electric or hybrid vehicle is described. In one example, the drive system is operated by suppling a pulsed torque current command while supplying a zero flux current command. The torque current command and the flux current command make up winding current commands for an electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yingfeng Ji, Yang Xu, Michael W. Degner, Jiyao Wang
  • Patent number: 12291169
    Abstract: While a vehicle is off, an automatic trigger strategy activates a heating device that melts snow and ice off exterior vehicle sensors as it is needed. The automatic trigger strategy determines when to turn on the heating device while the vehicle is in a limited power state by using data pulled from memory or data obtained from a current data check. Collected, analyzed, and stored during key-off, data pulled from memory allows the invention to accurately choose the correct time to start the heating device without consuming additional power. If current data checks are required because data saved at key-off is not enough information to execute a decision, the invention may determine the least power consuming data checks. A power manager extends a threshold that is dependent on the energy reserve. Once the energy reserve is below the threshold, the power manager inactivates the heating device and voids manual commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jake S. Schwartz, John R. Van Wiemeersch, David A. Hiskens
  • Patent number: 12294190
    Abstract: An AC power outlet for an automotive center console comprises a bezel housing containing an array of terminals forming sockets for receiving power plugs according to a plurality of standardized plug layouts. Fixed and pivotable faceplates have respective openings according to first and second patterns for passage of respective prongs of the power plugs into the sockets. The pivotable faceplate is moved to (A) a first rotational position to reveal a first subset of openings on the fixed faceplate corresponding to a first standardized plug layout while blocking other openings, and (B) to a second rotational position reveal a second subset of the openings on the fixed faceplate corresponding to a second standardized plug layout while blocking other ones of the openings. A cover assembly has a cap and a mounting ring to install on the housing at any one of a plurality of angular positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Silvia López Portela, Rosa Fabiola Benitez Torres, Eduardo Arturo Aguilar Ruelas, Maria Alejandra Cobos Reyes, Ailen Flores Becerril
  • Patent number: 12292019
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an evaporative emission fuel (EVAP) system. In one example, a system for the EVAP system includes a delta pressure sensor arranged between a first purge line coupled to a first canister and a second purge line coupled to a second canister arranged in parallel with the first canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed Dudar
  • Patent number: 12293545
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive a first image frame from a first camera of a vehicle and a second image frame from a second camera of the vehicle, identify a common point in the first image frame and the second image frame, determine a projected position of the common point projected onto a plane based on the first image frame and the second image frame, and determine a position of the common point based on the projected position. A first optical axis defined by the first camera and a second optical axis defined by the second camera are in the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jun Lin, Jialiang Le
  • Patent number: 12291207
    Abstract: A system has memory that stores instructions executable by the processor to instruct operation of at least one vehicle system (e.g., braking system, propulsion system, steering system, suspension system) in a minimum time mode for travel of the vehicle from a starting point to a destination point of a roadway. The system collects roadway data for the roadway from the starting point to the destination point. Based on the roadway data, the system determines a minimum time path from the starting point to the destination point and speed along the minimum time path. In response to a maximum acceleration input from a human driver of the vehicle when the vehicle is at the starting point, the system initiates the minimum time mode and instructs operation of at least one vehicle system to pursue the minimum time path and speed along the minimum time path from starting point to destination point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jordan Barrett, Brendan Francis Diamond, Keith Weston, Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Aaron L. Mills
  • Patent number: 12293507
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an insulation system of a stator. In one example, a method may include receiving images of the stator at a processor of a computing system and processing the images by converting the images to one or more of cluster-only images and binary masks. The images may be fed to an artificial intelligence (AI) model to obtain one or more of varnish estimates and void estimates to generate a training dataset which may be used to train a deep learning tool to estimate varnish fill percentages from the images and display the varnish fill percentages at a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Schroeter, Seth Avery, Chris Wolf, Jackson Lenz, Boratha Tan
  • Publication number: 20250136019
    Abstract: An insert unit for insertion into a storage compartment of a center console of a vehicle, having a holding depression for at least partially receiving a portable electronic device such as a cell phone, and two holding portions, between which the holding depression is arranged and which define longitudinal sides of the holding depression. To provide an insert unit which is enhanced in terms of its capacity and its receiving properties, the holding portions each define a common holding plane against which an object can be placed flat, wherein the holding portions are designed in such a way that a spacing between the common holding plane and a planar base of the holding depression is greater than a height of the cell phone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2024
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Friederike Philipsenburg, Anja Neubert, Martin Erich Huebner, Robin Advena, Tim Klausmann, Marc Bisdorf, Bernd Ottlik
  • Publication number: 20250136063
    Abstract: A vehicle including a detection unit and a processor is disclosed. The detection unit may be configured to capture images outside the vehicle. The processor may obtain inputs from the detection unit, and determine that the vehicle may be within a predefined distance of a car wash entry point associated with a car wash station. The processor may determine a first action to be performed when the vehicle is within the predefined distance. The first action includes one or more steps. The processor may be configured to output a first notification to perform a first step, determine that the first step is completed, and output a second notification to perform a second step responsive to a determination that the first step is completed. The processor is further configured to determine that the second step is completed, and output a third notification when the first and second steps are completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2023
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Schroeter, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Jake Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20250136210
    Abstract: A method of assembling a vehicle that includes performing a first operation on a front vehicle structure, securing a plurality of first vehicle components to the front vehicle structure while performing the first operation on the front vehicle structure, performing a second operation on a rear vehicle structure, securing a plurality of second vehicle components to the rear vehicle structure while performing the second operation on the rear vehicle structure, and coupling the front vehicle structure and the rear vehicle structure to each other to form an intermediate vehicle structure after the first vehicle components have been secured to the front vehicle structure and the second vehicle components have been secured to the rear vehicle structure. The first operation includes continuously or intermittently rotating the front vehicle structure. The second operation includes continuously or intermittently rotating the rear vehicle structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jamil M. Alwan, Petros Frantzeskakis, Michael Jon Gutowski, Erik Billimoria, Shawn Michael Morgans, Henry W. Hausler, Christopher Bondanza, Kirk E. Sanborn, Meghan Hall
  • Publication number: 20250136014
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly comprises a seat base, a seat back, an articulation mechanism coupled to the seat base and seat back to allow the seat back to move between an upright seating position and a folded position, a back panel provided on the seat back, an accessory attachment system located on the back panel and having one or more alignment connector structures and one or more latches, and an accessory configured to connect onto the back panel and engage the one or more alignment connectors and the one or more latches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2023
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Spencer Chamberlain, Harry Delarosa Bernardo, Michael John Harmon, Raul Cenan, Leeyul Jeraffi, Bradford Zercoe, Eva Ross, Kevin Mozurkewich, Jerry Wei Hua Yao
  • Publication number: 20250136187
    Abstract: A vehicle that includes a front vehicle structure and a rear vehicle structure. The front vehicle structure includes a left first pillar and a right first pillar. The rear vehicle structure includes a left second pillar and a right second pillar. One of the left first pillar and the left second pillar defines a plurality of left channels. One of the right first pillar and the right second pillar defines a plurality of right channels. A plurality of left interface bodies. Each left interface body is coupled to the other one of the left first pillar and the left second pillar and received in a respective left channel. A plurality of right interface bodies. Each right interface body is coupled to the other one of the right first pillar and the right second pillar and received in a respective right channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jamil M. Alwan, Petros Frantzeskakis, Michael Jon Gutowski, Shawn Michael Morgans, Erik Billimoria, Henry W. Hausler
  • Publication number: 20250139566
    Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to a method (54) for managing the load space of a delivery vehicle (10), to a load space management system (12) for a load space (14) of a delivery vehicle (10), and to a delivery vehicle (10). A route plan (122) of the delivery vehicle (10) is received from a server (38). A respective load space position (48) at which a respective object (18) which has been introduced or is to be introduced into the load space (14) is to be placed is determined, taking into consideration at least the route plan (122), by an object placement logic (34), before or during the introduction of the respective object (18) into a load space (14) of the delivery vehicle (10). A respective load space position signal is outputted by a signaling device (52). The load space position signal indicates the respective determined load space position (48) for the respective object (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2024
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Abhinav Dhake, Roy Hendrikx, Mark Gijbels, Nicole Leonarda Wilhelmina Eikelenberg, Jeroen Lem, Detlef Kuck, Walter Pijls, Alexandra Holz
  • Publication number: 20250137797
    Abstract: A first vehicle configured to jump start a second vehicle is disclosed. The first vehicle may include a first energy storage system, a second energy storage system, and a converter. The first vehicle may further include a switch between the second energy storage system and the converter, and a control unit. The control unit may obtain a user request to activate a jump start mode of the first vehicle, deactivate a vehicle load in the first vehicle, and cause the switch to operate in the ON state. The control unit may further cause the second energy storage system to supply a first amount of current to pre-charge a battery of the second vehicle for a predefined time duration, and cause the second energy storage system to supply a second amount of current to the battery to start a second vehicle ignition system when the battery is pre-charged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2023
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. SALTER, Matthew VOLPONE, Daniel Luke RABIDEAU, Todd ANSBACHER, David CELINSKE
  • Publication number: 20250138542
    Abstract: An interface including a first detection unit, a second detection unit and a processor is disclosed. The first detection unit may be configured to detect a user intent to cause a vehicle movement via the interface. The second detection unit may be configured to receive movement inputs to cause the vehicle movement. The processor may determine that a user intends to cause the vehicle movement based on inputs obtained from the first detection unit, and determine that the movement inputs are received by the second detection unit within a predefined time duration of determining that the user intends to cause the vehicle movement, based on inputs obtained from the second detection unit. The processor may further transmit a command signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle movement based on the movement inputs, responsive to determining that the movement inputs are received within the predefined time duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2024
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Ryan Preston, Pietro Buttolo, Ruochen Yang, Michael Goebelbecker