Patents Assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC
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Publication number: 20230159032Abstract: A speed of a target vehicle in a target lane of operation is determined relative to a host vehicle in a host lane of operation. A virtual boundary is determined around the target vehicle based on the speed of the target vehicle. A position in the target lane and outside the virtual boundary is selected based on a) a first cost function for a deviation of a speed of the host vehicle from a requested speed, and b) a second cost function for a frequency of lane changes. Upon determining to move the host vehicle from the host lane to the target lane, the host vehicle is operated to the position in the target lane.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2021Publication date: May 25, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Yousaf Rahman, Mrdjan J. Jankovic
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Publication number: 20230159029Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to identify a first scenario in which a vehicle is operating from a plurality of scenarios, prompt an operator to activate an adaptive cruise control of the vehicle in response to a preference score for the first scenario being above a threshold, refrain from prompting the operator to activate the adaptive cruise control in response to the preference score for the first scenario being below the threshold, and activate the adaptive cruise control in response to receiving an input to activate the adaptive cruise control from the operator. The scenarios indicate at least one characteristic of a road on which the vehicle is traveling. The preference score indicates a preference of the operator for activating the adaptive cruise control in the first scenario.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2021Publication date: May 25, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Fling Finn Tseng, Himanshu Verma, Aed M. Dudar
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Publication number: 20230159019Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a vehicle processor disposed to control a drive system, and a memory for storing executable instructions. The vehicle processor is programmed to execute the instructions to determine, via the vehicle processor, a localization of a mobile device using a tethered wireless connection between the mobile device and the vehicle, receive, via the processor, an absolute heading of the mobile device, determine, via the vehicle processor, based on the localization of the mobile device, a relative bearing angle from the mobile device to the vehicle. The system may use the tethered wireless connection and the relative bearing angle from the mobile device to the vehicle to determine that a user is actuating a Human Machine Interface (HMI) element indicative of user attention to a remote parking maneuver and complete the remote parking maneuver.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2021Publication date: May 25, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Hamid M. Golgiri, Vivekanandh Elangovan, Tom Nelson, Erick Michael Lovoie, Ryan Joseph Gorski
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Publication number: 20230158876Abstract: A structural assembly for a vehicle includes a battery structure having a battery frame. The structural assembly includes a vehicle frame and a vehicle body. The vehicle frame has opposed longitudinal rails. The vehicle body is separate from and mounted on the vehicle frame. The vehicle body includes opposed rockers extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Each opposed longitudinal rail is located between a respective rocker and the battery frame of the battery structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2021Publication date: May 25, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Conor Daniel Hennessey, Vladimir Vladimirovich Bogachuk, Shawn Michael Morgans, Stephen William Gallagher
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Publication number: 20230161005Abstract: An assembly includes a sensor housing defining an inlet. The assembly includes a sensor assembly rotatably supported by the sensor housing. The sensor assembly includes a sensor and a cover surrounding the sensor. The sensor assembly has a cavity between the sensor and the cover. The inlet is in fluid communication with the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2021Publication date: May 25, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael Robertson, JR., Venkatesh Krishnan, Rashaun Phinisee
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Publication number: 20230158992Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle includes a first seat and a second seat. The assembly includes a crossbar positioned between the first seat and the second seat. The assembly includes an airbag supported by the crossbar. The assembly includes a controller programmed to position the crossbar in a raised position in response to a detected occupant egress.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2021Publication date: May 25, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi, S.M. Iskander Farooq
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Patent number: 11654793Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery and a controller. The controller, responsive to some cells of the traction battery achieving a first state of charge threshold, discharge other cells of the traction battery, each having a capacity greater than each of the some of the cells, to a second state of charge threshold that is greater than the first state of charge threshold without discharging the some of the cells. The controller then charges all of the cells at the same time such that the some of the cells and the other of the cells achieve a same predetermined target state of charge at a same time.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Rui Hu, Rui Wang, Xu Wang, Baojin Wang
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Patent number: 11654484Abstract: A method of forming a part includes metal binder jet printing a first green component with a first attachment interface, de-powdering the first green component, assembling the first green component with a second component comprising a second attachment interface and forming an assembly such that the first attachment interface and the second attachment interface are adjacent to each other. The assembly is sintered such that volumetric shrinkage of at least the first green component creates a compressive force across the first attachment interface and the second attachment interface, and the compressive force across the first attachment interface and the second attachment interface and heat from the sintering results in a metallurgical bond across the first attachment interface and the second attachment interface such that a monolithic part is formed.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John Cornell, Mark Meinhart, Jason Powell, Wolfram Buschhaus
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Patent number: 11654810Abstract: A console assembly includes a body that has a front portion and a rear portion. The body defines a support extension extending from a rear portion. The support extension includes a guide and a resilient member that defines a channel. A lid is operably coupled to the body. A connector outwardly extends from the lid and is coupled to the support extension. An engagement member is positioned within the channel and is coupled to the connector and mutually engageable with the resilient member.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Shiran Chen
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Patent number: 11654802Abstract: An assembly includes a seatback defining an occupant-seating area. The seatback has a frame and a rear trim cover. The frame is between the occupant-seating area and the rear trim cover. The assembly includes a seat bottom extending from the seatback below the occupant-seating area. The assembly includes a deformable cell between the frame and the rear trim cover. The deformable cell extends from a first end proximate the frame to a second end proximate the rear trim cover. The deformable cell has a contraction between the first end and the second end.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dean M. Jaradi, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Mohammad Omar Faruque, Anil Kalra, Rahul Arora
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Patent number: 11654795Abstract: A vehicle includes a temperature control system, a battery configured to power the temperature control system, and a controller. The controller is programmed to, in response to a request to precondition the battery or the cabin air, an absence of receiving a signal indicative of a desired initial battery state of charge, and an actual battery state of charge being greater than a default threshold, deliver electrical power from the battery to the temperature control system at a desired value. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the request to precondition the battery or the cabin air, receiving the signal indicative of the desired initial battery state of charge, and the actual battery state of charge being greater than the desired initial battery state of charge but less than the default threshold, deliver electrical power from the battery to the temperature control system at the desired value.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Charles Everett Badger, II, Rohan Shrivastava, Jordan Mazaira, Zachary March
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Patent number: 11654785Abstract: A vehicle charge port assembly includes a housing having a port configured to couple to a charge-station coupler. The port includes a plurality of terminals and a back cover attached to a back side of the housing and defining openings that receive the terminals. The port further includes wires, each joined to one of the terminals, and seals each encircling one of the wires and disposed in a corresponding one of the openings.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Isaiah Genece, Darko Acevski, William Christopher Trego, Douglas G Hughes, Zubair Hassan
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Patent number: 11654813Abstract: A reconfigurable cup holder assembly for a vehicle comprises: (i) a base structure, and (ii) a cup holder portion pivotably coupled to the base structure about a pivot axis, the cup holder portion comprising a first cup holder and a second cup holder, each of the first cup holder and the second cup holder defining a space configured to hold a container for liquid, and the cup holder portion is pivotable about the pivot axis to, from, and between a first position relative to the base structure and a second position relative to the base structure; wherein, the pivot axis extends through the space of the first cup holder. The second cup holder can pivot greater than or equal to 75 degrees about the pivot axis when the cup holder portion moves from the first position to the second position.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gregory Paul Thomas, Shiran Chen, Stephen Neal Jacobsen, Michele Marie Mathews
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Patent number: 11654831Abstract: A console assembly for a vehicle includes a unitary main body. The unitary main body includes a first side wall, a second side wall, and a top finish portion that extends between the first and second side walls. The top finish portion defines at least one of a shifter receiving aperture and a cup holder opening. A cross bracket is coupled to the first and second side walls and extends between the first and second side walls of the unitary main body.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stuti Sinha, Mohamed A. Elmadari, Chad M. Bross, Patrick T. Beaudoin, Martin J. Drumb
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Patent number: 11654811Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat and a lower leg support. The seat includes a first end and a second end. The first and second ends are opposite to one another. The lower leg support is coupled to the seat at the second end and is movable relative to the seat between a retracted position and an extended position. A suspension assembly is coupled to the lower leg support. The suspension assembly includes a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion. The first end of the suspension assembly is coupled to a portion of the seat. The second end of the suspension assembly is coupled proximate to a distal end of the lower leg support. A distance between an interior surface of the intermediate portion and an adjacent surface of each of the seat and the lower leg support may vary based on lower leg support position.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2022Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Jimmy Moua, Deeptej Kudav, S. M. Akbar Berry, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Macit Aktas, Spencer Hoin
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Patent number: 11654824Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for providing a display pertaining to a vehicle payload. An example method executed by a processor of a vehicle payload display system includes determining a weight of a payload placed upon the vehicle and displaying upon a ground surface outside the vehicle and/or upon a windshield of the vehicle, an image that provides an indication of the weight of the payload placed upon the vehicle. Another example method executed by the processor includes obtaining information about a laden weight of the vehicle, determining a weight difference between the laden weight and a payload capacity of the vehicle, determining, based on the weight difference, a payload margin available for loading the vehicle or an excess weight loaded upon the vehicle, and displaying the payload margin or the first excess weight upon a display surface that is viewable from outside the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2022Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Aed M. Dudar
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Patent number: 11654875Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine, friction brakes, a drivetrain, and a controller. The electric machine is configured to recharge a battery during regenerative braking. The friction brakes are configured to apply torque to wheels of the vehicle to slow the vehicle. The controller is programmed to, in response to and during an anti-locking braking event, generate a signal indicative of a total torque demand to brake the vehicle based on a difference between a desired wheel slip ratio and an actual wheel slip ratio, adjust a regenerative braking torque based on a product of the signal and a regenerative braking weighting coefficient, adjust a friction braking torque based on a product of the signal and a friction braking weighting coefficient, and further adjust the regenerative braking torque based on a closed-loop control of an estimated regenerative braking torque feedback.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Yixin Yao, Yanan Zhao, Mark Steven Yamazaki
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Patent number: 11654922Abstract: Driver attention and hand placement systems and methods are disclosed herein. An example method includes providing warning messages to a driver of a vehicle based on steering wheel input or hand-wheel contact by the driver. The warning messages are provided according to a first scheme when the steering wheel input is above a threshold value and according to a second scheme when the steering wheel input is below a threshold value and images obtained by a camera in the vehicle indicate that at least one hand of the driver is on the steering wheel.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Keith Weston, Michael Alan Mcnees, Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Brendan Diamond, Jordan Barrett
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Patent number: 11654908Abstract: A current lane of vehicle operation is determined to be branched at a location into a through lane and a deceleration lane based on first sensor data indicating an increased width of the current lane exceeds a predetermined width at the location. Then the vehicle is determined to be operating in one of (a) the deceleration lane, or (b) the through lane, based on second sensor data. Then one of (a) an assist feature of the vehicle is activated to a disabled state based on determining the vehicle is in the deceleration lane, or (b) the assist feature is maintained in an enabled state based on determining the vehicle is in the through lane.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Shalabh Rakesh Bhatnagar, Nitendra Nath, Amey Yogesh Karnik, Jigarkumar Patel
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Patent number: 11655048Abstract: Example landing platform systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a landing platform includes a top plate configured to support an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), where the top plate has a plurality of slots therethrough. A rotating plate is located adjacent the top plate and includes multiple centering pins extending therefrom and extending through the plurality of slots in the top plate. A motor is capable of rotating the rotating plate, which causes the multiple centering pins to center the UAV on the top plate.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2018Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Yuji Sugimoto, James Carthew, Aditya Singh