Patents Assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC
  • Vehicle variation remediation
    Patent number: 11941926
    Abstract: A vehicle computer can be programmed to detect, in a vehicle, one of a plurality of variations, based on data received from one or more vehicle sensors or a vehicle interface, to transmit, to a remote computer, variation data including the detected variation and a version of software in the vehicle computer, wherein the variation data identifies the detected variation and the version of the software, to receive, from the remote computer, a response including that a software update is identified based on the detected variation, and upon identifying the software update, to download and install the software update in the vehicle computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Oliver Lei
  • Alignment bracket assembly for slidable vehicle door
    Patent number: 11938797
    Abstract: A vehicle door system includes, among other things, a vehicle body and a slidable door that is slidable back and forth relative to the vehicle body between an open position and a closed position. The system further includes an alignment bracket assembly having a door-mounted portion and a body-mounted portion. The door-mounted portion and the body-mounted portion are wedged against one another when the slidable door is in the closed position to restrict movement of the slidable door relative to the vehicle body when the slidable door is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dan Ritz, Scott Nydam
  • SLIDABLE SEATBELT ASSEMBLY FOR A WHEELCHAIR
    Publication number: 20240092311
    Abstract: An assembly includes a vehicle roof and a vehicle floor spaced from the vehicle roof. The assembly includes a seatbelt assembly for accommodating a wheelchair. The seatbelt assembly is slidably supported by the vehicle roof and the vehicle floor. The seatbelt assembly is slidable along the vehicle roof and the vehicle floor along a vehicle-longitudinal axis. The seatbelt assembly has a seatbelt webbing elongated in a direction from the vehicle roof to the vehicle floor. The assembly includes a seatbelt buckle slidably supported by the vehicle floor. The seatbelt buckle is slidable relative to the vehicle floor along the vehicle-longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S.M. Iskander Farooq
  • LOAD-LIMITING ASSEMBLY FOR SEATBELT
    Publication number: 20240092310
    Abstract: An assembly includes a vehicle pillar elongated along an axis. The assembly includes seatbelt retractor and a webbing retractably extendable from the retractor. The seatbelt retractor is lockable from an unlocked position in which the webbing is extendable from and retractable into the retractor to a locked position in which the retractor restricts extension of the webbing from the retractor. The assembly includes a frame supported by the pillar and defining a slot elongated along the axis of the pillar. The slot has a terminal upper end. The assembly includes a seatbelt guide slideably engaged with the slot. The seatbelt retractor is below the seatbelt guide. The webbing extends upwardly from the seatbelt retractor around the seatbelt guide. The assembly includes a spring between the frame and the seatbelt guide. The spring biases the seatbelt guide against the terminal upper end of the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: S.M. Iskander Farooq, Mohammad Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi
  • LIFTGATE MOUNTED SENSOR ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20240092278
    Abstract: An assembly includes a liftgate having a frame and a body panel supported by the frame, the body panel defining a plurality of openings, the openings providing access to the frame. The assembly includes a first cover covering the plurality of openings of the body panel. The assembly includes a second cover supported by the first cover and defining a chamber therebetween. The assembly includes a sensor assembly supported within the chamber between the first cover and the second cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tyler D. Hamilton, Venkatesh Krishnan, Michael Robertson, JR., Moura Renato da Rosa Borges, Henrico Quinelato
  • LAMINATE WITH VARNISH ACCUMULATION FEATURE
    Publication number: 20240097509
    Abstract: A method for applying varnish to a stator of an electric motor includes depositing varnish onto an outer laminate of the stator, accumulating the deposited varnish with a ridge on the outer laminate, and directing the accumulated varnish into a slot of the outer laminate with the ridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Akash Changarankumarath Pradeepkumar, Singar Rathnam
  • ELECTRIC GROUND ASSEMBLY FOR GROUNDING A VEHICLE COMPONENT
    Publication number: 20240097358
    Abstract: An electrical ground assembly for a vehicle component includes a bushing including an upper serrated surface and a lower serrated surface opposite the upper serrated surface, a ground strap including a terminal, and a fastener including a head portion, a shaft extending from the head portion, and a flange extending radially between the head portion and the shaft portion. The terminal is electrically connected to the bushing between the upper serrated surface and the lower serrated surface. The flange includes a lower serrated surface configured to mate with the upper serrated surface of the bushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Robert Rink, Nathaniel Conti
  • VEHICLE FRAME ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20240092165
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a first rail and a second rail elongated along a vehicle-longitudinal axis and spaced from each other along a vehicle-lateral axis. The vehicle includes an energy storage device between the first rail and the second rail. The vehicle includes a support structure between the first rail and the second rail. The vehicle includes a cable under tension and extending from the first rail to the second rail, the cable between the energy storage device and the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S.M. Iskander Farooq, Saeed D. Barbat
  • SYNCHRONIZING IMAGE FRAMES BY SUPER SAMPLING
    Publication number: 20240096045
    Abstract: Based on a measured intensities of first and second light sources while both the first and second light sources are actuated, and a default secondary illuminator output intensity, a computer may determine an adjusted secondary illuminator output intensity and actuate the secondary light source to output light at the adjusted secondary light source output intensity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ali Hassani, Alexandra Taylor
  • THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20240092137
    Abstract: A thermal management system for a vehicle includes a heat exchange unit coupled with a compartment of the vehicle via an interface in the compartment. A container is moveable between a first position and a second position. The container is configured to be in fluid communication with the heat exchange unit via the interface in the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Manfred Koberstein, Chris Robert Sculthorpe, Craig Martin Spinneweber, John Azar, Michael M. Azzouz, Scott Nydam
  • VEHICLE AIRBAG SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20240092301
    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: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S.M. Iskander Farooq
  • CARGO OVERHANG SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20240092362
    Abstract: A system and method performed by a first vehicle may include receiving a message from a second vehicle regarding a cargo overhang condition of the second vehicle in which an object carried by the second vehicle extends beyond a perimeter or envelope of the second vehicle, and adjusting an operation of the first vehicle based upon the cargo overhang condition of the second vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Scott A. Bohr
  • WORK SURFACE FOR A VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20240093515
    Abstract: A work surface for a vehicle includes a first section, a central section, and a first lock assembly. The first section includes a proximal edge and a distal edge. The first section defines a channel therein. The central section includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the central section is positioned adjacent to the proximal edge of the first section. The proximal edge of the first section is pivotably coupled to the first end of the central section. The first section is movable between a stowed position and a fully-deployed position relative to the central section. The first lock assembly is coupled to the central section. The first lock assembly includes a post that is operable between a retracted position and an extended position. The fully-deployed position of the first section arranges the channel defined by the first section to receive the post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jose Ernesto Simon Gonzalez, Jose Maria Aburto, Lorena Virginia Mendez
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMPONENT DETECTION IN A MANUFACTURING ENVIRONMENT
    Publication number: 20240095311
    Abstract: A method includes segmenting point cloud data of an image into a plurality of input clusters, wherein each of the plurality of input clusters includes a given set of point cloud data from among the point cloud data. The method includes, for each of the plurality of input clusters: selectively filtering the given set of point cloud data to identify production component cloud data (PCCD), aligning the PCCD with a predefined axis to generate a rotated PCCD, classifying the given set of the plurality of production components into one or more asset types based on the rotated PCCD, generating a three-dimensional bounding box based on the rotated PCCD, segmenting the rotated PCCD into a plurality of production clusters, and determining one or more parameters associated with the given set of the plurality of production components based on the plurality of production clusters and the one or more asset types.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ranjanikar Vinay, Vipul Jirge, Chekuri Prudhveeraju, Chhapparghare Hivraj Vijay
  • OBJECT DETECTION USING REFLECTIVE SURFACES
    Publication number: 20240094384
    Abstract: Tracking an object included in a reflective surface by detecting the reflective surface included in one or more images included in a plurality of images by determining a location of the reflective surface in pixel coordinates and tracking the location of the reflective surface in the plurality of images. Real world locations of the object can be determined based on attributes of the reflective surface including a geometric class, extrinsic properties that relate the reflective surface to an environment, intrinsic properties describing the reflective surface without referring to the environment and calibration properties of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marcos Paul Gerardo Castro, Aniruddh Ravindran, Mishel Johns
  • CABLE SUPPORTED AIRBAG INFLATABLE ACROSS DOOR OPENING
    Publication number: 20240092304
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a front pillar and a rear pillar spaced along a vehicle-longitudinal axis. The front pillar and the rear pillar define a door opening therebetween. The vehicle includes a first track on the front pillar and a second track on the rear pillar. A cable is moveably engaged with the first track and the second track from an undeployed position to a raised position. The cable extends across the door opening from the first track to the second track in the raised position. An airbag is moveable with the cable from the undeployed position to the raised position. The airbag is supported by the cable in the raised position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, S.M. Iskander Farooq, Mohammad Omar Faruque, Rahul Arora, Saeed D. Barbat
  • CARBON NANOSTRUCTURE ENHANCED RECYCLED POLYMER MATERIAL
    Publication number: 20240092983
    Abstract: A composite material includes a recycled polymer matrix, a continuous network of linked carbon nanostructures dispersed within the recycled polymer matrix, and a compatibilizer. The recycled polymer matrix is in an amount of at least 90 wt. %. The continuous network of linked carbon nanostructures is in an amount between 0.5 wt. % to 1.0 wt. %. The compatibilizer is in an amount of about 3.0 wt. %.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Deborah Frances Mielewski, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Mohan Kamath, Stuart C. Salter, Alper Kiziltas
  • BATTERY PACK FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20240092156
    Abstract: A battery pack for an electric vehicle includes a battery housing and a pair of rocker structures. The battery housing is configured to house power storage units. The pair of rocker structures are located at opposing sides of the battery housing and are configured to mount the battery pack to a vehicle body structure. Each rocker structure includes a variable width along a length of the rocker structure. The battery housing includes a region that corresponds to a widest portion of each rocker structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Dean M. Jaradi
  • AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE OPERATION IN SNOW
    Publication number: 20240092388
    Abstract: Upon detecting an accumulation of snow on a driving surface, a driving path from a first location to a second location is identified. A vehicle is operated from the first location to the second location and then to a third location that is identical to or proximate to the first location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brendan Jenkins, Tyler James-Ray Kaldobsky, Daniel Sullivan
  • VEHICLE SEAT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20240092309
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a seat having a seat bottom and a seatback. The vehicle includes a buckle movable from a retracted position at the seatback to a deployed position spaced from the seatback. The vehicle incudes an actuator operatively coupled to the buckle to move the buckle from the retracted position to the deployed position. The vehicle includes a computer having a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive an indication that an occupant of the seat will exit the vehicle and, in response, command the actuator to move the buckle from the retracted position to the deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Monica Ramirez, Fernando Ortega