Patents Assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC
  • VEHICLE BATTERY AND SEAT ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20200282818
    Abstract: An assembly for a hybrid motor vehicle, in particular a partially electrified hybrid motor vehicle, includes a vehicle battery and a vehicle seat having a seat surface. The vehicle seat is connected or capable of connection to a vehicle floor of the hybrid motor vehicle by means of a seat bottom construction of the seat surface. In addition, the vehicle battery is furthermore arranged or capable of arrangement underneath the vehicle seat and above the vehicle floor and a first stiffened cross member, arranged in front of the vehicle battery in the direction of travel, and a second stiffened cross member, arranged behind the vehicle battery in the direction of travel, are provided. The vehicle battery is moreover connected to the first cross member by means of a first fixing arrangement and/or to the second cross member by means of a second fixing arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joergen Hilmann, Marius Sawatzki, Simon Jesse, Daniel Meckenstock
  • SEAT TRACK ASSEMBLY INCLUDING COVER MEMBERS
    Publication number: 20200282869
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an outer rail coupled to a floor. An inner rail is positioned within the outer rail. A seat base is coupled to the inner rail. Cover members are positioned over the outer rail. An inclined member is coupled to the outer rail and the cover members are configured to pivot about two rotational axes in response to movement of the inclined member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Shawn Tuffs
  • VEHICLE AND ARRANGEMENT OF MICROELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS FOR SIGNAL CONVERSION IN A VEHICLE INTERIOR
    Publication number: 20200284929
    Abstract: An arrangement (202) of microelectromechanical systems for signal conversion in a vehicle interior is provided, which has a plurality of microelectromechanical systems (100), which each have at least one signal conversion unit (101) and a communication unit (102). The arrangement (202) furthermore comprises a control device (205) and the plurality of microelectromechanical systems (100) are configured to communicate signals to the control device (202). Provision is made for the plurality of microelectromechanical systems (100) to be arranged in a vehicle interior (201) and for the signals to relate to at least one state parameter of the vehicle interior (201). In addition, a vehicle (200) having a vehicle interior (201), which vehicle has such an arrangement (202), is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christoph Arndt Dr habil, Frederic Stefan, Uwe Gussen, Frank Petri
  • EMBEDDED IN-VEHICLE PLATFORM FOR PROVIDING IMMERSIVE USER EXPERIENCES
    Publication number: 20200283005
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an embedded in-vehicle platform that provides immersive user experiences. An example method includes obtaining, by a vehicle controller of a vehicle, a preference profile for a user; loading the preference profile by the vehicle controller; determining a shopping experience of the user occurring on a vehicle shopping platform within the vehicle; determining an ambience profile of a merchant identified in the shopping experience; and controlling, by the vehicle controller, an in-vehicle ambience within the vehicle based on the ambience profile and the preference profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ayush Shah, Jeffrey Yeung, Harald C. Martinez, Oleg Gusikhin
  • ELECTRIFIED VEHICLE HIGH-VOLTAGE DISCONNECT SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20200282843
    Abstract: An electrified vehicle having a high-voltage source, such as a traction battery, includes at least one self-destructing or otherwise irreversibly disabling integrated circuit (IC) that may be activated by a controller in response to vehicle sensor data indicative of a situation that may expose rescue or recovery personnel to a possibility of electric shock. The IC(s) may be internal to a traction battery to disconnect or disable groups of cells from one another, and/or external to the traction battery to disconnect the high-voltage source from the vehicle electrical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic STEFAN, Christoph ARNDT, Uwe GUSSEN
  • VEHICLE BATTERY HOUSING
    Publication number: 20200282845
    Abstract: An assembly for a hybrid motor vehicle, in particular a partially electrified hybrid motor vehicle, includes a vehicle battery with a battery housing, and a vehicle seat with a seat face. The vehicle seat is connected or can be connected by means of at least two seat rails to a vehicle floor of the hybrid motor vehicle. The vehicle battery is arranged or capable of being arranged below the vehicle seat and above the vehicle floor, and, furthermore, the battery housing of the vehicle battery includes a deflection bevel which is arranged on the upper side or in an upper region of the vehicle battery and/or of the battery housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marius Sawatzki, Daniel Meckenstock
  • Enhanced yaw rate trailer angle detection initialization
    Patent number: 10766525
    Abstract: A trailer backup assist system for a vehicle reversing a trailer includes a sensor module adapted to attach to the trailer and generate a trailer yaw rate or a trailer speed. The trailer backup assist system also includes a vehicle sensor system that generates a vehicle yaw rate and a vehicle speed. Further, the trailer backup assist system includes a controller that estimates a hitch angle based on the trailer yaw rate or the trailer speed and the vehicle yaw rate and the vehicle speed in view of a kinematic relationship between the trailer and the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Donald Jacob Mattern
  • Variable height exterior keypad
    Patent number: 10769874
    Abstract: A vehicle access control system is disclosed and includes a touch sensitive display for generating an input image and controller configured to control the input image generated on the touch sensitive display responsive to information regarding a height of an operator. The system controls a lock actuatable responsive a signal from the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart Salter, Kristopher Brown, David Brian Glickman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo
  • Drainage channels in foam pad seating
    Patent number: 10765220
    Abstract: A seat cushion assembly that includes a first foam pad defining a plurality of water drainage columns disposed therethrough. A second foam pad is disposed below the first foam pad where the second foam pad and the first foam pad define at least one flow channel in fluid communication with the at least one water drainage column. A topper pad is disposed over the first foam pad and the at least one water drainage column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Spencer Hoernke, Marcos Silva Kondrad
  • Crankcase ventilation system and diagnostic method
    Patent number: 10767590
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system. In one example, a diagnostic method for a PCV system is provided that includes, when an intake manifold air pressure is above a threshold boost value, determining a PCV system breach based on a pressure determined using a pressure sensor positioned on a clean side of an oil separator coupled to a crankcase and receiving crankcase gas from the crankcase. In the PCV system a ventilation line provides fluidic communication between the oil separator and an intake conduit upstream of a compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Roy Jentz, Matthew Carpenter, Michael Stephen Sweppy
  • Methods and apparatus for controlling steering nibble in position controlled steering systems
    Patent number: 10766522
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling steering nibble in position controlled steering systems are described. A controller is to determine actuator angle data based on steering wheel angle data associated with a steering wheel. The controller is also to determine nibble control angle data based on the steering wheel angle data. The controller is also to determine adjusted actuator angle data based on the actuator angle data and the nibble control angle data. The controller is also to generate a control signal based on the adjusted actuator angle data to apply a torque via an actuator of a position controlled steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jan Bremkens, Daniel Slavin, Joseph Raad
  • Hitch assist system
    Patent number: 10768633
    Abstract: A hitch assist system is provided herein. The hitch assist system includes a sensing system configured to detect a hitch assembly and a coupler. A controller is configured to generate commands for maneuvering a vehicle along a first path or a second path. A user input device includes a display, the display configured to illustrate the first and second paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yu Ling, Chen Zhang, Luke Niewiadomski, Theresa Lin, Erick Michael Lavoie
  • Vane oil pump with a relief passage covered by an inner rotor to prevent flow to a discharge port and a rotor passage providing flow to said port
    Patent number: 10767648
    Abstract: A vane pump has a housing defining a closed conduit fluidly coupling a discharge port and a planar surface, and an inner rotor eccentrically supported within a cam. The rotor has an outer perimeter defined by wall sections separated by axial slots. The rotor defines another closed conduit extending from one of the wall sections to a rotor end face that is configured to overlap with the closed conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Abdelkrim Zouani, Vidya Marri, Michael Stanley
  • Vehicle structural air duct
    Patent number: 10766339
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes spaced roof rails and a structural air duct. The air duct has at least two bows connecting between the roof rails and defining first and second channels. An interconnecting member is connected between the bows and defines a third channel connecting the first and second channels in fluid communication with each other. At least one of the bows defines an outlet port configured to supply air to a cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ari Garo Caliskan, Nicolas Zagorski, Andrew J. Stankovich
  • Systems and methods for onboard canister purge valve flow mapping
    Patent number: 10767599
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a duty cycle of a purge valve configured to regulate a purge flow from a fuel vapor storage canister to an intake of an engine during canister purging events. In one example, a method includes controlling a duty cycle of a purge valve configured to regulate a purge flow from a fuel vapor storage canister to an intake of an engine during a canister purging event based on a degradation factor obtained by comparison of durations at which a predetermined pressure is reached in an evaporative emissions system at multiple purge valve activation levels. In this way, a flow map stored at a controller may be updated for controlling the purge valve during subsequent purging events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed Dudar, Niels Kragh
  • Method of forming a superhydrophobic layer on a motor vehicle heat exchanger housing and a heat exchanger incorporating such a housing
    Patent number: 10767941
    Abstract: A method of forming a superhydrophobic layer on a motor vehicle heat exchanger housing includes the steps of flowing a precursor gas of a mixture of heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrodecyl, trimethoxysilane (HTMS) and a carrier gas into a reaction chamber and depositing the superhydrophobic layer on the motor vehicle heat exchanger housing by chemical vapor deposition. A heat exchanger having a heat exchanger housing with a superhydrophobic layer made by the chemical vapor deposition method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jing He, Manfred Koberstein, Loren John Lohmeyer, III, Tim Van Evans
  • Methods and system for operating an engine
    Patent number: 10767571
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes a compression ratio linkage for adjusting engine compression ratio are described. The systems and methods provide different ways of changing a compression ratio of an engine based on forecast or anticipated engine operating conditions. In one example, the forecast or anticipated engine operating conditions may include a forecast or anticipated transmission gear shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Glugla, Imtiaz Ali, Lyth Alobiedat, Timothy Joseph Clark
  • Method for leaf springs made of fiber-reinforced plastic with integrated eye bushings, and leaf spring made of fiber-reinforced plastic
    Patent number: 10767720
    Abstract: A fiber-reinforced plastic leaf spring and a method for producing the fiber-reinforced plastic leaf spring are provided, which is suitable in particular for use in a motor vehicle. It has an elongate leaf spring main body which comprises a first eye bushing at a first end and a second eye bushing at a second end. The leaf spring main body and the first and second eye bushings are formed using at least a first layer and a second layer of a composite material. Each of the layers is guided along a centerline of the leaf spring main body to form the leaf spring main body and, to form the first and second eye bushings, is respectively wrapped around a bushing element having a first center axis and around a bushing element having a second center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim
  • Methods and systems for engine block thermal conductivity
    Patent number: 10767594
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for coatings of a portion of an engine block shaping a combustion chamber. In one example, the engine block includes a first coating with a thermal conductivity higher than a conductivity of the engine block arranged in an upper region of the combustion chamber and a second coating with a thermal conductivity lower than the conductivity of the engine block arranged in a lower region of the combustion chamber, and where the second coating touches the first coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Carsten Weber, Paul Turner, Urban Morawitz, Clemens Maria Verpoort
  • User friendly apparatus and method for retaining and removing a spare tire from a storage position in a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 10766546
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for retaining a spare tire in a storage position on a motor vehicle. The apparatus includes a retainer assembly and a cooperating post. The retainer assembly includes a housing and a first actuator, a first retainer and a first biasing element carried by the housing. The post includes a retainer receiver wherein the first biasing element biases the first retainer into engagement with the retainer receiver. A related method of removing a spare tire from a storage position in a motor vehicle is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Juan Esteban Rivera Kurezyn, Jose Carlos Parada Centeno, Elias Aram Loza Neri, Juan Carlos Martinez Navarrete, Raul Ahuitzol Quintanar Quintanar