Abstract: A tonneau cover for a vehicle storage area includes a retractable screen that extends from a housing to define extended and retracted positions. A handle assembly is coupled to an outer edge of the retractable screen and has an expandable base that defines a collapsed position proximate the retractable screen and an expanded position that defines a storage volume.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 5, 2017
Date of Patent:
September 15, 2020
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Scott Holmes Dunham, Kiesou David Hong, Patrick Kennedy Berryman, Jane Maria Aselage
Abstract: An annular nozzle assembly includes an inlet tube, an annular tube, at least three first spray nozzles, and a plurality of separating vanes. The annular tube connects to the inlet tube. The first spray nozzles are fixed to the annular tube and are directed to spray inwardly and in a first vertical direction and are equally spaced from each other. The separating vanes are disposed within the annular tube and extend along a length thereof and define a flow channel for each first spray nozzle.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 31, 2018
Date of Patent:
September 15, 2020
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Seyyed Mohsen Mousavi Ehteshami, Dhaval P. Vaishnav, Andre Sykula, Syed K. Ali, Yi-Hsin Yen
Abstract: A shared resistor performs precharging and discharging functions of capacitors in an electric vehicle drive system. In a precharge state, the shared resistor is connected between the capacitors and a DC source via a precharge relay. In a discharge state, the resistor is connected across the capacitors via a discharge transistor. Otherwise, the resistor is disconnected. A bypass switch is connected between the resistor and an input capacitor. The bypass switch is rendered conductive during the precharge state and during the discharge state. The discharge transistor is activated only during the discharge state. As a result, the invention uses less components by virtue of eliminating separate resistance elements for pre-charging and discharging and by eliminating discharge switches dedicated to separate resistances. The circuit integration and the placement of components outside the inverter module improves overall system cost and packaging size.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 18, 2018
Date of Patent:
September 15, 2020
Assignee:
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Inventors:
Boris Curuvija, Fan Xu, Lihua Chen, Baoming Ge
Abstract: A method of making a cushion assembly includes forming a first foam pad with a plurality of air cooling columns through the first foam pad. The plurality of air cooling columns terminate at a topper pad. A second foam pad is operably coupled with the first foam pad to define a non-linear flow channel between the first foam pad and the second foam pad. The non-linear flow channel is in fluid communication with the air cooling columns. An air mover is operably coupled to the non-linear flow channel to move air within the air cooling columns.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 17, 2019
Date of Patent:
September 15, 2020
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Johnathan Andrew Line, Alan George Dry, Spencer Robert Hoernke
Abstract: A vehicle cargo area cover assembly is provided having a retractable cover roll mechanism, a cargo cover extending from the cover roll mechanism between retracted and extended positions, and a cover position member for maintaining the cover in a use position over a vehicle cargo area. The cover assembly further has a hanger coupled to the cover position member.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 22, 2018
Date of Patent:
September 15, 2020
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Pattrick Loew, Kendra White, Scott Holmes Dunham
Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a clogged intake air filter in a turbocharged engine system are provided. In one example a method for an engine coupled to an air filter and to a fuel tank includes indicating air filter clogging responsive to a measured fuel tank pressure during boosted engine operation. In this way, clogging of the air filter may be determined using existing engine system components.
Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine oil system of a cylinder head. In one example, an engine oil system may include a first oil gallery and a second oil gallery fluidly coupled to each other via a plurality of oil chambers. Each oil chamber includes a plug, and one or more of the plugs may include a slot shaped to direct a flow of engine oil from a solenoid valve to the second oil gallery.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 10, 2019
Date of Patent:
September 15, 2020
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Jeff D. Fluharty, Jonathan Denis Crowe, John Christopher Riegger, James E. Froling
Abstract: A battery system has a cell including a container, a substrate mounted to the container, and circuitry on the substrate. The substrate defines antennas, a microprocessor, switches, and a transceiver. The microprocessor sequentially activates the switches to respectively connect the transceiver to the antennas to establish a location relative to a transmitter, and prevents communications with the transmitter responsive to the location falling outside a predefined range.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 2, 2018
Date of Patent:
September 15, 2020
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Benjamin A. Tabatowski-Bush, William Rusnack
Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing temperature of an engine or single cylinder(s) of the engine at start/stop events where the engine is stopped from combusting air and fuel, and in response to an overheating engine condition. In one example, a method comprises activating an electric air compressor to direct cooling air flow through a first single cylinder of the engine, to reduce a temperature of the first single cylinder to a desired temperature prior to a request to restart the engine. In this way, a single cylinder indicated to be overheating may be effectively cooled, without employing methodology that would otherwise cool the engine as a whole, which may thus prevent engine degradation and which may conserve power of an onboard energy storage device.
Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling one or more side mirrors of a vehicle. An example vehicle includes a trailer sensor, brake sensor, and speed sensor, a side mirror, and a processor. The processor is configured to set the side mirror in a first position responsive to determining via the trailer sensor and speed sensor that a trailer is attached, and that a vehicle speed is above a threshold speed. And the processor is further configured to transition the side mirror to a second position responsive to determining that vehicle brakes have been applied for a threshold duration.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 13, 2017
Date of Patent:
September 15, 2020
Assignee:
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Inventors:
Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Erick Michael Lavoie, Keith Hoelscher, Pietro Buttolo
Abstract: A computer having a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor that include: to determine whether a vehicle cabin is occupied; and based on the determination, to control actuation of a lamp, located on a bezel of a display, to impinge upon a screen having a light-sensitive coating.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 28, 2017
Date of Patent:
September 15, 2020
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Paul Kenneth Dellock, Stuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, Annette Lynn Huebner, Venkatesh Krishnan
Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting degradation of a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system valve and a cylinder valve. In one example, a method may include comparing a rate of pressure bleed-up in a PCV system during each of a cold-engine condition and a hot-engine condition to differentiate between the PCV valve and the cylinder valve.
Abstract: A method for adjusting a seat of a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes the step of capturing loading data of the seat, evaluating the loading data to determine a control dataset for periodically adjusting the seat based on the control dataset.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 14, 2018
Date of Patent:
September 15, 2020
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Jeroen Lem, Philipp Wolf, Nikica Hennes
Abstract: A vehicle battery insulating system includes an inner wall and outer wall forming an insulating cavity filled with a microporous material such as microporous silica. A vacuum pump is coupled to a first connection of the cavity and a valve is coupled to a second connection of the cavity. A controller operates the vacuum pump and the valve to lower/raise pressure within the cavity to decrease/increase thermal conductivity, respectively, of the insulating layer to influence temperature of a vehicle battery. A battery housing may include inlet and outlet ports coupled to a pump to circulate a heat exchanging fluid. The controller may monitor temperatures from sensors and/or receive wireless information relative to traffic, ambient temperature, weather forecasts, and similar information for use in controlling the insulating system in an attempt to keep the vehicle battery within a desired operating temperature range.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 28, 2019
Date of Patent:
September 15, 2020
Assignee:
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Inventors:
Bernd Brinkmann, Thomas Nitsche, Julian Tietze
Abstract: A lighting assembly for a vehicle is provided. The lighting assembly includes a light source fixed to a vehicle mount structure to direct light toward ground level, and a lens covering the light source, wherein the lens includes an outer surface having a sawtooth profile, wherein the sawtooth profile is oriented at an angle in the range of approximately 30 to 60 degrees, and more preferably of approximately 45 degrees relative to a longitudinal or lateral axis of the vehicle.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 4, 2019
Date of Patent:
September 15, 2020
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Stuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, Paul Kenneth Dellock
Abstract: This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for automatically controlling various lights of a vehicle. The systems and methods are configured to determine whether a vehicle is being driven off-road or on a public road, determine a first light activation condition that is based on whether the vehicle is being driven off-road or on the public road, and execute a vehicle lights control procedure to grant to a driver of the vehicle on-off control of a first light in the vehicle based on the first light activation condition and to withdraw grant of the on-off control of the first light based on a second light activation condition.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 12, 2019
Date of Patent:
September 15, 2020
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Mario Alejandro Adams-Campos, Elias Ruiz, Gregory S. Hawkins, Kelley Maria Adams-Campos, Alejandro Becerra
Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle having an adaptive cruise control system with a stop-and-go function, having the steps of: bringing the motor vehicle to a stop upon detecting that a vehicle in front has stopped, providing a start signal within a predetermined first time period upon starting of the vehicle in front, reading safety-relevant data after the first time period has ended and if the vehicle in front is still stopped, and suppressing a start signal if the safety-relevant data indicate a hazardous traffic situation.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 4, 2020
Publication date:
September 10, 2020
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Benjamin Maus, Andreas Meyer, Guido Weitkus, Goetz-Philipp Wegner, Armin Mueller-Lerwe, Samantha Medenbach
Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to systems and methods for providing cautionary driving notifications to a driver of an automobile. The cautionary driving notifications may be generated and stored by the driver himself/herself after driving along a travel route a few times or by a different driver who has driven along the travel route a few times. The notifications, which may be provided in various ways such as by audible warnings or beeps, warn the driver of a driving hazard or a driving limitation that is coming up as the automobile is subsequently driven along the travel route. Some examples of a driving hazard can include a traffic accident or a bad road condition. Some examples of a driving limitation can include a speed limit due to a blind curve in the road or in a school zone during certain times of the day.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 8, 2019
Publication date:
September 10, 2020
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Brian Bennie, Mark Gehrke, Jonathan Diedrich
Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a cushion supported by a seat frame and a retention device disposed laterally through the cushion in front of a predetermined H-point so as to be able to restrain a seated occupant. The retention device is selectively deployable from a design position to a deployed position in response to a sudden deceleration of a vehicle.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 8, 2019
Publication date:
September 10, 2020
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Lukasz Gajda, N.R. Adarsh Gupta, Leo Tognetti
Inventors:
Gordon M. Platto, Murat Gueler, Liviu Tudoran, Jason Castriota, Christopher George Walter, Colin R. Bonathan, Omead Dorandishyazdi, Joel Piaskowski, Dean Carbis, Robert Todd Laster, Jesse Rene Diephuis, Richard Joseph Michaels, David Christopher Mahoney, Marco Querciagrossa, Aditya Narayan