Patents Assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC
  • Patent number: 11945502
    Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating steering controls between towing vehicles and towed vehicles provide more cohesive parking experiences during towing events, including bidirectional charging towing events. The towed vehicle may be controlled to provide assistive parking steering maneuvers to assist the towing vehicle when parking during the towing event. The assistive parking steering maneuver may include maneuvering a drive wheel of the towed vehicle either toward or away from a detected curb or detected traffic, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Kenneth Patrick McHugh, Peter Phung, David Brian Glickman, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Patent number: 11945046
    Abstract: A method of joining electrical connections together includes evaluating at least one weld joint between at least two substrates, determining mismatch between the at least two substrates, and welding the at least two substrates together with a multi-step welding process. The multi-step welding process includes compensating for mismatch between the at least two substrates by welding on both sides but not overlapping a joint line between the at least two substrates with a first welding step and increasing melt volume and penetration depth of a weld between the at least two substrates with a second welding step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Emily Ann Ryan, Elizabeth Therese Hetrick, Arnon Wexler
  • Patent number: 11945517
    Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle includes a front subframe having two frame rails and a control arm connector on each frame rail. The assembly includes a panel supported on the frame rails and spaced vehicle-rearward of the control arm connector. The panel extends cross-vehicle from one of the frame rails to the other of the frame rails. The panel includes a channel elongated along the vehicle-longitudinal axis. The assembly includes a vehicle component spaced vehicle-rearward of the panel. The channel is aimed at the vehicle component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Arthur Titus, Jack Wiley Cooper, Thomas Joseph Ciccone, Erik Christensen, Brett Clarke Peters
  • Patent number: 11945278
    Abstract: An acceleration of a head of an occupant of a vehicle relative to the vehicle is determined based on data describing motion of the vehicle and respective poses of the head from a plurality of consecutive frames of image data. A vehicle suspension is adjusted based on the determined acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Parenti, Faizan Shaik, Medha Karkare
  • Patent number: 11945455
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle may include a plurality of vehicle subsystems associated with respective different dynamic vehicle control functions and a plurality of subsystem controllers associated with respective ones of the vehicle subsystems. The subsystem controllers may be configured to control actuators associated with the respective different dynamic vehicle control functions to change an operational state of components of the vehicle subsystems based on respective configuration settings. The system further includes an attribute configuration module operably coupled to the subsystem controllers. The attribute configuration module may include processing circuitry configured to save current configuration settings as a saved configuration responsive to a first actuation of a configuration mode actuator and, after an on/off cycle of the vehicle, instruct the subsystem controllers to implement the saved configuration responsive to a second actuation of the configuration mode actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Edward Esler, Ehab Aleid, Ahmed Awadi, Matheus Bianchi Dambros, Helmuth Bosch, Thomas Richard Wroblewski
  • Patent number: 11946751
    Abstract: A system includes a first computer and a second computer. The first computer is programmed to receive a request from the second computer to move a vehicle from a first location to a second location and synchronize a timer stored in each of the computers. The first computer determines a route including waypoints from the first location to the second location and determines predicted travel times for legs of the route. The predicted travel times include a first predicted travel time for a first leg defined from the first location to a first waypoint included in the waypoints and the first computer transmits the route and the travel times to the second computer. The second computer is programmed to determine an elapsed time of travel and predict a location of the vehicle based on the elapsed time of travel and the first predicted travel time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hamid M. Golgiri, Tony Tae-Jin Pak, Ahmed Benmimoun
  • Patent number: 11945295
    Abstract: An assembly includes a rocker elongated along a vehicle longitudinal axis. A first slider is supported by the rocker. A second slider is supported by the rocker and is spaced from the first slider along the longitudinal axis. A first actuator is configured to slide the first slider relative to the rocker along a lateral axis. A second actuator is configured to slide the second slider relative to the rocker along the lateral axis. A cable extends from the first slider to the second slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Saeed D. Barbat
  • Patent number: 11945277
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to use front load estimates for body control are disclosed herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes memory including stored instructions, and a processor to execute the instructions to filter sensor data to generate a first load value, the first load value associated with a first load on a front axle of a vehicle, generate, based on the first load value and a velocity of the vehicle, a first body control adjustment value, modify a body control output value with the first body control adjustment value, and apply the modified body control output value to a suspension system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Russell, Charles Gavin McGee, Ben Bulat, Daniel Lee Grohnke, Darrell Erick Butler
  • Patent number: 11949277
    Abstract: Controlling charging of connected devices is provided. Presence of a target connected device is detected using a wireless transceiver of a vehicle. Settings indicative of how to charge the target connected device via a power connector of the vehicle are received a user interface presented to an HMI of the vehicle. Data packets from the target connected device indicative of a current state of charge of the target connected device are received using the wireless transceiver. The target connected device is charged from the power connector in accordance with the settings and the current state of charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Sullivan, Brendan Jenkins, Tyler James-Ray Kaldobsky, George Hart Vrampas
  • Patent number: 11948733
    Abstract: A method of processing an anisotropic permanent magnet includes forming anisotropic flakes from a hulk magnet alloy, each of the anisotropic flakes having an easy magnetization direction with respect to a surface of the flake and combining the anisotropic flakes with a binder to form a mixture. The method further includes extruding or rolling the mixture without applying a magnetic field such that the easy magnetization directions of the anisotropic flakes align to form one or more layers having a magnetization direction aligned with the easy magnetization directions of the anisotropic flakes, and producing the anisotropic permanent magnet from the layers having the magnetization direction such that the anisotropic permanent magnet has a magnetization with a specific orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Wanfeng Li, Chuanbing Rong, Franco Leonardi, Michael W. Degner
  • Publication number: 20240101036
    Abstract: A center console for a vehicle, having a storage trough which extends over at least a predominant part of a length of the center console. In order to provide a center console that can be easily configured by a user as required, the center console has at least two different electrical functional units which each individually are selectively arrangeable at least partially in a storage space of the storage trough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joerg Stephan
  • Publication number: 20240101058
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle frame and a bumper. The vehicle frame includes a frame-rail end. The frame-rail end has a vehicle-forward end and a bore at the vehicle-forward end. The vehicle includes a resettable energy absorber supporting the bumper at the vehicle-forward end of the frame-rail end. The resettable energy absorber is moveable with the bumper relative to the frame-rail end between an extended position and a compressed position. The resettable energy absorber extends into the bore of the frame-rail end from the extended position to the compressed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: S.M. Iskander Farooq, Mohammad Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Publication number: 20240102500
    Abstract: A structural assembly includes a fastener and an additively manufactured component. The additively manufactured component includes a base, a void defined in the base, and a support disposed across the void. The fastener is secured to the base within the void, and the support is captured within a distal end portion of the fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joy Hines Forsmark, Niamh Hosking, Raphael Koch, Michael James Freeman
  • Publication number: 20240101098
    Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for controlling electrical power outlets in a vehicle. An example method executed by a processor of an electrical power outlet controller includes detecting a transitioning of a vehicle to a drive mode and further includes disconnecting, based on the transitioning, electrical power supplied to a first electrical power outlet in the vehicle. The transitioning of the vehicle to the drive mode may be detected based on a transition of a drive selector of the vehicle from a park position to a drive position. In another example method, the processor, detects the vehicle in motion and disconnects electrical power supplied to a second electrical power outlet in the vehicle. The first electrical power outlet and/or the second electrical power outlet are accessible from outside the vehicle, and may, for example, be located outside a cabin area of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Brendan Diamond, Ryan O'Gorman, David Celinske, Paul Kenneth Dellock, David Brian Glickman, Vyas Shenoy
  • Publication number: 20240101029
    Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for guiding an individual to an electrical power outlet in a vehicle. An example method executed by a processor of an electrical power outlet controller in a vehicle includes determining that an individual is seeking an electrical power outlet provided on the vehicle, selecting a first electrical power outlet from a plurality of electrical power outlets provided on the vehicle, and providing location information of the first electrical power outlet. The location information may be provided in various forms such as in the form of an audio signal (a beeping sound produced by a beeper, for example), a visual indication (a light source illuminating the electrical power outlet, for example) an audible instruction (navigation assistance provided via a speaker, for example), a graphical indication (navigation assistance via a personal device), and/or a text message (navigation assistance via a personal device).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Brendan Diamond, Ryan O'Gorman, David Celinske, Paul Kenneth Dellock, David Brian Glickman, Vyas Shenoy
  • Publication number: 20240102867
    Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods to address surfaces of a vehicle that are uncomfortable to the touch. An example method executed by a processor includes determining a surface temperature of a component of the vehicle, determining that the surface temperature exceeds a threshold surface temperature, and issuing a notification based on the surface temperature of the component exceeding the threshold surface temperature. Determining the surface temperature of the component can involve operations such as measuring the surface temperature, estimating the surface temperature, and/or predicting the surface temperature. Measuring the surface temperature can involve obtaining a temperature measurement from a thermal sensor. Estimating the surface temperature can involve operations such as evaluating a thermal image of at least a portion of the component, evaluating an ambient temperature, and/or evaluating sunlight exposure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michelle Yi, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Publication number: 20240101037
    Abstract: A center console for a vehicle has a storage trough, which extends over at least a predominant part of a length of the center console, and a storage container, which is insertable into the storage trough and which has an upper entrance opening. In order to provide a center console and front seat assembly for a vehicle that are individually configurable in terms of their characteristics, the storage container has a roller shutter for closing the entrance opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joerg Stephan
  • Publication number: 20240104974
    Abstract: A method performed by an electronic control unit of a vehicle, to monitor tires of the vehicle. The method includes evaluating a target location to monitor the vehicle tires. Based on the evaluation that the target location is fit to monitor the tires, the method includes initiating a monitoring mode of the vehicle. In response to initiating the monitoring mode, the method includes rotating front tires and back tires of the vehicle in opposite directions. During the rotation of the front and back tires, the method includes monitoring the rotation of the tires by using one or more vehicle sensors. The method further includes determining one or more anomalies in the vehicle tires based on the monitoring of the rotation of the front and back tires. Based on the determination, the method includes performing one or more remedial actions to mitigate the anomalies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam
  • Publication number: 20240100947
    Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for detecting that the vehicle is in a reverse mode, receiving a road surface topology, determining a feature of interest is within a collected image and outside a displayed field of view (FOV) for a rear-facing camera due to the road surface topology, adjusting the displayed FOV for the rear-facing camera to place the feature of interest within the displayed FOV. Receiving a reverse mode indication may be over a controller area network (CAN) bus in the vehicle. Receiving a road surface topology includes receiving an estimate of the road surface topology via at least one of monocular depth estimation, photogrammetric range imaging using structure from motion (SFM), multi-view stereo, imaging radar, lidar and a sensor system on the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Catherine Marie Amodeo, David Michael Herman
  • Publication number: 20240101035
    Abstract: A center console for a vehicle, having a storage trough which extends over at least a predominant part of a length of the center console and which has a longitudinally extending side wall that laterally delimits a storage space of the storage trough. In order to optimize an ability of the center console to store articles, the center console has a holding unit which is arranged in the storage space of the storage trough and on the side wall and by use of which at least one article can be temporarily clamped between the holding unit and the side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joerg Stephan