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. A seatbelt guide is supported by the pillar. The seatbelt retractor is below the seatbelt guide. The webbing extends upwardly from the seatbelt retractor around the seatbelt guide. A releasable connection connects the seatbelt guide to the pillar when the seatbelt retractor is in the unlocked position and releases the seatbelt guide relative to the pillar when force on the webbing exceeds a threshold when the seatbelt retractor is in the locked position. An energy absorber is between the vehicle pillar and the seatbelt guide.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 28, 2022
Publication date:
March 28, 2024
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S.M. Iskander Farooq
Abstract: A center console for a vehicle, having at least one 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 is of simplified construction and is optimized in terms of its characteristics, the center console has at least one functional unit which is connected to an elevated rearward end portion of the storage trough and which, proceeding from the rearward end portion, extends forwardly in an overhanging manner at least over a part of a length of the storage trough.
Abstract: A component inspection system and method generate a 3D model based on a point cloud and images of an automotive component captured by an imaging system. It is determined whether an anomaly is present based on artificial intelligence driven training and learning. Upon anomaly detection, a type of anomaly is identified and classified. From the 3D model, a type of the automotive component can be identified. The identification of the automotive component and the anomaly detection involve a controller subject to artificial intelligence driven training and learning. The controller determines presence of anomaly and a location of anomaly if any.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 8, 2023
Publication date:
March 28, 2024
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Brodie Schultz, Elizabeth Bullard, Francis Maslar
Abstract: A method for applying varnish to an electric motor includes locating a varnish injector above a slot of a stator of the electric motor, depressing an intermediate layer in the slot with the varnish injector, and applying varnish from the varnish injector into a gap defined between the intermediate layer and a wall of the slot.
Abstract: A center console for a vehicle, having at least one rearwardly situated armrest and having at least one functional unit. In order to enable an existing structural space to be utilized optimally, and at the same time optimize the center console with regard to its storage space, the functional unit is mounted to be linearly movable between a rearward rest position, in which the functional unit is arranged at least predominantly under the armrest, and at least one forward functional position, in which the functional unit is at least predominantly forwardly offset in relation to the armrest.
Abstract: An energy facility, such as a charge station operable for charging electrified vehicles, includes a controller. The controller selects from a group of energy management solutions which achieve favorable energy management activities with a same price of operation of the energy facility, an energy management solution resulting in favorable energy management results soonest. The controller controls the energy facility according to the selected energy management solution.
Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing emissions of an internal combustion engine are described. In one example, an electric heater and a passive NOx absorber or other emissions control device are positioned in a passage downstream of a combustor so as to process emissions from the combustor before an engine is started.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 4, 2023
Date of Patent:
March 26, 2024
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Jason Martz, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Eric Kurtz, Paul Tennison, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Daniel Styles
Abstract: System and methods for operating a vehicle that includes a boosted engine are described. In one example, a spark plug may be adjusted between two operating states to reduce a possibility of pre-ignition and spark plug fouling. A first operating state may be conducive to operating the engine at light loads. The first operating state may be conducive to operating the engine at higher loads.
Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for electric motorized wheel assemblies. An example wheel assembly for use with an electric vehicle disclosed herein includes an electric motor, a suspension assembly, and a frame mounting interface to attach the wheel assembly to a frame of the electric vehicle.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 28, 2021
Date of Patent:
March 26, 2024
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Michael John Harmon, Hussain Z. Tajmahal, Marielle Conrad, Benjamin Jordan Curtis, David Earl Ooms, Yejin Han
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.
Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a driveline disconnect clutch of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a driveline disconnect clutch is de-stroked in a particular way so that the driveline disconnect clutch may be de-stroked more consistently. The de-stroking process may be followed by boosting and stroking the driveline disconnect clutch so as to preposition the driveline disconnect clutch or holding the clutch at an offset below stroke pressure to minimize drag.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 31, 2022
Date of Patent:
March 26, 2024
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Akshay Bichkar, Corey James Blue, Jason Meyer, Maruthi Ravichandran, Bradley Dean Riedle
Abstract: Position enhancement for vehicle positioning is provided. Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) messages are received from a roadside unit (RSU) to an onboard unit (OBU) of a vehicle via a transceiver of the vehicle, the V2X messages indicating a location of the RSU. Image sensors of the vehicle are utilized to capture sensor data of the RSU. A current position of the vehicle is updated to a corrected current position of the vehicle based the RSU as shown in the sensor data and the location of the RSU indicated in the V2X messages.
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.
Abstract: A gear forming tool includes an outer sleeve having an outer sleeve aperture and an inner sleeve having an inner sleeve aperture in fluid communication with the outer sleeve aperture, a tool holder disposed within the outer sleeve, and a 3D printed gear cutting tool with a plurality of tool cutting edges and a plurality of capillaries attached to the tool holder. The tool holder has a plurality of fluid channels configured to be in fluid communication with the inner sleeve aperture and the plurality of capillaries of the 3D printed gear cutting tool such that cutting fluid flows through the outer sleeve, the inner sleeve, the plurality of fluid channels of the tool holder, and the plurality of capillaries to the plurality of tool cutting edges.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 18, 2020
Date of Patent:
March 26, 2024
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Paul John Bojanowski, Russell Lee Weatherspoon
Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive sensor data indicating an obstacle, formulate a first control barrier function for a vehicle based on the sensor data, formulate a second control barrier function for a trailer hitched to the vehicle based on the sensor data, determine a control input based on the first and second control barrier functions, and actuate a component of the vehicle according to the control input.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 15, 2021
Date of Patent:
March 26, 2024
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Mohit Srinivasan, Hongtei Eric Tseng, Li Xu, Craig Philip Angold-Stephens
Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain having an electric machine configured to power driven wheels, an accelerator pedal, and friction brakes. A vehicle controller is programmed to, with the vehicle being in a one-pedal driving mode: in response to a braking torque capacity of the powertrain exceeding a target braking torque that is based on a position of the accelerator pedal, command a torque, that is equal to the target braking torque, from the powertrain such that the vehicle is slowed using the powertrain without application of the friction brakes, and, in response to the braking torque capacity of the powertrain being less than the target braking torque, command torques from the powertrain and the friction brakes such that the target braking torque is satisfied and the vehicle is slowed using the powertrain and the friction brakes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 14, 2022
Date of Patent:
March 26, 2024
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Dale Scott Crombez, Bryan Michael Bolger, Alexander McCollough, Sergey Gennadievich Semenov, Brandon Jay Woodland
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
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.