Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine configured to propel the vehicle using battery power. The vehicle also includes a controller programmed to operate the electric machine along a predetermined route based on a superposition of a plurality of partitionings of the route. Each of the partitionings is based on a different force characteristic associated with the route and defines at least one segment transition, where each segment transitions defines an end of a previous segment and a beginning of a subsequent segment. The predetermined route segments are such that no two adjacent segments of the superposition are defined by a same force characteristic.
Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes engine start/stop (ESS) and adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality (ACCS&G). A method of coordinating operation of the ESS and ACCS&G systems is provided. The ACCS&G system brings the vehicle to a stop. After a delay and satisfaction of autostop conditions, the ESS system stops the engine. Upon receipt of an input and satisfaction of start conditions, the ESS system restarts the engine. The ACCS&G system then resumes control of the restarted engine.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 20, 2014
Publication date:
September 24, 2015
Applicant:
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Inventors:
Sangeetha Sangameswaran, Mathew A. Boesch, Jeffrey A. Palic, Aaron L. Mills, Rebecca L. Seiler
Abstract: A traction battery thermal plate assembly may include a structure having edge portions defining a cavity and configured to support a battery cell array. A flexible bladder may be disposed within the cavity between the structure and array. The flexible bladder may be configured to be filled with a fluid such that the bladder contacts the array to transfer heat between the array and fluid. The assembly may include a frame sized to receive the flexible bladder and configured to support the flexible bladder. An inlet port may be in fluid communication with the flexible bladder and a pump, and may be configured to deliver fluid to the flexible bladder at a pump output rate. The flexible bladder may include ribs defining channels therebetween. The channels may be configured to direct fluid flow along the at least one surface of the battery cell array.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 19, 2014
Publication date:
September 24, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Yongcai Wang, Patrick Daniel Maguire, Brian Utley
Abstract: Data is collected related one or more objects proximate to a first vehicle, the one or more objects including a second vehicle. The collected data is used to generate a virtual map of the one or more objects including the second vehicle. It is determined that the second vehicle is likely to pass within a predetermined distance of the first vehicle, thereby identifying a threat of a collision. An action is initiated based on the threat. The predetermined distance is determined by comparing a current traffic density to a predetermined traffic density threshold.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 2, 2015
Publication date:
September 24, 2015
Applicant:
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Inventors:
Brad Alan Ignaczak, Thomas Lee Miller, Brian Bennie, Randy Michael Freiburger
Abstract: A sub-frame assembly for supporting a pair of wheels on a vehicle. The base may be an extrusion having a matrix of panels extending in a vertical direction. The sub-frame assembly has control arm brackets disposed on opposing ends of the base and attachment towers extending above the brackets providing attachment points to connect portions of an independent suspension to the vehicle and support a pair of wheels. The base, control brackets and attachment towers may be individual modular pieces. Left and right hand control brackets and attachment towers may be provided by respective unitary support pieces attached to opposing ends of the base. The unitary support pieces may be extrusions having panels extending in a transverse direction, nonaxial to the base. The base, control arm brackets and attachment towers, alternatively, may be provided by a single unitary extrusion having a matrix of panels extending in a transverse direction.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 20, 2014
Publication date:
September 24, 2015
Applicant:
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Inventors:
John Joseph Uicker, Sanjay Mehta, Patrick Marchena, Xiaoming Chen, David Anthony Wagner, Michael M. Azzouz, Allen Li, Gerald Heath, Sunil K. Kasaragod
Abstract: A system and method for controlling the performance of complex operations on a dashboard-mounted touchscreen in a vehicle moving above a predetermined minimal speed. The system includes a sensor for determining that the touchscreen is intended or going to be touched by driver and/or front seat passenger. A control, responsive to operation of the sensor, disallows or allows the touchscreen to be responsive to a touching. The touchscreen is not allowed to perform a complex operation when the vehicle is moving above the minimal speed if the touchscreen is touched by the driver. The touchscreen is allowed to perform a complex operation when the vehicle is moving above the minimal speed if the touchscreen is not going to be touched by the driver and is touched by the passenger.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 24, 2014
Publication date:
September 24, 2015
Applicant:
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Inventors:
Mark A. Cuddihy, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Louis Tijerina, Walter Joseph Talamonti, Devinder Singh Kochhar
Abstract: A self-locating bus bar assembly for locating a bus bar on a cell terminal of a battery cell includes a bus bar locating tab adapted for attachment to the bus bar; an assembly bracket; a tab opening in the assembly bracket, the tab opening sized and configured to accommodate the bus bar locating tab; and a bracket terminal opening in the assembly bracket, the bracket terminal opening sized, configured and located to accommodate the cell terminal of the battery cell when the bus bar locating tab is disposed within the tab opening.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 24, 2014
Publication date:
September 24, 2015
Applicant:
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Inventors:
Debbi Callicoat, Brian Utley, Derek Hartl, Steve Droste, Yunan Guo
Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for recycling internal combustion engine feedgas exhaust emissions during cold-start conditions. By adjusting a restriction valve provided in an exhaust passage upstream of a catalytic converter, an amount of engine exhaust flowing through the catalytic converter prior to the catalytic converter reaching its operational temperature may be reduced.
Abstract: A vehicle includes a fascia, a sensor array disposed on the fascia, and a processing device. The sensor array has a plurality of ultrasonic sensors, each configured to output a sensor signal. The processing device is configured to process the sensor signals and control operation of the sensor array to generate a three dimensional image of an object near the vehicle based at least in part on the sensor signals.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 21, 2014
Publication date:
September 24, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Christos Kyrtsos, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Alex Maurice Miller
Abstract: Data related to a person outside of a vehicle can be collected by a computer in the vehicle. The collected data is used to generate a virtual map of one or more targets, including at least the person, proximate to the vehicle. A display is provided based on the virtual map that includes information about a location of the person.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 2, 2015
Publication date:
September 24, 2015
Applicant:
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Inventors:
Randy Michael Freiburger, Thomas Lee Miller, Brian Bennie, Cynthia M. Neubecker, Thomas Michael McQuade, Brad Alan Ignaczak
Abstract: An engine cover assembly having an integrally attached captive or part-in-assembly fastener for attachment to an engine is disclosed. The engine cover assembly includes an engine cover having a fastener aperture formed in a recessed area thereof and a captive fastener assembly integrally attached to the engine cover. The captive fastener assembly includes an elongated fastener having a head or shoulder, a load limiting spacer disposed next to the shoulder of the elongated fastener, and a load limiter positioned next to the load limiting spacer. The load limiter has shoulders formed at both ends. The elongated fastener has a threaded end for attachment to a threaded insert positioned in the engine. Insulators are attached to the load limiting spacer and are positioned to either side of an area of the engine cover adjacent the fastener aperture, thus capturing the engine cover between the elongated fastener head and the load limiter.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 19, 2014
Publication date:
September 24, 2015
Applicant:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
John Carl Lohr, Sandra Davidson Osip, Todd Rakus
Abstract: A vehicle may include at least one media content capture device. The vehicle may further include a controller in communication with the at least one media content capture device and configured to, responsive to a user request, capture a media content instance using the at least one media content capture device according to media content capture settings of the vehicle, and post the media content instance to an account of a remote service associated with the vehicle.
Abstract: A control strategy for a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain having an engine, a motor, and a transmission includes operating the powertrain according to a motor power loss term that is adapted based on battery power supplied to the motor, motor power output, and an estimated motor power loss such that the motor power loss term changes over time and converges to a constant value to thereby be indicative of actual motor power loss.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 21, 2014
Publication date:
September 24, 2015
Applicant:
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Inventors:
Rajit Johri, Wei Liang, Xiaoyong Wang, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Ming Lang Kuang, Ryan Abraham McGee
Abstract: Improved vehicle emergency lighting control may be implemented in a vehicle computer. Data may be collected related to a pursuit of a second vehicle. The collected data can be used to determine at least one of an action of the first vehicle and an action of the second vehicle. An emergency light in the first vehicle can be controlled based on the at least one determined action.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 2, 2015
Publication date:
September 24, 2015
Applicant:
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Inventors:
Brian Bennie, Brad Alan Ignaczak, Randy Michael Freiburger, Thomas Lee Miller
Abstract: A battery pack for an electrified vehicle. An illustrative embodiment of the battery pack includes a battery pack frame and a plurality of tubular venting components in the battery pack frame. At least one of the battery pack frame and the plurality of tubular venting components is fabricated at least in part of a tubular material. An enhanced electrified vehicle battery pack fabrication method is also disclosed.
Abstract: A method for inhibiting formation of nitrosamines and an anion exchange resin produced therefrom comprising providing an anion exchange resin with a nitrosating agent and mixing a cation exchange resin with the anion exchange resin to inhibit formation of nitrosamines on the anion exchange resin.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 27, 2011
Date of Patent:
September 22, 2015
Assignee:
Dow Global Technologies LLC
Inventors:
Chris Raymond Eicher, Daryl John Gisch, Harlan Robert Goltz
Abstract: An adjustable striker assembly for a vehicle closure. The striker assembly employs at least one threaded connector that when rotated moves a striker relative the vehicle in an axial direction of the threaded connector. A latch in combination with the striker define a gap between the closure and vehicle part proximate the two. Adjustment of the striker via the threaded connector allows for changing the distance of the gap between the closure and vehicle part.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 3, 2014
Date of Patent:
September 22, 2015
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Venkatesh Krishnan, Livianu Dorin Puscas, Bhupendra A. Patel
Abstract: A transmission gearing arrangements produces up to ten forward and one reverse speed ratios by selective engagement of various combinations of four shift elements. Each disclosed transmission includes four planetary gear sets and at least six shift elements. One of the shift elements may be a dog clutch. Optional passive one way brakes simplify the control.
Abstract: A vehicle side impact airbag has an inflator, a main inflatable chamber disposed for contact with the side arm of the vehicle occupant when inflated, and a separate laterally extending thoracic chamber in metered fluid communication with the main inflatable chamber of the side airbag extending laterally into the passenger compartment. The laterally extending thoracic chamber of the airbag is disposed for contact with the lower thoracic region of the vehicle occupant below the occupant side arm when inflated, whereby the side airbag simultaneously engages the occupant lower thoracic region and side arm when inflated.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 5, 2013
Date of Patent:
September 22, 2015
Assignee:
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Inventors:
Zhibing Deng, Michael Dong, Harish Honnavalli Dutt
Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for draining condensate from a charge air cooler during a compressor bypass valve event. In one example, an engine controller may open a drain valve in the charge air cooler in response to potential compressor surge conditions. Opening the drain valve may be further based on an amount of condensate in the charge air cooler and a required decrease in pressure at an outlet of the compressor during the compressor bypass valve event.