Ford Patent Applications
Ford patent applications that are pending before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20250115202Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle frame including a first frame rail and a second frame rail each elongated along a vehicle-longitudinal axis. The first frame rail is spaced from the second frame rail along a vehicle-lateral axis. The vehicle includes a bumper supported by the first frame rail and the second frame rail. The bumper includes a crossbeam elongated along the vehicle-lateral axis. The bumper includes a cell structure vehicle-forward of the crossbeam, the cell structure including cell walls that define cell chambers. The bumper includes foam disposed in the cell chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2023Publication date: April 10, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S.M. Iskander Farooq
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Publication number: 20250118782Abstract: A vehicle cooling system for a fuel cell and an electrical energy store includes a first cooling circuit configured to cool the fuel cell and a second cooling circuit configured to cool the electrical energy store with the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit selectively fluidly connected to one another in response to temperatures of the fuel cell and electrical energy store. The first cooling circuit may include a coolant removal point arranged downstream of the fuel cell and upstream of a heat exchanger. The first cooling circuit may also include a coolant recirculation point downstream of a heat exchanger and upstream of the fuel cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2024Publication date: April 10, 2025Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Hans Guenter QUIX, Jan MEHRING
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Publication number: 20250118114Abstract: A method for remotely waking-up a vehicle includes the request of a vehicle power state of at least one non-responsive vehicle of a plurality of autonomously operated vehicles, the verification—via a remote-start-wakeup automated vehicle marshaling algorithm installed within an infrastructure—of a current power state of the at least one non-responsive vehicle, the identification that the at least one non-responsive vehicle is in an off-state, and the generation of a wake-up command that is wirelessly transmitted to the at least one non-responsive vehicle via a CV2X-PC5 protocol.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2023Publication date: April 10, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Krishna Bandi, Meghna Menon, Mario Anthony Santillo, Gregory P. Linkowski
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Publication number: 20250115976Abstract: A method of processing mixed-material vehicle scrap includes conditioning the mixed-material vehicle scrap and heating the mixed-material vehicle scrap. The mixed-material vehicle scrap comprises a first group of parts and a second group of parts. The first group of parts includes a first alloy and the second group of parts has a substrate of a second alloy and a coating disposed over the substrate. The mixed-material vehicle scrap is conditioned such that an element of the second alloy is diffused into the coating to form a diffused coating. The diffused coating has a melting temperature greater than a melting temperature of the first alloy. The mixed-material vehicle scrap is heated to a temperature above the melting temperature of the first alloy and below the melting temperature of the diffused coating, thereby allowing the second group of parts to separate from the first group of parts.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2023Publication date: April 10, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Constantin Chiriac, S. George Luckey, JR., Daniel Scott Freiberg, Larry Alan Godlewski
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Publication number: 20250108871Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive a plurality of proposed longitudinal distances for a vehicle being designed and determine a predicted metric of a predefined frontal impact to the vehicle using the proposed longitudinal distances. The proposed longitudinal distances are measured along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle between structural landmarks in a front end of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2023Publication date: April 3, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: S.M. Iskander Farooq, Mohammad Omar Faruque, Geeta Rani, Dean M. Jaradi
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Publication number: 20250108829Abstract: A method for marshalling a vehicle includes: receiving signals from a set of infrastructure sensors associated with a vehicle management system; processing the signals from the set of infrastructure sensors and the signals from one or more sensors on-board the vehicle; sending the processed signals to the vehicle as one or more vehicle commands; receiving signals from the one or more sensors on-board the vehicle; and processing the one or more vehicle commands and the signals from the one or more sensors on-board the vehicle to generate new commands that are sent to the vehicle to marshal the vehicle to a location.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2023Publication date: April 3, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mario Anthony Santillo, Yousaf Rahman, Erol Dogan Sumer
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Publication number: 20250108764Abstract: A vehicle door including a trim panel located on an interior side of the door and a holder assembly coupled to the door trim panel including a ring provided on the trim panel and a rotatable hook pivotally coupled to the ring and rotatable between a stowed position within the ring and an outwardly deployed position to support an object such as a mobility assist device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2023Publication date: April 3, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Evelyn Pires, Gabriela Betancourt
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Publication number: 20250100353Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a housing. A first cooling block is defined within the housing. The first cooling block includes a coolant inlet, a refrigerant inlet, and a first gyroid structure that defines a first set of coolant channels and a first set of refrigerant channels. A second cooling block is defined within the housing. The second cooling block includes a coolant outlet, a refrigerant outlet, and a second gyroid structure that defines a second set of coolant channels and a second set of refrigerant channels. A perforated barrier plate is interposed between the first cooling block and the second cooling block. The first set of coolant channels is in fluid communication with the second set of coolant channels via perforations in the barrier plate. The first set of refrigerant channels is in fluid communication with the second set of refrigerant channels via perforations in the barrier plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2023Publication date: March 27, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Xiaogang Zhang
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Publication number: 20250104469Abstract: A monitoring system for a vehicle environment includes a biometric sensor that captures biometric information of a participant, a database that stores biometric data of a security event cohort, and control circuitry in communication with the biometric sensor. The control circuitry is configured to compare the biometric information to the biometric data to detect one or more matches, communicate an indication of a result of the comparison of the biometric information to the biometric data in one of a first privacy mode and a second privacy mode, and select between the first privacy mode and the second privacy mode based on the result.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2023Publication date: March 27, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jake Schwartz, Ryan Edwin Hanson, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
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Publication number: 20250102586Abstract: A system, such as an electrified vehicle, includes a battery, such as a traction battery. The controller controls the battery based on adaptive sampled electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements of the battery. The controller may perform the adaptive sampled EIS measurements. The controller may use the adaptive sampled EIS measurements to identify values of parameters of a model, such as an equivalent circuit model (ECM), of the battery. The controller may use the model, with the identified values of the parameters, to detect an internal state of the battery whereby the controller detects the internal state of the battery based on the adaptive sampled EIS measurements.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2023Publication date: March 27, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Nathan Kempema, David Bilby
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Publication number: 20250100476Abstract: A grommet for a wiring hole comprising an extendable body that is configured in a first sized ring and extendable into a second sized ring larger than the first sized ring, a lip extending around the extendable body and configured to engage a wiring hole for passing one or more wires, and one or more snap locks for locking the extendable body in the extended configuration disposed within the wiring hole on a vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2023Publication date: March 27, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Douglas Christian Lipp
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Publication number: 20250100494Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle seat and a plate fixed relative to the vehicle seat. A seatbelt buckle is rotatably supported by the vehicle seat. The seatbelt buckle is rotatable relative to the plate from a first position to a second position. A slot is in one of the plate and the seatbelt buckle and a pin is supported by the other of the plate and the seatbelt buckle. The pin is moveable relative to the other of the plate and the seatbelt buckle from a retracted position to an extended position. The pin is spaced from the slot and in the retracted position when the seatbelt buckle is in the first position. The pin is in the extended position and extends into the slot when the seatbelt buckle is in the second position. A pyrotechnic device is operatively coupled to the seatbelt buckle to rotate the seatbelt buckle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2023Publication date: March 27, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Murugan Sundaram Ramasamy, Mangesh Kadam, Srinivas Reddy Malapati
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Publication number: 20250102312Abstract: A vehicle including a transceiver, a human-machine interface (HMI) and a processor is disclosed. The transceiver may be configured to receive information associated with a pick-up point of a user and a real-time geolocation of a user device associated with the user. The processor may be configured to obtain the information associated with the pick-up point from the transceiver, and determine that a predefined condition may be met based on the information associated with the pick-up point. The processor may further obtain the real-time geolocation responsive to determining that the predefined condition may be met. The processor may then output the real-time geolocation on the HMI.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2023Publication date: March 27, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Oliver Lei, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Somak Datta Gupta
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Publication number: 20250102245Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a housing. The housing defines a refrigerant inlet, a refrigerant outlet opposing the refrigerant inlet, at least one coolant inlet, and at least one coolant outlet. A gyroid structure is disposed within the housing. The gyroid structure defines a set of refrigerant channels that direct refrigerant through the gyroid structure, a first set of coolant channels that direct coolant through a first region of the gyroid structure, and a second set of coolant channels that direct coolant fluid through a second region of the gyroid structure. A valve is disposed within the refrigerant inlet. The valve is configured to direct refrigerant fluid to at least one of the first region and the second region of the gyroid structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2023Publication date: March 27, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Xiaogang Zhang
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Publication number: 20250100545Abstract: A vehicle parking assist system is disclosed. The system may include a detection unit configured to detect real-time presence, position, and orientation of a plurality of markers disposed on a parking space with respect to a vehicle. The system may further include a memory configured to store a historical vehicle movement pattern associated with the vehicle relative to the plurality of markers to park the vehicle in the parking space. The system may further include a processor configured to obtain a request to park the vehicle in the parking space. Responsive to obtaining the request, the processor may obtain the historical vehicle movement pattern and the real-time inputs. Based on the historical vehicle movement pattern and the real-time inputs, the processor may cause a vehicle movement to park the vehicle in the parking space.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2023Publication date: March 27, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Sari Alejandra Name, Federico Emilio Mejia
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Publication number: 20250100502Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle seat and a plate fixed relative to the vehicle seat. A seatbelt buckle is rotatably supported by the vehicle seat and is rotatable relative to the plate to one of a first or second position. A first and second slot are both in one of the plate or the seatbelt buckle. A pin supported by and movable to an extended position relative to one of the plate or the seatbelt buckle. The pin is spaced from the first and second slot when the seatbelt buckle is in a stowed position and is positioned to extend into the first or second slot when the seatbelt buckle is in the first or second position. A computer executes instructions to rotate the seatbelt buckle to one of the first or second position based on a size of an occupant and, then, move the pin to the extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2023Publication date: March 27, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Murugan Sundaram Ramasamy, Mangesh Kadam, Srinivas Reddy Malapati
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Publication number: 20250092947Abstract: A shifter assembly for an electric vehicle includes a base, a shifter handle, and a plurality of actuators. The base defines an opening. The shifter handle extends through the opening of the base and is pivotably coupled to the base. Each actuator of the plurality of actuators are pivotably coupled to the base at a first end and pivotably coupled to the shifter handle at a second end that is opposite the first end. The plurality of actuators are configured to permit movement of the shifter handle relative to the base in a predetermined virtual pathway and inhibit movement of the shifter handle relative to the base outside the predetermined virtual path.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2023Publication date: March 20, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jacob Michael Haspiel, Martin Delonis, Michael Lozano
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Publication number: 20250091588Abstract: A vehicle including a steering wheel, a first detection unit, a second detection unit and a processor is disclosed. The first detection unit may be configured to detect a first parameter associated with the steering wheel, and the second detection unit may be configured to capture an input associated with a vehicle occupant. The processor may be configured to obtain the input and the first parameter, and estimate a second parameter associated with a vehicle occupant interaction with the steering wheel based on the input. The processor may be further configured to correlate the first parameter and the second parameter, and determine that a predefined condition may be met based on the correlation. The processor may further transmit a notification responsive to a determination that the predefined condition may be met.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2023Publication date: March 20, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: David Michael Herman
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Publication number: 20250091534Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive sensor data from an optical sensor of a vehicle, determine a predicted effect of sunlight on at least a portion of a field of view of the optical sensor, determine an adjustment to the sensor data based on the predicted effect of the sunlight, and actuate a component of the vehicle based on the sensor data and the adjustment.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2023Publication date: March 20, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Michael Schoenberg
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Publication number: 20250095169Abstract: A computer that includes a processor and a memory, the memory includes instructions executable by the processor to estimate a relative rotation between a ground view image and an aerial view image with a rotation estimator. A ground feature map and a confidence map corresponding to the ground view image are projected to an aerial feature map corresponding to the aerial view image according to the relative rotation to create a projected overhead-view feature map. A translation difference is determined between the projected overhead-view feature map and the aerial feature map using spatial correlation. A high-definition estimated three degree-of-freedom pose of a ground view camera is determined based on the relative rotation and the translation difference.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2023Publication date: March 20, 2025Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Australian National UniversityInventors: Yujiao Shi, Hongdong Li, Akhil Perincherry, Ankit Girish Vora
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Publication number: 20250091545Abstract: A seat system includes a seat having a seatback and an arm supported by the seatback. The arm is extendable from a stowed position to an intermediate position and pivotable in a seat-forward direction from the intermediate position to a deployed position. A webbing guide is fixed to and movable with the arm. The webbing guide is at a top end of the seatback when the arm is at the stowed position and the webbing guide is spaced from the seatback in the seat-forward direction when the arm is at the deployed position. A retractor is supported by the seatback at the top end and a webbing extends from the retractor through the webbing guide.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2023Publication date: March 20, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S.M. Iskander Farooq
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Publication number: 20250091551Abstract: A sensor-cleaning assembly includes a stationary faceplate having multiple openings. The assembly additionally includes a cylinder defining an axis and abutting the faceplate at a first end of the cylinder. The cylinder can be rotatable about the axis relative to the faceplate in which the cylinder includes a passage from an inlet centered on the axis to an outlet that is alignable with a first opening of the multiple openings of the faceplate responsive to rotation of the cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2023Publication date: March 20, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Nicholas Sharpe, Michael Robertson, JR., Segundo Baldovino, Venkatesh Krishnan
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Publication number: 20250091530Abstract: A locator tool for a headliner assembly includes a base, first finger, second finger, and magnet. A proximal end portion of the first finger is fixedly coupled to a top portion of the base. The first finger extends in a first direction from the proximal end portion of the first finger to a distal end portion of the first finger. A proximal end portion of the second finger is fixedly coupled to the top portion of the base. The second finger extends in the first direction from the proximal end portion of the second finger to a distal end portion of the second finger. The second finger is spaced apart from the first finger by the top surface. The second finger extends in the first direction a lesser distance from the top surface than the first finger. The magnet is coupled to the distal end portion of the first finger.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2023Publication date: March 20, 2025Applicant: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Carlos Ernesto Saenz, Jesus Sanchez Llaca, Cecilia Oddett Paredes Mancilla, Julio Adolfo Castillo
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Publication number: 20250092820Abstract: A method for detecting belt slip in a starter system for starting an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, the starter system including a belt-driven integrated starter generator. A control unit of the motor vehicle evaluates a belt slip as detected if a determined belt slip value exceeds a limit value. The belt slip value is determined to belong to a defined time window T, which opens after a start of the internal combustion engine. This determination takes into account at least one change in velocity over time value of the starter generator within the time window T. A motor vehicle with a control unit designed to carry out the method is also included.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2024Publication date: March 20, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Tobias Emig, Ke Fan, Tianyuan Zhou
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Publication number: 20250091517Abstract: A heated running board for a motor vehicle includes a substrate formed by an additive manufacturing process and a pre-fabricated heater embedded within the substrate. The pre-fabricated heater is not formed by the additive manufacturing process. A system for operating a heated running board for a motor vehicle includes the heated running board, at least one sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive signals from the at least one sensor and supply power to the pre-fabricated heater to control a temperature of the pre-fabricated heater based on at least one operational characteristic from the at least one sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2023Publication date: March 20, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Keith Weston, David D. Friske, Brendan Diamond
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Publication number: 20250091568Abstract: A system for switching an electric vehicle between vehicle operating states includes a base, a shifter handle, actuators, and a controller. The shifter handle includes a shaft. The actuators are coupled to the shaft. The controller is configured to determine a selected shifter operating mode from among shifter operating modes; generate, in response to the selected shifter operating mode being a first shifter operating mode, a first set of output signals to the actuators to control the actuators to permit movement of the shifter handle in a first predetermined virtual pathway; generate, in response to the selected shifter operating mode being a second shifter operating mode, a second set of output signals to the actuators to control the actuators to permit movement of the shifter handle in a second predetermined virtual pathway; and switch the electric vehicle between the vehicle operating states based on movement of the shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2023Publication date: March 20, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jacob Michael Haspiel, Martin Delonis, Michael Lozano
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Publication number: 20250085398Abstract: A sensor assembly can include a bracket mounted to a vehicle roof in an attachment area of the vehicle roof. The bracket may cover the attachment area and the bracket may include a cantilevered portion extending in a vehicle-forward direction from a forwardmost point of the attachment area. A sensor can be mounted to, or within, the cantilevered portion forward of the forwardmost point.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2023Publication date: March 13, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael Robertson, JR., Segundo Baldovino, Venkatesh Krishnan
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Publication number: 20250085429Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to generate a set of points from a measurement scan obtained by a lidar sensor and to generate an expected termination distance of the set of points based on a neural implicit representation of the set of points. The instructions may additionally be to compute a loss function that includes a relatively low margin correlated with the variance or standard deviation of a training distribution centered at a learned point of the set of points based on the expected termination distance of the learned point, the learned point being learned by the neural implicit representation. The instructions may additionally be to generate a keyframe from the set of points and to generate a pose of the lidar sensor based on the keyframe.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2023Publication date: March 13, 2025Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGANInventors: Seth Isaacson, Pou-Chun Kung, Katherine Skinner, Manikandasriram Srinivasan Ramanagopal, Ramanarayan Vasudevan
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Publication number: 20250086346Abstract: A method of performing a finishing operation on a surface of a component includes: acquiring, by a sensing system, an image of the surface of the component; retrieving a CAD model of the surface of the component; comparing the image of the surface of the component with the CAD model of the surface of the component; determining at least one target area on the surface of the component where a difference in a geometry between the image and the CAD model of the surface of the component exceeds a threshold; and displaying at least one visual overlay corresponding to the at least one target area on a real-world content or a virtual content.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2023Publication date: March 13, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Raj Sohmshetty, Elizabeth Bullard, Chris Schultz, Jeff Tornabene, Martin Smets, Jian Wan, Lorne Forsythe, Kyle Saul, Ramesh Parameswaran
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Publication number: 20250083610Abstract: A vehicle device for cargo space of a vehicle includes a container configured to be arranged behind a rear bench seat in an installed state and having an access on the vehicle cab side. A headrest is mounted on the rear bench seat displaceably between an upper position and a lower position. The container and the headrest are arranged on a common axis that is configured to be oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle in the upper position of the headrest. A pivotable lid is designed to open and close the container. The opening of the container is free in the lower position of the headrest.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2024Publication date: March 13, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Nils Kuether, Carsten Schauf
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Publication number: 20250084510Abstract: An alloy includes a mixture of aluminum, tin and magnesium. An amount of the magnesium is between about 2.5% and 6.5% by weight of the mixture. The alloy is binder jet printed and liquid phase sintered.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2023Publication date: March 13, 2025Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, The University of Western Australia, The University of MelbourneInventors: Graham Schaffer, Tim Sercombe, Tesfaye Molla, Yang Huo, Mei LI, Mark Meinhart, John Cornell, Ampaiphan Atthapreyangkul, Jincheng Wang, Andrew Youssef, Sean Oakley, Joss Doak-Smith
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Publication number: 20250085694Abstract: A method of performing a finishing operation on a surface of a component includes: (a) generating an image of the surface of the component; (b) comparing the image of the surface of the component with a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) model of the surface of the component to identify a target area to be finished; (c) selecting, by a controller, one of a plurality of finishing tools to perform the finishing operation on the target area; (d) operating, by a robot, a selected one of the plurality of finishing tools to perform the finishing operation; (e) measuring a surface roughness of the target area; and (f) repeating steps (a) to (e) until the surface roughness of the target area satisfies a predetermined value.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2023Publication date: March 13, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Raj Sohmshetty, Chris Schultz, Elizabeth Bullard, Jeff Tornabene, Ramesh Parameswaran, Kyle Saul, Lorne Forsythe
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Publication number: 20250083634Abstract: A seatbelt retractor includes a frame and a spool rotatably supported by the frame. A ring is coaxial with the spool on a rotational axis and is selectively lockable with the spool. A locking device is operatively coupled between the spool and the ring to rotationally engage the spool with the ring in a locked position and rotationally disengage the spool from the ring in an unlocked position. One of the ring or the frame defines a recess and a tab is fixed to and extends from the other of the ring or the frame into the recess. When the locking device is in the locked position, the tab is elastically deformable relative to the ring and the frame when rotational force on the ring relative to the frame about the rotational axis exceeds a deformation threshold to allow rotation of the ring relative to the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2023Publication date: March 13, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi
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Publication number: 20250088084Abstract: A deburring gauge system that includes a gauge set, a gauge holder secured to the gauge set, and a controller. The gauge set is configured to be at least partially inserted into a slot set of a stator. Each gauge part of the gauge set includes a body having a shape that corresponds to a shape of a respective slot of the slot set. The body of each gauge part includes an abrasive portion extending along a length of the body. The controller is in communication with the gauge holder and configured to move the gauge holder in a first direction toward the stator so that the abrasive portion of the body is at least partially inserted into the respective slot and move the gauge holder in a second direction away from the stator so that the abrasive portion of the body is removed from the respective slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2023Publication date: March 13, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Franco Leonardi, Michael W. Degner
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Publication number: 20250083524Abstract: A device assembly of a vehicle that includes a display housing where a display is attached to the front of the housing and a receiver is attached to the rear of the housing. The receiver couples to a receiver mount on the vehicle. An interlock connection exists between the display housing and the receiver mount. When the interlock connection is locked, triggered by the car being in a dynamic state, the display housing cannot be slidably decoupled from the receiver mount. When the interlock connection is unlocked, triggered by the vehicle being in a static state, the display housing can be slidably decoupled from the receiver mount.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2023Publication date: March 13, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael John Harmon, Leyna Hirsch, Hussain Z. Tajmahal
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Publication number: 20250086315Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to identify personally identifiable information (PII) in an initial image frame; encode a region containing the PII of the initial image frame to a latent vector with a lower dimensionality than the region; anonymize the region from the initial image frame, resulting in a modified image frame; and associate the latent vector with the modified image frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2023Publication date: March 13, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: David Michael Herman
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Publication number: 20250074346Abstract: A bumper for a vehicle includes a crossbeam, a first crush can, and a second crush can. The first crush can extends vehicle-rearward from the crossbeam to the first frame rail along the vehicle-longitudinal axis and the second crush can extend vehicle-rearward from the crossbeam to the second frame rail along the vehicle-longitudinal axis. The bumper has a topmost surface along the crossbeam, the first crush can, and the second crush can. The bumper has a bottommost surface along the crossbeam, the first crush can, and the second crush can. The crossbeam, the first crush can, and the second crush can have a lattice shape defining cells. At least some of the cells are elongated through both the topmost surface and the bottommost surface. The crossbeam, the first crush can, and the second crush can are unitary with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2023Publication date: March 6, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Saeed D. Barbat, Mohammad Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi, S.M. Iskander Farooq
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Publication number: 20250074296Abstract: A trailer light management system is disclosed. The system may include a constant current source circuit and a processor. The constant current source circuit may be configured to supply a current to a trailer light. The processor may be configured to obtain a trigger signal and cause the constant current source circuit to supply the current to the trailer light responsive to obtaining the trigger signal. The processor may be further configured to determine a voltage drop in the constant current source circuit responsive to supplying the current. In addition, the processor may determine that a predefined condition may be met based on the voltage drop. The processor may perform a predefined action responsive to determining that the predefined condition may be met.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2023Publication date: March 6, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Sheran Anthony Alles, Manuel Leon, Sandeep Pothuganti
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Publication number: 20250078780Abstract: A vehicle having a first vehicle device configured to provide inputs to a first user device associated with a first user is disclosed. The vehicle further comprises a camera configured to capture images of the first user in the vehicle. The vehicle further comprises processor configured to obtain the images from the camera, and determine that the first user is operating the first user device in the vehicle based on the images. The processor may be further configured to determine an availability of the first vehicle device responsive to a determination that the first user is operating the first user device, and activate the first vehicle device to enable the first user to operate the first user device via the first vehicle device when the first vehicle device is available.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2023Publication date: March 6, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Zackary Swisher, Keith Weston, Stuart C. Salter, Brendan Diamond
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Publication number: 20250074725Abstract: A vehicle for delivering a plurality of packages disposed in a plurality of bins is described. The vehicle includes a grid of a plurality of motorized tiles configured to enable movement of the plurality of bins within the vehicle. The vehicle further includes a robotic arm disposed at a vehicle rear portion. The robotic arm may be configured to load or unload a bin to or from the grid of the plurality of motorized tiles. The robotic arm may be attached to a linear actuator that is configured to move the robotic arm in a vehicle interior portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2023Publication date: March 6, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin Hwang, Timothy Mark Feldkamp, Yifan Chen, Kurt Michael Lundeen, Sam Hoff, Smruti Panigrahi
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Publication number: 20250074287Abstract: A delivery vehicle having a base and a bin engagement unit is disclosed. The base may be configured to secure a plurality of bins. Each bin may include a plurality of sidewalls, and each sidewall may include an interior surface and an exterior surface. The bin engagement unit may be configured to move in a two-dimensional (2D) space in proximity to the base. The bin engagement unit may be configured to engage with the interior surface of a bin, from the plurality of bins, and slide the bin on the base when the bin engagement unit engages with the interior surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2023Publication date: March 6, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Yifan Chen, Kurt Michael Lundeen, Sam Hoff, Smruti Panigrahi, Kevin Hwang, Timothy Mark Feldkamp
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Publication number: 20250079835Abstract: A vehicle configured to provide energy to a building is disclosed. The vehicle may include a transceiver configured to receive a set point temperature, historical building load consumption information and current building load consumption information associated with the building. The vehicle may further include a processor configured to obtain a trigger signal, and transmit a command signal to cause an activation of a building component to the set point temperature responsive to obtaining the trigger signal. The processor may further compare the current building load consumption information with the historical building load consumption information responsive to activating the building component, and determine a building component load profile based on the comparison and the set point temperature. The processor may then control a building component operation based on the building component load profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2023Publication date: March 6, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ryan O'Gorman, Stuart C. Salter, Peter Phung, Brendan Diamond
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Publication number: 20250074286Abstract: A vehicle including a plurality of first motorized tiles and a vehicle elevator is disclosed. The plurality of first motorized tiles may be disposed in a vehicle interior portion. The plurality of first motorized tiles may be configured to move and secure a first bin of a first size and a second bin of a second size. The vehicle elevator may include a second motorized tile and a set of third motorized tiles. The second motorized tile may be configured to receive the second bin from the plurality of first motorized tiles and secure the second bin. The second motorized tile may be of a third size. Further, each third motorized tile may be configured to receive the first bin from the plurality of first motorized tiles and secure the first bin. Each third motorized tile may be of a fourth size.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2023Publication date: March 6, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Meghna Menon, Geoffrey Horowitz, Sarah Garrow, Jason Snow, John Vincent, Yifan Chen, Kevin Hwang, Kurt Lundeen, Timothy Feldkamp, Smruti Panigrahi, Sam Hoff
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Publication number: 20250074176Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame including a pair of spaced apart longitudinal members extending along a vehicle-longitudinal axis. Multiple cross-members extend transverse to the vehicle-longitudinal axis and are fastened at each end to a corresponding one of the pair of longitudinal members. A battery tray is positioned above the multiple cross-members and positioned between the longitudinal members.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2023Publication date: March 6, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, S.M. Iskander Farooq, Dean M. Jaradi
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Publication number: 20250078686Abstract: A vehicle including a transceiver, a telematics control unit and a processor is disclosed. The transceiver may be configured to receive tour information associated with a tour, and the telematics control unit may be determine a real-time vehicle geolocation. The processor may be configured to obtain a trigger signal, and obtain the tour information and the real-time vehicle geolocation responsive to obtaining the trigger signal. The processor may be further configured to determine that a predefined condition may be met based on the tour information and the real-time vehicle geolocation. The processor may modify a first vehicle component setting associated with a vehicle component to a second vehicle component setting, responsive to determining that the predefined condition may be met.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2023Publication date: March 6, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Alexander Blouin, Kevin King, Jacob Michael Haspiel, Robin Mathew Kurian, Zhimin Yang, Stefan Bankowski, Ryan Alexander Bright
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Publication number: 20250076873Abstract: A method for vehicle distribution of a fleet of vehicles includes: receiving signals from a set of infrastructure sensors; receiving signals from one or more sensors on-board the vehicles; processing the signals from the set of infrastructure sensors and the signals from the one or more sensors on-board the vehicles; controlling autonomous queuing of the vehicles using the processed signals; and controlling autonomous loading and unloading of the vehicles onto a transportation vehicle according to the queuing of the vehicles.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2023Publication date: March 6, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mario Anthony Santillo, Meghna Menon, Gregory P. Linkowski, Smruti Panigrahi
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Publication number: 20250074282Abstract: A motor vehicle having a mounting device for a tray for use on a steering wheel or steering wheel rim arranged in a tray support position, wherein the tray has at least one guide element on a mounting side arranged opposite a tray surface, and wherein the mounting device has a counter-guide clement corresponding to the at least one guide element.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2024Publication date: March 6, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Sascha Kaatz, Sree Ram Gopal Reddy Thodeme
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Publication number: 20250074424Abstract: Systems and methods for pass zone vehicle control include receiving, via wireless communications, respective vehicle data for each of a plurality of vehicles on a roadway, the vehicle data including at least speed and location data. A set of current pass zones and a set of current no-pass zones on the roadway is determined based on the speed and location data from the plurality of vehicles, a set of static no-pass zones, and a set of static pass zones. A control parameter is then transmitted for a candidate passing vehicle in the plurality of vehicles, wherein the control parameter is determined based on the set of current pass-zones and the set of current no-pass zones.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2023Publication date: March 6, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Daniel Sullivan, Tyler James-Ray Kaldobsky
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Publication number: 20250076882Abstract: A method for remotely controlling the movement of a vehicle by means of a hand-held device is described. The method includes the following steps: activating a button by pressing and holding the button by a user; setting a tilt angle of the device by the user starting from an initial tilt angle when activating the button; receiving a signal representing the current tilt angle of the device; converting the received signal into a virtual pedal position, which corresponds to the position of a physical pedal corresponding to the virtual pedal; controlling the movement of the vehicle according to the virtual pedal position; and stopping the vehicle if pressing and holding the button is ended.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2024Publication date: March 6, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Andreas Puetz, Mohamed Benmimoun, Lars Kuhnert, Tobias Lotz, Thomas Nowak, Benjamin Maus
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Publication number: 20250065846Abstract: A vehicle includes a window separating a compartment of the vehicle from a region external to the vehicle. The window includes an outer surface. An imaging device is in the compartment and configured to capture an image of the region external to the vehicle through the window. Control circuitry is in communication with the imaging device and configured to receive the image from the imaging device, detect an obstruction in the image data corresponding to a substance on the window, and generate an output in response to the detection of the obstruction, wherein the imaging device is disposed within 50 millimeters (mm) from the window.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2023Publication date: February 27, 2025Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert Schroeter, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Justin Miller, Jake Schwartz