Ford Patents

Ford Motor Company is a a global automotive manufacturer and distributor of Ford and Lincoln branded vehicles.

Ford Patents by Type
  • Ford Patents Granted: Ford patents that have been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
  • Ford Patent Applications: Ford patent applications that are pending before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
  • Publication number: 20250095169
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Australian National University
    Inventors: Yujiao Shi, Hongdong Li, Akhil Perincherry, Ankit Girish Vora
  • Publication number: 20250091517
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Weston, David D. Friske, Brendan Diamond
  • Patent number: 12254445
    Abstract: A tool application system for a vehicle may include a database configured to maintain an inventory of items on a vehicle, and a server configured to receive a request for at least one item relating to a worksite from a technician, compare the request for the at least one item to the inventory, determine that the item is not part of the inventory, transmit a part request to at least one location based on at least one factor, and transmit instructions to the vehicle in response to receiving a response to the request from the location confirming availability of the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Brendan F. Diamond, Meghan Preiss, Annette Lynn Huebner, Lia Pillen
  • Patent number: 12252105
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain having a powerplant and a transmission. The transmission has an input shaft operably coupled to the powerplant and an output shaft operably coupled to driven wheels. A vehicle controller is programmed to, in response to a brake pedal being applied, a speed of the output shaft being less than a threshold speed, and a position of an accelerator pedal being less than a threshold position, automatically engage friction brakes regardless of road grade and continue engagement of the friction brakes despite subsequent release of the brake pedal such that the friction brakes are engaged to hold the vehicle stationary independent of the road grade. The controller is further programmed to release the friction brakes in response to a position of the accelerator pedal being greater than a second threshold position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Anna Katherine Gabara, Markian Oleh Diakiw, Richard Grubke
  • Patent number: 12251981
    Abstract: A component for a vehicle suspension system that includes a circular first housing that defines a first aperture. A first intermediate portion is coupled to a first end portion of the first housing and has a length that is less than a diameter of the first aperture. A circular second housing is coupled to the first intermediate portion and defines a second aperture. A second intermediate portion is coupled to a second end portion of the first housing. A bracket is coupled to the second intermediate portion, the bracket has a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of apertures defined on the first surface. The plurality of apertures extend from the first surface to the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joe L. Buchwitz, John Joseph Uicker, Sean Christopher Remisoski
  • Patent number: 12252043
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat, a seatback, a track assembly, a front anchor, a rear anchor, and a first gear. The seatback is coupled to the seat. The seatback is pivotable relative to the seat. The track assembly is configured to couple the seat to a floor of a vehicle. The rear anchor is coupled to the seat and configured to engage with the track assembly. The front anchor is coupled to the seat and configured to engage with the track assembly. A position of the seat relative to the front anchor and the second anchor is adjustable. The first gear extends between the front anchor and the seat. The first gear defines a guide slot therein that receives a guide pin. Movement of the first gear adjusts a position of a front region of the seat relative to a rear region of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Macit Aktas
  • Patent number: 12253568
    Abstract: A strategy selection method for estimating a charge time includes, when a target state of charge for a traction battery is a full charge, establishing an estimated time required to charge the traction battery using a first strategy, and when a target state of charge for the traction battery is less than a full charge, establishing the estimated time required to charge the traction battery using a different, second strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Everett Badger, II, Dima Alame
  • Patent number: 12252090
    Abstract: An instrument panel for vehicles includes a substrate and a an airbag door assembly having one or more gaps forming openings. The substrate includes a breakaway web below the airbag door assembly. An upper skin extends over a portion of the substrate and the airbag door assembly. Foam is disposed between the substrate and the upper skin. An airbag module is positioned below the breakaway web. When deployed, the airbag causes the breakaway web and foam above the airbag door assembly to rupture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yoon Kim, Israel Martinez Martinez, Alejandro Nieto Gaspar, Francisco Ronquillo Melendez, Thomas Junior Luckett
  • Patent number: 12252039
    Abstract: An electrified vehicle includes an electric machine, a traction battery selectively connected to the electric machine, a human-machine interface (HMI), and a controller programmed to, after receiving a signal from the HMI enabling towed vehicle operation of the electrified vehicle, control the electric machine to generate a regenerative braking torque in response to deceleration of the electrified vehicle exceeding an associated deceleration threshold and road grade being below a road grade threshold. The controller may also be programmed to control friction brakes of the electrified vehicle in response to the deceleration exceeding the associated threshold. The controller may control brake lights of the electrified vehicle in response to the regenerative braking and/or friction braking. Regenerative and friction braking may be released in response to acceleration exceeding a corresponding threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William David Treharne, Thomas Anthony Vassa, Anthony Paul Magagnoli
  • Patent number: 12252379
    Abstract: A vehicle winch control assembly includes, among other things, a winch, and a vehicle input device that is reassigned to control the winch. The vehicle input device can be an accelerator pedal. A vehicle winch control method includes, among other things, reassigning a vehicle input device, and, after the reassigning, controlling a winch using the vehicle input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, William Wurz, Ryan J. O'Gorman, Peter Phung, David Brian Glickman
  • Publication number: 20250083634
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Publication number: 20250083610
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nils Kuether, Carsten Schauf
  • Publication number: 20250088084
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Franco Leonardi, Michael W. Degner
  • Publication number: 20250083524
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael John Harmon, Leyna Hirsch, Hussain Z. Tajmahal
  • Publication number: 20250084510
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, The University of Western Australia, The University of Melbourne
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20250086346
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raj Sohmshetty, Elizabeth Bullard, Chris Schultz, Jeff Tornabene, Martin Smets, Jian Wan, Lorne Forsythe, Kyle Saul, Ramesh Parameswaran
  • Publication number: 20250085398
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, JR., Segundo Baldovino, Venkatesh Krishnan
  • Publication number: 20250085429
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Seth Isaacson, Pou-Chun Kung, Katherine Skinner, Manikandasriram Srinivasan Ramanagopal, Ramanarayan Vasudevan
  • Publication number: 20250086315
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Michael Herman
  • Publication number: 20250085694
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raj Sohmshetty, Chris Schultz, Elizabeth Bullard, Jeff Tornabene, Ramesh Parameswaran, Kyle Saul, Lorne Forsythe
  • Patent number: 12247838
    Abstract: A system and method for vehicle sharing include a vehicle having sensors, a vehicle computing system (VCS) including a processor and a memory communicating with the sensor and programmed to store sensor data associated with a vehicle sharing trip, and a human-machine interface (HMI) communicating with the VCS and displaying a vehicle sharing trip cost using the sensor data associated with vehicle and/or vehicle component wear and tear incurred during the trip, trip cost savings based on the pricing method, and presenting related coupons. Vehicle sharing cost may be determined for a vehicle use, driver, route, road conditions, parking behavior, weather, etc. based on data from vehicle sensors and external sensors to detect ambient and operating conditions. Sensor data may be communicated to cloud-based networks for processing, analysis, and cost determination using models associating sensor data with component wear, driver's characteristics, historical behavior, and related maintenance and repair cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yimin Liu, Perry Robinson MacNeille, Erica Klampfl, Kevin Cooper
  • Patent number: 12246681
    Abstract: A roof rack assembly for a vehicle includes a pedestal including an indentation. A roof rail is movable between a first configuration and a second configuration relative to the pedestal. In the first configuration, a toggle loop of the roof rail is positioned in a first orientation relative to the indentation. In the second configuration, the toggle loop is positioned in a second orientation relative to the indentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rohit Telukunta, Adam Weyrauch, Peter Joyce, Steven Frank
  • Patent number: 12246625
    Abstract: A seating assembly is provided that includes a seating assembly frame that includes a seatback frame, and a seat frame. The seating assembly further includes a seatback panel coupled to an upper portion of the seatback frame and movable between a stored position relative to the seatback frame and an extended position relative to the seatback frame, and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the seatback panel and the seating assembly frame and movable between a first position and a second position in response to an actuating force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Line, Joseph Kish, Ratan Howlader, Ian James, Robert Shipley, Patrick Davis, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello, David Frederick Lyons, Sean West
  • Patent number: 12247839
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to divide a plurality of waypoints in a geographic area into a plurality of clusters according to at least one metric, arrange the clusters into an upper-level ordering by executing an optimization algorithm, arrange the waypoints within the respective clusters into a plurality of respective lower-level orderings by executing the optimization algorithm on the respective clusters, and output the waypoints in a final ordering by concatenating the waypoints in the lower-level orderings according to the upper-level ordering. The final ordering defines a final route passing through the waypoints in the final ordering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joydip Ghosh, Rathi Munukur
  • Patent number: 12246627
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat and a seatback. The seatback includes a frame that has opposing first and second frame members and first and second displaceable panels that are pivotably coupled to the first and second frame members. The first and second displaceable panels are movable between stored positions and deployed positions in response to a force exerted on the seatback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ranjit Nagi, Nathan Pabalate, Nicholas Gilbert, Patrick Davis, Megan Romelfanger
  • Patent number: 12247506
    Abstract: A method of providing a heating cycle for an after-treatment system is described. The method comprises initiating a pre-charge cycle of a DCDC converter and determining a temperature of the after-treatment system. In response to determining the temperature of the after-treatment system is below a threshold temperature and the pre-charge is complete, the method further comprises operating a solid-state switch to electrically connect a high voltage power source to a heating element to of the after-treatment system, and heating the after-treatment system with the heating element until the after-treatment system reaches the threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Cox, David Hesketh, Themi Petridis
  • Publication number: 20250074346
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Saeed D. Barbat, Mohammad Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi, S.M. Iskander Farooq
  • Publication number: 20250074176
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, S.M. Iskander Farooq, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Publication number: 20250079835
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan O'Gorman, Stuart C. Salter, Peter Phung, Brendan Diamond
  • Publication number: 20250074424
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Sullivan, Tyler James-Ray Kaldobsky
  • Publication number: 20250074725
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Hwang, Timothy Mark Feldkamp, Yifan Chen, Kurt Michael Lundeen, Sam Hoff, Smruti Panigrahi
  • Publication number: 20250078686
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Blouin, Kevin King, Jacob Michael Haspiel, Robin Mathew Kurian, Zhimin Yang, Stefan Bankowski, Ryan Alexander Bright
  • Publication number: 20250074296
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sheran Anthony Alles, Manuel Leon, Sandeep Pothuganti
  • Publication number: 20250076873
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mario Anthony Santillo, Meghna Menon, Gregory P. Linkowski, Smruti Panigrahi
  • Publication number: 20250078780
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Zackary Swisher, Keith Weston, Stuart C. Salter, Brendan Diamond
  • Publication number: 20250074287
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yifan Chen, Kurt Michael Lundeen, Sam Hoff, Smruti Panigrahi, Kevin Hwang, Timothy Mark Feldkamp
  • Publication number: 20250076882
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andreas Puetz, Mohamed Benmimoun, Lars Kuhnert, Tobias Lotz, Thomas Nowak, Benjamin Maus
  • Publication number: 20250074282
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sascha Kaatz, Sree Ram Gopal Reddy Thodeme
  • Publication number: 20250074286
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Meghna Menon, Geoffrey Horowitz, Sarah Garrow, Jason Snow, John Vincent, Yifan Chen, Kevin Hwang, Kurt Lundeen, Timothy Feldkamp, Smruti Panigrahi, Sam Hoff
  • Patent number: 12240414
    Abstract: Upon detecting an absence of a user inside a passenger cabin of a vehicle, an object inside the passenger cabin is classified as one of preferred or nonpreferred. Upon classifying the object as preferred, a sensor is activated to monitor an environment outside the passenger cabin based on determining the object is visible from outside the passenger cabin. A priority level for the preferred object is determined based on data from the sensor, wherein the priority level is one of high or low. A vehicle component is actuated to reduce the priority level based on determining the priority level for the preferred object is high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brendan Francis Diamond, Stuart C. Salter, Hussein H. Berry, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Tarik Safir
  • Patent number: 12243503
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Zackary Swisher, Keith Weston, Stuart C. Salter, Brendan Diamond
  • Patent number: 12243683
    Abstract: Permanent magnets and method of making the same are provided. The magnets include a magnetic layer having an insulation layer disposed thereon. The insulation layer is formed via additive manufacturing techniques such as laser melting such that it has discrete phases including a magnetic phase and an insulating phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wanfeng Li, Franco Leonardi, Michael W. Degner
  • Patent number: 12240482
    Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for preventing doored interactions between a vehicle and moving object. According to one or more embodiments, a method for a vehicle includes detecting that a moving object is approaching the vehicle when the vehicle is stationary, detect that a moving object is approaching the vehicle when the vehicle is stationary, provide an alert within the vehicle of the approaching moving object, prevent an actuation of a door latch from opening a door of the vehicle, and provide a visual alert to notify an operator of the moving object that an occupant of the vehicle is attempting to open the door of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Subharthi Banerjee, Jayanthi Rao
  • Patent number: 12240405
    Abstract: An assembly includes a vehicle seat including a seat back, a first track mounted to the seat back, an upper airbag movable along the first track, a second track mounted to the seat back, a lower airbag movable along the second track, and a mechanical assembly configured to simultaneously move the upper airbag along the first track and the lower airbag along the second track in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq
  • Patent number: D1064943
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Ehab Kaoud, Sean Tant, Jiacheng Liu
  • Patent number: D1064947
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kemal Curic, Earl Lucas, Jordan Meadows, Jaewoo Chang, Henri Kavaja
  • Patent number: D1064948
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kemal Curic, Earl Lucas, Jordan Meadows, Fernando Morita, Luiz Henrique Antonelli
  • Patent number: D1064973
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kemal Curic, Earl Lucas, Jordan Meadows, Jaewoo Chang, Henri Kavaja
  • Patent number: D1064974
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Willing, Ehab Kaoud, Sean Tant, Jiacheng Liu
  • Patent number: D1064975
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Willing, Ehab Kaoud, Sean Tant, Jiacheng Liu