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).
  • Patent number: 10737478
    Abstract: A computer system generates a lattice structure effective to satisfy static loading criteria, the lattice structure including surfaces, nodes, and branches interconnecting nodes. The branches are removed and various alternative configurations are tested to identify one that meets low frequency damping requirements. An outer damping layer is selected to satisfy high frequency damping requirements and is added to the lattice structure. The lattice structure may then be fabricated using an additive manufacturing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Siddharthan Selvasekar, Alexander Groh
  • Patent number: 10739461
    Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to define a plurality of volumes represented in an original set of point cloud data. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to define a respective set of sub-volumes in each of the volumes, and to generate a reduced set of point cloud data including a number of points counted in selected sub-volumes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Siddharth Agarwal
  • Patent number: 10737693
    Abstract: A system and a method are described. The method includes: receiving sensed input from a vehicle sensor suite; using the input, providing a first output; determining that a vehicle-lane confidence level is less than a threshold; and then instead, providing a second output, wherein the first and second outputs comprise lane-correction data, wherein the second output is determined using an estimation filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Quazi Farooqi, Xingping Chen, Michael Hafner, Darrel Alan Recker
  • Patent number: 10737575
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor; and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to determine, based on a measurement performed in a vehicle, that a parameter of a power device is outside of a predetermined range; and actuate components in the vehicle to heat the power device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Petros Taskas, Lihua Chen, Shuitao Yang, Fan Xu, Mohammed Khorshed Alam, Baoming Ge
  • Patent number: 10738729
    Abstract: An engine line is described herein that includes a first engine including a front end accessory drive system and a second engine including a greater number of cylinders than the first engine and a front end accessory drive system. The engine line further includes a generator, in different manufacturing arrangements, mounting to each of the front engine accessory drive systems in the first and second engines in a common location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bas van den Heuvel, Wilbert Hemink, Klaus-Peter Heinig, Anselm Hopf, Joerg Bonse
  • Patent number: 10741891
    Abstract: A traction battery for a vehicle includes a plurality of cells stacked in an array and having a dielectric material surrounding at least a portion of each of the cells. The cells are spaced apart to define a plurality of pockets interleaved with the cells. A manifold is connected to the array and is configured to circulate liquid coolant to each of the pockets such that the coolant directly contacts the dielectric material of each of the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Miller, Evan Mascianica, Josef Dollison, Jeremy Samborsky, Jason Sielaff
  • Patent number: 10739258
    Abstract: In order to obtain information about a salt-state of a road independently of drivers, a method that generates information about the salt-state of a road is specified that includes a determination of salt-state-dependent measurement values, processing of the measurement values into information about the salt-state of the road and outputting of the information about the salt-state of the road. A corresponding device that generates information about the salt-state of a road comprises sensors that determine of salt-state-dependent measurement values, a processing unit that is configured to process determined measurement values into information about the salt-state of the road, and output the information about the salt-state of the road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Stefan, Uwe Gussen, Christoph Arndt, Frank Petri
  • Patent number: 10741873
    Abstract: A pre-sintered all-solid-state battery comprises a powdered lithium titanate (LTO), a powdered lithium lanthanum titanium oxide (LLTO), and a solid lithium compound configured to suppress formation of inactive phases during sintering. The solid lithium compound is about 0.5% to 10% by weight of the pre-sintered all-solid-state battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: William Arthur Paxton, Daniel Murray, Venkataramani Anandan
  • Patent number: 10742967
    Abstract: A display system for a motor vehicle is provided. The display system comprises a holographic projector assembly and a steering wheel assembly. The steering wheel assembly includes a ring-shaped member configured to be held by a driver of the vehicle and rotated about a central axis in order to steer the vehicle. The holographic projector assembly is configured to produce a holographic image inside a central region about which the ring-shaped member circumferentially extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marcus Hoggarth, Jasper Dekker, Edward Rose
  • Patent number: 10741097
    Abstract: A jacket includes a ventral piece; left and right inferior dorsal pieces shaped to cover a left and a right inferior dorsal torso, respectively; and a posterior piece shaped to cover a posterior. The ventral piece includes a ventral portion shaped to cover a ventral torso, a superior dorsal portion connected to the ventral portion and shaped to cover a superior dorsal torso, and a detachably attachable seam splitting the superior dorsal portion. The inferior dorsal pieces are each attachable to the ventral portion and detachably attachable to each other. The posterior piece is detachably attachable to the inferior dorsal pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Parakrama Valentine Weerappuli, Srinivasan Sundararajan, Kevin Michael Pline
  • Patent number: 10737700
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a step-ratio automatic transmission having clutches engageable to provide forward and reverse gears, an electric machine selectively coupled to the transmission, a main pump powered by the electric machine and supplying oil to actuate selected transmission clutches, a gear selector configured for selecting a transmission gear, and a controller configured to stop the electric machine when the gear selector selects park or neutral, to operate the electric machine in a speed control mode using a higher controller gain in response to the gear selector selecting forward or reverse while the electric machine is stopped until the electric machine and the main pump reach a first speed threshold to reduce engagement delay of at least one of the transmission clutches, and to operate the electric machine using a lower controller gain when the electric machine and the main pump exceed the first speed threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoyong Wang, Rajit Johri, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Ming Lang Kuang, Wei Liang
  • Patent number: 10737680
    Abstract: An electrified axle system includes a pair of wheels, a super positioning torque vectoring differential coupled between the wheels, and a controller. The super positioning torque vectoring differential includes a traction motor and a vectoring motor. The controller operates the vectoring motor in speed control mode to reduce a speed difference between the wheels responsive to the difference exceeding a threshold, and operates the vectoring motor in torque control mode responsive to the difference falling within a target range and an accelerator pedal position achieving a value that depends on lateral acceleration associated with the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jose Velazquez Alcantar, Joseph Jay Torres, Peter James Barrette, Rajit Johri, Ming Lang Kuang, Corwin Stout, Jonathan Craig Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10738869
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a case-hardened ring gear/differential case assembly includes attaching a ring gear to a differential case. The case-hardened ring gear and the differential case are fabricated of materials each having differing properties of at least carbon content and melting temperature. The attaching includes placing a flange of the case-hardened ring gear in intimate contact with a flange of the differential case whereby a predetermined gap is defined between a remainder of the ring gear and a remainder of the differential case. The ring gear flange is attached to the differential case flange by a friction welding process. The predetermined gap defines an outflow channel that receives a carburized portion of the case-hardened ring gear as overflow material created by an upset forging step of the friction welding process. Differential assemblies and vehicles including such are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul John Bojanowski, Andreas Evangelos Perakes, Thomas Gerard Neumann, Mark E. Briscoe
  • Publication number: 20200247401
    Abstract: A system, comprising a computer that includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to track a target in lidar point cloud data by minimizing an error function based on a smoothed target position, a smoothed target velocity, a smoothed target acceleration and a measured target position. The processor can be further programmed to operate a vehicle based on tracking the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yixin Yao, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Yucong Lin
  • Publication number: 20200247285
    Abstract: A seating assembly is attached to the floor and includes a seat that is rotationally operable relative to a seatback. A retention device is attached to the seat. When the seat is pivoted upright to a stadium position, the retention device is selectively deployable from a stored position to a cargo storage position that defines an enclosure at least partially defined by the seat and the floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Hugh Fowler, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Kevin Wayne Preuss
  • Publication number: 20200247345
    Abstract: An assembly includes a vehicle interior component. The assembly includes an airbag mounted to the vehicle interior component. The assembly includes a deployable panel supported by the vehicle interior component adjacent the airbag, the deployable panel being movable relative to the vehicle interior component between a retracted position and an extended position. The assembly includes a spring between the vehicle interior component and the deployable panel. The spring biases the deployable panel toward the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: SRINIVAS REDDY MALAPATI, MANGESH KADAM
  • Publication number: 20200247356
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback with a frame assembly having first and second portions. A primary structure extends between the first and second portions and defines a seating surface. A secondary structure extends between the first and second portions. A retractor mechanism is disposed on one of the first and second portions and is selectively positionable in an unlocked, a locked, or a pre-tensioned position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Spencer Robert Hoernke, Johnathan Andrew Line, Scott Holmes Dunham, Jimmy Moua
  • Publication number: 20200247470
    Abstract: A vehicle system is disclosed herein. The system includes a hitch ball mounted on a vehicle. A controller is configured to identify a coupler position of a trailer and control motion of the vehicle to an aligned position, wherein the hitch ball is aligned with the coupler position. The controller is further configured to initiate a vehicle agitation routine after the vehicle has reached the aligned position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Dottavio, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Publication number: 20200247329
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber and including a panel including at least one aperture, at least one sensor fixed inside the chamber and having a field of view through a lens and the aperture, at least one annular disc attached to the sensor concentrically around the lens and including a radially outer edge contactlessly exposed to the chamber, and at least three vanes extending from the disc to the panel and arranged radially asymmetrically around the disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robertson, JR., Segundo Baldovino, Venkatesh Krishnan, Sunil Patil, Raghuraman Surineedi
  • Publication number: 20200247197
    Abstract: A vehicle control system comprises a sensor configured to capture sensor data and a controller configured to identify a coupler position of a trailer in the sensor data. The controller is further configured to control a vehicle alignment routine aligning the hitch with the coupler position and control an emergency braking operation in response to detecting an obstruction in the sensor data. The controller is configured to suppress the emergency braking operation in response to the obstruction corresponding to the coupler in the sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Eric L. Reed, Roger Arnold Trombley, Robert D. Klosek
  • Publication number: 20200249698
    Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for using an autonomous vehicle to provide navigation assistance to a delivery robot. In one exemplary implementation, the delivery robot is transported by the autonomous vehicle to a delivery destination such as a residence or a workplace. The delivery robot disembarks at the delivery destination for delivering a package to a recipient at the residence or workplace. A computer system in the autonomous vehicle communicates with a navigation assistance system of the autonomous vehicle to obtain information pertaining to a terrain between the autonomous vehicle and a package drop-off spot at the residence or workplace, and uses the information to generate a route map of the terrain. The autonomous vehicle may transmit the route map and/or navigation instructions derived from the route map, to the delivery robot to assist the delivery robot navigate around obstacles and reach the package drop-off spot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Justin Miller, Sanghyun Hong
  • Publication number: 20200250971
    Abstract: A system, comprising a computer that includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to detect, classify and locate an object by processing video camera data with a capsule network, wherein training the capsule network includes saving routing coefficients. The computer can be further programmed to receive the detected, classified, and located object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Zhen Zhao, KP Unnikrishnan, Ashley Naomi Kleinhans, Gursharan Sandhu, Ishan Patel, Bryan Roger Goodman
  • Publication number: 20200249009
    Abstract: A method for capturing and measuring translation and/or rotation of a component moving relative to a reference system includes providing a marker on the component and providing a measurement system having a camera arranged in the reference system. The marker has at least three points which do not lie on a straight line on an upper side of the marker and the camera has an evaluation unit and memory that stores a geometry of the upper side including the at least three points. The camera is aligned with the at least three points and a first image of the marker located in a first portion is captured and stored and a scond image of the marker in a second position that is different than the first position is stored. Also, translation and/or rotation of the component in three-dimensional space between the first position and the second position is calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Arne Heymer
  • Publication number: 20200247341
    Abstract: An assembly includes a front console having a panel. The assembly includes a torsion bar fixed relative to the front console. The assembly includes a gear fixed to the torsion bar. The assembly includes a rack including teeth meshed with the gear, the rack extending toward the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi, S. M. Iskander Farooq
  • Publication number: 20200247359
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting property, wherein the method comprises receiving information indicating an attack on the property, determining, from the received information, a type of attack upon the property indicated by the received information, and transmitting a data packet to a receiver, the data packet comprising metadata describing the determined type of attack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andy John Murray, James Nicholas Murray, Sam Harris, Andy Charalambous, Edward Ogorman, Tarik Safir, Gabriel Mitchell, Aaron Abentheuer, Betsy Fields Smith
  • Publication number: 20200249693
    Abstract: A system, comprising a computer that includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive authentication an operator of a service controller from a server computer, identify a vehicle by scanning a physical code with the service controller and pair the service controller with the vehicle. The vehicle can be operated with the service controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kathryn Hamilton, Michael Adel Awad Alla, Ray Siciak
  • Publication number: 20200247282
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seatback rotationally coupled to a base at a first pivot. A securing pin is coupled with the seatback. An inertial latch is operable about a second pivot to define an idle position defined by the inertial latch biased distal from the securing pin. A deployed position is defined by an opposing directional force biasing the inertial latch into selective engagement with the securing pin wherein the seatback is maintained in a predetermined rotational position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Macit Aktas
  • Publication number: 20200247304
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a seating assembly attached to a vehicle interior. A seat is rotationally operable relative to a seatback. A retention device is selectively positionable in a stored position or a cargo storage position and extends between the seatback and a floor area disposed adjacent to the seating assembly. The seat is selectively positionable in a seating position or a stadium position. The retention device in the cargo storage position, the seat in the stadium position, and a floor at least partially define an enclosure configured to secure cargo to the floor and the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Hugh Fowler, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Kevin Wayne Preuss
  • Publication number: 20200247349
    Abstract: An instrument panel assembly includes an instrument panel. The instrument panel assembly includes an airbag having an inboard chamber and an outboard chamber. A panel separates the inboard chamber and the outboard chamber. A diffuser is in fluid communication with both the inboard chamber and the outboard chamber. A releasable vent is between the diffuser and one of the inboard chamber and the outboard chamber. An inflator is in fluid communication with the diffuser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Srinivas Reddy Malapati, Mangesh Kadam, Yuqin Zhao
  • Publication number: 20200247463
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to initiate a calibration based on a portable device stability and a steering wheel angle, detect a vehicle pedal actuation, and, then, based on a portable device acceleration, determine a calibration vector between a portable device coordinate system and a vehicle coordinate system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yu Seung Kim, Chun-Yu Chen
  • Publication number: 20200249046
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to systems and methods for predicting a travel destination of an automobile based at least in part on identifying a category of an attire worn by an individual who is an occupant of the automobile or is moving towards the automobile with the intention of entering the vehicle. The attire may be one of various categories such as a business attire category, a business-casual attire category, a casual attire category, or a social attire category. The travel destination may be additionally predicted based on other factors such as an attire worn by a co-occupant of the automobile and historical data associated with the occupant and/or the co-occupant. The historical data may include a record of times at which the occupant traveled to a particular destination and the attire worn by the occupant when traveling to the destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Scott Mayberry
  • Publication number: 20200247309
    Abstract: A system includes at least one sensor; a plurality of lamps fixed relative to the sensor; at least one vehicle component attached to the lamps; and a computer communicatively coupled to the lamps, the at least one sensor, and the at least one vehicle component. The computer is programmed to sequentially activate the lamps, determine that an intensity for at least one of the lamps is below a respective intensity threshold based on data from the sensor during the sequential activations of the lamps, and actuate the at least one vehicle component in response to one of the intensities being below the respective intensity threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, Ashwin Arunmozhi
  • Publication number: 20200249262
    Abstract: A system for testing a plurality of electrical circuits includes a first remote cooperative testing device including a testing component and a first transceiver and a second remote cooperative testing device including a conductive component and a second transceiver. In response to receiving instructions from a remote computing device, the first remote cooperative testing device locates a first electrical circuit and a second electrical circuit and selectively positions the testing component to electrically couple a first portion of the first electrical circuit to a first portion of the second electrical circuit at a first node, and the second remote cooperative testing device selectively positions the conductive component to electrically couple a second portion of the first electrical circuit to a second portion of the second electrical circuit at a second node, thereby forming a testing circuit between the first node and the second node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajarshi Roychowdhury, David Jeffeory Berels, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Scott Mayberry
  • Publication number: 20200247342
    Abstract: A vehicle door includes a trim panel coupled to a frame. A single-piece armrest substrate is coupled with the frame. The armrest substrate is a three-dimensionally printed member having interior walls that are printed within the armrest substrate according to a virtual force model generated during a virtual impact scenario. The interior walls define a plurality of voids defined within the armrest substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Whitens, Robert D. Bedard, Siddharthan Selvasekar, Amit Chakravarty, Robert Walter Bartus
  • Publication number: 20200247365
    Abstract: A method (500) for protection of a vehicle (100), the method comprising: receiving information from a sensor (502); comparing the information with known signatures indicative of a likely attack (504); determining whether a known signature indicative of a likely attack is present (506); and if a known signature indicative of a likely attack is present, placing at least one system of the vehicle into a heightened state of alert (508).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tarik Safir, Gabriel Mitchell, Sam Harris, James Nicholas Murray, Aaron Abentheuer, Betsy Fields Smith
  • Publication number: 20200247409
    Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to select a distance based on a determination of whether a lane adjacent a primary vehicle and a secondary vehicle in front of the primary vehicle is clear. The instructions include instructions to actuate a braking system of the primary vehicle when the primary vehicle is at the distance from the secondary vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Grant Patrick Mayer, Andrew Denis Lewandowski
  • Publication number: 20200249329
    Abstract: A system includes a sensor including a window; at least three lamps positioned to illuminate the window and able to generate different ranges of wavelengths than one another; a cleaning component positioned to clean the window; and a computer communicatively coupled to the sensor, the lamps, and the cleaning component. The computer is programmed to activate the lamps and actuate the cleaning component based on data generated by the sensor during the activations of the lamps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Herman, Ashwin Arunmozhi, Venkatesh Krishnan
  • Publication number: 20200247354
    Abstract: A restraint system includes a seat defining a centerline and including a seat bottom and a seatback. A pair of upper retractors are disposed on the seatback, a pair of lower retractors are disposed on the seat bottom, and a pair of middle retractors are disposed on the seat between the pairs of upper and lower retractors. Each pair of retractors includes one retractor disposed on each side of the centerline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S.M. Iskander Farooq
  • Publication number: 20200249043
    Abstract: A computer is programmed to determine a target area to project, along a planned travel path of a vehicle, a symbol based on detecting a target object. The computer is further programmed to actuate a light source to project the symbol moving within the target area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Venkatesh Krishnan, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Patent number: 10730391
    Abstract: A power distribution system for a vehicle includes a switching circuit configured to selectively enable power flow between a first bus and a second bus operable within a common voltage range. The power distribution system further includes a controller programmed to, in response to power flow being inactive and a current flowing through the first bus exceeding a current threshold, operate the switching circuit to enable power flow from the second bus to the first bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Hudson, Hamed Babazadehrokni, John Anthony Demarco, Farouq Mozip, David Celinske, David Jeffeory Berels
  • Patent number: 10730352
    Abstract: A storage maintains coefficients that map histogram data elements to tire wear, the coefficients being trained based on a correlation of histogram data to measured tire wear. A processor is programmed to receive a wear data histogram from a vehicle, utilize the coefficients to translate the wear data histogram into a measure of physical tire wear; and send an alert message indicating the estimated tire wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Omar Makke, Oleg Yurievitch Gusikhin, Erick Michael Lavoie
  • Patent number: 10730447
    Abstract: A pickup truck that includes a bed having a side wall with an electric panel; and a lockbox having walls secured to, extending laterally from the side wall and surrounding the electric panel, and a security panel pivotally mounted on the walls to enclose the electric panel within the lockbox. The lockbox may also include a divider pivotally mounted to the walls inboard of the security panel and movable between a closed position extending longitudinally adjacent to the security panel and an open position extending laterally into the bed. A lock may secure the divider to the walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua R. Hemphill, Jack Marchlewski, Dragan B. Stojkovic, Robert Reiners, Jeffrey Gray
  • Patent number: 10731978
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a method for measuring a seal gap between a closing member and a fixed member. The method includes applying a liquid agent having transferable properties along one or more regions of a stamping member to form one or more base marks. The stamping member is one of the closing member or the fixed member. The method further includes engaging the closing member with the fixed member, disengaging the closing member from the fixed member, and assessing a seal gap between the closing member and the fixed member based on one or more remnant patterns formed on an imprinted member. The imprinted member is the other one of the closing member and the fixed member, and the remnant patterns are formed by the transfer of the liquid agent from the base marks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Hossein J Sadri, Steve Juszczyk
  • Patent number: 10730407
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seating system is provided. The seating system comprises two or more seats and a guide track extending between three or more spaced apart seating positions within an interior of the motor vehicle, wherein each of the seats is movably coupled to the guide track, such that the seats are movable between the seating positions. A seat, suitable for use in the motor vehicle seating system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Guy, Marcus Hoggarth, Ben Carroll, Matthew Graeme Leck, Kyle Loughlin
  • Patent number: 10732959
    Abstract: A software update is downloaded from an update server responsive to an update trigger. A pre-installation bus traffic fingerprint is created responsive to completing the download. The software update is installed to the vehicle responsive to creating the pre-installation bus traffic fingerprint. A post-installation bus traffic fingerprint is created responsive to installing the software update. Success of the install is indicated to the update server based on comparing the pre-installation and post-installation bus traffic fingerprints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vijayababu Jayaraman, Jonathan Nibert, Karl Nathan Clark, Mohamad Nasser, Jason Michael Miller
  • Patent number: 10730144
    Abstract: A method for joining a carburized steel workpiece to a cast iron workpiece is provided that includes tempering a localized area of the carburized steel workpiece, machining the localized area to reduce carbon content, and welding the carburized steel workpiece to the cast iron workpiece at the localized area. The tempering may be performed by induction heating and results in a hardness profile of the localized area of less than 50 HRC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Paul John Bojanowski, Tony Hayden
  • Patent number: 10730445
    Abstract: A sports bar in a truck is provided. The sports bar may comprise a base including a first member and a second member coupled to the first member via a pivot bracket, and a hoop pivotally connected to the pivot bracket to be rotatable between an open position and a closed position. A top of the hoop is adjacent to a cabin of the truck at the closed position and the top of the hoop is at a rear of a truck bed at the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Alex Marchese
  • Patent number: 10730362
    Abstract: A radiator assembly in a vehicle comprises a first coolant tank; a second coolant tank spaced apart from the first coolant tank; a plurality of moveable blades; a linkage coupled to the plurality of blades; and an actuator coupled to the linkage to adjust positions of the blades. Each of the plurality of blades has a first end pivotally coupled to the first coolant tank, a second end pivotally coupled to the second coolant tank and has a hollow body portion extending between the first end and the second end, and each of the blades is fluidly communicated with the first and second coolant tanks to form a coolant passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Robert John Tilbury
  • Patent number: 10730463
    Abstract: Systems and methods include a vehicle monitoring for trigger events each corresponding to a defined vehicle activity. Responsive to identifying an occurrence of one of the trigger events, the vehicle captures, via a vehicle camera, video showing an area outside the vehicle for a set capture time. Responsive to the vehicle identifying that the vehicle is rendered inoperative from the identified trigger event, the vehicle transmits the captured video to a remote server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Abraham Mezaael
  • Patent number: D892686
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Dewitt, Todd Willing, Max Wolff, Pedro Guarinon