Patents by Inventor Torsten Gerhardt
Torsten Gerhardt has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20230302874Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling the ventilation of an electric vehicle comprising a power cell and a cabin vent. An operational mode of the electric vehicle is determined. An operational state of the power cell is determined. The closure of the cabin vent is controlled based on the operational mode of the electric vehicle and the operational state of the power cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2022Publication date: September 28, 2023Inventors: Torsten Gerhardt, Brian Pearce, Adriana Cevoli Giroldo, Mark Michel, Yichen Gao
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Patent number: 11565600Abstract: A deployable charging point assembly for a vehicle includes a connecting part for connecting to a supply of electrical power separate from the vehicle. The connecting part is mountable on the vehicle, such that the connecting part is movable relative to a body of the vehicle between a first position and a second position. The charging point assembly is configured to establish an electrical connection between the supply of electrical power and an electrical system of the vehicle when the connecting part is in one or more predetermined positions between the first and second positions.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2020Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ian Wright, Torsten Gerhardt, Jack Wright
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Patent number: 11472356Abstract: A vehicle control system for a vehicle, the vehicle control system comprising a controller, wherein the controller has an activatable secondary parked mode in which the controller automatically controls a plurality of components of the vehicle, each component also being controllable by a corresponding user control, and activation of the secondary parked mode changes the state of each component from an in-use state to a parked state when the vehicle attends a delivery or collection.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2019Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Andrew John Murray, Ian Sutherland Wright, Torsten Gerhardt, Christopher Wright, Daniel Tauber
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Patent number: 11475718Abstract: A notification can be generated to notify a user of a value of a first parameter of a vehicle. Generating the notification includes identifying a second parameter based on an association of the second parameter with the first parameter; comparing the value of the first parameter to a first threshold value and a second threshold value; and generating the notification notifying the user of the value of the first parameter based on a value of the second parameter if the value of the first parameter is between the first and second thresholds.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2021Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Andrew John Murray, Torsten Gerhardt, Ian Sutherland Wright, Christopher Wright, Daniel Tauber
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Patent number: 11218153Abstract: A built-in self-test (BIST) block is provided that is incorporated into an all-digital phase locked loop (ADPLL) located on chip with the ADPLL. The BIST performs testing functions without need for support external to the chip. Test setup, test control, and test evaluation are performed entirely on chip. The BIST provides information regarding success or failure of the testing and can provide error information regarding test cases that do not pass successfully.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2020Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: NXP B.V.Inventors: Ulrich Moehlmann, Lars Henrik Heinbockel, Torsten Gerhardt, Christian Scherner
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Publication number: 20210217253Abstract: A notification can be generated to notify a user of a value of a first parameter of a vehicle. Generating the notification includes identifying a second parameter based on an association of the second parameter with the first parameter; comparing the value of the first parameter to a first threshold value and a second threshold value; and generating the notification notifying the user of the value of the first parameter based on a value of the second parameter if the value of the first parameter is between the first and second thresholds.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2021Publication date: July 15, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Andrew John Murray, Torsten Gerhardt, Ian Sutherland Wright, Christopher Wright, Daniel Tauber
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Publication number: 20210162879Abstract: A deployable charging point assembly for a vehicle includes a connecting part for connecting to a supply of electrical power separate from the vehicle. The connecting part is mountable on the vehicle, such that the connecting part is movable relative to a body of the vehicle between a first position and a second position. The charging point assembly is configured to establish an electrical connection between the supply of electrical power and an electrical system of the vehicle when the connecting part is in one or more predetermined positions between the first and second positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2020Publication date: June 3, 2021Inventors: Ian Wright, Torsten Gerhardt, Jack Wright
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Patent number: 10927574Abstract: A motor vehicle has a tailgate arranged pivotably on a body. The tailgate in a closed position closes a cargo space opening of the body at the rear and in an open position at least partially exposes the cargo space opening. A tailgate latch locks the closed position of the tailgate and has a closing element and a locking mechanism interacting with the closing element in the closed position. In order to make available a variable cargo space size, in which an open position of the tailgate can be secured, a support arm is pivotably articulated with one end between a rest position, in which the support arm is immovably secured, and a functional position, in which the support arm pivots in the direction of the locking mechanism, and is capable of being fixed with another end to the locking mechanism by an actuation of the locking mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2018Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Igor Fischbein, James Neugebauer, Torsten Gerhardt, Bruce Southey
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Patent number: 10926825Abstract: A cart includes a hub, a frame, and at least one handlebar. The frame includes a first segment and a second segment, and the first segment, the second segment, and the handlebar are each supported by the hub. The hub defines a rotational axis and at least two of the first segment, the second segment, and the handlebar are rotatable about the rotational axis relative to each other and the hub. At least one wheel is on the first segment and at least one wheel is on the second segment.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2016Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Ford Gloabl Technologies, LLCInventors: James Neugebauer, Robert Spahl, Torsten Gerhardt, Christoph Rueberg, Bruce Southey
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Publication number: 20200284088Abstract: A movable bulkhead assembly configured to partition an interior of a motor vehicle is provided. The assembly comprises a segmented shutter and a track assembly configured to guide the movement of the segmented shutter. The track assembly comprises a first vertically extending track portion, the segmented shutter being movable along the first vertically extending track portion to deploy or retract the bulkhead.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: James Neugebauer, Torsten Gerhardt, Pete Wallace, James Nicholas Murray
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Patent number: 10733829Abstract: A system for delivering and/or picking up items comprising a container, which is closable via an openable/closable door and has access protection, and a standardized coupling mechanism for the option of fastening on a delivery vehicle, a mobile mini-vehicle or a stationary upright, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a receiving means on the holder and comprises an engagement means, which is for engagement in the receiving means and is arranged on the delivery vehicle, on the mobile mini-vehicle and on the stationary upright such that the container is securable in a releasable manner optionally on the delivery vehicle, on the mobile mini-vehicle or on the stationary upright, and a corresponding method.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2018Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Detlef Kuck, James Neugebauer, Torsten Gerhardt, Mark Gijbels, Tobias Ricke, Alexandra Holz
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Publication number: 20200094757Abstract: A vehicle control system for a vehicle, the vehicle control system comprising a controller, wherein the controller has an activatable secondary parked mode in which the controller automatically controls a plurality of components of the vehicle, each component also being controllable by a corresponding user control, and activation of the secondary parked mode changes the state of each component from an in-use state to a parked state when the vehicle attends a delivery or collection.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2019Publication date: March 26, 2020Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Andrew John Murray, Ian Sutherland Wright, Torsten Gerhardt, Christopher Wright, Daniel Tauber
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Patent number: 10597100Abstract: A device for transporting a payload (to include a human user) over varied terrain. A platform accommodates the payload. A pair of wheel clusters are mounted to opposite ends of the platform and are powered in rotation relative thereto. Each includes at least two co-planar wheels powered by electric motors. A latch is hand-operable (without tools) to secure the cluster to the platform and, alternatively, allow the cluster to be detached from the platform and rotated 90° to lie parallel thereto. An electrical connector conducts electric power from the platform to the cluster when the latch is operated/actuated to secure the cluster to the platform, and is configured such that it does not impede or obstruct detaching the wheel cluster from the platform, with no requirement that the user take any additional step (other than actuating the latch) to detach the wheel cluster.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2017Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Torsten Gerhardt, James Neugebauer, Robert Spahl, Bruce Southey, Christoph Ruberg
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Patent number: 10513284Abstract: A motorized device for transporting a human or inanimate payload. A platform is configured to accommodate the payload and a pair of wheel clusters are mounted to the platform at opposite ends thereof and are powered in rotation relative to the platform, for example by one or more electric motors housed in or on the platform or wheel clusters. Each of the two wheel clusters comprises three drive wheels arranged in a generally triangular and co-planar configuration, and each is independently powered about its respective axis of rotation by a hub-mounted electric motor. An electronic controller commands the motors powering the two wheel clusters and of each of the six drive wheels. The independent controllability of each wheel and of the wheel clusters relative to the platform allows the device to steer and to ascend and descend steps.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2017Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Torsten Gerhardt, James Neugebauer, Robert Spahl, Bruce Southey, Christoph Ruberg
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Patent number: 10501970Abstract: A motor vehicle is disclosed having a door that is attached to the motor vehicle by a hinge mechanism providing both full swing opening of the door and full scissor opening of the door. The motor vehicle includes an apparatus to assist with the selection of a preferred mode of door opening based upon an assessment of the surroundings in which the motor vehicle 1 rests. The assessment of the surroundings and selection of the preferred mode of door opening is carried out by an electronic controller based upon information received from a sensing apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2017Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Vince Leslie Shaw, Torsten Gerhardt, Robert Spahl, David Burrage
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Patent number: 10479280Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided with a luggage compartment opening arranged at the rear of a body of the motor vehicle, and a tailgate arranged pivotably on the body and in a closed position closes the luggage compartment opening and in an open position at least partially opens the luggage compartment opening. In order to provide a motor vehicle with a luggage compartment of variable size, the motor vehicle comprises a cover attached to a vehicle portion of the motor vehicle adjacent to the luggage compartment opening and/or defining the luggage compartment opening, and which is made of a flexible material and is configured and arranged such that, in the open position of the tailgate or by pivoting of the tailgate into the open position, it can be transferred from a compact rest state into an extended function state.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Igor Fischbein, James Neugebauer, Torsten Gerhardt, Bruce Southey
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Patent number: 10457214Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, folding in an exterior mirror of a motor vehicle having a door with a rear-mounted hinge. The exterior mirror is folded in when the door is opened and when at least one of the following conditions is met: (1) an obstacle is detected adjacent the door or (2) a speed at which the door is opened is less than a predefined threshold value. A motor vehicle configured to perform the method is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Martin Knuettel, Robert Spahl, Igor Fischbein, Torsten Gerhardt
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Patent number: 10336393Abstract: An electric bicycle includes a motor and a controller. A heart rate monitor is programmed to communicate a heart rate signal representing a heart rate of an occupant to the controller. The controller is programmed to receive a destination distance of the electric bicycle relative to a predetermined destination. The controller is programmed to provide instruction to adjust power to the motor based at least on the heart rate signal and the destination distance.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2015Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Torsten Gerhardt, Jonathan Mundy, James Lloyd, James Neugebauer, Simon Potticary, Richard Craven, Bruce Southey
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Patent number: 10280675Abstract: A vehicle and method for lowering a window pane of a door of a vehicle to make it easier for the vehicle occupant to enter and exit the vehicle. The door has a door unlocking apparatus and a drive device for lowering and raising the window pane. The vehicle has an unlocking sensor, which registers the operation or the imminent operation of the door unlocking apparatus and converts the operation or imminent operation into corresponding unlocking signals, and a control unit, which receives the unlocking signals and converts the signals into operating signals for triggering the drive device. The method checks whether the door unlocking apparatus is operated or operation is imminent and, if the door unlocking apparatus is operated or operation is imminent, triggers the drive device with the control unit to lower the window pane to a position which is easier for the vehicle occupant to enter and exit the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2017Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Igor Fischbein, Robin Oliver Dargel, Torsten Gerhardt
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Patent number: 10272952Abstract: A motor vehicle is disclosed having A-pillars and B-pillars on a first side of the motor vehicle and a B-pillar but no ‘A’ pillar on a second side of the motor vehicle. A wrap around window extends from the A-pillar on the first side of the motor vehicle substantially without interruption to the B-pillar on the second side of the motor vehicle. The wrap around window forms part of a top hinged door that provides access to a passenger compartment when in an open state.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2017Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Torsten Gerhardt, Nir Siegel