Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Ford Motor Company Limited

Daniel Boccuccia

Andres Almeida Senatore

Siddharthan Selvasekar

Hyung Min Baek

Christopher Westfall

John Galin

Jeremy John Malick

Anthony Prozzi

Tyler Carpenter

John Wayne Jaranson

Zachary David Nelson

Sakthi Narayanan Balasubramanian

Jevon Xiao

Daniel Russman

Xiaoyi Ren

Alexander Alborzi Calderon

Clay Wesley Maranville

Victoria Leigh Schein

John Craig Elson

Chih-Wei Tang

Shant Tokatyan

Jennifer L Brace

Mitali Chakrabarti

Lindsay Chan

Roy Zhou

The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for using geofences to restrict vehicle operation. Aspects of the invention include creating dynamic geofences and limiting vehicle movements (e.g., speed, acceleration, steering, etc.) within and in the vicinity of the dynamic geofences to protect pedestrians from physical harm. In general, radio devices track people in an area by counting the number of devices and calculating the number of people based on average number of devices per person. Using count and location data, a geofence is created when population or population density within an area exceeds a threshold. The geofence can be sent to vehicles to restrict vehicle operation, for example, slowing down or stopping the vehicle, within and around the geofence.

Using geofences to restrict vehicle operation

A vehicle module system is disclosed. The system includes a track assembly operably coupled with a body of a vehicle. One or more modules may be removably and slidably coupled with the track assembly. The modules include base structure defining an attachment point. A rail feature is disposed along a bottom portion of the base structure. An attachment feature having a retainer for removably coupling to the attachment point to the base structure.

Movable vehicle module system

A method for parcel delivery service that permits secure and timely delivery of items to unattended vehicles. The method includes receiving an order to deliver an item to a vehicle. A current location of the vehicle may be determined using vehicle identification information. After the vehicle has been located, the item may be authenticated at the vehicle, and access to the interior of the vehicle may be automatically provided to enable the vehicle to securely receive the item. A corresponding system is also disclosed and claimed herein.

Unattended parcel delivery service

Techniques and examples pertaining to an assist handle implementable to an automotive vehicle are described. The assist handle is automatically deployed to provide ingress or egress assist to a passenger to enter or exit the automotive vehicle. Furthermore, the assist handle is automatically retracted when not in use. The deployment and the retraction of the assist handle is controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle, through an actuator and a transmission mechanism, in response to a command sent from a body control module (BCM) of the vehicle, the command regarding an operation of a door of the vehicle. When retracted, the assist handle may be invisible to the passenger. The automotive vehicle may be an autonomous ride-sharing vehicle.

Automated assist handle for automotive vehicle

A method for automatically controlling a vehicle to provide a safety zone to an individual. The method detects, at the vehicle, a condition indicating that an individual outside of the vehicle is in distress. In response, one or more vehicle services are automatically made available to the individual. A corresponding system is also disclosed and claimed herein.

Autonomous vehicle providing safety zone to persons in distress

A method of 3D printing a part with an overhanging portion requiring support during printing is provided. The method includes moving a dynamically adjustable support member to support the overhanging portion during printing of the part. The dynamically adjustable support member may be moved from a retracted position to a support position after a first portion of the part is printed and the overhanging portion may be supported by the dynamically adjustable support member in the support position. The part may be printed in a 3D printing chamber with a base and at least one wall. The base may have a first dynamically adjustable support member and the at least one wall may have a second dynamically adjustable support member. A first overhanging portion and a second overhanging portion of the part may be printed over the first dynamically adjustable support member the second dynamically adjustable support member, respectively.

Methods for making 3D printed parts using a dynamic build platform and 3D printed parts formed therefrom

The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for controlling climate in vehicle cabins. A person may provide climate related data to a vehicle climate control system prior to pick up and/or during a ride in the vehicle. The climate control system may adjust the climate in at least part of a vehicle cabin based at least in part on the climate related data and configuration of components in the climate control system. Climate control adjustments can be used to precondition part of a vehicle cabin for a person and/or in response to indicated thermal discomfort of the person. The climate control system can refer to an occupant comfort model and compute climate adjustments in accordance with the occupant comfort model.

Controlling climate in vehicle cabins

Systems, methods, and devices for indicating a status of a vehicle or a seat in a vehicle are disclosed herein. A system includes a plurality of seats in a vehicle, a light-diffusing fiber optic light source attached to at least one of the seats, a receiver configured to receive a status of at least one of the seats, and a controller. The controller may be configured to determine an illumination scheme based on the status of at least one of the seats and illuminate the light-diffusing fiber optic light source according to the illumination scheme.

Seat or vehicle identification for a rideshare

A vehicle seating assembly includes a cushion and a trim layer. A permeable heater is disposed between the cushion and the trim layer. An air mover is in fluid communication with the permeable heater. The permeable heater and the air mover are operable to respectively heat or cool a seating surface.

Temperature control system for seating assembly

A method of manufacturing a component with at least one embedded feature includes the steps of defining a boundary template for the component, reserving a functional region within the boundary template for the at least one embedded feature, consolidating and structurally optimizing the component to allow more efficient distribution of material and manufacturing the component using additive manufacturing techniques. A motor vehicle component including a motor vehicle center console are also disclosed.

Method of manufacturing a component with at least one embedded feature

A seat includes one or more cushions secured to a shell. The cushions include a 3D printed lattice of repeating cells. The cells may include nodes interconnected by branches. The nodes may be arranged in a cubic, parallelepiped, diamond, or other arrangement. The branches may extend directly between nodes or may be bent. The branches may extend from each node to an adjacent node that is closest to its point of attachment to the each node or the branches may be curved or bent to secure to a different adjacent node. The 3D printed lattice may include 3D printed barbs formed thereon that engage receptacles in the seat shell. The 3D printed lattice may be printed with a groove that engages a fastening structure on a cover or a separate fastening element. The cover may be a perforated sheet of material or fabric.

Ventilated seat cushion

A method for actively adjusting an adjustable component in a vehicle seat includes the steps of: (1) providing a seat assembly having a seat portion with first and second side bolsters disposed on opposite sides of the seat portion, first and second adjustable components and first and second sensors disposed in the first and second side bolsters, and a controller operably coupled to both the first and second adjustable components and the first and second sensors; (2) detecting a pressure value using one of the first and second sensors; (3) determining if the pressure value exceeds a threshold value; and moving an articulating support plate of the adjustable component associated with the sensor detecting the pressure value towards an extended position from a retracted position to a degree commensurate with pressure value detected.

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Daniel Boccuccia