Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

David J Schmidt

Scott A Black

Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam

Douglas Scott Rhode

Uday Kiran Patil

Paul Kenneth Dellock

Venkatesh Krishnan

Harry Lobo

Levasseur Tellis

John A Amann

Richard Alan Kreder

Martin Delonis

Katherine Jo Ralston

Vankatesh Krishnan

Brandon Hicks

The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for changing vehicle configuration based on vehicle storage compartment contents. At an autonomous vehicle, a camera is mounted inside a storage compartment. The camera monitors the interior of the storage compartment. The camera can confirm that the storage compartment is empty when it is supposed to be empty and contains an object when it is supposed to contain an object. Any discrepancies can be reported to a human operator. The human operator can instruct the autonomous vehicle to change configuration to address discrepancies. In one aspect, a machine-learning camera memorizes a background pattern permeated to a surface of the storage compartment. The machine-learning camera detects objects in the storage compartment based on disturbances to the background pattern.

Changing vehicle configuration based on vehicle storage compartment contents

A system includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to, upon determining that a first fluid level in a vehicle container is below a threshold based on fluid level sensor data, determine a second fluid level based on a fluid consumption signal and the fluid level sensor, and to navigate the vehicle based on the determined second fluid level.

Washer fluid level detection

A sensor assembly includes a navigation sensor. The sensor assembly includes a heatsink thermally coupled to the navigation sensor. The sensor assembly includes an air conditioning unit. The sensor assembly includes a duct positioned to direct airflow from the air conditioning unit toward the heatsink.

Sensor assembly

A vehicle includes a seat movable from an upright position to a folded position. The vehicle includes a steering wheel in front of the seat. The vehicle includes a lockout box supported by the seat and positioned to restrict access to the steering wheel when the seat is in the folded position.

Vehicle control lockout

A sensor assembly includes a sensor window, a heatsink including a plurality of fins, and a duct. The heatsink is fixed relative to the sensor window. The duct is positioned to direct airflow between the fins and across the sensor window. The sensor assembly may include a motor and/or a circuit board fixed relative to the sensor window. The heatsink may be directly connected by a thermal conductor to the motor and/or the circuit board.

An assembly includes a sensor defining a field of view. The assembly includes a diverter valve having an input port, a first output port, and a second output port. The assembly includes a fluid nozzle in fluid communication with the first output port and facing the field of view. The assembly includes a cooler in fluid communication with the second output port.

Sensor cleaning and thermal control

An apparatus includes a sensor window, a deflector fixedly positioned to deflect a first airflow travelling in an opposing direction to a direction of travel of the sensor window to one or more directions tangential to the sensor window, and a nozzle fixedly positioned to direct a second airflow through the nozzle to a space between the sensor window and the deflector.

Sensor apparatus

A system includes a computer programmed to actuate a first nozzle to emit air continuously at a camera, and actuate a second nozzle to simultaneously emit air intermittently at a precipitation sensor. The system may include a camera, a precipitation sensor coupled to the camera, the first nozzle aimed at the camera, the second nozzle aimed at the precipitation sensor, and the computer in communication with the first and second nozzles.

Sensor cleaning

A system, including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions to be executed by the processor to determine a fluid level of a fluid in a vehicle determine a planned vehicle route; and after and in response to uploading the fluid level and the planned vehicle route to a server, actuating a vehicle component to replenish the fluid according to a command from the server.

Vehicle service control

An assembly includes a sensor arm extensible from a pillar of a vehicle, a sensor and a sensor window each attached to the sensor arm, a blower positioned between the sensor window and the pillar, and a duct extending from the blower to direct airflow from the blower across the sensor window.

Sensor cleaning apparatus

A system includes a sensor base, a sensor cover having a window that is rotatably mounted to the base. The system includes a contacting cleaner and a contactless cleaner. The system further includes a processor that is programmed to actuate, first, the contactless cleaner and, then, upon determining that opacity of the window exceeds a predetermined threshold after actuation of the contactless cleaner, the contacting cleaner.

Sensor cleaning system

An autonomous vehicle includes an autonomous-driving system having at least one autonomous vehicle component disposed at a roof region of the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle further includes a thermal management system adapted to transmit a coolant in proximity to the autonomous vehicle component. The autonomous vehicle further includes a fluid management system having a catch basin secured to the roof region below the autonomous vehicle component. The fluid management system further includes a drain tube secured to the catch basin to receive coolant collected in the catch basin.

Fluid management for autonomous vehicle sensors

An apparatus includes a sensor supported by a sensor arm and a wiper blade. The sensor includes a cylindrical windows having an obstructed portion and a viewing portion. The wiper blade is attached to the sensor and movable across the viewing portion from a resting position contacting the obstructed portion.

Sensor and cleaning apparatus

A system includes a roof mount including a drainage tray, a sensor housing disposed on the roof mount, and a sensor supported by the sensor housing and a fluid spray directed toward the sensor. The sensor is disposed above the drainage tray.

Vehicle sensor cleaning

A washing apparatus is provided for a sensor enclosure. That washing apparatus includes a wiper assembly and a control module. The control module is configured to displace a wiper blade of the wiper assembly between a stowed position free of the sensor enclosure and a deployed position engaging the sensor enclosure.

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Dearborn, MI, United States of America

David J Schmidt