Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Ford Motor Company Limited

Galen Keith Thomas

Kerry Lance Paskell

Johnathan Andrew Line

Alan George Dry

David James Tippy

James Martin Lawlis

Jonathan Engels

Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam

Mark Anthony Cuddihy

Michael Musa Azzouz

Matthew B Rutman

Jimmy Moua

David Jeffeory Berels

Derek Board

Haysam M Kadry

Scott Mayberry

Ajeya Gupta

Matthew V Volpone

Jay Meyer

An accessory attachment system includes a baseplate that provides an attachment interface on a vehicle. The baseplate is configured to engage with an accessory to secure the accessory to the vehicle. The baseplate and the accessory are configured to electrically connect to each other through an electrical contact interface.

Baseplate electrical contacts

An accessory attachment system includes a baseplate that provides an attachment interface on a support surface. The baseplate is configured to engage with an accessory to secure the accessory to the support surface. The baseplate and the accessory are configured to electrically connect to each other through a wireless electrical power link.

Baseplate inductive electrical connection

A vehicle panel includes channels, wherein a first channel includes a first wire capable and a second channel includes a second wire and each wire is capable of carrying at least one of power or a vehicle data signal. The panel also includes a connection point connectable to at least one of a battery or a vehicle computing system, wherein selection of connection between the vehicle computing system or battery to a given connection point provided to a given one of the first or second channels dictates whether the channel carries the vehicle data signal or power. Also, the panel includes holes connecting to the first wire and at least two of the holes connecting to the second wire allowing a connection probe to be inserted into a respective hole to connect to a wire included in a channel to which the hole connects.

Adaptive integrated vehicle wire and signal transport system

A method of manufacturing a modular vehicle subassembly (MVS) includes assembling a propulsion system onto a vehicle frame, assembling a suspension system onto the vehicle frame, assembling a steering system and braking system onto the vehicle frame, assembling an electrical distribution system onto the vehicle frame, and integrating an onboard controller with the propulsion system, the steering system, and the braking system. The onboard controller is configured to command the propulsion system, the steering system, and the braking system such that the MVS is operable to move untethered through a top hat assembly line during assembly of a top hat on the MVS.

Method of vehicle assembly including modular vehicle subassembly controls, communication and manufacture

A navigation system for remote control movement of modular vehicle subassemblies (MVSs) through a plurality of assembly zones of a vehicle assembly facility includes a predefined primary pathway configured for the MVSs to move along during assembly of top hats on the MVSs, a plurality of sensors, a plurality of zone controllers, and a central management system with a navigation algorithm. The plurality of sensors are configured to transmit at least one of proximity data and visual data on the MVSs moving through the plurality of assembly zones to the plurality of zone controllers. The central management system is configured to be in communication with each of the plurality of zone controllers and the navigation algorithm is configured to receive the at least one of proximity data and visual data and calculate movement instructions for remote control movement of the MVSs moving through the plurality of assembly zones.

Flexible modular platform plant navigation system

A method for creating a digital twin for a vehicle assembled on at least one assembly line includes assembly of a modular vehicle subassembly (MVS) in a plurality of MVS assembly zones by assembling at least one component at each MVS assembly zone, scanning the at least one component at each MVS assembly zone and acquiring scanned data, and storing the scanned data in a MVS temporary digital file assigned to the pre-assembled MVS. The method also includes updating a MVS permanently digital file assigned to the pre-assembled MVS after the at least one component at each of the MVS assembly zones has been assembled and storing the MVS permanent digital file when assembly of the MVS is complete.

Method of storing, processing, and transmitting digital twins for flexible module platforms and vehicles

A system for remote control of modular vehicle subassemblies within a vehicle assembly facility includes a central management system having predetermined assembly paths and specifications for the modular vehicle subassemblies and a zone management system having zone controllers in communication with the central management system and in communication with the onboard controllers of the modular vehicle subassemblies. The zone controllers are configured to receive transient data from the onboard controllers of the modular vehicle subassemblies and manage movement of the modular vehicle subassemblies throughout the zones within the vehicle assembly facility.

Remote controlled flexible modular platform system

A vehicle includes a rail-mounted component and a restraint monitoring system. The rail-mounted component can include one or more restraints. The restraint monitoring system includes a restraint control module, an encoder-decoder module, and a rail-mounted component control module. The rail-mounted component control module can include a restraint deployment loop and a restraint diagnostic loop. The restraint deployment loop can include a deployment signal amplifier. The restraint diagnostic loop can include a diagnostic signal amplifier. In examples that include both the deployment signal amplifier and the diagnostic signal amplifier, the deployment signal amplifier and the diagnostic signal amplifier may be wired in parallel.

Restraint monitoring system for a vehicle

This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle floor assembly configured to facilitate electrical connections and/or airflow within the vehicle, and a corresponding method. An example assembly includes a floor including an electrical line arranged entirely within the floor. In another example assembly, the floor additionally or alternatively includes an air flow path.

Motor vehicle floor assembly configured to facilitate electrical connections and airflow

This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle floor assembly with recesses for electrical lines and electrical modules, and a corresponding method. An example assembly includes a floor with a surface, a channel at a first depth relative to the surface, and a pocket at a second depth relative to the surface. The second depth is greater than the first depth.

Motor vehicle floor assembly with recesses for electrical lines and electrical modules

A system for forming a conductive tape trace on a substrate includes a segment feeder arm configured to feed segments of conductive tape to the substrate and a segment placement armature configured to grasp and position the conductive tape segments in a predetermined pattern on the substrate. The conductive tape segments include a plurality of conductive tape bend segments and at least one conductive tape branch segment. The segment placement armature is configured to position and overlap the plurality of conductive tape bend segments on the substrate to form a conductive tape bend and position the at least one conductive tape branch segment in contact with and extending from the conductive tape bend. A roller can be included and be configured to apply a force onto the conductive tape segments positioned on the substrate. A welder that welds the conductive tape segments together can also be included.

Systems for applying electrically conductive tape traces to a substrate and methods of use thereof

A vehicle includes a rail-mounted component. The rail-mounted component can be equipped with one or more restraints. A restraint monitoring system monitors the one or more restraints. The restraint monitoring system includes a restraint control module and a rail-mounted component control module. The rail-mounted component control module can include a restraint deployment loop and a restraint diagnostic loop for relaying restraint deployment signals and restraint diagnostic signals, respectively, between the restraint control module and the rail-mounted component control module.

Growing community of inventors

Dearborn, MI, United States of America

Galen Keith Thomas