Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Jacek Brauner

Allan Roy Gale

Ke Zou

Theodore Joseph Filippi

Michael W Degner

Krishna Prasad Bhat

Luke Niewiadomski

Xi Lu

Lihui Chen

Mark Allen Lippman

A system for a vehicle includes a converter configured to, responsive to a first signal from a first adaptor indicating a first plug type having a first electrical parameter configuration, output power to the adaptor according to the first electrical parameter configuration, and responsive to a second signal from a second adaptor indicating a second plug type having a second electrical parameter configuration, output power to the adaptor according to the second configuration.

Micro-grid smart output adaptor

A vehicle system includes a converter, outlets, and a switching arrangement electrically between the outlets and the converter. A controller is programmed to, responsive to a first request, operate the switching arrangement to electrically connect a line and a neutral to a first outlet and operate the converter to output single-phase power to the first outlet. Responsive to a second request, the controller is configured to operate the switching arrangement to electrically connect a plurality of lines and not the neutral to a second outlet, and operate the converter to output three-phase power to the second outlet.

Reconfigurable micro-grid

A vehicle includes a pair of power converters. The vehicle includes a socket having an array of power terminals arranged to accept outlets of different power terminal configurations to interconnect the pair therewith. The vehicle includes a panel having an outlet engaged with the socket. The panel includes a controller configured to communicate an electrical rating of the outlet via the socket to define a switching scheme for the pair. The communication is responsive to detecting panel and socket engagement.

Configurable vehicle power outlet system

A vehicle system includes a controller programmed to receive power outlet data from an interchangeable outlet panel via a communication channel and operate an inverter to supply power to the interchangeable outlet panel via a power interface according the power outlet data.

Vehicle microgrid plug and play power outlet panel

A vehicle is provided with a trailer hitch, a camera oriented to capture images of the trailer hitch, and a controller processing the captured images, detecting a trailer coupler coupled to the trailer hitch, determining a locked or unlocked state of the hitch coupler by comparing the captured images to known trailer coupler images, and generating an output indicative of the determined state of the trailer coupler.

Vehicle and system having trailer coupler connection detection

A power converter cartridge for a vehicle includes a housing slidably insertable into a body cavity of the vehicle and including electrical outlets and coolant, data, and power interface ports configured to connect to corresponding ports of the cavity, a converter, and a controller configured to, responsive to a signal from the vehicle via the data port, cause the converter to convert power received from a traction battery of the vehicle via the power interface port to supply corresponding external loads connected to the outlets.

Growing community of inventors

Plymouth, MI, United States of America

Jacek Brauner