Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Jim Baumbick

Stuart C Salter

Annette Lynn Huebner

David Brian Glickman

Paul Kenneth Dellock

Pietro Buttolo

Daniel J Martin

Robert J Gelardi

David Kennedy

Benjamin Yilma

Peter Phung

Ryan A Olsson

Joshua Greiner

This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle including a tonneau cover with moveable panels. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including: a cargo area; and a tonneau cover including a first side panel, a second side panel, and a central panel between the first and second side panels, wherein the tonneau cover is configurable in a first configuration in which the central, first side, and second side panels provide a cover for a top of the cargo area, and wherein the tonneau cover is configurable in a second configuration in which portions of the first side panel and the second side panel are raised relative to the first configuration.

Tonneau cover including moveable panels

A system comprises a computer having a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive, from a charge-requesting vehicle, a charge request, determine a suggested provider pool for fulfilling the charge request, the suggested provider pool including multiple suggested charge-providing vehicles, send suggested provider data to the charge-requesting vehicle, the suggested provider data identifying the multiple suggested charge-providing vehicles, receive, from the charge-requesting vehicle, a provider selection identifying one of the multiple suggested charge-providing vehicles as a selected charge-providing vehicle, identify transfer parameters for a battery charge transfer from the selected charge-providing vehicle to the charge-requesting vehicle; and send a transfer initiation message to instruct the selected charge-providing vehicle to initiate the battery charge transfer according to the transfer parameters.

Coordinated bi-directional charging for vehicles

The disclosure generally pertains to battery charging management of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). In an example method, a processor generates an operational profile for a first BEV among a number of BEVs. The profile may be based on a mileage accumulation pattern, a parking pattern, and/or a battery charging pattern, detected over an information collection period. The mileage accumulation pattern may be based on the use of the first BEV for commuting from a residence to a workplace. The processor determines an availability of a battery charging outlet in a section of a garage of the residence, and based on the operational profile of the first BEV, identifies a period of time for charging a battery of the first BEV in the garage. The processor then issues a directive to park the first BEV in the section of the garage over the identified period of time for charging the battery.

Battery charging management for multiple battery electric vehicles

An assist handle assembly for use in an interior of a vehicle. The assist handle assembly includes an assist handle configured to be gripped by a user, a display connected to the assist handle, a communication link operatively coupled to the display, a connector configured to secure the assist handle assembly to a structural component in the interior of the vehicle.

Vehicle assist handle assembly having a display

An assist handle assembly for use in an interior of a vehicle is provided. The assist handle assembly includes an assist handle configured to be gripped by a user, a connector configured to secure the assist handle assembly to a structural component in the interior of the vehicle, a proximity sensor assembly coupled to the assist handle for generating a sensed signal indicative of a user gripping the assist handle, and a controller controlling one or more vehicle devices based on the sensed signal.

Vehicle assist handle assembly having proximity sensor control

An assist handle assembly for a vehicle is provided. The assist handle assembly includes an assist handle configured to be gripped by a user, a hanger connected to the assist handle and configured to hang a holder configured to hold an electronic device, a charger configured to charge an electronic device held in the holder hanging on the hanger, and a connector configured to secure the assist handle assembly to a structural component of the vehicle.

Vehicle assist handle assembly having an inductive charger

An assist handle assembly for a vehicle is provided that includes an assist handle configured to be gripped by a user, a releasable connector configured to secure the assist handle assembly to a structural component of the vehicle, the connector comprising a fastener having a key surface, a storage compartment provided in the assist handle, and an assembly tool for engaging the key surface of the fastener during assembly and disassembly of the connector from the structural component of the vehicle, wherein the assembly tool is stored in the storage compartment.

Vehicle assist handle assembly having a stored assembly tool

A roof panel storage system for vehicle is disclosed herein. A storage bag is configured to hold a roof panel of the vehicle. The sensor is coupled to the storage bag and is configured to sense a position of the storage bag. A sound source device is coupled to the storage bag and is configured to issue an auditory alert based on the sensed position of the storage bag.

Vehicle storage system

A vehicle component storage system for a vehicle is disclosed herein. The vehicle component storage system includes a storage container that is configured to hold a vehicle component, a sensor for sensing the position of the storage container relative to the vehicle, an electronic device for communicating with the user, and a controller configured to prompt the electronic device to issue an alert to the user based on data received from the sensor relating to the position of the storage container relative to the vehicle.

Growing community of inventors

Northville, MI, United States of America

Jim Baumbick