Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Kevin James Rhodes

Erik J Christen

Brendan F Diamond

Andrew Robert Drews

Chad Bednar

Pallav Sohoni

Mark John Jagner

James Anthony Adams

Yang Yang

Joseph Giacchina

Patrick Daniel Maguire

William David Treharne

Mark Edward Nichols

Christopher Michael Seubert

Jonathan Hair

Charles K Evans

Juil Yum

Prasad Venkiteswaran

Louis Paspal

Dale F Jordan, Iii

Ryan Hunt

Seth Loveall

Mahmoud Abdelhamid

Jaswant-Jas S Dhillon

Jaswant S Dhillon

Evan Perry

Harish Thiruvengadam

Electric vehicle predictive range estimating systems and methods are provided herein. An example method includes determining an initial state of charge (SOC) for an energy source of a vehicle at a first point in time; determining one or more boundary conditions for the vehicle during a time frame extending from the first point in time to a second point in time, the one or more boundary conditions causing a loss in the energy source during the time frame; determining a predicted future SOC for the energy source based on the one or more boundary conditions and the initial SOC; and predicting an availability of a vehicle operating condition based on the predicted future SOC for the energy source.

Electric vehicle predictive range estimating systems and methods

A method for autonomously navigating a subject vehicle from among a plurality of vehicles in an environment includes determining whether the subject vehicle is to be moved from a first post-production location to a second post-production location within the environment based on transportation scheduling data associated with the subject vehicle. The method includes executing a navigation routine in response to the transportation scheduling data indicating the subject vehicle is to be moved. The navigation routine includes obtaining location data associated with the plurality of vehicles, identifying a vehicle path for the subject vehicle based on the location data of the plurality of vehicles, the first post-production location, the second post-production location, or a combination thereof, and instructing the subject vehicle to autonomously travel along the vehicle path to the second post-production location.

System and method for autonomously navigating a vehicle in a manufacturing environment

A system and a method are described for laying out components in a vehicle workspace. The method may comprise: receiving, as input, a plurality of components for a vehicle workspace; determining an optimization of a routing of a plurality of connections, each of which connect to at least one of the plurality of components; and providing an output indicative of the routing within the vehicle workspace.

Component layout optimization

Power to the box systems and methods are provided herein. An example system includes a human machine interface of a vehicle, a power to the box system of the vehicle, and a controller having a processor and a memory, the processor executing instructions stored in the memory to determine actuation of a power to the box system of a vehicle, determine usage parameters of the power to the box system of the vehicle during a period of use extending from the actuation to a terminating event, generate a message that includes information indicative of the usage parameters; and transmit the message to a receiving party.

Power to the box systems and methods

Methods and systems for managing mobile devices for connection with a vehicle are provided. A processor is configured to determine whether a mobile device is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle based on a comparison between the first geographical data of the mobile device and second geographical data of the vehicle. Responsive to determining that the mobile device is within the predetermined distances of the vehicle based on the comparison, the processor is configured to enable Bluetooth functionality on the mobile device.

Vehicle device management

An exemplary charging energy recapture assembly includes a fluid loop outside a traction battery of an electrified vehicle. The fluid loop communicates a charger fluid through a charger to the electrified vehicle and returns the charger fluid to a charging station without combining the charger fluid with a vehicle fluid. An exemplary charging energy recapture method includes circulating a charger fluid through a charger between a charging station and an electrified vehicle without the charger fluid commingling with a vehicle fluid or communicating through a traction battery of the electrified vehicle.

Charging energy recapture assembly and method

A vehicle includes a controller, programmed to responsive to detecting, via a vehicle sensor, an obstacle blocking a route on which the vehicle is traversing, report the obstacle and blockage to a server via a wireless connection; responsive to receiving a command from the server instructing to perform an exploratory maneuver to remove the obstacle from the route, execute the command via an autonomous driving controller; and report an implementation result of the exploratory maneuver to the server.

Emergency route planning system

A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine selectively coupled to the engine, a traction battery, an electrical outlet, and first and second power inverters. The first power inverter is configured to transfer power between the traction battery and the electric machine. The second power inverter is configured to transfer power between the traction battery and the electrical outlet. A human-machine interface (HMI) has a selectable option indicative of a user's desire to use the electrical outlet at a next destination. A controller of the vehicle includes a processor and memory having stored therein a first battery state of charge (SOC) target and a second battery SOC target that is greater than the first SOC target. The controller is programmed to, in response to the selectable option being selected, switch from the first SOC target to the second SOC target and command charging of the traction battery responsive to a measured battery SOC being less than the second target.

Battery saving controls associated with mobile generator use of a vehicle

A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, generating a warning signal to identify any electrical characteristics along a vehicle route that differs from a current vehicle electrical characteristic. An electrified vehicle system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a battery, an electric machine configured to receive electric power from the battery to drive vehicle wheels, and a system control that generates a warning signal to identify any electrical characteristics along a vehicle route that differ from a current vehicle electrical characteristic. In one example, the electrical characteristic comprises at least a type of plug and/or socket.

Method and apparatus to provide electrical outlet information for electrified vehicles

A charge port assembly includes a port, an iris door movable to expose the port, and a motorized actuating assembly configured to move the iris door between a closed position in which the port is concealed and an open position in which the port is exposed. The iris door may be automatically dilated to the open position in response to a predefined prompt from an authorized user or if a charging cord is approaching the charge port assembly.

Charge port assembly with motorized iris door

An exemplary charging system includes, among other things, a charger that conveys energy wirelessly to an electrified vehicle when the charger is disposed against a surface of the electrified vehicle. The energy is used to charge a traction battery of the electrified vehicle. An exemplary charging method includes, among other things, conveying energy wirelessly from a charger to an electrified vehicle to charge a traction battery of the electrified vehicle. The charger is disposed against a surface of the electrified vehicle during the conveying.

Electrified vehicle wireless charging system and charging method

An electric vehicle (EV) charging system includes a receptacle on the EV and a controller. The controller may be configured to, responsive to a removal request and a discrepancy between a stored biometric record and first biometric data received from a first biometric sensor, compare the stored biometric record and second biometric data received from a second biometric sensor that is different from the first biometric sensor, and responsive to the comparison matching, generate an unlock request.

EV charging connector unlock via biometric input

A vehicle includes a multi-purpose automotive sound device for alerting pedestrians. The vehicle includes front and rear wheels, side mirrors, a sound device, and a controller. The sound device operates in a first mode and a second mode to generate an audio signal. The sound device is disposed adjacent to the front wheel and one of the side mirrors. The controller activates the sound device in the first mode or the second mode based on a state of the vehicle.

Multi-purpose automotive sound device

A vehicle includes an electric machine, a coolant circuit, a refrigerant circuit, and a controller. The electric machine is configured to charge a battery via regenerative braking. The coolant circuit has an electric heater. The refrigerant circuit has an electric compressor. The controller is programmed to, responsive to a capacity of the battery to receive power being less available regenerative braking power and ambient air temperature being less than a first threshold, direct regenerative braking power to the heater but not the compressor. The controller is further programmed to, responsive to the capacity of the battery to receive power being less available regenerative braking power and ambient air temperature exceeding a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold, direct regenerative braking power to the compressor but not the heater.

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Dearborn, MI, United States of America

Kevin James Rhodes