Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Michael James Whitens

Stuart C Salter

Mohammad Omar Faruque

Dean M Jaradi

S M Iskander Farooq

Cornel Lewis Gardner

Bhavani Thota

Paul Kenneth Dellock

Zhibing Deng

Peter A Friedman

Gary D Mullen

Jeffrey Singer

Garret Sankey Huff

Peter Joseph Bejin

Cynthia Mowery Flanigan

Scott A Clark

Jeff Webb

Se Kyoon Shin

Gian Carlo Morlet Ugalde

Babak Shahmehri

Robert Tilli

Benjamin Coon

Chunhui Li

Johnathan Andrew Line

James J Surman

Saeed David Barbat

Mohamed Ridha Baccouche

John Wayne Jaranson

Saied Nusier

Joshua R Wheeler

Scott Andrew Amman

Raymond Edward Kalisz

Siddharthan Selvasekar

Vishal Vinayak Nageshkar

Sangram Laxman Tamhankar

Robert D Bedard

Devinder Singh Kochhar

Charles Alan Rocco

Junko Pauken

Cortney Stancato

Amit Chakravarty

David Paul Marshman

Michael Alan Samluk

Kaushlendra Singh

Juan Pablo Jimenez

Robert Walter Bartus

Aravinda Naraharisetti

Dana M Niemiec

Tuan-Anh Nguyen

A method of assembling components of a vehicle is provided that includes locating a node relative to an adjoining component, measuring at least one geometrical feature of the node or the adjoining component, 3D printing an assembly adjustment member based on the measuring, and placing the assembly adjustment member proximate at least one of the node or the adjoining component. The assembly adjustment member is configured to allow relative movement between the node and the adjoining component for subsequent processing operations.

3D printed vehicle architecture, joints and method

A method of assembling components of a vehicle is provided that includes locating a node () relative to an adjoining component (), measuring at least one geometrical feature of the node or the adjoining component, 3D printing an assembly adjustment member () based on the measuring, and placing the assembly adjustment member proximate at least one of the node or the adjoining component. The assembly adjustment member is configured to allow relative movement between the node and the adjoining component for subsequent processing operations.

Method of assembly for 3D printed vehicle architecture, joints

A seatbelt retractor includes a spool. The seatbelt retractor includes a torsion bar elongated along an axis within the spool and defining passages elongated parallel to the axis, the passages spaced from each other surrounding the axis.

Seatbelt retractor assembly

In situ vibration-based verification of vehicle doors may be performed to identify defects in the doors. An example vehicle includes a vibration exciter affixed to a door and a vibration sensor affixed to a window of the door. The example vehicle also includes a processor coupled to memory storing expected vibration data. The processor performs, via the vibration exciter, a sine sweep on the door and measures, via the vibration sensor, a vibration response of the door to the sine sweep. Based on the vibration response and the expected vibration data, the processor determines whether the door is defective.

In situ vibration-based verification of vehicle doors

A foamless seating assembly includes a frame having an inner support member and an outer support member. A first plurality of flexible straps extend about the inner support member of the frame. A second plurality of flexible straps extend about the outer support member of the frame. At least one flexible strap of the second plurality of flexible straps of the outer support member are adjacent to at least one flexible strap of the plurality of flexible straps of the inner support member. A tension assembly is operably coupled with the flexible straps and configured to apply tension to the straps simultaneously.

Automotive foamless seat made from flexible material

A vehicle door includes a trim panel coupled to a frame. A single-piece armrest substrate is coupled with the frame. The armrest substrate is a three-dimensionally printed member having interior walls that are printed within the armrest substrate according to a virtual force model generated during a virtual impact scenario. The interior walls define a plurality of voids defined within the armrest substrate.

Biomimetic armrest substrate for a vehicle armrest assembly

A system includes a processor configured to predict upcoming driver behavior based on a correlation between received context variables and previously observed driver behavior. The processor is also configured to request confirmation that predicted behavior is intended by a driver. Further, the processor is configured to change an in-vehicle display to include a control or feature relevant to the predicted behavior, upon confirmation receipt.

Method and apparatus for predictive driver assistance

A vehicle includes a wall having a hanger. The vehicle also includes a floor having a track. A seatback of a seat is supported by the hanger and the track.

Vehicle with slidable seats

A vehicle illumination apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one aperture disposed in a panel of the vehicle. A light source is disposed proximate the aperture and configured to emit a first emission having a first wavelength. A first photoluminescent portion is disposed proximate the panel substantially within the aperture and configured to emit a second emission having a second wavelength in response to receiving the first emission.

Photoluminescent vehicle panel

An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises at least one light source disposed in a portion of a side mirror assembly of the vehicle. The light source is configured to emit an excitation emission at a first wavelength substantially along a side portion of the vehicle. The illumination apparatus further comprises a photoluminescent portion disposed on a surface of the vehicle. The excitation emission is configured to excite the photoluminescent portion to emit an output emission corresponding to a different color of light than the first excitation emission.

Photoluminescent vehicle illumination

A steering column assembly for a vehicle includes a housing defining a bore that extends along an axis. The steering column assembly includes a first shaft disposed in the bore and a second shaft telescopically engaged with the first shaft. The second shaft is movable along the axis relative to the housing. A wedge is fixed to the second shaft and is spaced from the housing. During frontal impact of the vehicle, an occupant may impact the steering column assembly. Relative telescopic retraction of the first shaft and the second shaft provides a first stage of energy absorption. As the first shaft and the second shaft telescopically retract, the wedge contacts the housing and deforms the housing in a second stage of energy absorption.

Energy absorbing steering column assembly

A molding of a vehicle is provided herein. The molding includes a cover panel portion mounted to a body panel of the vehicle. A carrier is disposed between the cover panel portion and the body panel, the carrier having an exposed portion configured to luminesce in response to light excitation. At least one light source is disposed inside the carrier and is configured to emit light for exciting the exposed portion.

Luminescent vehicle molding

A seat back for a vehicle includes a frame and a deployable device. The deployable device includes a back panel fixed to the frame, a front panel opposite the back panel, and a cavity between the back panel and the front panel. The seat back includes an inflator in communication with the cavity of the deployable device. The deployable device is formed of a plastic material. During a frontal impact of the vehicle, the deployable device may be inflated from an undeployed position to a deployed position to absorb impact from an occupant of the vehicle.

Vehicle seat back including a deployable device

An illumination system for a vehicle includes a rear spoiler with first and second photoluminescent portions disposed on the spoiler and at least one light source configured to emit an emission at a first wavelength. The first and second photoluminescent portions are configured to convert the first wavelength to at least a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength.

Spoiler using photoluminescent illumination

A seat back includes a frame and a deployable device mounted to the frame. The deployable device includes a back panel, a front panel opposite the back panel, and a cavity between the back panel and the front panel. An inflator is in communication with the cavity. A clip is fixed to the back panel and is engaged with the frame.

Growing community of inventors

Milford, MI, United States of America

Michael James Whitens