Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Robert J Garby

Norman William Fasecas

Lodewijk Wijffels

David Michael Russell

Keith Alan Kuzmich

Richard Parry-Jones

David L Payne

Daniel Rodriguez

Arrangements (e.g., method; vehicle; non-transitory, tangible, machine-readable media embodying a program) for controlling nominal vehicle steering characteristics in a vehicle steering system are disclosed. A method of controlling nominal vehicle steering characteristics includes determining an actual position of an adjustable steering component of the vehicle, comparing the actual position to a reference position of the component, and based at least in part on the comparison, adjusting at least one of the steering ratio and a steering torque feedback in the vehicle steering system. In one embodiment, based at least in part on the comparison, a percentage of change in a steering ratio for a range of steering wheel angles is calculated and, based on the percentage of change, at least one of the steering ratio and a steering torque feedback in the vehicle steering system is adjusted to a nominal value associated with the nominal vehicle steering characteristics.

Methods and systems for controlling steering response and steering torque feedback based on steering position

A stowable load ramp for a vehicle includes a tailgate operable between a closed vertical position and an open horizontal position, an upper panel hingedly attached to the tailgate, a lower panel hingedly attached to the upper panel, and wherein the upper and lower panels are operable between a stowed horizontal position and an extended downwardly angled ramp position.

Stowable load ramp for vehicles

A multi position tailgate assembly (,) includes a tailgate (,), at least one hinge element (,), moveable between a closed position (,), and an opened position (,), and at least one cable element having a first end attached to an automobile and a second end attached to the hinge element (,). The assembly allows the tailgate to be opened to a first position when the hinge element is closed and a second, lower or angled position, when the hinge element is open.

Multi-position vehicle tailgate assembly

Growing community of inventors

Northville, MI, United States of America

Robert J Garby