Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Scott Cutler

Venkatesh Krishnan

Benjamin Lee

Pete Christ Korovesis

Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam

Brandon Buckhalt

Vikas Bhatt

Janet Lynn Callahan

Ravikumar Ranganthan

Peter Christ Korovesis

Michael Clark

Eswar Timmavajjala

Methods and apparatus are disclosed to facilitate safety checks for high-performance vehicle features. An example vehicle comprises a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, sensors, a processor and a memory. The GPS receiver generates location information. The sensors generate road information. The processor and memory are in communication with the sensors and the GPS receiver. The processor is configured to: determine a road type using the location information; determine a road clearance status using the road information; and generate a warning message including an override button based on one or more of the road type and the road clearance status.

Methods and apparatus to facilitate safety checks for high-performance vehicle features

A support clip for attaching a fluid-carrying tube or line to a substrate is disclosed that provides an air tight seal on a single fluid-carrying tube or line or on multiple fluid-carrying tubes or lines when the tubes are secured between two different surfaces. The support clip has two mated elastomeric surfaces defined by upper and lower halves that account for minor surface-to-surface variations while still maintaining an air tight seal. The lower half is attached to a vehicle substrate by a locating anchor. Each half has a rigid body and an elastomeric portion. The rigid body maintains the form of the elastomeric portion. At least one tube-holding channel is formed in the elastomeric portion of each of half. When the two halves are fastened together by an interference fit, the air tight seal is established. The halves may be fastened together by a variety of mechanical arrangements.

Air tight sealing support clip for attaching fluid-carrying tube to substrate

A mechanism for attaching a bike rack to a vehicle including a support member located behind an exterior wall of the vehicle. An attachment assembly, including a receiver operative to move between the first, stowed position any second, use position is connected to the support member. The exterior wall includes a removable portion wherein upon removal provides access to the attachment assembly. Once the removable portion is removed, the attachment assembly, including the receiver is moved from the first, stowed position to the second, use position wherein the bike rack then connects to the receiver. Additionally, the removable portion may include a detachable license plate bracket, which upon being detached from the vehicle, can be mounted to the rear of a bike rack. Sensors are mounted on the license plate bracket to allow for a functional back-up or park assist when the bike rack is attached to rear of the vehicle.

Bike rack attachment for vehicle

A system includes a processor configured to detect push-to-start (PTS) button engagement. The processor is also configured to scan a finger positioned on a vehicle fingerprint scanner for a fingerprint. The processor is further configured to verify that the fingerprint corresponds to an authorized driver and engage a vehicle ignition when the fingerprint corresponds to an authorized driver.

Method and apparatus for biometric vehicle activation

An estimated fuel consumption may be determined for a route for a vehicle. At least in part based on the estimated fuel consumption, it may be determined that an amount of fuel in the vehicle is insufficient for the vehicle to traverse the route and/or one or more waypoints may be identified within a predetermined distance of the route, e.g., waypoints for refueling the vehicle. The estimated fuel consumption may be determined in a computer system included in the vehicle.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Scott Cutler