Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Scott Howard Gaboury

Steven Yellin Schondorf

John Robert Van Wiemeersch

Thomas Michael McQuade

Brian Fath

Muhammad Azhar Aleem

William Paul Perkins

David James Tippy

Rene A Najor

David James Lawor

Francis Thomas Connolly

Eric L Reed

Ronald Hugh Miller

Adil Nizam Siddiqui

Aaron Lewis Mills

Jonathan Diedrich

Craig Hammann Stephan

Kevin Thomas Hille

Brandon R Masterson

Daniel M King

Ian Brewster Hall

Anthony Gerald King

Lisa Therese Boran

David Marvin Gersabeck

James Paul Ebling

Kirsten Marie Carr

Lawrence Gerard Stopczynski

David Richard Tengler

J B Drummond, Jr

Joel Thomas Pierce

Paul Kevin Kula

Mark George Vojtisek

Thomas Anthony Spoto

Robert Bell

Janak Chitalia

Ebrahim Nasser

Conrad M Smith

Kenneth J Snarski

Kristin Marie Schondorf

Steven A Daleiden

Mohamed El-sawah

Gurminder Singh Bedi

Keith Zwyghuizen Doorenbos

Linda D VanFleteren

Robert D Klosek

James F Krizman

Jolanta Budek

Sarah D Smith

Ted Selker

Mariquis Edwards

Troy Otis Cooprider

Enrique Delannoy

A method of forming a badge may include thermally forming an indium film into a desired shape for the badge, including thermally forming a raised symbol above a front surface on the front side of the indium film; molding a plastic back layer to a back side of the thermally formed indium film; and molding a plastic front layer to a front side, opposite to the back side, of the thermally formed indium film. The badge may be mounted on a front of a vehicle.

Radar compatible badge for vehicle

A method for modifying a trailer detection routine for a vehicle trailer detection system includes identifying a trailer in image data via a trailer detection model and activating a detection training routine for the trailer. The method further includes capturing the image data of the trailer from a plurality of perspectives relative to a trailer heading of the trailer and controlling an update procedure configured to generate a modified trailer detection model operable to detect the trailer.

System and method for training trailer detection systems

Method and apparatus are disclosed for synchronous short range radars for automatic trailer detection. An example radar module for a vehicle includes a radar, and a controller coupled to memory. The controller measures, with the radar, a target area proximate the vehicle. Based on the measurements, the controller determines clutter and trailer connection states. The controller sends a clutter message on a data bus indicative of the clutter state, and sends a connection message based on either (a) the trailer connection state or (b) clutter and trailer connection states of another radar module.

Synchronous short range radars for automatic trailer detection

A host vehicle may include: motor(s), brakes, sensors, processor(s) configured to: (a) predict a target path of a target vehicle based on lane boundaries of a virtual map; (b) compare the target path to a predicted host path of the host vehicle; (c) apply the brakes based on the comparison; (d) predict the target path and the host path as shapes, each having a two-dimensional surface area; (e) determine whether the shapes intersect, and based on the determination, (f) calculate a first timespan where the target vehicle reaches the intersection, and (g) a second timespan where the host vehicle reaches the intersection.

Vehicle with environmental context analysis

A vehicle location system includes a vehicle-based communication unit having a processor. The processor is configured to analyze request signals from a portable communication device. A first audible output device is configured to generate a first audible sound. A second audible output device is configured to generate a second audible sound. The sound generated by the second audible output device is a greater sound pressure than the first audible output device. The processor selectively enables one of the first audible output device and second audible output device based on the processor comparing a proximity characteristic of the request signals to a predetermined threshold.

Dual-stage car finder

An exemplary radar mounting device for attaching a component to a vehicle body may include a resilient grommet secured within an opening formed in the component. The device may also have a stud for attachment to the vehicle body. The stud may have a ball portion received within the resilient grommet for attaching the component to the stud. In addition, the device may have a nut fastened to the stud to secure the component to the stud.

Radar mounting device

A system includes a receiver configured to receive a signal representing a sequence of user inputs to a portable electronic device and an audible device configured to generate a sound based at least in part on the sequence of user inputs. A duration and volume of the sound is based at least in part on the sequence of user inputs received within a predetermined time interval. A method includes receiving the signal provided to the portable electronic device within a predetermined time interval and generating the sound based at least in part on the sequence of user inputs.

Automobile location detector

A motor vehicle includes a vehicle floor, a tilt sensor attached to the vehicle floor and having an output, and a forward looking radar module attached to the vehicle. The radar module includes a radar, an accelerometer; and an output from the accelerometer, and a controller that averages the tilt sensor output and the accelerometer output and determines a difference between the output averages, the controller reporting when the differences changes more than a predetermined amount. A method of calibrating the forward looking radar module, when attached to a vehicle, comprises placing the vehicle on a flat surface to determine the accelerometer pitch.

Internal multi-axis G sensing used to align an automotive forward radar to the vehicle's thrust axis

A vehicle includes a first disconnect disposed between a prime mover of the vehicle and a certain one of the vehicle drive wheels. The first disconnect is operable to connect and disconnect the prime mover to and from the certain one of the drive wheels. A second disconnect is disposed between the powertrain and the certain one of the drive wheels, and is operable to connect and disconnect the certain one of the drive wheels to and from the powertrain when the first disconnect is engaged. A control system and method are configured to control operation of at least the first and second disconnects. Through selective control of the disconnects, the system can be automatically placed in a four-wheel-drive mode based on predetermined criteria, or the desirability of the four-wheel-drive mode can be indicated to the vehicle operator in a passive version of the control system and method.

System and method for managing a powertrain in a vehicle

A bumper integrated forward radar mounting system for use with a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a radar module, a bumper attachment bracket and a bumper extension. The radar module is attached to the bumper attachment bracket. The radar module may comprise one or both of a medium range radar component and a long range radar component. The bumper attachment bracket may be composed of a metal or of a polymerized material selected from one of several plastics, fiberglass or nylon. The bumper extension fitted over the radar module extends from the existing bumper. Radio waves emitted from and received by the radar module must be able to readily pass through the bumper extension without being altered. To be suitable for covering the radar module the bumper extension must be of a uniform thickness, fairly flat and non-metallic with no metal or chrome to interfere with its beam patch.

Bumper integrated forward radar mounting system

A vehicle with a front fascia and a decorative badge integrated with the fascia. A rear surface of the badge is attached to a front portion of the fascia. The portion of the fascia to which the badge is attached is the badge mounting region, and the fascia's portion surrounding the badge mounting region is the fascia surrounding region. A radar system mounted behind the fascia emits radar beams in forward direction, which are intercepted by the fascia and the badge in the badge mounting region, and by the fascia, in the fascia surrounding region The rear surface of the fascia in the badge mounting region is indented the amount of the badge's average thickness, and the cumulative average thickness of the badge and the fascia material in the badge mounting region remains uniform throughout, equal to the average thickness of the fascia in the fascia surrounding region.

Radar compatible automotive badge and fascia

A power boost system and method. An illustrative embodiment of the power boost system includes an operator interface having a system activation button; a vehicle system controller connected to the operator interface; and at least one of an engine system controller, a battery system controller and an accessory system controller connected to the vehicle system controller.

Power boost system and method

A system, method, and article of manufacture for reducing the rate of fuel vapor formation within a fuel storage tank include a plurality of discrete independent floating particles or elements to reduce exposed evaporative surface area of fuel in the fuel storage tank while conforming to a changing fuel tank cross-section as fuel level changes. The elements or particles may have a self-tessellating geometry to facilitate formation of a single or multi-layer barrier or cover and be made or coated with a material that resists fuel wetting and degradation, such as a highly fluorinated polymer including polytetrafluoroethylene.

Fuel vapor management for stored fuel using floating particles

A method of calibrating an occupant classification sensor () includes receiving a calibration signal originating from an on-board vehicle calibration device (). A calibration task is performed that includes the initialization of an occupant classification sensor (). A baseline is generated for the occupant classification sensor () in response to the calibration signal. Performance confirmation of the calibration task is indicated.

Occupant classification sensor calibration system

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Scott Howard Gaboury