The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 13, 2021
Filed:
Feb. 28, 2017
Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, MI (US);
John Steven McWilliams, Southgate, MI (US);
Kevin Stanton Giaier, Sylvan Lake, MI (US);
Fernando Cruz Solis, Tialnepantla de Baz, MX;
Amol Bhaskar Kurkute, Westland, MI (US);
Madhuri Narvekar, Farmington, MI (US);
Erick Michael Lavoie, Dearborn, MI (US);
Ronald Patrick Brombach, Plymouth, MI (US);
Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A vehicle is able to be set to operate in a factory mode (as opposed to a normal mode) in which certain features are disabled, such as an alarm system, a power liftgate, etc. This allows assembly workers to assemble, test, and calibrate the vehicle without various systems in the vehicle being undesirably activated. While in the factory mode, the vehicle can accomplish multiple ignition on/off cycles while being tested or driven between stations. A steering column and connected steering wheel are provided in the vehicle, and are situated between an instrument panel and a front seat. In response to the ignition completing an on/off cycle, a controller commands a motor to move the steering wheel and steering column to a predetermined position that is based on a visibility of the instrument panel relative to the steering wheel and steering column.