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. 25, 2017
Filed:
Jun. 20, 2016
Ford Global Technologies, Llc, Dearborn, MI (US);
Hubert Szawarski, Waterford, MI (US);
Mark A. Cuddihy, New Boston, MI (US);
Craig Pattinson, Highland, MI (US);
Thomas Overbeck, Dearborn, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A vehicle driver interface eliminates the need for the direct driver selection of a park mode. Instead, a park mechanism is automatically engaged in response to either a transition into an ignition Off state, or detection of the absence of a driver. The park mechanism is released in response to selection of a drive mode, which can be either a forward drive mode or a reverse drive mode. To permit idling with the driver present, an electronic park brake is automatically engaged when the vehicle comes to a stop in a drive mode, and is automatically released when the driver taps the accelerator pedal. A stay-in-neutral mode overrides the automatic engagement of the park mechanism or the electronic parking brake to permit operations such as towing the vehicle.