公开(公告)号：US12011959B2

公开(公告)日：2024-06-18

申请号：US18079200

申请日：2022-12-12

Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC

Inventor： Kevin Stanton Giaier ,  Bryce Reinert ,  Andrew Niedert ,  Joshua Norwood ,  Jorge Rivas ,  Peter Kowalow ,  Rebecca Giaier

IPC: B60D1/24 ,  B60D1/48 ,  G01L1/22

CPC classification number: B60D1/248 ,  B60D1/485 ,  G01L1/2206

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for a load-sensing hitch utilizing a system of strain gauges. An example apparatus includes a receiver tube, a side member, a crossbar coupled to the receiver tube and the side member, the cross including a support including a first end, a second end and a mid-portion located between the first end and the second end, the mid-portion having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first end or the cross-sectional area of the second end and a strain gauge disposed within the mid-portion.

公开(公告)号：US11524534B2

公开(公告)日：2022-12-13

申请号：US16848486

申请日：2020-04-14

Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC

Inventor： Kevin Stanton Giaier ,  Bryce Reinert ,  Andrew Niedert ,  Joshua Norwood ,  Jorge Rivas ,  Peter Kowalow ,  Rebecca Giaier

IPC: B60D1/24 ,  G01L1/22 ,  B60D1/48

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for a load-sensing hitch utilizing a system of strain gauges. An example apparatus includes a hitch including a first support including a first end, a second end, and a mid-portion located between the first end and the second end, the mid-portion having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first end or the cross-sectional area of the second end, a strain gauge located at the mid-portion of the first support, a frame attachment to couple the hitch to a frame of a vehicle, the support coupled to the frame attachment, and a load manager to determine a load condition based on sensor data from the strain gauge.

公开(公告)号：US10800222B2

公开(公告)日：2020-10-13

申请号：US16160077

申请日：2018-10-15

Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC

Inventor： Joshua Norwood ,  Zachary Machinchick

IPC: B60G17/048 ,  F16F9/50 ,  B60G17/052 ,  F16F9/04 ,  F16F9/32

Abstract: An air spring includes a sleeve, a jounce bumper, and a bump cap. The sleeve defines a chamber. The jounce bumper is fixed relative to the sleeve in the chamber. The bump cap is moveable relative to the jounce bumper from a first position to a second position in contact with the jounce bumper. The jounce bumper includes a valve moveable by the bump cap to a closed position when the bump cap moves to the second position.

公开(公告)号：US20190077376A1

公开(公告)日：2019-03-14

申请号：US15699248

申请日：2017-09-08

Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC

Inventor： Segundo Baldovino ,  Andre Sykula ,  Venkatesh Krishnan ,  Stephanie Bartol ,  Joshua Norwood

IPC: B60S1/48 ,  B60S1/50 ,  B60S1/52 ,  B60S1/54 ,  B60R11/04

Abstract: A sensor system includes a base including first and second windows. The sensor system includes first and second optical sensors supported by the base and positioned to receive light through the first and second windows. The sensor system includes first and second nozzles directed at the first and second windows. The sensor system includes a manifold in fluid communication with the first and second nozzles. The sensor system includes a liquid reservoir in fluid communication with the manifold. The sensor system includes an air compressor in fluid communication with the manifold.

公开(公告)号：US20210318189A1

公开(公告)日：2021-10-14

申请号：US16848486

申请日：2020-04-14

Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC

Inventor： Kevin Stanton Giaier ,  Bryce Reinert ,  Andrew Niedert ,  Joshua Norwood ,  Jorge Rivas ,  Peter Kowalow ,  Rebecca Giaier

IPC: G01L1/22 ,  B60D1/58

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for a load-sensing hitch utilizing a system of strain gauges. An example apparatus includes a hitch including a first support including a first end, a second end, and a mid-portion located between the first end and the second end, the mid-portion having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first end or the cross-sectional area of the second end, a strain gauge located at the mid-portion of the first support, a frame attachment to couple the hitch to a frame of a vehicle, the support coupled to the frame attachment, and a load manager to determine a load condition based on sensor data from the strain gauge.

公开(公告)号：US20200114722A1

公开(公告)日：2020-04-16

申请号：US16160077

申请日：2018-10-15

Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC

Inventor： Joshua Norwood ,  Zachary Machinchick

IPC: B60G17/048 ,  F16F9/50 ,  B60G17/052 ,  F16F9/04 ,  F16F9/32

Abstract: An air spring includes a sleeve, a jounce bumper, and a bump cap. The sleeve defines a chamber. The jounce bumper is fixed relative to the sleeve in the chamber. The bump cap is moveable relative to the jounce bumper from a first position to a second position in contact with the jounce bumper. The jounce bumper includes a valve moveable by the bump cap to a closed position when the bump cap moves to the second position.

公开(公告)号：US10322042B2

公开(公告)日：2019-06-18

申请号：US15610835

申请日：2017-06-01

Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC

Inventor： Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy ,  Siraj Siddiqui ,  Ahmed Awadi ,  Ben Bulat ,  Joshua Norwood

IPC: A61G3/06 ,  B60P1/44 ,  B66F9/075

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operation of a lifting mechanism coupled to a mobility service vehicle. In one example, a method may include, during an engine idle-stop, in response to a request for operation of a lifting mechanism used by mobility devices to access the vehicle, the transmission may be shifted to park, an electronic braking system may be enabled, and the engine may be restarted to provide power for operation of the lifting mechanism.

公开(公告)号：US20180344545A1

公开(公告)日：2018-12-06

申请号：US15610835

申请日：2017-06-01

Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC

Inventor： Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy ,  Siraj Siddiqui ,  Ahmed Awadi ,  Ben Bulat ,  Joshua Norwood

IPC: A61G3/06 ,  B60P1/44 ,  B60S9/14

CPC classification number: A61G3/062 ,  A61G3/067 ,  B60P1/445

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operation of a lifting mechanism coupled to a mobility service vehicle. In one example, a method may include, during an engine idle-stop, in response to a request for operation of a lifting mechanism used by mobility devices to access the vehicle, the transmission may be shifted to park, an electronic braking system may be enabled, and the engine may be restarted to provide power for operation of the lifting mechanism.