Chen J Zhang

US Patent:

20230055012, Feb 23, 2023

Filed:

Aug 19, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/406431

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Chen Zhang - Dearborn MI, US
Kai Wu - Ann Arbor MI, US
Yan Wang - Ann Arbor MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G06N 3/08
G06N 3/04
B60W 10/04
B60W 40/02

Abstract:

Data from a vehicle subsystem are input to a machine learning program trained to output a plurality of temporal pattern vectors. The temporal pattern vectors are input to an attention-based encoder trained to output a latent feature matrix. Each of the latent feature vectors is assigned to a respective one of a plurality of clusters. Based on the assigned clusters, an operation value is output to a controller of the vehicle subsystem.

US Patent:

20200073398, Mar 5, 2020

Filed:

Aug 30, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/117076

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Erick Michael Lavoie - Dearborn MI, US
Eric L. Reed - Livonia MI, US
Chen Zhang - San Jose CA, US
Roger Arnold Trombley - Ann Arbor MI, US
Douglas J. Rogan - Ferndale MI, US
Bruno Sielly Jales Costa - Santa Clara CA, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G05D 1/02
B60D 1/36

Abstract:

A vehicle system comprises a hitch ball mounted on a vehicle. The system further comprises a plurality of sensor devices comprising an ultrasonic sensor and an image sensor. A controller is configured to process image data from the image sensor identifying a coupler position of a trailer. The controller is further configured to process ultrasonic data from the ultrasonic sensor identifying a proximity of the trailer. Based on the proximity of the trailer, the system is configured to identify the trailer in a detection range of the image sensor.

US Patent:

20190389262, Dec 26, 2019

Filed:

Jun 26, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/019032

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Shannon Brooks-Lehnert - Ann Arbor MI, US
Roger Arnold Trombley - Ann Arbor MI, US
Kenneth Michael Mayer - Ypsilanti MI, US
Chen Zhang - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60D 1/36
B60R 1/00
B60R 11/04
B62D 15/02

Abstract:

A vehicle system is configured to control a trailer alignment routine. The system comprises a hitch ball mounted on a vehicle and a controller configured to identify a coupler position of a trailer. The controller is further configured to control motion of the vehicle to an aligned position, wherein the hitch ball is aligned with the coupler position. In response to the aligned position, the controller activates a service brake holding the vehicle and while maintaining the service brake activation, the controller activates a parking brake.

US Patent:

20190077457, Mar 14, 2019

Filed:

Sep 12, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/701644

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Kyle Simmons - New Boston MI, US
Chen Zhang - Canton MI, US
Eric Hongtei Tseng - Canton MI, US

International Classification:

B62D 15/02
B60D 1/06

Abstract:

A hitch assist system and method are provided herein. A device is configured to detect a hitch coupler of a trailer and a controller is in communication with the device. The controller is configured to generate a boundary area projecting from the hitch coupler, define a vehicle backup path toward the trailer if a tow hitch of the vehicle is located inside the boundary area, and determine a steering angle for steering the vehicle along the vehicle backup path.

US Patent:

20180334038, Nov 22, 2018

Filed:

May 18, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/598569

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Ming Lang KUANG - Canton MI, US
Zheng Liu - Canton MI, US
Chen ZHANG - Canton MI, US

International Classification:

B60L 7/18
B60K 6/46
B60K 6/26
B60T 7/12

Abstract:

A vehicle includes a motor and a controller. The controller is programmed to, responsive to an autonomous braking request and a predicted average braking torque associated with the request having a magnitude less than a powertrain regenerative torque limit, brake the vehicle only with the motor according to a torque profile adapted from a most efficient torque profile of the motor so as to have an average value falling within a specified range of the average braking torque.

US Patent:

20180290645, Oct 11, 2018

Filed:

Apr 11, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/484584

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Chen Zhang - Canton MI, US
Ming Lang Kuang - Canton MI, US

International Classification:

B60W 20/12
G05D 1/00
B60W 20/13
B60W 10/06
B60W 10/08
B60W 30/14
B60W 10/26

Abstract:

A hybrid electric vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, and a battery, coupled to a controller(s) configured to, in response to a virtual-driver signal, predict and maintain a constant-speed from a plurality of candidate speeds, to have a lowest fuel consumption and a minimum number of battery-charge-cycles, for a predicted distance and wheel-torque-power. A predicted engine-power is established from the wheel-torque-power required to maintain the constant-speed, and to power vehicle accessories and battery charging, such that fuel consumption and battery-charge-cycles are minimized over the predicted distance at the constant-speed. The controller(s) are configured to generate the predicted distance, from one or more of position and moving-map sensors, by detecting a current location, and identifying an open-road distance between the current location and at least one detected and/or predetermined way-point. The constant-speed is also determined by evaluating travel-times and battery-charge-discharge cycles for the constant speed over the predicted distance.

US Patent:

20180222468, Aug 9, 2018

Filed:

Feb 7, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/426654

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Chen Zhang - Canton MI, US

International Classification:

B60W 20/13
B60W 20/30
B60K 6/442
B60K 6/54
B60W 10/06
B60W 10/08
B60W 10/11

Abstract:

A hybrid electric vehicle has a powertrain including an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a transmission coupled to controller(s) that control torque disturbances arising from changing output torques of the engine, electric machine, and transmission. A torque disturbance threshold is adjusted for driver comfort, and is used to respond to torque demand signals from the vehicle systems, including a battery charging subsystem, and a driver. The controller(s) respond to battery charge and driver demand torque signals, among others, and adjust engine and electric machine torque at a controlled rate and magnitude, using charge-torque-slew-rate, charge-torque, and other limits. Battery charging is similarly managed. The slew-rate, charge-torque, and other limits are adjusted as the torque disturbance threshold changes in response to changing performance of vehicle components, which thereby controls torque disturbances to be lower than the torque disturbance threshold for a plurality of engine, electric machine, and transmission operating conditions.

US Patent:

20180056974, Mar 1, 2018

Filed:

Aug 24, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/246064

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Rajit JOHRI - Canton MI, US
Mark Steven YAMAZAKI - Canton MI, US
Mathew Alan BOESCH - Plymouth MI, US
Chen ZHANG - Canton MI, US

International Classification:

B60W 20/13
B60W 10/02
B60W 10/06
B60W 10/08
B60K 6/48

Abstract:

A hybrid vehicle control system and method include a controller programmed to, while a transmission is in PARK or NEUTRAL, start an engine, close a disconnect clutch selectively coupling the engine to an electric machine, and control the electric machine to charge a traction battery in response to the accelerator pedal position exceeding an idle position and being less than a threshold. The controller controls transmission impeller speed in response to accelerator pedal position exceeding the threshold to allow revving the engine in response to accelerator pedal. A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle includes starting an engine, closing a clutch between the engine and an electric machine, and controlling the engine and the electric machine to either: i) charge a traction battery or ii) rev the engine based on accelerator pedal position relative to a threshold above an idle position while the transmission is in PARK or NEUTRAL.