System for a vehicle operable to enter a reverse mode

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12370872-B2
Application number	US-202117229325-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 13, 2021
Priority date	Apr 13, 2021
Publication date	Jul 29, 2025
Grant date	Jul 29, 2025

Abstract

A system for a vehicle includes a human-machine interface, a microphone that detects sound, a sound source device that emits sound, and a controller that prompts pairing of the sound source device and the microphone, such that the sound source device emits sound corresponding to the sound detected by the microphone. The controller prompts pairing of the sound source device and the microphone in response to at least one of (i) the vehicle entering a reverse mode, and (ii) receiving a user input entered into the human-machine interface via selection of an input option by a user, wherein the input option is made accessible for selection by the user in response to the vehicle entering the reverse mode.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for a vehicle, comprising:
first and second closure panels of the vehicle that are operable between open and closed positions;
a human-machine interface;
and a controller that prompts movement of the first closure panel from the closed position to the open position, such that a cabin of the vehicle is in fluid communication with an exterior environment of the vehicle, in response to at least one of (i) the vehicle entering a reverse mode, and (ii) receiving a user input entered into the human-machine interface via selection of an input option by a user, wherein the input option is made accessible for selection by the user in response to the vehicle entering the reverse mode.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first closure panel forms at least a portion of a rear gate assembly of the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the first closure panel comprises:
a rear glass panel of the vehicle.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the first closure panel is operable to pivot about a first pivot axis a first direction from the closed position to the open position, and the second closure panel is operable to pivot about a second pivot axis a second direction from the closed position to the open position, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the rear gate assembly includes a top gate panel and a bottom gate panel vehicle-downward of the top gate panel, wherein the first closure panel comprises the top gate panel and the second closure panel comprises the bottom gate panel, and wherein the first and second closure panels are coupled to each other if the first and second closure panels are in the closed positions.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein entering the reverse mode comprises shifting into a reverse gear of the vehicle.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein entering the reverse mode comprises activating a hitching assistance system of the vehicle.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein entering the reverse mode comprises activating a trailer reverse assistance system of the vehicle.

9. A method of operating a system for a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
entering a reverse mode of the vehicle; and
power actuating at least one closure panel of the vehicle from a closed position to an open position in response to at least one of the vehicle entering the reverse mode and receiving a user input entered into a human-machine interface via selection of an input option by a user, wherein the input option is made accessible for selection by the user in response to the vehicle entering the reverse mode.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the at least one closure panel forms aat least a portion of a rear gate assembly of the vehicle.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one closure panel comprises:
a rear glass panel of the vehicle.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of entering the reverse mode of the vehicle comprises shifting the vehicle into a reverse gear.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of entering the reverse mode of the vehicle comprises activating a hitching assistance system of the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of entering the reverse mode of the vehicle comprises activating a trailer reverse assistance system of the vehicle.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Salter Stuart C
• Huebner Annette Lynn
• Brown Kristopher Karl
• Diamond David Michael
• Ford Clayton Benjamin

Classifications

• B60K35/00

  Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles · CPC title

• B60K35/50

  Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle (B60K35/231 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60K35/26

  using acoustic output · CPC title

• B60K35/80

  Arrangements for controlling instruments · CPC title

• B60K35/10

  Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor · CPC title