Cargo orientation and alignment

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12576789-B2
Application number	US-202217886694-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 12, 2022
Priority date	Aug 12, 2022
Publication date	Mar 17, 2026
Grant date	Mar 17, 2026

Abstract

An adjustment system includes at least one base plate, at least one accessory supported by the at least one base plate, and a controller that receives input from at least one sensor. The controller determines a position of the at least one accessory on the at least one base plate and makes a recommendation to adjust a position of the at least one accessory within the vehicle cargo area to increase aerodynamic efficiency.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An adjustment system, comprising:
at least one base plate at a first connection interface with a support structure and including a plurality of mounting apertures, wherein the at least one base plate is selectively slidable relative to the support structure to adjust a position of the at least one base plate; at least one accessory supported by the at least one base plate, wherein the at least one accessory includes one or more mounting feet that are selectively engageable within the plurality of mounting apertures to secure the at least one accessory to the at least one base plate via a second connection interface that is different from the first connection interface; and a controller that receives input from at least one sensor, wherein the controller determines a position of the at least one accessory on the at least one base plate based on the input from the at least one sensor and makes a recommendation to adjust a position of the at least one accessory within a vehicle cargo area to increase aerodynamic efficiency.

2 . The adjustment system of claim 1 , wherein the recommendation is made if vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed and/or if distance of travel exceeds a predetermined length.

3 . The adjustment system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one camera, at least one radar sensor, and/or at least one sonar sensor.

4 . The adjustment system of claim 1 , including at least one wireless communication interface between the at least one accessory and the controller to communicate if the at least one accessory is attached to the base plate and/or if the at least one accessory is being charged by a vehicle power source.

5 . An adjustment system, comprising:
at least one base plate; at least one accessory supported by the at least one base plate; a controller that receives input from at least one sensor, wherein the controller determines a position of the at least one accessory on the at least one base plate and makes a recommendation to adjust a position of the at least one accessory within a vehicle cargo area to increase aerodynamic efficiency; a track assembly mounted within the vehicle cargo area and providing at least a first tier track and a second tier track; wherein the at least one base plate has opposing edges supported by the track assembly, wherein a height of the at least one base plate within the vehicle cargo area is varied by switching the at least one base plate between the first tier track and the second tier track; and wherein the controller uses data from the at least one sensor to estimate a size of the at least one accessory, to determine a size and location of empty space within the vehicle cargo area, and to determine a level of the at least one base plate within the vehicle cargo area.

6 . The adjustment system of claim 5 , wherein travel information is communicated to the controller to determine a future vehicle route, wherein the travel information determined from at least one of a route guidance system, a user schedule, or a user smart device to determine a maximum speed and an overall distance of the future vehicle route, and wherein the recommendation is made if the maximum speed exceeds a predetermined speed and/or if the overall distance exceeds a predetermined length.

7 . The adjustment system of claim 6 , wherein the controller uses data from the at least one sensor to determine whether the at least one accessory is level within the vehicle cargo area, and/or to determine if the at least one accessory is connected to the base plate.

8 . The adjustment system of claim 6 , wherein the controller uses data from the at least one sensor to determine if the at least one accessory is higher than a specified level within the vehicle cargo area and makes the recommendation to lower the at least one base plate if the specified level is exceeded.

9 . The adjustment system of claim 6 , wherein the controller uses data from the at least one sensor to determine if empty space is available toward a middle portion of the vehicle cargo area and makes the recommendation to move the at least one accessory to the middle portion if the empty space is large enough to accommodate the at least one accessory.

10 . The adjustment system of claim 6 , wherein the at least one accessory comprises a plurality of accessories with one or more accessories stacked on top of each other, and wherein the controller uses data from the at least one sensor to determine if unstacking accessories will increase aerodynamic efficiency and makes the recommendation of which accessories to unstack.

11 . The adjustment system of claim 6 , wherein the controller uses data from the at least one sensor to determine if aerodynamic efficiency is increased by removing the at least one accessory from a load surface of the at least one base plate and storing the at least one accessory in an open area underneath the at least one base plate, and wherein the controller makes the recommendation if aerodynamic efficiency is increased by moving the at least one accessory to the open area.

12 . The adjustment system of claim 1 , wherein the controller uses data from the at least one sensor to determine whether the at least one accessory is level in relation to a ground surface within a vehicle cargo area associated with the at least one base plate.

13 . The adjustment system of claim 1 , wherein the controller uses data from the at least one sensor to determine if the at least one accessory is connected to the at least one base plate.

14 . The adjustment system of claim 1 , wherein the controller uses data from the at least one sensor to determine a height of the at least one accessory in a vehicle cargo area associated with the at least one base plate.

15 . The adjustment system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor scans the at least one base plate to identify empty space.

16 . The adjustment system of claim 1 , wherein the controller uses data from the at least one sensor to estimate a size of each accessory.

17 . The adjustment system of claim 1 , wherein the controller uses data from the at least one sensor to determine available attachment point locations on the at least one base plate for the at least one accessory.

18 . The adjustment system of claim 1 , wherein the first connection interface comprises a sliding connection interface between a track assembly on the support structure and one or more sliders associated with the at least one base plate, and wherein the plurality of mounting apertures extend through a thickness of the at least one base plate from one surface that supports the at least one accessory to an opposite surface, and wherein the accessory is supported on the one surface of the at least one base plate and the one or more mounting feet extend through the plurality of mounting apertures to engage the opposite surface of the at least one base plate to provide the second connection interface.

19 . The adjustment system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one accessory comprises a plurality of accessories, and wherein the controller uses data from the at least one sensor to determine if any accessory is higher than a specified level within a vehicle cargo area associated with the at least one base plate, and in an accordance with a determination that the specified level is exceeded, the controller makes a recommendation to:
lower the at least one base plate; and/or rearrange the plurality of accessories such that the plurality of accessories are

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Salter Stuart C
• Diamond Brendan
• Glickman David Brian
• Levine Eric Scott
• Wurz William
• Rutman Matthew B

Classifications

• B60Q9/00

  Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 {, e.g. haptic signalling} · CPC title

• B62D35/001

  For commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans · CPC title

• B60R9/06 Primary

  at vehicle front or rear {(rear luggage compartments within vehicle extensible externally of the vehicle body B60R5/041)} · CPC title

• B62D33/02 Primary

  Platforms; Open load compartments {(flat wagons including posts or standards B61D3/08)} · CPC title