IP Library Granted Patent US 12,576,846
Granted Patent B2
US 12,576,846 · App. 18/594,389 · Granted Mar 17, 2026

Vehicle incremental movement system

Inventors: Bang Kim Cao (Northville, MI); Zubair Feroz (Dearborn, MI); Thirumal Nagadi (Troy, MI); Joseph Jay Torres (Dearborn, MI)
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
B60W30/18054B60W10/08B60W10/184B60W50/00B60W2050/0026B60W2510/20B60W2520/04B60W2710/08B60W2710/18
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,576,846
App. No.
18/594,389
Granted
Mar 17, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system includes a computer having a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to: receive at least one discrete input within a predetermined time period from a human-machine interface while the vehicle is at a standstill; and in response to the at least one discrete input, move the vehicle an incremental distance and returning the vehicle to a standstill.

Claims (60)

1 . A method comprising:

receiving at least one discrete input within a predetermined time period from a human-machine interface while the vehicle is at a standstill; and

in response to the at least one discrete input, moving the vehicle an incremental distance and returning the vehicle to a standstill;

wherein moving the vehicle an incremental distance includes:

commanding a first traction motor to rotate a first wheel of the vehicle while measuring traveled distance of a second wheel of the vehicle;

then, identifying occurrence of gear lash in the rotation of the first wheel; and

then, commanding a second traction motor to rotate the second wheel while measuring traveled distance of the first wheel.

2 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising determining that a steering angle of a steering wheel of the vehicle is outside of a predetermined range; and

wherein moving the vehicle the incremental distance is based on the determination that the steering angle is outside of the predetermined range.

3 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising braking a wheel of the vehicle during movement of the vehicle in the incremental distance to return the vehicle to a standstill.

4 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving more than one discrete input within the predetermined time period; and

calculating the length of the incremental distance based on the number of discrete inputs.

5 . The method as set forth in claim 4 , further comprising:

determining a motor input for the first traction motor and/or the second traction motor based on the length of the incremental distance; and

commanding the first traction motor and/or the second traction motor to rotate based on the motor input.

6 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising receiving more than one discrete input within the predetermined time period and accessing a lookup table to identify a length of the incremental distance based on the number of discrete inputs.

7 . A system comprising:

a computer having a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to:

receive at least one discrete input within a predetermined time period from a human-machine interface while the vehicle is at a standstill; and

in response to the at least one discrete input, move the vehicle an incremental distance and return the vehicle to a standstill;

wherein the instruction to move the vehicle an incremental distance includes an instruction to:

command a first traction motor to rotate a first wheel while measuring traveled distance of a second wheel;

then, identify occurrence of lash in the rotation of the second wheel; and

then, command a second traction motor to rotate the second wheel while measuring traveled distance of the first wheel.

8 . The system as set forth in claim 7 , wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to:

receive an indication that a steering angle of a steering wheel is outside of a predetermined range; and

move the vehicle the incremental distance based on the indication that the steering angle is outside of the predetermined range.

9 . The system as set forth in claim 7 , wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to brake a wheel of the vehicle during movement of the vehicle in the incremental distance to return the vehicle to a standstill.

10 . The system as set forth in claim 7 , wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to:

receive more than one discrete input within the predetermined time period; and

calculate the length of the incremental distance based on the number of discrete inputs.

11 . The system as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to:

determine a motor input for the first traction motor and/or the second traction motor based on the length of the incremental distance; and

command the first traction motor and/or the second traction motor to rotate based on the motor input.

12 . The system as set forth in claim 7 , wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to:

receive more than one discrete input within the predetermined time period; and

access a lookup table to identify a length of the incremental distance based on the number of discrete inputs.

13 . A system comprising:

a computer having a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to:

receive at least one discrete input within a predetermined time period from a human-machine interface while the vehicle is at a standstill;

in response to the at least one discrete input, move the vehicle an incremental distance and returning the vehicle to a standstill; and

determining that a steering angle of a steering wheel of the vehicle is outside of a predetermined range, wherein moving the vehicle the incremental distance is based on the determination that the steering angle is outside of the predetermined range.

14 . The system as set forth in claim 13 , wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to:

command a traction motor to initiate movement in the incremental step from standstill;

measure traveled distance of the wheel of the vehicle from standstill; and

return the vehicle to standstill based on measurement of the traveled distance of the wheel.

15 . The system as set forth in claim 13 , wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to command a traction motor to move the vehicle in the incremental distance.

16 . The system as set forth in claim 15 , wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to brake a wheel of the vehicle during movement of the vehicle in the incremental distance to return the vehicle to a standstill.

17 . The system as set forth in claim 13 , wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to brake a wheel of the vehicle during movement of the vehicle in the incremental distance to return the vehicle to a standstill.

18 . The system as set forth in claim 13 , wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to:

receive more than one discrete input within the predetermined time period; and

calculate the length of the incremental distance based on the number of discrete inputs.

19 . The system as set forth in claim 18 , wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to:

determine a motor input for at least one traction motor based on the length of the incremental distance; and

command the at least one traction motor to rotate based on the motor input.

20 . A method comprising:

receiving at least one discrete input within a predetermined time period from a human-machine interface while the vehicle is at a standstill; and

determining that a steering angle of a steering wheel of the vehicle is outside of a predetermined range;

in response to the at least one discrete input and the determination that the steering angle is outside of the predetermined range, moving the vehicle an incremental distance and returning the vehicle to a standstill.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 4, 2024
From: CAO, BANG KIM; FEROZ, ZUBAIR; NAGADI, THIRUMAL; TORRES, JOSEPH JAY
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 066635/0309 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250276691A1 · Sep 4, 2025
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