IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,377,832
Granted Patent B1
US 12,377,832 · App. 19/046,595 · Granted Aug 5, 2025

Vehicle operation in one-wheel dig mode

Inventor: Keith Weston (Canton, MI)
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
B60W10/184B60K7/00B60W10/04B60W30/182B60W50/082B60W2510/22
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,377,832
App. No.
19/046,595
Granted
Aug 5, 2025
Kind
B1
Abstract

A computer for a vehicle has a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor to apply rotational power to one wheel of a vehicle and apply brake to three other wheels of the vehicle in response to activation of one-wheel dig mode of the vehicle by a human operator of the vehicle. The instructions include instruction to, in response to detection of completion of a hole in ground under the one wheel in the one-wheel dig mode, cease application of rotational power to the one wheel of the vehicle.

Claims (24)

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

apply rotational power to one wheel of a vehicle and apply brake to three other wheels of the vehicle in response to activation of one-wheel dig mode of the vehicle by a human operator of the vehicle; and

in response to detection of completion of a hole in ground under the one wheel in the one-wheel dig mode, cease application of rotational power to the one wheel of the vehicle.

2. The computer as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the instructions include instructions to receive selection of any one wheel of the vehicle as the one wheel to which rotational power is applied in the one-wheel dig mode.

3. The computer as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the instructions include instructions to cease application of rotational power to the one wheel of the vehicle in response to detection of movement of the vehicle at the three other wheels of the vehicle during application of rotational power to the one wheel in one-wheel dig mode.

4. The computer as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the instructions include instructions to cease application of rotational power to the one wheel of the vehicle in response to detection of a living being in a surrounding of the vehicle during application of rotational power to the one wheel in one-wheel dig mode.

5. The computer as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the instructions include instructions to adjust suspension components of the vehicle to exert force on the one wheel of the vehicle to which rotational power is applied in the one-wheel dig mode in response to activation of the one-wheel dig mode.

6. The computer as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the instructions include instructions to increase ride height of the one wheel to which rotational power is applied in the one-wheel dig mode and to decrease ride height to the three other wheels in response to activation of one-wheel dig mode of the vehicle by the human operator of the vehicle.

7. The computer as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the instructions include instructions to adjust at least one suspension component to increase ride height at the one wheel to which rotational power is applied in the one-wheel dig mode and to decrease ride height at the three other wheels in response to activation of one-wheel dig mode of the vehicle by the human operator of the vehicle.

8. The computer as set forth in claim 7 , wherein the instructions include instructions to detect completion of the hole by the one wheel in one-wheel dig mode based on detection of a suspension component for the one wheel being at full droop.

9. The computer as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the instructions include instructions to detect completion of the hole by the one wheel in one-wheel dig mode based on detection of a suspension component for the one wheel being at full droop.

10. The computer as set forth in claim 1 , wherein applying rotational power to the one wheel includes applying power to a traction motor of the one wheel.

11. The computer as set forth in claim 1 , wherein applying rotational power to the one wheel includes controlling engagement of driveline components to transfer rotational power from an engine to the one wheel.

12. The computer as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the instructions to apply brake to three other wheels of the vehicle in response to activation of one-wheel dig mode includes instructions to prevent rotation of the three other wheels.

13. A method comprising:

applying rotational power to one wheel of a vehicle and applying brake to three other wheels of the vehicle in response to activation of one-wheel dig mode of the vehicle by a human operator of the vehicle; and

in response to detection of completion of a hole in ground under the one wheel in the one-wheel dig mode, ceasing application of rotational power to the one wheel of the vehicle.

14. The method as set forth in claim 13 , further comprising receiving selection of any one wheel of the vehicle as the one wheel to which rotational power is applied in the one-wheel dig mode.

15. The method as set forth in claim 13 , further comprising ceasing application of rotational power to the one wheel of the vehicle in response to detection of movement of the vehicle at the three other wheels of the vehicle during application of rotational power to the one wheel in one-wheel dig mode.

16. The method as set forth in claim 13 , further comprising ceasing application of rotational power to the one wheel of the vehicle in response to detection of a living being in a surrounding of the vehicle during application of rotational power to the one wheel in one-wheel dig mode.

17. The method as set forth in claim 13 , further comprising adjusting suspension components of the vehicle to exert force on the one wheel of the vehicle to which rotational power is applied in the one-wheel dig mode in response to activation of the one-wheel dig mode.

18. The method as set forth in claim 13 , further comprising increasing ride height of the one wheel to which rotational power is applied in the one-wheel dig mode and decreasing ride height to the three other wheels in response to activation of one-wheel dig mode of the vehicle by the human operator of the vehicle.

19. The method as set forth in claim 13 , further comprising adjusting at least one suspension component to increase ride height at the one wheel to which rotational power is applied in the one-wheel dig mode and decreasing ride height at the three other wheels in response to activation of one-wheel dig mode of the vehicle by the human operator of the vehicle.

20. The method as set forth in claim 13 , further comprising detecting completion of the hole by the one wheel in one-wheel dig mode based on detection of a suspension component for the one wheel being at full droop.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 6, 2025
From: WESTON, KEITH
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 070127/0492 →
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