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US 9,933,294 B1Granted
Vehicle load indicator
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsStuart C. Salter, Annette Lynn Huebner, Paul Kenneth Dellock
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for a vehicle comprises a load sensor configured to sense a load on the vehicle. The vehicle further includes a load indicator where the load indicator is disposed proximate the vehicle such that the load indicator generates an output in response to the load sensed by the load sensor.
Claims20
A load indicator system for a vehicle, comprising:
- a load indicator disposed outside of the vehicle;
- a load sensor for sensing a load in a vehicle bed;
- a controller in communication with the load indicator and the load sensor wherein the controller is configured to:
- receive a detection of an operator proximate the vehicle;
- and
- activate the load indicator to generate an output in response to the load sensed by the load sensor and the detection of the operator proximate the vehicle.
3 more elements
A load indicator system for a vehicle comprising:
- one or more load indicators coupled to the vehicle;
- a load sensor under a vehicle bed;
- and
- a controller in communication with the one or more load indicators and the load sensor, wherein the controller is configured to:
- receive a first vehicle status input indicative of a departure of the operator from the vehicle proximity and a second vehicle status input indicative of a return of the operator to the vehicle proximity;
- and
- activate the one or more load indicators to generate an output in response to a load sensed by the load sensor in combination with the first and second vehicle status inputs indicating the departure and the return of the vehicle operator.
4 more elements
A method for indicating a vehicle load, comprising the steps of:
- detecting an operator within a proximity of a vehicle,
- detecting a load in a vehicle bed,
- comparing the load to a payload weight change history in response to detecting an operator within a proximity of the vehicle, and
- activating a load indicator outside of the vehicle to display a load state.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.