Ford Files Patent With Innovative Drive-Up Battery Swapping System for EVs

Ford has been reported to have filed for a patent on an unconventional battery-swapping system that will contribute to the revolution of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

The patent application was initially filed in July 19, 2018 and now was recently published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) back in May 14, 2024. In detail, Ford’s patent entails a drive-up docking station method that utilizes a vehicle’s own power to facilitate battery swaps.

Compared to traditional EV battery swapping setups, it usually involves removing heavy battery packs beneath the EV, whereas Ford’s patent proposes a different but more streamlined approach that includes EVs featuring individual battery modules that can be efficiently disconnected and exchanged from the rear of the EV. As a result, this will allow Ford owners to park at a docking station similar to pulling up to a charging point.

In regards to this, a major advantage includes the elimination of the long process of detaching and handling entire battery packs. Moreover, the patent also includes the use of self-aligning connectors for the battery modules, which will make the docking and undocking procedures more convenient. Furthermore, Ford’s patent will be flexibly applicable to potential applications ranging from EVs and hybrids to battery-powered machinery such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and watercraft.

As of now, Ford’s innovative battery-swapping system has made no news to progress to the production state. However, the signaling of the patent being filed again shows the company’s dedication to pushing for the initiative. With Ford’s forward-thinking approach to addressing the challenges of EV charging infrastructure, innovative solutions like Ford’s drive-up battery swapping system could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of electric mobility.

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