Ford patents the company filed represent interesting and creative ideas to make driving safer, controllable, and more convenient. Here we inform you of several of them published in March.

Ford patents are multiple and related to various areas. The patents are regularly reported by Ford Authority, and we will only mention a few, lately published ones, without much detail.

Hands-Free Charging

Ford offers a hands-free charging solution that allows a vehicle to charge itself without interaction from its owner. Also, the company works on a charging system for owners of plug-in hybrids and electric cars. The system requires no installation of charging stations in homes or connection of the vehicle to a charger.

Other, earlier charging-related ideas of Ford include portable battery packs, an inflatable solar-powered charging bubble, a flat-towing charging method, and a cable to charge EVs at a much quicker rate than existing stations.

Wet Seat Detection and Mitigation System

This is the technology to determine a wet area in the cabin (spilled water or something worse) and to actuate an actuator to cause a clean the surface. The system comprises a processor and a memory to store processor-executable instructions.

This new patent is preceded by another patent on the same theme: a seat with a built-in moisture detector to determine excess moisture present in seat channels and dry them.

Hydroplaning Prevention System

The new patent focuses on preventing hydroplaning when a car loses control on wet surfaces. Based on using the vehicle’s sensors, weather reports, topographical data to determine where and when hydroplaning could happen, and to find a way to control the steering, throttle, brakes.

Side Airbag with Adaptive Positioning

This new patent continues Ford’s previous airbag-related ideas/patents, such as an externally-mounted system for rollover accidents, a seat assembly with a pivotable armrest and airbag, airbags for removable doors, for autonomous vehicles with a retractable table, and a seat bottom-mounted airbag system.

Now the company adds adaptive positioning to the conventional side airbag for it to work more effectively if a crash occurs. In this case, the airbag is mounted to a seat rail and can slide along the rail when a passenger moves the seat from upright to a reclined position – this allows inflation of the airbag in a position relative to the angle of the seat.