Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a hands-free EV charging system that may be used in future Ford EVs, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on April 26th, 2022, published on May 14th, 2024, and assigned serial number 11981224.
The Ford Authority Take
The concept of wireless and hands-free EV charging is one that several entities have explored as of late, largely because it makes a ton of sense. Those efforts include a company called WiTricity equipping a Ford Mustang Mach-E with wireless charging technology, the very first public EV charging roadway opening up near Michigan Central Station recently, and a variety of Ford patent filings for ideas such as a roadway charging coil alignment and monitoring system, a hands-free charging system, an EV charging pad with wireless charging, and another type of hands-free charging system – all of which have now been joined by this freshly filed patent revolving around the same sort of idea.
Here we have yet another idea for a hands-free EV charging system from Ford, this time, focused on a type of shroud that guides a charge plug into the charge port on a vehicle automatically. Otherwise, the concept here is the same as the aforementioned patent filings, as in, Ford is aiming to enable EV owners to pull into a charging station and plug up without having to lift a finger – or even get out of the vehicle.
To do this, the EV and the charge station would communicate with each other via Bluetooth or WiFi, after which the charger would gather information about the vehicle and then move its connector accordingly. Magnets would be used to secure the port, and the vehicle would automatically disable the driver’s ability to move it while the charging process is being completed. Once the charging session is finished or terminated, the plug would be removed and the driver could head out on their merry way – making this a potentially convenient way to charge on the go if it becomes a reality.
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Comments
The need of a direct metallic plug is still the most effective way to charge. Wireless charging has losses and is less effective. For now, the J1772 plug is the most common means for recharging.
Seems like they would do it like the AGV’s have been doing it for years through a stationary ‘opportunity’ charging system below the vehicle. A number of AGV system’s park over these stationary charging pads and charge while they are waiting for their next mission.