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A few current Ford patent filings showcase some fascinating concepts for off-road autos.
An software printed with the US Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) on April 21 describes built-in sand ladders that may be mounted on completely different components of a car.
Sand ladders could be deployed to supply further traction to assist autos get unstuck in sandy situations. They’re often simply stowed onboard, however Ford has proposed having them double as working boards, or simply attaching them to numerous components of an SUV or pickup truck.
Ford built-in sand ladder patent picture
Drawings included with the appliance present sand rails mounted to the grille and tailgate of a pickup truck, on the tube doorways one would possibly count on to be fitted to a Bronco, and within the frunk of an electrical pickup just like the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning.
One other software printed on the similar time describes “strategies and equipment to carry out a tank flip.” That enables a truck to show in its personal size like a tracked navy car. Rivian has already demonstrated an identical characteristic for its R1T electrical pickup.
Ford’s model can also be designed with EVs in thoughts. A central controller instructs particular person motors to drive the entrance and rear wheels in reverse instructions. Ideally, this may be utilized to a four-motor powertrain with one motor powering every wheel, however it will additionally work with twin motors, one for every axle, Ford famous.
Ford tank flip patent picture
The system would additionally apply braking pressure to wheels at reverse corners, such without any consideration entrance and left rear wheel, and alter suspension hundreds on these wheels, to make the tank flip attainable, the doc mentioned.
This is not the primary time Ford has tried to patent a solution to Rivian’s tank flip. One other current submitting described utilizing four-wheel steering to show the entrance and rear wheels in reverse instructions for an off-road crawling characteristic. This in flip appears to construct on a rear-wheel steering patent software printed in 2019.
Ford has been fairly busy with patent functions currently. The automaker has additionally utilized for patents on retractable exhaust suggestions to enhance departure angles whereas off-roading.
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