Future Ford Vehicles Could Get Smarter About Charging Phones

Future Ford Vehicles Could Get Smarter About Charging Phones

Posted on December 13, 2024

Ford has filed a new patent that could redefine how we charge devices in future Ford vehicles, focusing on battery efficiency and user convenience. This patent, submitted in December 2023 and published in October 2024 under serial number 12123384, outlines an innovative system that would manage device charging more intelligently within vehicles, an idea born from the growing demand for in-vehicle device charging. This concept aims to prevent unwanted drain on the vehicle's battery while keeping devices like smartphones, laptops, and tablets charged.

The patent follows another device-oriented concept from Ford that emerged last April. That system proposed a combined wireless charging and UV sanitizing tray for cell phones, allowing users to both charge and sanitize their devices on the go. This newly patented system, however, takes things further by monitoring how much charge a connected device needs and assessing its impact on the vehicle’s battery.

Ford’s proposed system would go a step further by automatically managing device charging. If the system detects that the connected device is drawing more power than a set threshold and potentially draining the car’s battery, it can alert the driver or even delay charging until the engine is running. In critical cases, the system might even start the vehicle’s engine to maintain battery life, ensuring the vehicle remains operable without compromising device charging.

This potential innovation would be a welcome safeguard for drivers who frequently use in-car charging. With this system, drivers could feel confident that their car battery is protected from overuse, even with multiple devices plugged in. If implemented, this technology could make Ford vehicles more user-friendly and reliable, aligning with modern drivers’ needs for both connectivity and vehicle readiness.