The patent was filed on April 12, 2024, published on October 16, 2025, and assigned serial number 0319780.
Ford has published a growing number of patents aimed at improving the EV ownership experience, particularly when it comes to charging. Those filings include ideas such as charging cables with integrated LED lighting to help identify charging faults. This latest concept takes a more mechanical approach, but one that could prove just as useful.
The idea behind the swivel joint is straightforward. Charging cables often twist, kink, or bind as they are handled, especially when stored or used repeatedly. By incorporating a rotating joint into the charge plug itself, Ford aims to reduce cable strain and prevent tangling while making it easier to align and connect the plug to the vehicle’s charge port.
Swivel joints are already common in other applications where hoses or cables are frequently handled, such as pressure washers and spray tools. Applying the same principle to EV charging hardware could help reduce wear on charging cables and improve ease of use, particularly in tight parking spaces or awkward charging port locations.
As with all patent filings, this concept does not guarantee future production use. However, it highlights Ford’s continued focus on refining EV charging ergonomics and improving everyday usability for electric vehicle owners.
“Submitting patent applications is a normal part of any strong business as the process protects new ideas and helps us build a robust portfolio of intellectual property,” Ford said in a statement. “The ideas described within a patent application should not be viewed as an indication of our business or product plans. No matter what the patent application outlines, we will always put the customer first in the decision-making behind the development and marketing of new products and services.”