Ford’s Innovative Leap: Patent Filing Reveals Potential for EV Charging While Driving

Ford continues to explore the possibility of wireless charging during transit

Ford has submitted a fresh patent application for equipment that would enable electric vehicles to power up on the move.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently released a patent application from Ford dated August 15. The application, which Ford had previously submitted within the year, outlines a technique to synchronize the wireless charging coils on electric vehicles with corresponding coils that are integrated into the street.

Inductive charging without wires operates by sending electrical current through a pair of coil sets, where coils embedded within the road are linked to a power supply. The effectiveness of this system hinges on the vehicle's precise positioning over the road's coil sequence. Therefore, Ford is exploring methods to ensure accurate alignment that go beyond the driver's steering efforts to stay directly over the coils.

Image depicting Ford's patented technology for wireless electric vehicle charging embedded in

In an earlier patent released by the USPTO in 2023 regarding Ford's wireless charging technology, the current emphasis lies on employing ground-penetrating radar to enhance the vehicle's ability to locate the charging coils more accurately.

Radar technology might not only find the coils but also assess their functionality, suggesting lane changes to the driver and alerting repair teams about any coils that aren't working. Ford's proposal also indicates that cars might interact, possibly deciding on lane usage based on their battery levels.

Image of Ford's patent for wireless EV charging embedded in the roadway

According to Ford's application, drivers have the option to manually navigate their cars across coils, receiving navigational prompts through a head-up display or a comparable system. However, Ford also proposes different degrees of vehicle automation. The car could receive assistance akin to current active lane-keeping technologies to guide it properly, or fully hands-free driving features such as Ford's BlueCruise could manage the entire process.

It remains to be seen if Ford's technology will be implemented widely, but the sector dedicated to wireless charging through induction is making strides towards being a real alternative to traditional charging methods involving ports and cords—possibly revolutionizing the electric vehicle industry in a similar manner to how wireless technology transformed the use of smartphones.

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