Many times we have talked about the problem around electrical when they move away from urban environments and, therefore, of the charging infrastructure. Autonomies are currently still quite limited and some users still do not dare to take the plunge for this reason. However, manufacturers are still looking for solutions to make life easier with more capable cars or technical innovations. Now Ford bets on a battery pack on the roof of the vehicle to get out of trouble in emergency situations.
In recent times we are seeing how the brand of lightning continues to bet on the electric mobility and also for off-road vehicles. In the first group, there are flashy models like the Mustang Mach-E, the F-150 Lightning or the upcoming Explorer. In the second group, it is exciting that vehicles like the Bronco will arrive in Europe. Bridging the two worlds, Ford has come up with a mobile solution for off-roaders don’t get stuck in the middle of the road intensive in remote locations. As we say, it is an emergency solution rather than something for daily use.
He accessory consists of a kind of chest similar to roof racks, but made up of a series of cells that form a battery. The details are unknown, since it is hardly a patent registered in the United States Patent Application Publication (USPTO). The idea is that this backup battery is charged at home, mounted in the car for those occasions in which there is no access to recharging and then be able to disassemble it with some ease. Its capacity is not known, nor are the kilometers of extra autonomy that it could provide, but it could be an interesting solution.
The patent makes it clear that it has air ducts that favor its cooling and that it is also proof against almost anything. It has a valve system that can be controlled remotely and that closes it so that water, sand or extreme temperatures do not enter. Although the most interesting thing is that this secondary battery could be communicate with the main of the vehicle to optimize its use. Nor is it stated the weight that an accessory with these characteristics could have, something that will surely penalize the Ford model that decides to mount it.
Source: USPTO
