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Automakers usually focus on modular architectures that can be utilized for a number of fashions, however a newly surfaced Ford patent submitting takes the idea of modularity to a different degree.
The appliance, which was printed by the USA Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) on Jan. 2, and initially filed on Apr. 28, 2021, basically describes constructing an EV like a life-size mannequin package.
Meeting would begin with a subframe constructed across the car’s battery pack, with adjustable crossmembers and facet rails to accommodate completely different fashions and their distinctive dimensions. Extra entrance and rear subframes with motors, suspension parts, and wheels may then be bolted to the ends of this meeting.
Lastly, a physique is bolted on prime of the rolling chassis. Ford makes use of an F-Collection Tremendous Obligation because the illustration within the patent utility, however claims this methodology might be utilized to quite a lot of completely different car sorts.
Ford modular chassis patent picture
The thought of a whole chassis with swappable our bodies goes again to Common Motors’ Autonomy and Hy-Wire idea automobiles of the early 2000s. And EV startup Canoo has designed a full “skateboard” chassis it goals to make use of for electrical vans and presumably pickups. However Ford is proposing further components to additional differentiate EV fashions.
The automaker means that wheel and suspension assemblies might be inverted to lift floor clearance for pickup vehicles and SUVs, or lowered for sports activities automobiles. And the automaker discusses “efficiency packages” with completely different motors that may be simply swapped due to common mounting {hardware}.
It is unclear if Ford will put any of those concepts into apply. Automakers do not at all times use the engineering work they patent on manufacturing automobiles, in spite of everything. And one thing as radical as this may possible require huge adjustments at meeting crops, suppliers, and presumably crash buildings.
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