Ford working on a roof-mounted battery system for its EVs; patent images leaked

RahulNagaraj · 21st June 2023, 15:25

According to a media report, Ford has filed a patent application for a roof-mounted battery system for its EVs. The new battery system could act as a backup, designed to power the car while being off-grid.

As per the patent, the system houses multiple battery modules, a backup battery assembly, a cord and a connection port mounted atop the roof rack. Drivers can use the cord from the roof-mounted battery system and plug it directly into the EV's charging port to charge its batteries.

Ford working on a roof-mounted battery system for its EVs; patent images leaked-fordevbattery.jpeg

The battery system itself is removable, while the roof rack is flexible and capable of transporting other items as well. Ford also mentioned that the roof-mounted battery system can be sold as an aftermarket item. It can also be leased or rented whenever required.

Another small detail in the images of the roof-mounted battery system was what looked like a Ford Bronco, which has also led to its own speculations.

Source: Electrek

Link to Team-BHP news

BullettuPaandi · 21st June 2023, 23:32

This looks all sorts of wrong, except maybe for dead-straight highways. Such a heavy weight on so top, especially on already tall vehicles!? Even for off-roading won't the weight have enough leverage on the suspension to impair handling?

Dry Ice · 21st June 2023, 23:41

It was inevitable I guess.

First we put batteries in cars, and now we have a powerbank for it!

ramji_or · 22nd June 2023, 07:31

Looking at this, there are a bunch of critical questions pops into our brains straightway,

1. What happens to the centre of gravity of the vehicle and how will it impact the vehicle stability?
2. Passenger cabin sandwich' ed between the batteries on the floor and the roof, Will this design melt people like cheese on a hot sandwich, when involved in an accident?
3. The difference in suspension tune required to satisfy when this accessory is attached to the vehicle and when it is not, is going to be huge. How is it going to be handled?
4. A high-voltage electric cord dangling out of the roof, really?

ZenMaster · 22nd June 2023, 09:13

I think these are just idea patents, it doesn't mean they are going to make it a real thing.

This is so that nobody else patents this idea in their name in case this becomes a reality.

If batteries are light enough, then I don't see why this can't be a solution.

BlueFyre · 24th June 2023, 19:54

Contrary to the critics, from what I understand it seems Ford are trying to develop a powerbank sort of thing that works for a car. It may be rented from one station, used on the go to charge the battery pack and then return to a different location and carry on. This model may be a successful one especially on highways where one doesn’t need to stop at a charging station, wait for a slot in queue, charge the car for a while and then continue. Well it seems Ford are looking for a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist but may be just may be this idea can open up a plethora of new opportunities in the EV sector.

21st June 2023, 15:25	#1
RahulNagaraj Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,666 Thanked: 25,337 Times View My Garage	Ford working on a roof-mounted battery system for its EVs; patent images leaked According to a media report, Ford has filed a patent application for a roof-mounted battery system for its EVs. The new battery system could act as a backup, designed to power the car while being off-grid. As per the patent, the system houses multiple battery modules, a backup battery assembly, a cord and a connection port mounted atop the roof rack. Drivers can use the cord from the roof-mounted battery system and plug it directly into the EV's charging port to charge its batteries. The battery system itself is removable, while the roof rack is flexible and capable of transporting other items as well. Ford also mentioned that the roof-mounted battery system can be sold as an aftermarket item. It can also be leased or rented whenever required. Another small detail in the images of the roof-mounted battery system was what looked like a Ford Bronco, which has also led to its own speculations. Source: Electrek Link to Team-BHP news
	(11) Thanks

21st June 2023, 23:32	#2
BullettuPaandi BHPian Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Tirunelveli Posts: 377 Thanked: 1,042 Times	Re: Ford working on a roof-mounted battery system for its EVs; patent images leaked This looks all sorts of wrong, except maybe for dead-straight highways. Such a heavy weight on so top, especially on already tall vehicles!? Even for off-roading won't the weight have enough leverage on the suspension to impair handling?
	(5) Thanks

21st June 2023, 23:41	#3
Dry Ice Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: -- Posts: 3,617 Thanked: 7,694 Times	Re: Ford working on a roof-mounted battery system for its EVs; patent images leaked It was inevitable I guess. First we put batteries in cars, and now we have a powerbank for it!
	(23) Thanks

22nd June 2023, 07:31	#4
ramji_or BHPian Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Chennai Posts: 86 Thanked: 107 Times	Re: Ford working on a roof-mounted battery system for its EVs; patent images leaked Looking at this, there are a bunch of critical questions pops into our brains straightway, 1. What happens to the centre of gravity of the vehicle and how will it impact the vehicle stability? 2. Passenger cabin sandwich' ed between the batteries on the floor and the roof, Will this design melt people like cheese on a hot sandwich, when involved in an accident? 3. The difference in suspension tune required to satisfy when this accessory is attached to the vehicle and when it is not, is going to be huge. How is it going to be handled? 4. A high-voltage electric cord dangling out of the roof, really?
	(5) Thanks

22nd June 2023, 09:13	#5
ZenMaster BHPian Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Kottayam Posts: 572 Thanked: 2,621 Times	Re: Ford working on a roof-mounted battery system for its EVs; patent images leaked I think these are just idea patents, it doesn't mean they are going to make it a real thing. This is so that nobody else patents this idea in their name in case this becomes a reality. If batteries are light enough, then I don't see why this can't be a solution.
	(3) Thanks

24th June 2023, 19:54	#6
BlueFyre Newbie Join Date: Jun 2023 Location: Raipur Posts: 8 Thanked: 39 Times	Re: Ford working on a roof-mounted battery system for its EVs; patent images leaked Contrary to the critics, from what I understand it seems Ford are trying to develop a powerbank sort of thing that works for a car. It may be rented from one station, used on the go to charge the battery pack and then return to a different location and carry on. This model may be a successful one especially on highways where one doesn’t need to stop at a charging station, wait for a slot in queue, charge the car for a while and then continue. Well it seems Ford are looking for a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist but may be just may be this idea can open up a plethora of new opportunities in the EV sector.
	(1) Thanks