Ford has filed a patent for a magnetic EV charger that allows drivers to charge without having to get out of the vehicle.
Filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on November 1, 2022, this application shows how electric vehicle charging can be more automated, eliminating the need to plug in a physical cable, saving money time and effort.
Ford’s magnetic EV charger patent image
In addition to the regular charging port, Ford suggests mounting EVs (and plug-in hybrids) with a second port located in the bumper. For charging, the vehicle is maneuvered to align this port with the charger, both with magnets to secure connection.
This will be a form of conductive charging, with a physical connection between the vehicle and the charger, rather than inductive wireless charging, in which electricity is transmitted through an air gap, Ford notes in the app, adding that add that this hardware can be configured for AC or DC charging.
Ford’s magnetic EV charger patent image
To help align the vehicle with the charger, the app also requires some degree of coupling to trigger a connection “as long as the driver is close” to the charger. Given the mounting position on the bumper of the charging port, this sounds a bit like the reverse to hook up a trailer, something Ford has tried to take away from the guesswork with its professional Trailer Fallback Assist system and Professional trailer hitch support.
As with all new automotive technology, the appearance of a patent application does not confirm production intent. However, Ford isn’t the first automaker to try to get rid of the charging cable. Ram revealed a Inductive charging robot next to the Revolution BEV electric truck concept, while the Tesla shows a little unsettling robot charger prototype in 2015. General Motors didn’t reveal anything comparable, but tried to patent it dual charging port for added energy flexibility.
