Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for an integrated truck bed for power outlets, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on October 4th, 2022, published on January 26th, 2023, and assigned serial number 0024841.
The Ford Authority Take
Ford’s Pro Power Onboard generator has become one of its most popular features since debuting on the 2021 Ford F-150, earning its fair share of accolades and expanding to the E-Transit, the redesigned 2023 Ford Super Duty, and all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning. Ford has also filed its fair share of truck-related patents in recent months, including one for a movable step that could be used on Ford pickups, a modular storage system, a unique cargo management system, a multi-panel bed, a two-panel cab back for unibody pickups, magnetic pickup beds, and a pickup truck bed to cab pass through system. Now this new Ford patent continues that trend in a new way.
This new Ford patent builds upon the existing Pro Power Onboard system by introducing a sensor assembly, which would be capable of detecting the presence of an electrical power cord. Additionally, a controller is present that could communicate with the sensor and generate an action if it detects that an electrical power cord is present.
The idea here is fairly simple – the system would be used to warn the operator if the bed-mounted electrical outlet is in use, which could prevent them from driving away with something plugged in. The system would also be able to detect if an object is present in the bed or on the tailgate, as well as whether or not the tailgate is in the lowered position. Additionally, the system would be able to close the tailgate or even tonneau cover if it determines that this is the right course of action.
It’s an interesting idea for certain, but one that isn’t terribly far fetched – in fact, the Pro Power Onboard system already alerts the driver if it’s in use. However, this patent takes things just a step further, automating processes that we might otherwise do ourselves.
We’ll have more on this and all Ford patents soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford patent news, Ford business news, and comprehensive Ford news coverage.
Comment
The F150 PowerBoost deserves more press coverage. That’s a truck that actually works like a truck. Far superior to the Lightning and, frankly, better than the ICE model since you can run all kinds of toys off it.