Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for adaptive puddle lights that could be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on April 4th, 2022, published on April 4th, 2023, and assigned serial number 11618373.
The Ford Authority Take
Puddle lamps have become an increasingly common feature on new vehicles in recent years, giving owners some additional visibility when getting in and out of those vehicles in the dark. In some cases, automakers use these puddle lamps to also display a logo or symbol, which makes them a bit more interesting, visually speaking. Ford is no stranger to innovating in this space either, having recently filed patents for a configurable puddle lamp control system and a puddle lamp that could project an EV’s charge status. Now, this newly filed patent introduces yet another, similar idea for adaptive puddle lamps that could be used in future Ford vehicles.
The idea here is to enhance the ability of puddle lamps by enabling them to display all different types of images, not only when someone is getting in or out of the vehicle, but also approaching it. The system could also project all sorts of things including EV charge status, graphical designs, interior cabin temperature, fuel level, or other types of diagnostic information. This system would also be able to change the color, text, and other variables of these projections, too – making them more visible in all kinds of lighting.
There are many different things that this system could be used for, ranging from decorative projections to informative ones, but what sets this patent apart from others is the fact that the system would be capable of adjusting its projection to account for lighting conditions and other variables. Given how popular puddle lamps have become in recent years, it seems like the next step in that evolution, too.
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 continuous Ford news coverage.
Comments
Another example of a dumb-@ss, useless feature. What’s next …. A built in espresso maker? A built in cupcake carrier? What about a 3D printer? At lease with the 3D printer you could print your own parts when there is a recall.
Concentrate on making better, more reliable vehicles.
How about an adaptive lower price tag? These vehicles are already pricing many out of the market.