Future Ford Vehicles May Get Heated Interior Trim

Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for heated interior trim that may be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.

The patent was filed on May 18^th, 2019, published on May 23^rd, 2023, and assigned serial number 11654838.

The Ford Authority Take

Ford has filed a large number of heat-related patents in recent months, a long list that includes heated windshield wiper blades, a heated SecuriCode keypad, a heated windshield washer bottle, a heated side window system, an external heating feature for EVs, an instant cabin heating system, and a heated window system for EVs. Now, this new patent filing follows suit by outlining an idea for heated interior trim that may be used in future Ford vehicles.

As Ford Authority reported earlier this year, FoMoCo engineers have found that utilizing heating surfaces in all-electric models – such as mats and door panels, rather than traditional HVAC systems – could help extend range. As many are already aware, running the air conditioning or heat in an EV can result in significant range loss, which is precisely why Ford previously recommended that owners try and utilize things like heated seats and steering wheels in the winter when possible, rather than running the heater.

That’s precisely what this new patent filing aims to do, too – add heated trim pieces to the interior of vehicles – however, in this case, the idea is to use these pieces to complement existing HVAC systems, rather than replace them. Since traditional HVAC systems have trouble creating uniform heat throughout the cabin, heated trim could help fill in the gaps, making it quite viable for use in future Ford vehicles.

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.