Future Ford Vehicles Could Get Deployable Splash Guards

Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for deployable splash guards that could be used on future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.

The patent was filed on April 26^th, 2022, published on October 26^th, 2023, and assigned serial number 0339547.

The Ford Authority Take

With off-roading more popular than ever before, Ford is not only launching more and more off-road-focused models, but also, the automaker has filed a host of patents aiming to innovate in that space as well. Most recently, this list includes filings for things like a deployable trail sight and energy absorbing rock rails, but now, that trend continues with another interesting concept for deployable splash guards.

Splash guards or mud guards have been around for a very long time, but typically require owners to either drill into their vehicles to install, or clip on in some manner. Either way, the guards hang down behind the tires – which prevents rocks and other debris or things like mud from flying up and damaging the paintwork, though they also tend to look pretty unsightly, at least to some. Thus, Ford is aiming to rectify that problem by creating splash guards that can retract up into the wheel well when they aren’t needed.

The idea here is quite simple – the deployable splash guards would utilize a movable flap that switches between a stowed and deployed position, which could be activated in a number of ways. Aside from letting owners choose when that might happen, the system could also automatically deploy the guards based on data gathered by sensors, determining whether they’re needed or not. It’s an interesting idea for certain, and one that could very well show up as a feature on future Ford vehicles at some point.

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