Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a deployable cargo panel that could be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on May 20th, 2022, published on October 31st, 2023, and assigned serial number 11801801.
The Ford Authority Take
In recent weeks, Ford has been working to innovate in one specific area of a vehicle – the cargo area – most recently filing a patent for an airbag located between the cabin and cargo area designed to protect occupants from things stored in the rear of a vehicle like a van. Now, this newly filed patent keeps that trend going by introducing a similar idea, this time for a deployable cargo panel that could be used in future Ford vehicles, too.
Rather than using only an airbag to create a protective barrier between cargo and passengers, this patent would employ a door instead, which is a pretty simple yet potentially effective method. The panel would be connected to the roof and flat up against that part when in the stowed position, but could then rotate down into a deployed position, providing a partition between the passenger compartment and cargo area.
The patent also notes that one or more airbags could be mounted on the door as well, providing even more protection in the event of an accident. Of course, there are other potential uses for this patent as well – such as simply creating a barrier between the cargo and passenger areas of a vehicle, keeping those stowed items out of sight and reach. In any event, it’s pretty clear that Ford is looking at ways to improve its future vans/crossovers/SUVs in this regard.
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.
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