Future Ford Vehicles May Gain Braking Control Over Towed EVs

January 31, 2024 1:13 pm

Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a system capable of taking over braking control from towed EVs that could be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.

The patent was filed on July 22^nd, 2022, published on January 25^th, 2024, and assigned serial number 0025264.

The Ford Authority Take

Ford has filed a large number of patents pertaining to all-electric vehicles and the act of towing over the past several months, a list that includes ideas such as a system capable of charging batteries in other vehicles and trailers, a system capable of charging recreational vehicles while they’re being towed, a trailer charging assistance system, an electrified charging trailer control system, and a regenerative braking battery charging system, to name just a few. Now, this newly filed patent keeps that trend going by introducing yet another, similar idea – this time, for a system capable of taking over braking control from towed EVs that could be used in future Ford vehicles, too.

As Ford points out in this patent, electric vehicles differ from traditional ICE models in that they oftentimes use electric pumps for lubrication and thermal conditioning of the traction battery and drivetrain. Unlike in an ICE model – which may use mechanical pumps operated by the movement of the vehicle – towing an electrified vehicle with the ignition off or in non-propulsion mode won’t activate the electric pumps, and could cause issues with that process as a result.

As such, Ford proposes using this system as a way to take over the ability of a towed electrified vehicle to brake itself, which could be used in specific situations such as when going down or up steep grades, or other timess when regenerative and/or friction braking might need to be controlled. Given how invested the company is in EVs and electrified vehicles in general, such an idea makes a lot of sense, and it seems quite viable for future use.

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.

By Brett Foote

Brett's lost track of all the Fords he's owned over the years and how much he's spent modifying them, but his current money pits include an S550 Mustang and 13th gen F-150.