Future Ford Vehicles Could Get Hitch Mounted Sound Exciter

Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a hitch mounted sound exciter that may be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.

The patent was filed on August 9^th, 2022, published on February 13^th, 2024, and assigned serial number 11902763.

The Ford Authority Take

While Ford files a large number of patents – at least one or two per day, on average – few of those recent filings have pertained specifically to audio systems. In fact, in recent history, that list includes just one – an idea for a multi-vehicle audio system that that could essentially pair the audio systems of multiple vehicles together, creating a bit of an impromptu, mobile surround sound system. Now, however, the automaker has filed a new patent for something rather interesting – a hitch mounted sound exciter that may be used in future Ford vehicles, too.

Outside of the fact that Ford calls this apparatus an exciter – rather than a speaker, which is what it is – the concept here is quite simple. It would give owners a way to mount a speaker in the rear of their vehicle via its hitch, which would obtain power from the vehicle as well. What makes this particular speaker unique is the fact that it would reside inside of one or more rigid panels – or “umbrellas,” as Ford calls them – which would presumably protect that unit from the elements.

This speaker could be stowed away when not needed, and then deployed when it’s time to start the proverbial party, making it a rather interesting idea for sure. FoMoCo has certainly been focusing on ways to use vehicles as tailgate vessels in recent years, and this may just be the next way it accomplishes that goal.

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.