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Future Ford Vehicles Could Get Adaptive Mud Flaps

Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for adaptive mud flaps that may be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.

The patent was filed on November 21st, 2022, published on May 23rd, 2024, and assigned serial number 0166271.

Ford Patent Adaptive Mud Flaps

The Ford Authority Take

Last October, Ford filed a patent for deployable splash guards, which would be capable of deploying when needed to protect the vehicle from things like rocks and mud, then retract up into the wheel well when they aren’t needed. It’s an interesting idea for sure, and one that many would likely appreciate – particularly those that don’t necessarily like the looks of splash guards, but do like the protection they provide. Now, the automaker has filed yet another, similar patent for adaptive mud flaps that may be used in future Ford vehicles, too.

Ford Patent Adaptive Mud Flaps

The concept behind this patent is essentially the same as the aforementioned filing in that Ford believes mud flaps can be quite useful in certain situations, but in others – such as off-roading, when clearance issues can arise from their use – those same pieces could be detrimental or even be damaged as a result.

Ford Patent Adaptive Mud Flaps

Thus, this system would be able to use sensors and cameras to automatically detect road surfaces, and then determine if it’s appropriate to deploy the mud flaps or not. This could even happen individually, with one or two mud flaps being deployed if needed while the others would stay retracted, depending on conditions. It’s yet another potentially useful idea that could prove useful in future Ford vehicles, making it possible that adaptive mud flaps may one day come to life.

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.

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.

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Comments

  1. Ridiculousness. How about a Digital Smokers’ Package? The interior camera sees the driver or front passenger fishing out a cigarette and automatically activates a lighter and cracks open the appropriate window. They laid off the wrong 800 engineers.

    Reply
    1. I have to agree. Every hour spent on this effort is an hour not spent on making existing products and processes more reliable. Reassign this person or team to supplier quality.

      Reply
  2. Given that Ford is now the industry leader in recalls, it would be a good idea for Recall Motors to ditch this idea.

    Reply

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