Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a vehicle-powered air purifying respirator that may be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on August 7th, 2020, published on July 23rd, 2024, and assigned serial number 12042680.
The Ford Authority Take
From the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, Ford set out to help combat it by producing its Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) using existing components, which it then provided to health care workers and first responders. Some time later, the automaker also created a clear N95 mask for those with hearing impairments, and has also explored ideas for in-vehicle sanitization systems. Now, this newly published patent originally filed back in 2020 keeps that trend going with an idea for a vehicle-powered air purifying respirator that may be used in future Ford vehicles, too.
In this new patent, Ford proposes the use of a vehicle to power air purifying respirators, which utilize a blower to force air through air filter canisters or cartridges into a breathing zone for users. Such a system is designed to prevent particles, gases, or vapors from entering the breathing zone, but they require some sort of power to operate.
In the case of this patent, that power source could one day come from a vehicle, which would utilize a special electrical control system to do precisely that. As was the case before, Ford proposes using “off the shelf” parts for such an endeavor, which makes sense given the fact that this approach can lower costs by a significant margin. If it comes to fruition, this system would make it easier to utilize a PAPR on the go, which could prove useful for first responders, if nothing else.
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.
Comments
A built in respirator is not necessary and will cost more than an ordinary off the shelf unit. Just add a new 120 VAC power outlet to normal gas cars. All Ford hybrids and electrics have the outlet built in.
Literally my 2022 Ford F550 has this capability. The truck runs all my other off grid power tools.