Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a system capable of capturing wheel dust particles that may be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on January 23rd, 2024, published on August 8th, 2024, and assigned serial number 0261797.
The Ford Authority Take
Brake dust has long been viewed as an annoyance, something that most of us have spent a lot of time cleaning off of our wheels – particularly on performance-focused vehicles with larger brakes that tend to generate even more dust than average ones. Problem is, some recent studies have found that brake dust can be extremely dangerous to humans, even causing inflammation and reducing the ability of one’s immune cells to kill bacteria. However, this newly published Ford patent may provide us with a way to help reduce that risk.
In this patent, the automaker presents us with an idea for a system capable of capturing wheel dust particles that may be used in future Ford vehicles, which is rather interesting, to say the least. It would accomplish this via a guide channel located in the wheel well with at least one inlet opening, as well as a system that could spray liquid, if needed.
From there, as the wheel spins, the system would be able to capture brake dust via the guide channel. The liquid spraying system would assist in this process by wetting the surface and preventing the dust from re-entering the air as well, while the particles would eventually move through a collecting element for disposal later on. Given the newly-discovered and potentially serious health risks associated with brake dust, such a system certainly has some merit, and may ultimately come to fruition in some way, shape, or form, even if it differs from this proposed design.
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 non-stop Ford news coverage.
Comments
This is unneccessary because electric vehicles use much less of the hydraulic brakes than gasoline vehicles due to regeneration. Only at panic braking and very slow speeds is when some pad wear happens. Ask any EV owner if they had any pad replacements. I have a 2014 Fusion Hybrid and the brake pads are still the factory original installed parts. I never had to replace them. My only worn parts were the tires and wiper blades in ten years.
Excellent idea. I loved my white mustang for how well it hid dirt; all except for the brake dust that would practically become magnetized when airborne. I spent entirely too much time cleaning dust off. Can’t believe it has taken this much time for someone to try to address this.
Just buy Carbo-Tech or Power Stop low dust brake pads. Dust is virtually eliminated.
Ford’s high tech answer is just one more thing to add cost and break down.
Great idea.
So people will use the rubbish can in their garage or dump along side their driveway for disposal. Breathe in, breathe out…Gotta machinehead….
Why do these new patents seem like high school science projects?