Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a dual zone climate controlled frunk that may be used in future Ford EVs, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on March 3rd, 2023, published on September 5th, 2024, and assigned serial number 0292815.
Back in December 2023, Ford published a patent for a climate controlled frunk for all-electric vehicles, which makes quite a bit of sense given the fact that it could present users with a ton of added functionality – such as the ability to use the frunk as a cooler for drinks while tailgating or even when transporting refrigerated goods such as food from the store to their homes. However, there may be times when one needs to transport items that need to be held at different temperatures, which is where this new patent filing for a dual zone climate controlled frunk comes into play, which may also wind up being used in future Ford EVs.
As one might have guessed, this patent concept revolves around the idea of utilizing two different compartments in the frunk of an EV, which would be separated via a divider. The system would be able to detect if the divider is in place, and if it is, offer users the ability to control the temperature of each side independently. From there, the vehicles climate control system would handle that task, transforming the frunk of an EV into one big fridge or freezer.
The benefits of such a system are pretty obvious – it would enable owners to transport things like refrigerated and frozen items separately, keeping both at an optimum temperature. This would be perfect not only for trips to the grocery store, but also, longer drives to purchase perishable items, or even tailgates and parking lot parties. As such, it certainly seems feasible that this concept will one day become a reality, though as is always the case with patents, that isn’t a certainty.
Nobody expects to win Nürburgring right away.
Packing over 530 horses and an extended-range battery.
It's one of only four built in total.
Step aside, Caddy. Lincoln is the big man on campus now.
The new RBR team boss - and Ford's CEO - love the idea.
It can still be ordered as a standalone option.
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Come on F O R D..... Are you Building Car's???? Or Household Items??? Stop with the Silliness and try to BUILD A Decent Automobile that Works. Your Technicians are having enough trouble "trying" to FIX your Products Now. They don't need a Toaster in the FRUNK to have to deal with, let alone all the RECALL'S they Gotta Do!!! Leave the COOKING to Hamilton Beach will ya!!
Agree with Boomer. With quality at an all time low, get all those engineers on job 1 quality that gets Ford into the top Consumer Report listing on all models. Then, Ford cars will sell well.
AMEN! Ford needs too FOCUS on making reliable vehicles that people want to buy. Reliability measured by low warranty and recall #s and costs. Market success measured by the number of segments where it is #1 and not an also ran. In reality GM is #1 in pickups, its just that they produce the same truck under two separate names. Patents mean nothing if a firm is an also ran. These engineers need to focus on what's really needed, not dreaming up "maybes" .
I agree with Boomer also. Instead, bring back the Ford Edge and give a free ice cooler that can be carried in the back, and taken out to the picnic table.
They are already on the market and a lot less money and then can be right at the picnic table and not have to go back to the vehicle for more food or drinks.
First of all, the photo of food on ice in the frunk is ludicrous. No sane person is going to turn their frunk into a serving table, especially with dipping sauce to spill all over the paint job. Secondly, if some insane person did this, I certainly would not eat any of the food out of the disgusting cargo space. Furthermore, you don't need an EV with a frunk to stage this stupidity. Anyone could easily stage ice and food in their trunk with people hanging out, grabbing food and dipping sauce.
Those people in the photo, their smiling and laughing at the stupidity of the activity being staged. A frunk or trunk with climate control, let alone dual climate control, give me a break.
Can you please listen to your customers? Just build good looking reliable affordable vehicles! Stop wasting money on all this nonsense
Ford has lost it. Can’t fix the current problems they have, but sit around dreaming up lame ideas. How about actually shipping out the Tesla charge adapters you promised customers a year ago. Still waiting…