Ford’s Innovative Approach to EV Charging
Ford is exploring a new method of charging EV battery packs by utilizing multiple charge ports simultaneously to reduce charging times.
This groundbreaking concept was detailed in a recent patent filing published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on November 12, 2024. The initial filing by Ford dates back to December 8, 2021. The patent showcases a setup featuring dual charging ports, with each port responsible for charging a specific portion of the battery pack from a single power source.
Ford dual charge port patent image
The patent discusses a unique “partition” system that enables two or more sections of the battery pack to be charged individually or combined for standard charging. This tandem charging process would be facilitated by an adapter that splits power from a single connector to reach the two charge ports on the vehicle.
Unlike General Motors’ double-layer approach in vehicles like the GMC Hummer EV, GMC Sierra EV, and Chevrolet Silverado EV, Ford’s partitioning of the battery pack does not involve parallel-connected individual packs. Instead, Ford’s system focuses on efficient charging through dual ports.
Ford dual charge port patent image
In a separate 2022 patent filing, General Motors also explored the use of multiple ports for efficient charging, with a configuration that allowed both layers of the battery pack to be charged individually from different ports.
While some EVs like the Porsche Taycan and Audi E-Tron GT already feature dual charge ports for convenience, Ford’s innovative approach aims to revolutionize the charging process by enabling simultaneous charging from multiple ports. If this concept comes to fruition, it could pave the way for faster and more efficient EV charging technology.