Ford Opens Portfolio of Patented Technologies to Competitors to Accelerate Industry-Wide Electrified Vehicle Development
May 28 2015 - 12:01AM
Business Wire
- Ford is opening its portfolio of
electrified vehicle technology patents to competitive automakers to
accelerate industry-wide research and development of electrified
vehicles
- In 2014, Ford filed for 400-plus
electrified vehicle patents – more than 20 percent of the total
patents the company applied for last year
- Ford is set to hire an additional 200
electrified vehicle engineers this year as the team moves into a
newly dedicated facility – Ford Engineering Laboratories – home to
Henry Ford’s first laboratories
Ford Motor Company is offering competitors access to its
electrified vehicle technology patents – a move to help accelerate
industry-wide research and development of electrified vehicles.
In 2014, Ford filed more than 400 patents dedicated to
electrified vehicle technologies. This is more than 20 percent of
the patents the company filed – totaling more than 2,000
applications.
“Innovation is our goal,” said Kevin Layden, director, Ford
Electrification Programs. “The way to provide the best technology
is through constant development and progress. By sharing our
research with other companies, we will accelerate the growth of
electrified vehicle technology and deliver even better products to
customers.”
Ford Motor Company is a leader in this area – offering six
hybrid or fully electrified vehicles including Ford Focus Electric,
Ford Fusion Hybrid, Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid, Ford C-MAX
Hybrid, Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. In
total, Ford has more than 650 electrified vehicle patents and
approximately 1,000 pending patent applications on electrified
vehicle technologies.
Ford’s innovations have resulted in acclaimed electrified
vehicles on the road today, but the company believes sharing its
patented technologies will promote faster development of future
inventions as all automakers look toward greater opportunities.
“As an industry, we need to collaborate while we continue to
challenge each other,” said Layden. “By sharing ideas, companies
can solve bigger challenges and help improve the industry.”
To access Ford’s patents and published patent applications,
interested parties can contact the company’s technology
commercialization and licensing office, or work through AutoHarvest
– an automaker collaborative innovation and licensing marketplace.
AutoHarvest allows members to showcase capabilities and
technologies, then privately connect with fellow inventors to
explore technology and business development opportunities of mutual
interest. The patents would be available for a fee.
“Ford helped launch AutoHarvest as a founding member to enable
efficient and transparent technology licensing across the
automotive industry and beyond,” said Bill Coughlin, president and
CEO, Ford Global Technologies, which manages intellectual property
for Ford.
As part of Ford’s increased focus on new and innovative
technologies, the automaker is set to hire an additional 200
electrified vehicle engineers this year as the team moves into a
newly dedicated facility – Ford Engineering Laboratories – home to
Henry Ford’s first labs in Dearborn.
Available Ford electrified vehicle patents
Here are some of Ford’s electrified vehicle patents available
for competitors to purchase:
- Method and Apparatus for Battery Charge
Balancing, patent No. US5764027: The patent covers passive cell
balancing: discharging a cell through a resistor to lower the state
of charge to match other cells. This innovation extends battery run
time and overall life. This is the first invention to enable
battery balancing at any time, instead of only while charging, and
it enables the use of lithium-ion batteries in electrified
vehicles. It was invented long before lithium-ion battery-powered
vehicles became commonplace – truly ahead of its time.
- Temperature Dependent Regenerative
Brake System for Electric Vehicle, patent No. US6275763: The
technology works to maximize the amount of energy recaptured in a
hybrid vehicle through regenerative braking. By improving the
interplay between normal friction brakes and regenerative braking
during stopping at certain air temperatures, a driver is able to
recapture more energy than previously possible, helping the
motorist drive farther on a charge.
- Driving Behavior Feedback Interface,
patent No. US8880290: The patent provides a system and method for
monitoring driver inputs such as braking and accelerating, and
vehicle parameters including energy consumption to assess driving
behavior. The feedback can be used to coach future driving behavior
that may translate into better long-term driving habits and improve
fuel economy. This technology also has enabled drivers of
non-electrified vehicles, such as a Ford Focus, to develop better
driving habits.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in
Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across
six continents. With about 194,000 employees and 66 plants
worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and
Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor
Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its
products worldwide, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
About AutoHarvest
AutoHarvest Foundation, a 501(C)3 nonprofit, is a unique
innovation ecosystem led by some of the most highly respected
figures in the automotive and manufacturing industries. In 2012,
AutoHarvest.org was launched as the world’s only truly neutral and
global on-line meeting place for innovators of all types with an
interest in advanced manufacturing. This system allows users of all
types to showcase capabilities, technologies and needs system-wide
and then privately connect with fellow inventors and commercial
entities to explore technology and business development
opportunities of mutual interest. The AutoHarvest interest group
consists of over 250 prominent R&D and manufacturing
organizations from industry, government and academia. For more
information visit: www.autoharvest.org.
For news releases, related materials and
high-resolution photos and video, visit www.media.ford.com.
View source
version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150527006635/en/
Ford North AmericaAaron Miller,
313.845.4467amill226@ford.comorFord North AmericaJohn Cangany,
313.317.7691jcangany@ford.comorFord North AmericaChris Danowski,
313.590.5255cdanowsk@ford.com
Ford Motor (NYSE:F)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
Ford Motor (NYSE:F)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024