Ford has filed a patent software with the US Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) for a dual-charge-port answer that might permit a number of EVs to cost in collection from the identical charging station.
First noticed by CarBuzz, the system described within the patent software makes use of bidirectional charging functionality. However as an alternative of both charging or discharging by way of a single cost port, this answer permits autos to do each, taking in energy by way of one cost port and sending it to a different automobile by way of a second port.
Within the patent software, Ford stated this may very well be carried out with AC energy sources, together with residence charging stations and wall shops, or DC fast-charging stations. And it isn’t essentially restricted to charging autos.
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Ford additionally suggests use in vehicle-to-grid (V2G) functions, doubtlessly permitting a collection of autos to take power from the grid, give it again to the grid, or share cost between autos, relying on software program.
Whereas patent filings are on no account proof of manufacturing intentions, this does look like it may very well be an ideal complement to the House Integration System that is provided right this moment within the Ford F-150 Lightning, permitting the pickup truck to function an emergency residence energy backup supply.
Past maintaining the lights on throughout energy outages, this tech is also utilized to the varied V2G situations mentioned by automakers and electrical utilities, equivalent to buffering the grid through the use of teams of EVs to soak up extra energy for later use.
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Or maybe it may very well be a part of optimizing cost profiles between EVs which are supported with Ford’s Professional enterprise. Serving to companies cost fleets of EVs in a manner that minimizes electrical energy prices is a crucial a part of Ford’s plan to promote extra work-oriented EVs.
This additionally seems just like a patent final 12 months from Basic Motors, which additionally mentioned utilizing twin cost ports to extend flexibility. Given the mutual goalpost of smarter, cost-effective charging, it would not be stunning if a number of fleet-minded automakers are seeing one thing very near the identical answer.