Ford is taking a look at methods to make electrical car battery packs simpler to restore—particularly as their cooling methods turn into extra superior—a patent submitting signifies.
The doc, which was printed by the USA Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) Dec. 12, 2024, after being submitted by Ford Jun. 12, 2023, particulars how battery modules may very well be changed with out eradicating the complete pack from the car. This might cut back restore prices and may very well be greener, doubtlessly permitting some packs to be rehabbed with new modules somewhat than changed.
Patent picture of Ford battery pack designed for simpler module substitute
Ford discusses retaining the widespread structure of a battery pack mounted below the ground, with a number of modules that in flip comprise a number of battery cells. Electrical terminals with detachable caps and spring-loaded connectors would permit modules to be eliminated as wanted.
The patent submitting additionally mentions immersion cooling, through which battery elements are instantly cooled by a non-conductive fluid that will not trigger electrical shorts. Immersion cooling is a comparatively new thought in EV improvement, as most trendy EVs even with liquid cooling use the coolant outdoors modules and/or with a cooling plate. However this necessitates further {hardware} that makes accessing battery modules extra difficult.
Patent picture of Ford battery pack designed for simpler module substitute
Different automakers, akin to Mercedes-Benz, have thought-about going the opposite approach utterly, towards air-cooling. The bodily configuration of cells and modules can also be being thought-about, with Normal Motors taking a look at completely different cell preparations to maximise cooling and Canoo designing a structural battery pack with modules interconnected with the car body and cooling system.
It is new territory. Rimac is without doubt one of the solely firms that has detailed a real immersion cooling system that thermally situations every cell at a number of factors (the Cybertruck would possibly qualify for this description too, however Tesla has not but detailed the system). Bringing such tech to the mass market could assist Ford get a soar on others—even Tesla.