Ford has filed a patent that envisions a trailer with an built-in battery pack and electrical motors that permit the person to simply place it on the campsite or job web site, in addition to offering backup energy, each for the towing EV and for instruments and home equipment.
In accordance with the doc which was filed on January 13 and revealed by america Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) on July 13, the charging trailer features a trailer physique, wheels and tires, batteries, ports for recharging the interior pack and offering exportable energy, in addition to electrical motors and a controller.
Right here’s the summary, as per the USPTO submitting:
“A charging trailer is supplied and consists of a number of motors to maneuver the charging trailer, a chargeable battery pack for storing electrical power, a recharging port for receiving electrical energy from a charger to recharge the rechargeable battery pack, and a number of charging ports for charging a number of items of electrically powered gear with {the electrical} power saved within the rechargeable battery pack. The charging trailer additionally features a controller for controlling motion of the charging trailer to place the charging trailer in a use place to cost the a number of items of electrically powered gear.”
It’s an identical strategy to that employed on the Lightship L1 electrical RV, nevertheless it’s not equivalent. Within the Lightship, the embedded batteries and electrical motors energy the trailer whereas it’s being towed by the EV in entrance, minimizing vary loss, whereas Ford’s patent reveals a extra utilitarian idea, the place electrical motors are used within the trailer simply to make it simpler to maneuver round whereas the towing car is parked.
With this being stated, it’s an attention-grabbing concept that might be utilized to a mess of trailers, from easy utility ones to RVs and automotive trailers.
Not too long ago, Ford additionally filed a patent for a roof-mounted battery field that might in idea present backup energy to an EV whereas driving in distant areas the place there’s restricted entry to charging infrastructure.
As at all times, we’d wish to know what you concentrate on this, so head over to the feedback part beneath to offer us your ideas.