Ford continues to seek out patents for intelligent car packaging
A folding tray system with three sections may match right into a future glovebox
Ford is likely to be making an attempt to create some kind of cellular work station
Ford has developed a fold-out tray system to be used by a car’s entrance passenger, however that is no airline-style tray desk.
The tray system would encompass as much as three sections related by hinges, permitting the entire meeting to fold up and stow in a car’s glovebox, based on a Ford patent software revealed by the USA Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) on Might 30, and initially filed by Ford in 2022.
One of many three sections could be connected to the within of the glovebox, whereas the opposite finish could be anchored to the entrance passenger seatbelt buckle through a connector, Ford says within the patent software.
Not less than one of many three tray sections would even have molded-in recesses for holding objects, based on the applying. Accompanying drawings present quite a few round carve-outs that seem like they might function cupholders, in addition to a slit that may be capable of prop up a telephone or pill.
Ford tray system patent picture
Whereas this tray system offers more room for storing smaller objects, the tradeoff might be a entrance seat that may’t be utilized by a passenger. Within the drawings, it appears just like the fully-deployed tray meeting lies proper throughout the underside cushion of the entrance passenger seat, leaving no room for an individual’s legs. That is in all probability simply as nicely, as objects resting on the trays might turn into projectiles if the driving force stops quick.
This is only one of a number of current Ford patent filings associated to reconfigurable inside fixtures. Others have ranged from deployable dashboard desks to work stations for EV frunks. None of those concepts are assured to achieve manufacturing, however the degree of exercise reveals Ford is placing a number of emphasis on rethinking interiors.