√Ford files patent for unique roof lighting system

Ford has been busy preparing future technologies to incorporate within its upcoming vehicles, such as this integrated lighting system within a car’s roof.

US car giant Ford is developing a new lighting array for the roofs of its future vehicles, with the uninterrupted assembly running along the top of the windscreen and down the sides of the car.

Uncovered first by Carbuzz, Ford’s patent filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and published two days ago depicts a battery-powered vehicle – such as the Mustang Mach-E – equipped with a U-shaped lighting array that runs nearly the whole way around the car.

However, the trademark application specifically states the lightning technology is not limited to electric vehicles, and shows how the system could be adapted to cars with multi-piece, detachable roofs, such as the Ford Bronco sold in North America.

The patent explains how the lighting fixture could be fixed directly underneath the roof, or how it could also be removable.

Ultimately Ford’s wider plans with the lighting systems aren’t made clear in the patent, however it does share some circumstances in which the system could be used.

All-round colour illumination could be used to signify when an electric vehicle’s battery is charged, prompting an owner to take the vehicle off charge and relinquish a charging spot to the next user. For a more entertaining alternative, the lighting system can cycle between an array of colours in myriad patterns, such as pulsing, chasing, intensifying, and fading.

The Ford Bronco has removable roof panels.

It also states that the U-shaped emitted light could act as a supplemental turning indicator, or it could illuminate as it detects an owner coming within close proximity to the car, to aid vehicle users with entry to the vehicle.

Ford makes mention of autonomous vehicles within its application. Some Fords in North America utilise the semi-autonomous BlueCruise technology, which enables the car to effectively drive itself on predetermined highway corridors. Under these circumstances, the patent states that if the vehicle is in Drive using an autonomous mode, the light could illuminate with a lower intensity, or with different colours to signify an autonomous system is in use.

As with many of the patents Ford files, this lighting system may not make it to the production stage. But it’s clear the company is still trying to innovate, and the explanations provided within the patent could find wider applications on our roads.

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