Automakers usually talk about modular architectures that can be utilized for a number of fashions, however a newly surfaced Ford patent submitting takes the idea of modularity to a different stage.

The appliance, which was printed by america Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) on Jan. 2, and initially filed on Apr. 28, 2021, primarily describes constructing an EV like a life-size mannequin equipment.

Meeting would begin with a subframe constructed across the car’s battery pack, with adjustable crossmembers and aspect rails to accommodate totally different fashions and their distinctive dimensions. Extra entrance and rear subframes with motors, suspension parts, and wheels may then be bolted to the ends of this meeting.

Lastly, a physique is bolted on high of the rolling chassis. Ford makes use of an F-Collection Tremendous Responsibility because the illustration within the patent utility, however claims this methodology may very well be utilized to numerous totally different car sorts.

The concept of a whole chassis with swappable our bodies goes again to Normal Motors’ Autonomy and Hy-Wire idea vehicles of the early 2000s. And EV startup Canoo has designed a full “skateboard” chassis it goals to make use of for electrical vans and presumably pickups. However Ford is proposing extra components to additional differentiate EV fashions.

The automaker means that wheel and suspension assemblies may very well be inverted to lift floor clearance for pickup vehicles and SUVs, or lowered for sports activities vehicles. And the automaker discusses “efficiency packages” with totally different motors that may be simply swapped because of common mounting {hardware}.

It is unclear if Ford will put any of those concepts into apply. Automakers do not all the time use the engineering work they patent on manufacturing autos, in spite of everything. And one thing as radical as this may doubtless require large adjustments at meeting crops, suppliers, and presumably crash constructions.