Ford files Patent - manual shifter for EV's?

[Doobster6]

Manual shifter for EV's?

https://evmagz.com/fords-new-ev-pat...KDJfk9hsPcYXlliDfA_aem_PNaBWTnFrC0ec4vVTkwOoQ

I have one word for this…..stupid.
One major point of appeal, for me anyway, is the relative simplicity of an EV, and especially one-pedal driving. Fake gears, like fake engine sounds, are unnecessary intrusions on the paradigm-shifting experience that is the EV, and likely important only to people who are on the fence about them. I guess these electronic parlor tricks are thought to help smooth the transition from ICE to EV, but It’s been my (admittedly limited) experience that all it takes to get most of those folks off their fence is to let them actually drive an EV (and without the hassle of going to a dealership to do so). Most ’undecideds’ that I’ve encountered have formed their opinions without actually doing this, and one drive is often all it takes to open their eyes. Then I show them my level 2 charge port in the garage that eliminates gas station visits and (so far) three out of the four people have run out and bought one. I never turned on the fake engine sounds as the ‘quietness’ is one of the appealing differences they all mention, and the lack of gears shifting also noticed and praised as absolute smoothness.

Sponsored

 

[AtomicInternet]

This is already offered as a $23 upgrade

https://www.amazon.com/MIFMIA-Accessories-Creative-Rediscover-Mechanical/dp/B0CLLCYDTP

 

[EasyPass]

This is already offered as a $23 upgrade

https://www.amazon.com/MIFMIA-Accessories-Creative-Rediscover-Mechanical/dp/B0CLLCYDTP

 

[A-A-Ron]

So, actually guys, this is NOT an April fools joke. Here' is Ford's patent filing dated March 20.
https://www.freepatentsonline.com/20250092947.pdf#google_vignette

So it's March Fools, and the fools are Ford

 

[Oxford]

So, actually guys, this is NOT an April fools joke. Here' is Ford's patent filing dated March 20.
https://www.freepatentsonline.com/20250092947.pdf#google_vignette

The MachE has only one gear, no need for a shifter

 

[MonkeyNutz]

The MachE has only one gear, no need for a shifter

Yes. That's not what this is about. It's a shifter for a simulated driving experience and, IMO, is really stupid. We don't know what car(s) Ford is planning to use this with. They have just applied for the patent.

 

[phil]

Some ideas really do not need to be patented. Maybe it was a slow day in the patent law department...

 

[TerryTerry]

I miss the smell of horse manure ?

 

[DaddyDeuce]

Ford's patent application is specific to the shifter design, not to the idea of shifting an EV in general. The Hyundai 5N for example already features simulating shifting via paddles.

Specifically they are patenting a shifter handle that has software controlled actuators that can simulate different shifter gate patterns. I could imagine this being featured in a car where it acted as a PRNDL selector by default, but could be configured on the fly into a 5-speed, 6-speed, 8-speed, or any arbitrary shift pattern.

I've not driven a 5N but the reviewers thing the simulating shifting is a hoot. Ford's idea of offering software configurable shift patterns seems like it could be a fun novelty.

 

[Bobcat17]

How do (did) you like your Lightning by the way? I'm a fan but the price point is a bit much.

Sponsored