Ford Reveals Modular Center Console Concept in New Patent

Ford has published a patent describing a customizable center console with removable modules, media components, and cooling options. Explore the details.

Ford continues to explore how future vehicle interiors could become more adaptable to individual needs. In a newly published patent application, the company outlines a concept for a customizable center console built around removable and interchangeable modules.

The core idea is a base console equipped with a dedicated holder designed to accept different types of modules. According to the patent, these modules may include storage containers, media devices, and a cooling unit functioning as a compact refrigerator. Users would be able to insert or remove modules depending on how the vehicle is used.

The system relies on mechanical retention elements such as clips and detents to secure each module in place. The documentation also describes electrical contacts that allow modules to receive power, along with provisions for airflow connections. This detail is particularly relevant for cooling modules, which may interact with the vehicle’s ventilation system.

Media functionality plays a notable role in the concept. The patent specifies that a removable module may contain a speaker and/or a display, suggesting a move away from permanently fixed screens and audio components. This aligns with Ford’s broader patent activity around modular and dockable infotainment elements.

Practical day-to-day use is also addressed. The console design includes hangers positioned near the module holder, intended for bags or other personal items, reinforcing the focus on utility rather than purely digital features.

The inclusion of a cooling module stands out in light of existing automotive solutions where refrigerators are already integrated into center consoles. Its presence in the patent indicates that Ford views such features as realistic extensions of interior functionality rather than conceptual experiments.

As with most patent filings, the document does not confirm production plans. Still, the combination of removable modules, power supply, ventilation support, and media integration highlights Ford’s ongoing effort to rethink the center console as a flexible and personalized element of the vehicle interior.