A contemporary Ford patent submitting hints that the automaker is thinking about a line lock for all-wheel force cars.

Ford started providing a line lock at the Mustang for the 2015 style yr. In rear-wheel force cars, it locks the entrance brakes, permitting the rear wheels to spin freely whilst the auto stays desk bound. In drag racing, that is useful for doing burnouts to heat up the tires earlier than staging on the beginning line, but it surely additionally supplies a very simple technique to smoke the tires on any instance.

2015 Ford Mustang digital line lock

As it is determined by locking one set of brakes, thus combating the wheels on one axle from spinning, a line lock turns out tough to enforce with all-wheel force. However Ford’s patent utility, which used to be printed via the US Patent and Trademark Place of work (USPTO) on Sep. 26, 2023 (and at the start filed on Nov. 23, 2020), suggests some way.

As a substitute of looking to spin the entire wheels immediately, Ford discusses the use of a controller to brake some wheels whilst others spin, alternating till every tire has been warmed up. This might be executed via braking each wheels on one axle, or via braking particular person wheels. So burnouts might be executed with one axle after which the opposite, or via spinning the left or proper wheel on a given axle whilst the other one is braked.

Ford all-wheel force line lock patent symbol

In cars with mechanical all-wheel force techniques, the wheels on a given axle is also disconnected from the drivetrain if they are now not being spun, Ford suggests. The patent utility mentions cars with “an influence plant, similar to an engine” in addition to cars powered via “an electrical gadget.” Within the latter case, electrical energy would merely be routed to the wheels being spun and now not those being braked.

Patented concepts do not mechanically move into manufacturing, however an all-wheel force line lock generally is a just right have compatibility for functionality EVs. Ford already has the Mustang Mach-E GT in its lineup, with the Mach-E Rally at the means. Ford has additionally teased a high-performance F-150 Lightning idea, probably within the vein of the unique gas-powered F-150 Lightning.