Experience the Future, Engineered by Ford: 401+ Patents

At Ford, innovation is in our DNA. Since 2014, our Ford of Mexico engineers have registered 252 patents with the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI), contributing to a total of 401 patents registered in other countries and ranking Mexico as the Ford region the second-most registered patents.

This achievement reflects our belief that every great innovation starts with an idea. And while taking that idea from conception to implementation can be a 2–3-year journey, we're convinced that every step is worth it.

The Journey to Innovation

How do these ideas make it from brainstorming to certified patent? Imagine your idea as a seed. First, it needs time to germinate and incubate. For about three months, your idea has the opportunity to grow and develop before being presented to ANAQUA, our internal system for intellectual property protection. Here, any member of our Ford community can submit their ideas, which are carefully evaluated for another three months.

If your idea is approved, then the exciting process of generating a patent application begins, which can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months. Your idea is then submitted to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), where it will be analyzed and validated, a process that can take 1-3 years.

Patents help reduce costs and improve the quality of our vehicles. A perfect example is the Mustang Mach E's front cargo compartment (frunk), which not only generated significant savings in production, but also improved the quality of the entire vehicle. Other patents, such as the battery frame of the company's first electric vehicle or the opener in the rear of Ford Bronco Sport, are examples of how our Mexican innovations are having a considerable impact on the company.

The patent process doesn’t just benefit Ford and our customers; it also benefits the person behind the idea, as this can lead to compensation and professional recognition. Although patents are owned by Ford, we value your contributions and make sure they are properly recognized.

Patents are tangible proof of our ability to stay at the forefront of technological and competitive innovation. Through this rigorous patent process, we not only protect our ideas, but also drive continuous improvement and innovation in the automotive industry.

Need a little inspiration? Meet some of the Mexican engineers who have added their ingenuity to the patent count!

Eduardo Aguilar

In 2015, Eduardo decided to venture into the field of innovation after attending several talks on the development of patents within Ford. He had personally experienced neck fatigue during long trips and decided to look for a solution. His first innovation project was the modification of the headrest to make it more comfortable, developing a mechanism that allowed the side parts of the headrest to be adjusted to provide better support. This project earned him his first patent, opening the door to many more.

Throughout his career, Eduardo has accumulated more than 30 patents, with 14 granted in the United States and the rest in other countries. Among his outstanding innovations is a removable seat for the Bronco that transforms into a bench for outdoor activities. This project, developed with the Design Thinking model, was so successful that Ford used it as a reference in its innovation training materials.

Eduardo attributes much of his success to the collaboration and employment of Design Thinking. Working with people from various areas has not only enriched his projects, it’s expanded his network of contacts within the company. In addition, he has been an ardent advocate of using low-fidelity prototypes to refine and improve ideas, an approach he has taught others as a Design Thinking instructor. His passion for innovation, combined with his ability to integrate his personal interests with the company's goals, has kept him motivated and allowed him to continue developing creative and effective solutions.

Luis Blas

Since completing his master's degree in Aeronautical Engineering, Luis has applied his knowledge of computer fluid dynamics (CFD) in the automotive industry. His technical role at Ford encompasses the evaluation of fuel, cooling and exhaust systems, contributing significantly to the development of more efficient and quieter vehicles.

Throughout his career, Luis has registered nine patents and protected a "trade secret." One example is the patent "Vehicle Fuel-Storage Tank with Anti-Slosh Elements" which reduces the noise generated by the movement of fuel in vehicles. Another notable patent is "Methods and Systems for Thermoelectrically Recovering Waste Heat from Turbocharger Systems", which converts the residual thermal energy of the turbo system into electrical energy, increasing the energy efficiency of the vehicle.

Luis emphasizes the importance of teamwork in developing strong patents. From a vague idea to a detailed solution, the process involves collaboration, state-of-the-art research, and thorough documentation. Adapting to changes in the industry and solving pressing problems in production have been key challenges in his career.

Luis Blas is an example of how curiosity, innovation and collaboration can lead to great achievements in the automotive industry. His contributions have not only improved efficiency and the user experience in Ford vehicles but have also laid the groundwork for future innovations.

Fernando Paisano

From his childhood, Fernando was interested in physics and chemistry. He eventually studied mechanical engineering at the University of the Americas in Puebla and obtained a master's degree in design in the United Kingdom.

His career began in the oil industry and injection molding, but his passion for automotive design eventually led him to Ford. Here, Fernando has been a constant innovator, registering patents that have significantly improved the design and production processes.

The first patent, called W-shaped winged spring clip, replaces metal clips and screws with molded geometry in plastic parts, allowing them to be installed directly into the vehicle structure and reducing costs, weight and production time. The second focuses on a solution molded directly into the plastic part, making it easy to install immediately without additional fasteners, which is especially useful on interior components. These patents have not only improved production efficiency and reduced costs, but also created a reproducible and efficient process that allowed several other patents to be developed. In addition, Fernando participated in the development and launch of Mustang Mach-E and Bronco Sport, projects that demonstrated his ability to lead teams and overcome challenges, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For young engineers, Fernando advises maintaining a solid foundation in their discipline and developing effective communication skills. His story is a testament to how passion, technical knowledge, and collaboration can lead to great achievements in the automotive industry.

At Ford, we believe in the power of collaboration and innovation. If you’ve got great ideas, come work with talented colleagues and leaders in their field who can help you make them a reality!