| Coda Automotive, Inc. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120015242 | BATTERY WITH IMPROVED TERMINALS - A battery or battery cell may include a casing, a battery cell core housed within the casing and at least one terminal electrically connected to the cell core. The battery or cell may also include a lid or sealing plate to seal the cell core within the casing. The terminal may be mounted to the lid with a pair of fasteners, such as rivets, that are aligned along a longitudinal axis that is offset relative to the terminal so that a portion of the terminal on one side of the axis is larger than a portion of the terminal on the other side of the axis. Such an arrangement may provide a relatively large surface portion for connection to the terminal. The battery or cell may include a pair of terminals that are each mounted to the lid by a pair of fasteners. One terminal may be mounted with fasteners having a size and/or spacing that is different from the size and/or spacing of the fasteners mounting the other terminal. Such an arrangement may provide a keying-like feature for the terminals. A seal and/or insulator may be provided for sealing and/or electrically insulating each terminal. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120013113 | AERODYNAMIC PERFORMANCE IN PASSENGER VEHICLES - Systems and methods providing improved aerodynamic performance in passenger vehicles are generally described. The underbody of the passenger vehicle can be, in some cases, relatively smooth to reduce aerodynamic drag on the vehicle. In addition, the contour of the underbody can include one or more recessed portions that maintain relatively constant air pressure as air passes under the vehicle. The wheel fairings of the vehicle can also include one or more features that reduce aerodynamic drag. For example, the vehicle can include wheel fairings comprising one or more contours adjacent the interface between the wheel well and the underbody that serve to reduce pressure buildup adjacent the wheel well. In some embodiments, one or more wheels can include a wheel well cover that at least partially encloses the outside of the wheel well, such that air can pass smoothly along the side of the vehicle. In some embodiments, such as when the wheel well cover at least partially encloses a movable wheel, the wheel well cover can be adjustable such that contact between the tire (or any other part of the wheel) and the wheel well cover is avoided. The wheel well cover can include one or more curves (e.g., along 1-dimension as in a cylinder or along 2-dimensions as in a sphere), in some instances, which can accommodate a turning wheel such that the need to displace the wheel well cover in response to a turning wheel is reduced. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20110307130 | SELECTABLE DRIVING MODES - Electric vehicle driving modes and methods of use thereof are described. A vehicle includes a driving mode selection unit. The driving mode selection unit can be used to select a particular driving mode from amongst a plurality of driving modes. A vehicle may be capable of using more energy in a first driving mode than in a second driving mode. A driving mode may comprise at least three vehicle system operating profiles comprising at least three of motor torque curve profile, regenerative braking level profile, electronic power steering profile, electronic stability control profile, antilock braking system profile, and top speed. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110304298 | BATTERY CHARGING USING MULTIPLE CHARGERS - Systems and methods providing improved battery charging using systems comprising multiple chargers are generally described. In some embodiments, the chargers can communicate with each other. In some embodiments, a battery management unit (BMU) can be used to communicate with at least one of the chargers, and, in some cases, all of the chargers. The system can be configured such that the charging load can be distributed among multiple chargers, or to a single charger, depending on the amount of charging power required at a given time. The system can also be configured to alternate which charger(s) handle the charging load over a period of time. For example, when only a single charger is needed to handle the total charging load, the system can be configured such that the load is handled by a first charger over a first period of time, a second charger of a second period of time, etc. The charging load distribution scheme can be based at least in part upon one or more commands transmitted between two chargers and/or between a charger and the BMU. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110304202 | BATTERY DISCONNECTION IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES - Systems and methods for disconnection of battery power from vehicular components in an electric vehicle upon the occurrence of a crash event are described. In an embodiment of an electric vehicle, upon detection of a crash event, an appropriate signal is transmitted through a controller area network (CAN). A battery management unit (BMU) detects the signal and then severs a power connection between the battery and one or more vehicular components of the electric vehicle. In another embodiment of an electric vehicle, a crash event is detected and a signal to deploy an airbag and/or a pretensioner is emitted. Once a decision is made to deploy the airbag and/or the to pretensioner, the BMU then cuts off battery power to one or more vehicular components of the electric vehicle. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110301818 | ROTARY ENCODER GEAR SELECTOR FOR VEHICLE - Gear selector apparatus for a vehicle includes a rotary encoder having detents at positions corresponding to driving modes of the vehicle, the rotary encoder outputting at least one encoder signal in response to rotation of the rotary encoder by a driver of the vehicle, a display assembly configured to indicate a driving mode of the vehicle, and gear selector logic, responsive at least in part to the encoder signal, to control the driving mode of the vehicle and the display assembly. The rotary encoder may be rotatable in either direction without limits on rotation. The gear selector logic may define one or more conditions for changing from an actual driving mode to a target driving mode selected by the driver. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110281145 | BATTERY THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems and methods for temperature control of a battery pack at, below, or above a target temperature, and/or within a temperature range. Systems and methods for battery pack thermal management having a thermally conductive interstitial member between battery cells and a thermally conductive plate or plates coupled to the interstitial member along which fluid flows to effect the temperature of the battery pack by drawing heat generated by the battery pack away from the battery pack in multiple directions, and/or by imparting heat to the battery pack in multiple directions. Systems and methods for battery pack thermal management having a thermally conductive interstitial member between cells of the battery pack and a plate coupled to the interstitial member along which fluid can flow in multiple directions to maintain the battery pack at, above, or below a target temperature, within a temperature range, and/or to minimize the pack temperature gradient. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110256432 | BATTERY HUMIDITY CONTROL - Systems and methods are provided for controlling humidity in gases exposed to batteries, which can be applied to humidity control in climate control gases in battery packs, for example those used in electric vehicles. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110256431 | BATTERY TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Systems and methods are provided for controlling battery temperature, for example those used in electric vehicles. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110240386 | ELECTRIC VEHICLE WITH STRUCTURALLY INTEGRATED COMPONENTS - An electric vehicle (EV) includes EV components utilized as structural members within the vehicle, as a so-called stressed member. The EV component itself acts as a load-bearing structural member, thereby reducing the amount and/or mass of structural members otherwise forming the vehicle structure alone, and ultimately reducing vehicle weight. | 10-06-2011 |
