Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120151843 | Vehicle Door Secondary Sealing System - A seal for use with a vehicle door is provided, the seal preferably used as a secondary or tertiary seal to provide additional passenger cabin sound isolation and weather proofing. The seal is attached to a seam within the door jamb, the seal formed by coupling a central body panel flange to a rear quarter panel flange. | 06-21-2012 |
20120153675 | Reinforced B-Pillar Assembly with Reinforced Rocker Joint - A reinforced B-pillar assembly that achieves improved side impact resistance is provided in which the B-pillar assembly is mechanically coupled to an outer mounting surface of the rocker panel as well as to an extended brace that is attached to the upper and rear mounting surfaces of the rocker. | 06-21-2012 |
20120153682 | Single Piece Vehicle Rocker Panel - A vehicle rocker panel is provided that is extruded as a single piece. As extruded, the rocker panel may include one or more interior reinforcing walls as well as interior and exterior design features. | 06-21-2012 |
20120153718 | Thermal Management System for Use with an Integrated Motor Assembly - An integrated drive system assembly is provided that combines an electric motor, a power inverter assembly and a gearbox into a single, multi-piece enclosure. Combining these components into a single enclosure reduces weight, reduces drive system complexity, reduces system volume, simplifies assembly integration into an electric vehicle, reduces manufacturing cost, allows the flexible and lengthy electrical cables between the power inverter and the electric motor to be replaced with short, low loss, rigid bus bars, and simplifies component cooling by allowing the use of a common thermal management system. The common thermal management system includes a liquid coolant loop that is thermally coupled to the electric motor, the power inverter assembly and the gearbox. | 06-21-2012 |
20120160088 | Vehicle Battery Pack Ballistic Shield - An improved protection system for a battery pack mounted between the passenger cabin floor panel of an electric vehicle and the driving surface is provided, the system utilizing a ballistic shield mounted under the electric vehicle and interposed between the battery pack enclosure and the driving surface, where the ballistic shield is spaced apart from the enclosure bottom panel. A layer of a compressible material may be interposed between the ballistic shield and the battery pack enclosure. | 06-28-2012 |
20120160583 | Integration System for a Vehicle Battery Pack - An improved integration system for a battery pack mounted between the passenger cabin floor panel of an electric vehicle and the driving surface is provided, the system utilizing at least one insulating layer interposed between the battery pack enclosure and the passenger cabin floor panel, where the insulating layer provides noise isolation, thermal isolation and vibration damping, and where the insulating layer is compressed when the battery pack enclosure is mounted to the vehicle. | 06-28-2012 |
20120161429 | Augmented Vehicle Seat Mount - A vehicle seat mounting assembly is provided in which the seat mounts are attached to body cross-members that are, in turn, mechanically coupled to battery pack cross-members contained within a battery pack enclosure mounted under the vehicle. | 06-28-2012 |
20120161472 | System for Absorbing and Distributing Side Impact Energy Utilizing an Integrated Battery Pack - An energy absorbing and distributing side impact system for use with a vehicle is provided, the system utilizing a battery pack enclosure that includes a plurality of cross-members that transverse the battery pack enclosure and absorb and distribute at least a portion of the load received when either the first or second side of the vehicle receives a side impact. The battery pack enclosure is positioned between the front and rear vehicle suspension assemblies and mounted between, and mechanically coupled to, vehicle structural members (e.g., rocker panels) located on either side of the vehicle. In addition to providing rigidity, strength and impact resistance, the battery pack cross-members segregate the batteries contained within the battery pack enclosure into battery groups. | 06-28-2012 |
20120169089 | Rear Vehicle Torque Box - A rear structure for a vehicle is provided, the structure including (i) a pair of single piece rear torque boxes; (ii) a pair of rocker panels mechanically coupled to the rear torque boxes; (iii) a pair of rear rails mechanically coupled to the rear torque boxes; and (iv) at least one cross-member interposed between and mechanically coupled to the rear torque boxes. | 07-05-2012 |
20120175897 | Front Rail Configuration for the Front Structure of a Vehicle - A front structure for a vehicle is provided that includes a pair of front rails (i.e., front left hand rail and front right hand rail) spaced apart in a widthwise direction with each rail extending lengthwise and mechanically coupled to the vehicle's bumper and a torque box. Each front rail is comprised of a polygonal-shaped upper hollow channel and a polygonal-shaped lower hollow channel, where the upper and lower channels share a common wall. | 07-12-2012 |
20120175900 | Dual Load Path Design for a Vehicle - A system for absorbing and distributing front impact forces in a vehicle is provided, the system including a primary impact system and a secondary impact system, each of which includes a bumper and a structure for transferring impact loads. The primary impact system includes a primary bumper and a pair of front rails spaced apart in a widthwise direction with each rail extending lengthwise, where one end portion of each rail is mechanically coupled to the vehicle's bumper and the other end portion of each rail is mechanically coupled to a torque box. The secondary impact system includes a secondary bumper and an assembly of sub-frame components separate from the front rails that allow impact loads to be transferred in parallel through the front rails and the sub-frame. | 07-12-2012 |
20120175916 | Swept Front Torque Box - A front structure for a vehicle is provided, the structure including (i) a pair of front rails spaced apart in a widthwise direction with each rail extending lengthwise, and where each rail is comprised of a polygonal-shaped upper hollow channel and a polygonal-shaped lower hollow channel with the upper and lower channels sharing a common wall; and (ii) a pair of curvilinear torque boxes, where one curvilinear torque box is mechanically attached to the upper and lower polygonal-shaped channels of each front rail, where each curvilinear torque box is mechanically coupled to a rocker panel, where the upper polygonal-shaped channel of each front rail is in a horizontal plane located above the top surface of the corresponding rocker panel, and where the lower polygonal-shaped channel of each front rail is in a horizontal plane that is aligned with the corresponding rocker panel. | 07-12-2012 |
20120312615 | Vehicle Battery Pack Ballistic Shield - An improved protection system for a battery pack mounted between the passenger cabin floor panel of an electric vehicle and the driving surface is provided, the system utilizing a ballistic shield mounted under the electric vehicle and interposed between the battery pack enclosure and the driving surface, where the ballistic shield is spaced apart from the enclosure bottom panel. A layer of a compressible material is interposed between the ballistic shield and the battery pack enclosure. | 12-13-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120169023 | Vehicle Front Shock Tower - A front structure for a vehicle is provided, the structure including a single piece shock tower and an upper control arm, where the front coupling of the upper control arm is attached to the shock tower at a location directly above a corresponding surface of the shock tower such that the front coupling is exposed from above, and where the rear coupling of the upper control arm is attached to the shock tower at a location directly below a corresponding surface of the shock tower such that the rear coupling is unexposed from above. | 07-05-2012 |
20130082489 | Sunroof Utilizing Two Independent Motors - Continuous cross sectional profile guide tracks in an outer sliding sunroof/moonroof are provided where both the front and rear mechanism or mechanism links travel fore/aft in the same channels as each other and have fore/aft travel that is limited only by vehicle architecture. The guide track channel is partly or entirely outside/outboard of the primary water/wind sealing system of the sunroof. | 04-04-2013 |
20130088044 | System for Absorbing and Distributing Side Impact Energy Utilizing an Integrated Battery Pack and Side Sill Assembly - An energy absorbing and distributing side impact system for use with a vehicle is provided, the system utilizing a collapsible side sill along with multiple vehicle cross-members to achieve the desired level of vehicle side impact resistance, the combination of these elements absorbing and distributing the impact load throughout the vehicle structure. A battery pack enclosure that includes a plurality of cross-members that transverse the battery pack enclosure also help to absorb and distribute at least a portion of the load received when either the first or second side of the vehicle receives a side impact. In this configuration the battery pack enclosure is positioned between the front and rear vehicle suspension assemblies and mounted between, and mechanically coupled to, the side sill assemblies. In addition to providing rigidity, strength and impact resistance, the battery pack cross-members segregate the batteries contained within the battery pack enclosure into battery groups. | 04-11-2013 |
20130088045 | System for Absorbing and Distributing Side Impact Energy Utilizing a Side Sill Assembly with a Collapsible Sill Insert - An energy absorbing and distributing side impact system for use with a vehicle is provided, the system utilizing a collapsible side sill assembly along with multiple vehicle cross-members to achieve the desired level of vehicle side impact resistance, the combination of these elements absorbing and distributing the impact load throughout the vehicle structure. The collapsible side sill assembly includes a side sill insert, the insert divided into a collapsible portion designed to absorb impact energy and a reacting portion designed to distribute the impact energy to the vehicle cross-members. | 04-11-2013 |
20130097940 | Method of Controlling a Dual Hinged Vehicle Door - A method of controlling the operation of a vehicle's dual hinged door assembly is provided, where the dual hinged door assembly includes a first door portion hingeably coupled to a structural member within the vehicle's roof such that it pivots about a primary axis formed by its juncture with the structural roof member, a second door portion hingeably coupled to the first door portion such that it pivots about a secondary axis formed by its juncture with the first door portion, a primary drive system providing powered motion for the first door portion about the primary axis, a secondary drive system providing powered motion for the second door portion about the secondary axis, and a controller coupled to the drive systems that provides independent motion control of the first and second door portions via the primary and secondary drive systems. | 04-25-2013 |
20130099523 | Dual Hinged Vehicle Door - A dual hinged door assembly for a vehicle is provided, the assembly including an upper door portion and a lower door portion. The upper door portion, which may include a window, pivots about a primary axis formed by its juncture with a structural member in the roof. The lower door portion, which may include a window, pivots about a secondary axis formed by its juncture with the upper door portion. Primary and secondary drive systems may be used to provide independent powered motion of the upper and lower door portions. Each drive system may include a powered strut, e.g., a hydraulic strut, and a non-powered strut, e.g., a gas strut. | 04-25-2013 |
20130099524 | Control System for Use with a Dual Hinged Vehicle Door - A control system for use with a vehicle's dual hinged door assembly is provided, the control system including a door switch, upper and lower door portions, primary and secondary door drive systems and a controller. The upper door portion pivots about a primary axis formed by its juncture with a structural member in the roof while the lower door portion pivots about a secondary axis formed by its juncture with the upper door portion. Primary and secondary drive systems provide independent powered motion of the upper and lower door portions. The controller monitors door switch activation and determines whether activation corresponds to a door open or door closed command; performs preset door opening and closing sequences using the drive systems; and modifies the preset door opening and closing sequences based on data from proximity sensors, pinch sensors, latch sensors, drive system motor speed and the current draw by the drive systems. | 04-25-2013 |
20130153317 | Vehicle Battery Pack Thermal Barrier - An integration assembly for a battery pack mounted between the passenger cabin floor panel of an electric vehicle and the driving surface is provided, the assembly utilizing a multi-layer thermal barrier interposed between the battery pack enclosure and the passenger cabin floor panel, where the multi-layer thermal barrier provides noise isolation, thermal isolation and vibration damping, and where the multi-layer thermal barrier is compressed when the battery pack enclosure is mounted to the vehicle. The multi-layer thermal barrier is comprised of a first layer formed from a compressible and conformable elastic material and a second layer formed from a conformable thermally insulating material. The multi-layer thermal barrier may also include a moisture barrier layer that encases the first and second layers, for example a moisture barrier layer fabricated from a plastic. A sealant may be used to seal and bond the moisture barrier layer to the battery pack enclosure. | 06-20-2013 |
20140182958 | SYSTEM FOR ABSORBING AND DISTRIBUTING SIDE IMPACT ENERGY UTILIZING AN INTEGRATED BATTERY PACK - An energy absorbing and distributing side impact system for use with a vehicle is provided, the system utilizing a battery pack enclosure that includes a plurality of cross-members that transverse the battery pack enclosure and absorb and distribute at least a portion of the load received when either the first or second side of the vehicle receives a side impact. The battery pack enclosure is positioned between the front and rear vehicle suspension assemblies and mounted between, and mechanically coupled to, vehicle structural members (e.g., rocker panels) located on either side of the vehicle. In addition to providing rigidity, strength and impact resistance, the battery pack cross-members segregate the batteries contained within the battery pack enclosure into battery groups. | 07-03-2014 |
20140255750 | Z-Shaped Bus Bar for a Battery Pack - A battery pack with a compact and robust bus bar assembly is provided. The batteries within the pack are divided into groups, where the batteries within each battery group are connected in parallel and the groups are connected in series. A repetitive sequence of overlapping bus bars is used, with each bus bar comprised of upper and lower segments coupled together via a step segment. The overlapping design allows the upper surface of the upper segment of each of the repetitive bus bars to be aligned within an upper plane, and the lower surface of the lower segment of each of the repetitive bus bars to be aligned within a lower plane. | 09-11-2014 |
20150135939 | Electric Vehicle Undercarriage Crumple Zone - A battery pack protection system is provided for use with an electric vehicle in which the battery pack is mounted under the car. The system utilizes a plurality of deformable cooling conduits located between the lower surface of the batteries within the battery pack and the lower battery pack enclosure panel. The cooling conduits are configured to deform and absorb impact energy when an object, such as road debris, strikes the lower surface of the lower battery pack enclosure panel. Further protection may be achieved by positioning a ballistic shield, alone or with a layer of compressible material, under the bottom surface of the battery pack. | 05-21-2015 |
20150135940 | Electric Vehicle Battery Pack Protection System - A battery pack protection system is provided for use with an electric vehicle in which the battery pack is mounted under the car. The system utilizes a plurality of deformable cooling conduits located between the lower surface of each of the batteries and the lower battery pack enclosure panel, with a thermal insulator interposed between the conduits and the lower enclosure panel. A layer of thermally conductive material may be included which is interposed between the cooling conduits and the thermal insulator and in contact with a lower surface of each of the cooling conduits. The cooling conduits are configured to deform and absorb impact energy when an object, such as road debris, strikes the lower surface of the lower battery pack enclosure panel. Further protection may be achieved by positioning a ballistic shield, alone or with a layer of compressible material, under the bottom surface of the battery pack. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138043 | Synchronized Display System - A system and method of use is provided that monitors the position of a vehicle seat and automatically adjusts the location of a vehicle display based on the current seat position, thereby helping to alleviate the eye strain, fatigue, neck and back pain that often accompany the improper use of a monitor for an extended period of time. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138044 | Vehicle Display with Automatic Positioning System - A display system mounted within a vehicle is provided, where the system monitors the user's position within the vehicle's seat and automatically adjusts the location of the display to compensate for variations in the size or seating position of the user, thereby helping to alleviate the eye strain, fatigue, neck and back pain that often accompany the improper use of a monitor for an extended period of time. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138448 | Adjustable Display System for Vehicular Use - An adjustable display screen mounted within a vehicle is provided. The combination of the display's mounting system and the linkage assembly allows the user to adjust and optimize the position of the display screen regardless of seating position, thereby alleviating the eye strain, fatigue, neck and back pain that often accompany the improper use of a monitor for an extended period of time. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138449 | Method of Adjusting a Display Position Based on User Orientation - A method of operating a vehicle's display system is provided, where the system monitors the user's position within the vehicle's seat and automatically adjusts the location of the display to compensate for variations in the size or seating position of the user, thereby helping to alleviate the eye strain, fatigue, neck and back pain that often accompany the improper use of a monitor for an extended period of time. | 05-21-2015 |
20150140915 | Vehicle Seat Ventilation System - An air vent that is integrated into the back panel of a vehicle's seat back is provided. The air vent, which is coupled to an air duct within the vehicle seat, allows heated or cooled air from the vehicle's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to be directed towards the rear portion of the vehicle's passenger cabin, thereby helping to insure the comfort of those passengers in the vehicle's rear seats. | 05-21-2015 |
20150145220 | Reactive Air Suspension System - A system that helps to mitigate the risks associated with roadway debris is provided. The system uses an on-board sensor system to detect obstacles within the vehicle's pathway and an on-board controller and air spring suspension system to automatically increase ride height and road clearance when an obstacle is detected, thereby allowing the vehicle to potentially avoid the detected obstacle. | 05-28-2015 |
20150191101 | EV Battery Pack Multi-Mode Cooling System - A multi-mode thermal management system is provided for use with the battery pack of an electric vehicle, the system utilizing the surface area of the battery pack to remove battery pack heat. The system includes two sets of coolant conduits separated by a thermal insulator, with one set of the coolant conduits thermally coupled to the batteries and the other set of coolant conduits coupled to at least one thermally conductive battery pack surface. A valve controller is used to optimize system performance by coupling the battery cooling conduits to the battery pack heat withdrawal conduits and/or a separate radiator and/or a heat exchanger coupled to a refrigeration subsystem. | 07-09-2015 |
20150194711 | EV Battery Pack Multi-Mode Cooling System - A multi-mode thermal management system is provided for use with the battery pack of an electric vehicle, the system utilizing the surface area of the battery pack to remove battery pack heat. The system includes two sets of coolant conduits separated by a thermal insulator, with one set of the coolant conduits thermally coupled to the batteries and the other set of coolant conduits coupled to at least one thermally conductive battery pack surface. A valve controller is used to optimize system performance by coupling the battery cooling conduits to the battery pack heat withdrawal conduits and/or a separate radiator and/or a heat exchanger coupled to a refrigeration subsystem. | 07-09-2015 |
20150224884 | Integrated Motor Assembly with Compliantly Mounted Power Inverter - An integrated drive assembly for an electric vehicle is provided, where the power inverter enclosure is separate from the motor and the transmission, and where the power inverter enclosure is coupled to, and separated from, the motor via a plurality of inverter support members. Each of the inverter support members is rigidly coupled to the transmission enclosure and compliantly coupled to the power inverter enclosure using a plurality of flexible bushings. | 08-13-2015 |
20160093931 | Battery Pack with Segmented, Electrically Isolated Heat Sink - A battery assembly is provided that utilizes electrically isolated heat sinks to enhance battery pack thermal management and safety. The battery assembly is divided into groups of batteries, where the batteries within each group are of the same voltage, and where each battery group is serially coupled to the other battery groups. The heat sink is segmented, where each heat sink segment is thermally coupled to the batteries within a single battery group, and where each heat sink segment is electrically isolated from the adjacent heat sink segments. The heat sink segments are thermally coupled to, and electrically isolated from, at least one coolant conduit which, in turn, is coupled to a thermal management system. | 03-31-2016 |
20160099632 | Motor Housing with Integral Gear Housing - A motor assembly is provided that utilizes a single piece drive gear and bearing enclosure configured so that the end wall of the enclosure also serves as one of the motor's end caps, thereby helping to minimize coaxial misalignment between the input drive shaft of the primary drive gear and the motor's rotor shaft. To further minimize misalignment, three coaxial bearing assemblies are used, where the first and second bearing assemblies support the rotor shaft and the second and third bearing assemblies support the input drive shaft. | 04-07-2016 |
20160101697 | Vehicle Display with Automatic Positioning System - A display system mounted within a vehicle is provided, where the system monitors the user's position within the vehicle's seat and automatically adjusts the location of the display to compensate for variations in the size or seating position of the user, thereby helping to alleviate the eye strain, fatigue, neck and back pain that often accompany the improper use of a monitor for an extended period of time. | 04-14-2016 |