Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090075163 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ELECTRICALLY CONNECTING TERMINALS OF A BATTERY - Terminals of a battery pack are electrically connected via bus bars. The terminals are configured to receive and retain a portion of a bus bar via a retention force. The terminals allow a bus bar to have more than one orientation relative to the terminal. Additionally, the terminals include features that locate the bus bars relative to the terminals. | 03-19-2009 |
20090104511 | SYSTEM FOR COOLING A VEHICLE BATTERY AND METHOD OF INSTALLING SAME - Prior to loading into a vehicle, a duct is attached to a battery such that the duct is moveable between a loading position and a post-loading position. Before the battery and duct are loaded into the vehicle, the duct is positioned in the loading position. After the battery and duct are loaded into the vehicle, the duct is positioned in the post-loading position and secured. | 04-23-2009 |
20110095571 | CARGO MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A cargo management system includes a vehicle floor pan, a passenger seat having a seat back and a seat cushion, and an adjustable load floor. The passenger seat is disposed on the vehicle floor pan. The passenger seat has a seatback that is pivotally mounted to the seat cushion. The adjustable load floor is disposed above the vehicle floor pan. The adjustable load floor has a rear end and a front end wherein the front end is operatively configured to engage with the base of the seatback. The adjustable load floor being is operatively configured to move between a first position and a second position as the seat back moves between the upright position and the collapsed position. | 04-28-2011 |
20110177368 | Voltage Detection In A Battery - A battery having a plurality of cell pairs arranged in an array in disclosed. The cells pairs are coupled longitudinally. Sense leads are provided on the ends of cell pairs to obviate providing a sense lead proximate the junction of the cell pair. | 07-21-2011 |
20110177372 | Support Assembly For An Array Of Battery Cells - A battery includes a plurality of stacking supports including retaining flanges and support surfaces; and a plurality of generally cylindrical cells. Each cell is supported on a pair of the support surfaces. Each cell has an annular notch defined in a side wall with the annular notch mating with one retaining flange. The cells are arranged upon the stacking supports in a plurality of cell rows. The support surfaces are arranged on the stacking supports in such a manner so that the cells are arranged in a close-packed array and to maintain at least a predetermined distance between adjacent cells. | 07-21-2011 |
20110177374 | BATTERY COOLING - An end-to-end cell connection system for a battery assembly uses a conductive interconnector with an inner portion welded to an end of one cell, a standoff portion contiguous with the ring portion, tabs extending from the standoff portion, with the tabs welded to an end of another cell. By placing an insulator between the interconnector and the one cell, an electrical short is prevented in the event that a longitudinally coupled cell group is jostled. At the cell connections, there is a recess. To hold the cell group in place, the housing has a tab extending into the recess. The tab is at the center so that any dimensional variations are accommodated on each side of the tab. The interconnector also may include a receptacle for a thermistor to obtain a measure of battery assembly temperature. Diverter ribs may be provided in the housing to distribute flow to all cells. | 07-21-2011 |
20110177376 | BATTERY COVER ASSEMBLY - An end-to-end cell connection system for a battery assembly uses a conductive interconnector with an inner portion welded to an end of one cell, a standoff portion contiguous with the ring portion, tabs extending from the standoff portion, with the tabs welded to an end of another cell. By placing an insulator between the interconnector and the one cell, an electrical short is prevented in the event that a longitudinally coupled cell group is jostled. At the cell connections, there is a recess. To hold the cell group in place, the housing has a tab extending into the recess. The tab is at the center so that any dimensional variations are accommodated on each side of the tab. The interconnector also may include a receptacle for a thermistor to obtain a measure of battery assembly temperature. Diverter ribs may be provided in the housing to distribute flow to all cells. | 07-21-2011 |
20110177379 | BATTERY ASSEMBLY - An end-to-end cell connection system for a battery assembly uses a conductive interconnector with an inner portion welded to an end of one cell, a standoff portion contiguous with the ring portion, tabs extending from the standoff portion, with the tabs welded to an end of another cell. By placing an insulator between the interconnector and the one cell, an electrical short is prevented in the event that a longitudinally coupled cell group is jostled. At the cell connections, there is a recess. To hold the cell group in place, the housing has a tab extending into the recess. The tab is at the center so that any dimensional variations are accommodated on each side of the tab. The interconnector also may include a receptacle for a thermistor to obtain a measure of battery assembly temperature. Diverter ribs may be provided in the housing to distribute flow to all cells. | 07-21-2011 |
20120103684 | Short-Preventing Shield for Wire Harness Terminals - A device for preventing electrical shorting between positive and negative terminals of a wiring harness includes a clip securable to conductors of the harness, a wall extending from the clip to be positioned between first and second terminals of the conductors when the clip, and a shield attached to the clip and movable between a first position wherein it blocks contact between a tool and the first terminal while allowing contact between the tool and the second terminal, and a second position wherein it blocks contact between the tool and the second terminal while allowing contact between the tool and the first terminal. | 05-03-2012 |
20120171533 | Battery Assembly With Gas Discharge Mechanism - A battery gas discharge system is provided having a floorpan with an outlet and a fastener aperture. The outlet and the fastener aperture are laterally spaced from each other. The system also includes a battery module with a base for resting upon the floorpan. An attachment aperture and a vent aperture are formed through the base. The attachment aperture and the vent aperture are laterally spaced from each other. A gas discharge mechanism defines a passageway for gas discharge between the battery module and the vent aperture. The gas discharge mechanism includes a vent port that is coupled to the vent aperture and sized for receiving discharged gas. The vent port is adapted for mating with and forming a seal about the outlet by securing the base to the floorpan during assembly. | 07-05-2012 |
20120175177 | Vehicle Battery Pack Frame - The present disclosure relates to a battery assembly for a vehicle, including a battery module having a plurality of battery cells, and a frame configured to reinforce the battery module, the frame having an upper section and a lower section of different size or shape. | 07-12-2012 |
20120175320 | POWER SUPPLY STRUCTURE - A retaining structure for a power supply may include top and bottom rails connected by columns, which carry loads that would otherwise be applied to the power supply. End plates may be attached to the rails to inhibit movement of the cells in directions parallel to the top and bottom rails. The rails may have a cross section configured to carry at least some of the loads applied to the battery pack. For example, at least a portion of the cross section may be configured in a shape that acts as a spring and deflects upon loading. | 07-12-2012 |
20120177952 | Battery Cell Separator - A battery cell separator includes rib supports and ribs connected between the rib supports. The rib supports and the ribs form a cartridge pocket configured to receive a battery cell with the rib supports and the ribs each forming a respective side of the cartridge pocket. In another battery module, the rib supports and the ribs form respective pockets fore and aft of the ribs with each pocket being configured to receive a battery cell. | 07-12-2012 |
20130034767 | BATTERY PACK LIQUID COOLING SYSTEM - A cooling system operable to cool a battery pack or other device through a heat exchange operation supported, at least in part, with cycling of a coolant relative to a coldplate or other thermally conducting surface of the device and/or attached thereto. | 02-07-2013 |
20130161105 | Modular Battery Assembly Support and Seals - A battery assembly, or module, for a vehicle having a battery compartment that defines an opening in the floor. The battery module is disposed partially within the battery compartment and extends through an opening in the floor of a battery compartment to be partially disposed below the floor of the vehicle. A method of installing a battery module into a vehicle is also disclosed. The battery module is inserted partially into an opening in a floor of a battery compartment with a lower portion of the battery module being retained below the floor and an upper portion of the battery module being retained above the floor. A seal is attached between the battery module and the opening in the floor. | 06-27-2013 |
20130164569 | PACKAGING OF THERMISTOR IN A BATTERY ASSEMBLY - A battery assembly having a plurality of battery modules capable of powering a traction motor of a vehicle. First and second end frames are provided on the battery modules. A plurality of battery cells is disposed between the first and second end frames. The first end frame of one of the battery modules has a first pocket. The second end frame of an adjacent battery module has a second pocket. The first and second pockets are aligned when the battery assembly is assembled to define a receptacle. A thermistor is disposed in the receptacle. The thermistor extends through the first pocket of the first end frame and at least partially into the second pocket of the second end frame. | 06-27-2013 |
20130164592 | Method and Apparatus for Manufacturing a Battery for a Vehicle - A battery module assembly and method of assembling a battery. The battery module assembly includes a plurality of modules in which a plurality of battery cells are preassembled. The modules are compressed by end plates that are held together under compression by a plurality of linking members. The end plates may include a protrusion that applies pressure to the central portion of the battery cells within the modules. The central portion of the end plates may be partially spherical, partially cylindrical or a flat surface. | 06-27-2013 |
20130328341 | CARGO MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A cargo management system includes a vehicle floor pan, a passenger seat having a seat back and a seat cushion, and an adjustable load floor. The passenger seat is disposed on the vehicle floor pan. The passenger seat has a seatback that is pivotally mounted to the seat cushion. The adjustable load floor is disposed above the vehicle floor pan. The adjustable load floor has a rear end and a front end wherein the front end is operatively configured to engage with the base of the seatback. The adjustable load floor being is operatively configured to move between a first position and a second position as the seat back moves between the upright position and the collapsed position. | 12-12-2013 |
20140037998 | ELECTRICAL STORAGE DEVICE HEATER FOR VEHICLE - An electrical storage device heater system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, an electrical storage device, a heater configured to regulate a temperature of the electrical storage device and a controller configured to actuate the heater using power sourced from a location separate from the electrical storage device. | 02-06-2014 |
20140191446 | METHOD OF FORMING INSULATING ARTICLES WITH REDUCED THICKNESS VARIATION - In one or more embodiment, a method is provided for forming an insulating article from an insulating material having a first thickness, the method including the step of: compressing the insulating material to form a compressed insulating material having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness; and subsequent to the step of compressing, subjecting the compressed insulating material to a vacuum to form the insulating article. | 07-10-2014 |
20140205870 | Battery Pack - A battery pack for a vehicle may include a cell array defining an upper surface and a housing defining a raised portion extending along and above a length of the array such that the raised portion and upper surface define a vent manifold therebetween which may be configured to collect gases generated by the array. The housing may define a discharge opening configured to allow gases to exit the manifold. A pair of end plates may be disposed at opposing ends of the array. One of the end plates may define a pass through portion in at least partial registration with the discharge opening. An outlet tube may be configured to facilitate fluid communication between the vent manifold and exterior of the vehicle. The battery pack may also include spacers located between upper edges of adjacent cells and may be configured to prevent cooling gases from entering the vent manifold. | 07-24-2014 |
20140220410 | BATTERY CELL SEPARATORS - A battery cell separator includes a body having front and rear sides for being stacked against respective battery cells. The body has a cross-section between the front and rear sides. The cross-section may have a saw-wave pattern, a square-wave pattern, or a sine-wave pattern. | 08-07-2014 |
20140272515 | TRACTION BATTERY THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A modular thermal management system for a battery in an electric vehicle is provided. The thermal management system includes a battery module having a plurality of module ports for conducting heat exchange fluid to regulate temperature in a traction battery. The thermal management system also includes a manifold having a plurality of connector ports corresponding to the plurality of module. A retention feature is located on the manifold or the battery module for securing the manifold to the battery module to ensure the connector ports remain fluidly sealed to the module ports | 09-18-2014 |
20150060169 | AIR COOLING SYSTEM FOR HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY CELL ARRAYS - A vehicle is provided including a battery module with front and rear battery cell arrays arranged generally parallel to and spaced apart from one another. The battery module includes a cover having an inlet port proximate to the front battery cell array and arranged obliquely thereto. A blower unit is configured to draw air through the inlet port such that a first portion of the air travels into the front battery cell array. A tray cooperates with the front battery cell array to define a passageway configured to direct a second portion of the air underneath the front battery cell array. The tray also defines a ramp underneath, and extending substantially a length of, the rear battery cell array and is configured to direct the second portion of air into the rear array. | 03-05-2015 |
20150061413 | HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY COVER WITH ELECTRICAL DISCONNECT - A battery system includes a battery cover, a battery access panel removably connected to the battery cover, and a service disconnect switch. The service disconnect switch includes an electrical interlock switch. The service disconnect switch has a first position cooperating with the battery access panel to prevent removal of the access panel from the battery cover. In the first position, the service disconnect connects a traction battery to circuitry. The service disconnect also has a second position, the second position being displaced from the access panel and disconnecting the battery. | 03-05-2015 |
20150079454 | SINGLE PLANE SEALED ENCLOSURE - A battery assembly for an electrified vehicle is disclosed, the battery assembly includes a battery cover and a battery tray that join at a single continuous planar sealing surface around a perimeter of the assembly. The continuous planar sealing surface is disposed at an angle relative to the base. | 03-19-2015 |
20150079458 | SERVICE PANEL FOR ACCESSING A SERVICEABLE PART - A battery assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, an enclosure assembly defining an interior and a service panel integrally formed in the enclosure assembly. The service panel includes a ductile portion that is removable to access the interior. | 03-19-2015 |