Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Josef Dollison

Daniel Miller

Jeremy Samborsky

Evan Mascianica

Asif Iqbal

Jason Luke Sielaff

James Lawrence Swoish

Saravanan Paramasivam

Brian Utley

Judith Urdea

A traction battery for a vehicle includes a plurality of cells stacked in an array and having a dielectric material surrounding at least a portion of each of the cells. The cells are spaced apart to define a plurality of pockets interleaved with the cells. A manifold is connected to the array and is configured to circulate liquid coolant to each of the pockets such that the coolant directly contacts the dielectric material of each of the cells.

Traction battery assembly

An exemplary traction battery assembly includes, among other things, a first portion of an enclosure, a second portion of the enclosure, and a compression limiter. The first portion is overmolded to the compression limiter. An exemplary method includes, among other things, securing a first portion of an enclosure for a traction battery to a second portion, and limiting compression of the first portion during the securing using a compression limiter. The first portion is overmolded to the compression limiter.

Traction battery enclosure compression limiter

A battery module according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a first array of battery cells along a first axis, and a second array of battery cells along a second axis. The battery cells of the first and second arrays each include axially facing walls. The battery module further includes a compression structure providing a heat exchanger. The compression structure is adjacent axially facing walls of a battery cell of the first array and a battery cell of the second array.

Battery module having side compression structure with heat exchanger

A battery cell spacer according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a body extending between a top surface and a bottom surface and a saddle disposed at the top surface of the body and configured to establish a barrier surface between metallic components.

Battery cell spacer for establishing dielectric barriers within a battery assembly

A vehicle traction battery assembly may include a traction battery and a battery tray. The traction battery is for powering a portion of an electrified vehicle. The battery tray is for supporting the traction battery and defines a coolant channel for distributing coolant in a first direction and a second direction. Battery cells of the traction battery are arranged with the battery tray such that the first direction and the second direction are oriented perpendicular relative to a longitudinal face of one of the battery cells. A plate may be secured to the battery tray without mechanical fasteners to retain coolant within the coolant channel. The plate may be made of aluminum and the battery tray may be die cast aluminum. An inlet channel may extend from an inlet to the coolant channel and may be disposed between a pair of openings defined by the battery tray.

Traction battery integrated thermal plate and tray

A traction battery for a vehicle includes a tray having an outer surface defining an open channel configured to circulate liquid coolant. A plurality of cells are stacked in an array and each has a dielectric material surrounding at least a portion of the cell. The array is disposed on the outer surface and covers the channel such that a side of the array is in direct contact with the coolant during operation.

A traction battery includes a first thermal plate disposed within a case, and cells disposed on the first thermal plate. A bracket arrangement is disposed within the case. The bracket arrangement includes a second thermal plate spaced apart from the first thermal plate, and a leg defining at least a portion of a fluid path connecting flow channels of the first and second thermal plates. An electronic component is disposed on the second thermal plate.

Traction battery assembly with thermal device

A traction battery assembly is provided. The traction battery assembly may include a battery cell array, a pair of endplates, and a first coolant channel. The battery cell array may define a longitudinal center axis along an upper face of the array. The pair of endplates may be configured to longitudinally retain the array therebetween. The first coolant channel may be in thermal communication with each battery cell along the upper face, span a longitudinal length of the array, and be offset from the longitudinal center axis. The assembly may include a second coolant channel in thermal communication with each battery cell, spanning the longitudinal length of the array, and covering a portion of the upper face of the array and a side face of the array. Each of the endplates may further define a plenum open to the first coolant channel and the second coolant channel.

Vehicle traction battery assembly

A support structure is provided for a battery cell array which may include a pair of triangular prism shaped endplates having opposing parallel inner faces configured to exert a compression force on battery cells disposed therebetween and parallel outer faces not parallel with the inner faces. The support structure may also include a pair of opposing retention supports spanning between the endplates. The endplates and supports may be arranged such that the outer faces and supports define a rectangular prism. The inner faces may be oriented at an acute angle relative to at least one of the supports, and the acute angle may have a slippage angle value. Each retention support may define retention featured to orient battery cells and cell spacers such that the battery cells and spacers are parallel with the inner faces.

Support structure for angled battery cell configuration for a traction battery assembly

An exemplary assembly includes an array plate of a traction battery and an insert held by the array plate. The insert is in electrical communication with a bus bar of the traction battery. Another exemplary assembly includes an array plate of a traction battery and a fastening insert recessed within the array plate. The fastening insert is more electrically conductive than the array plate.

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Petersburg, MI, United States of America

Josef Dollison