Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Mladen Marjanovic

Saravanan Paramasivam

Rajaram Subramanian

Kimberley King

Steve Droste

John Jardine

Patrick Daniel Maguire

Bhaskara Rao Boddakayala

Ihab Grace

Francisco Fernandez-Galindo

Micah Smith

Amar Marpu

Mike Popovski

Steve F Chorian

Eric Yoo

Stephen W Siu

Kimberley L C King

A multi-tier traction battery support assembly includes, among other things, a lower-tier battery array, an intermediate bracket directly secured to at least one endplate of the lower-tier battery array, and an upper-tier battery array supported on the intermediate bracket. A multi-tier traction battery support method includes supporting an intermediate bracket with at least one endplate of a lower-tier battery array and supporting an upper battery array with the intermediate bracket. The intermediate bracket is secured directly to the at least one endplate.

Traction battery upper-tier battery array support assembly and support method

A battery pack includes a heat dissipating structure, an array frame positioned against the heat dissipating structure, and a battery cell retained by the array frame and arranged so at least one surface of the battery cell is exposed by the array frame and is contiguous with the heat dissipating structure. The heat dissipating structure may be a heat exchanger plate or a thermal interface material (TIM).

Battery pack array frame designs that exclude thermal fins

A battery pack includes an array frame having a fastener housing, a mounting insert positioned within the fastener housing, and a column bolt extending through the mounting insert. The mounting insert may be secured to a battery pack enclosure structure using one or more fasteners.

Array frame mounting inserts for securing battery assemblies

A battery pack includes a grouping of battery cells and a plurality of array frames for retaining the grouping of battery cells. Each of the plurality of array frames includes a ratchet feature. A column bolt includes a raised surface configured to mate with the ratchet feature of each of the plurality of array frames to secure the plurality of array frames together.

Battery pack array frame designs with ratcheting retention features

An exemplary battery assembly includes, among other things, a frame, and a thermal fin extending through an aperture in the frame. The thermal fin is configured to transfer thermal energy between a battery cell and a thermal exchange plate. An exemplary method of thermal energy transfer within a battery pack includes, among other things, transferring thermal energy between at least one battery cell and a thermal exchange plate using a thermal fin that extends through an aperture in a frame.

Battery thermal fin and method of thermal energy transfer using a thermal fin

A battery pack includes a support structure, an array frame mounted relative to the support structure, and a thermal fin held within the array frame and grounded to the support structure. The thermal fin may include a grounding extension that is grounded to the support structure.

Battery pack array frames with grounded thermal fins

A vehicle underbody includes a tray structure, a battery pack having a plurality of footers and a bracket; and an enclosure surrounding the battery pack. The bracket has a wall attached to the enclosure, a ledge attached to the footers, and a stepped deformation region between the wall and ledge. The stepped deformation region deforms in response to impact to absorb energy associated with the impact.

Bracket attachment structure with fault folds

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.

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Windsor, CA, United States of America

Mladen Marjanovic