Tesla Motors, Inc.

Vivek Attaluri

Alexi Charbonneau

Hitendra Laxmidas Gadhiya

Malcolm Burgess

Peter Dore Rawlinson

Bruce P Edwards

Alan Paul Clarke

Robert David Sumpf, Jr

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.

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 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.

System for absorbing and distributing side impact energy utilizing a side sill assembly with a collapsible sill insert

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Union City, CA, United States of America

Vivek Attaluri