Abstract:
A battery pack assembly has a plurality of interconnected battery cells and is suitable for use in an electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle. The assembly includes a first battery cell having a first terminal and a second battery cell having a second terminal electrically interconnected by a bus bar formed of a conductive material and attached to the first terminal and the second terminal. A bus bar retainer formed of a dielectric material is configured to contain the bus bar within the bus bar retainer. The bus bar has a greater freedom of movement within the bus bar retainer along a first, e.g. vertical, axis than along a second, e.g. longitudinal, axis and a third, e.g. lateral axis, wherein both the second and third axes are substantially perpendicular to the first axis and to each other. The assembly may also include individually removable temperature sensing devices.
Abstract:
An electrical connector assembly having a connector body and a conductive terminal disposed within a cavity in the connector body. The terminal is held within the cavity by a rigid stop tab and a flexible lock tab that engage the ends of the connector body. A flexible bias tab having a fixed end attached to the body of the terminal and a free end extending outward laterally from the body of the terminal is configured to engage an inner wall of the cavity and urge the body of the terminal into contact with an opposite inner wall of the cavity, thereby inhibiting lateral movement of the terminal within the cavity. The bias tab may further limit rotational movement of the terminal within the cavity. The bias tab and/or any other feature of the terminal do not engage a locking feature located within the cavity.
Abstract:
A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cell cassettes each including a fuel cell with an anode and a cathode. Each fuel cell cassette also includes an electrode interconnect adjacent to the anode or the cathode for providing electrical communication between an adjacent fuel cell cassette and the anode or the cathode. The interconnect includes a plurality of electrode interconnect protrusions defining a flow passage along the anode or the cathode for communicating oxidant or fuel to the anode or the cathode. An electrically conductive material is disposed between at least one of the electrode interconnect protrusions and the anode or the cathode in order to provide a stable electrical contact between the electrode interconnect and the anode or cathode. An encapsulating arrangement segregates the electrically conductive material from the flow passage thereby, preventing volatilization of the electrically conductive material in use of the fuel cell stack.
Abstract:
A connector system includes a first connector body defining a channel between a longitudinally-oriented fixed wall and a longitudinally-oriented flexible beam. The flexible beam is located opposite and generally parallel to the fixed wall when in a relaxed state. A distal surface of the flexible beam defines a first protrusion having a first inclined surface. A second connector body defines a cavity configured to receive the first connector body. A mesial surface inside the cavity defines a second protrusion having a second inclined surface configured to engage the first inclined surface of the flexible beam when the connector bodies are mated. A member inserted into the channel causes the flexible beam to flex laterally and move the first inclined surface with respect to the second inclined surface sufficient to generate a longitudinal force between the first and second inclined surfaces and thus between the first and second connector bodies.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an algorithm for detecting activation of a tactile pressure sensor having a mechanic structure that includes the steps of: (a) measuring periodically an input quantity (V0; f0) of the sensor, when it is not pressed, the period being set according to sensor dynamic requirements; (b) computing a current idle quantity (Vidle; fidle) depending on the input quantity (V0; f0) measured at step a); (c) computing an activation threshold (ΔVP; ΔfP) based on a quantity characterization of the sensor mechanic structure and depending on the idle quantity (Vidle; fidle) defined at step b); (d) comparing the sensor input quantity (V0; f0) with the last defined idle quantity (Vidle; fidle) increased by the activation threshold (ΔVP; ΔfP) computed in step c) in order to determine whether the sensor is pressed or not.
Abstract:
A wire cable configured to be attached to a wire cable terminal. An uninsulated end of the wire cable is formed into a nugget having a shape that generally defines a rectangular cuboid or rectangular prism. The nugget includes one face that defines a longitudinal concavity, indentation, or channel, which is oriented generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wire cable. The nugget may be formed by ultrasonically welding the wire strands together. The concavity reduces the occurrence of fracturing the nugget when it is attached to the terminal by wire crimping wings. The wire cable may be formed of aluminum-based material. An apparatus for forming an end of a wire cable into a nugget shape having a longitudinal concavity and a method of attaching a wire cable having an end formed into a nugget shape having a longitudinal concavity to a terminal is also presented.
Abstract:
A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The PCB architecture integrally forms a resilient beam portion adjacent an edge thereof carrying a grounding pad. The major components and subassemblies are self-fixturing during the final assembly process and self-interconnect by integral guide and connection features effecting “slide lock” and “snap lock” self-interconnection.
Abstract:
A lightweight radio/Audio player for vehicular application includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material molded to provide details to accept audio devices and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips.
Abstract:
A system and a method to provide alignment between a source resonator and a capture resonator. The system and method may be used to align a vehicle having a capture resonator to the source resonator of a wireless inductive battery charging system for an electric vehicle. The system includes a display device, a sensor to determine a location of the source resonator relative to the capture resonator, and a controller in communication with the source resonator, the capture resonator, the sensor, and the display device. The controller is programmed to determine a relative distance and a relative direction between the source resonator and the capture resonator, determine a transfer efficiency of electrical power between the source resonator and the capture resonator. The display device is configured to indicate the relative distance and the relative direction between the source resonator and the capture resonator and indicate the transfer efficiency.
Abstract:
An antenna for a radar sensor includes an emitter element, a receiver element, and an anti-reflection element. The emitter element is configured to direct the emitted signal along a boresight that intersects a fascia. The receiver element is configured to detect a reflected signal reflected by an object located beyond the fascia. The anti-reflection element is configured to reduce reflection by the antenna of an early-reflection portion reflected by the fascia.