Abstract:
A battery module comprises: electrochemical cells arranged side by side in an array of multiple rows and columns, the electrochemical cells including terminals that comprise a first terminal at respective first ends of the electrochemical cells and at least portions of second terminals at the respective first ends; a housing that holds the electrochemical cells, the housing formed by a molding process with a polymer material; and a planar busbar extending along the terminals throughout the array, the planar busbar joined to the housing by an overmolding operation during the molding process without an adhesive between the planar busbar and the housing.
Abstract:
A computer-implemented method comprises: detecting, by an assisted-driving system that is currently controlling motion of a first vehicle, a traffic event external to the first vehicle; and providing, by the assisted-driving system and in response to detecting the traffic event, confirmation to a passenger in the first vehicle that the assisted-driving system is handling the traffic event, the confirmation including a physical feedback perceptible to the passenger.
Abstract:
A computer-implemented method comprises: determining, by a computer system of a first vehicle, that a traffic standstill criterion is met, the traffic standstill criterion including that the first vehicle is stationary in traffic and that a second vehicle immediately in front of the first vehicle is also stationary; receiving, by the computer system, a camera output relating to a driver of the first vehicle, the camera output generated by a camera positioned in a passenger cabin of the first vehicle; assigning, by the computer system, a distraction level for the driver based on the camera output, the distraction level selected from among multiple distraction levels; determining, by the computer system, that a criterion for a drive-off event is met; and selecting, by the computer system and based on the distraction level assigned for the driver, a first alert level from among multiple alert levels regarding the drive-off event.
Abstract:
A vehicle comprises: a vehicle body having a front and a rear; a vehicle chassis supporting the vehicle body, the vehicle chassis including a chassis portion; a component attached to the front of the vehicle body; and a member comprising (i) an elongate portion having teeth, and (ii) an attachment portion attaching the member to one of the chassis portion or the component, wherein the member is configured for ratcheting of the teeth against an edge of the other of the chassis portion or the component due to relative movement between the component and the chassis portion.
Abstract:
An electric motor cooling system is provided that utilizes stator-integrated axial coolant channels and a coolant manifold centrally located within the stator to efficiently remove motor assembly heat. In order to increase the velocity of the coolant exiting the axial coolant channels, thereby improving end winding cooling uniformity, end laminations are integrated into the stator which restrict the flow of coolant from the axial coolant channels.
Abstract:
A battery pack has bus bars at one end, freeing the other end of the battery pack for cooling or other arrangements. A plurality of battery cells has first terminals of the battery cells at first ends of the battery cells. Portions of second terminals of the battery cells are at the first ends of the battery cells. The first ends of the battery cells are in a coplanar arrangement. A plurality of bus bars is assembled proximate to the first ends of the battery cells. The bus bars are coupled to the first terminals and the second terminals of the battery cells at the first ends of the battery cells to place the battery cells in one of a series connection, a parallel connection or a series and parallel connection.
Abstract:
A bidirectional bus system is provided. The bidirectional bus system includes a plurality of bus slaves configured to couple to a bidirectional bus. Each bus slave of the plurality of bus slaves has a switch operated by a switch control to selectably couple and decouple an upstream portion and a downstream portion of the bidirectional bus relative to the bus slave, with the switch control being powered by activity on the bidirectional bus. A method of operating a bus is also provided
Abstract:
A noise resistant switch control circuit is provided. The circuit includes a low pass filter configured to couple to a first terminal of a switch and a first voltage clamp coupled to the low pass filter. The first voltage clamp is configured to couple to a control terminal of the switch and limit a voltage of the control terminal relative to the first terminal to within a first clamping range. The circuit includes a second voltage clamp coupled to an input terminal of the switch control circuit. The second voltage clamp is configured to couple to the control terminal of the switch. The second voltage clamp is further configured to reduce a level of a control voltage coupled to the second voltage clamp. The circuit includes a bias device configured to couple to the control terminal of the switch and to impress a biasing voltage to the control terminal.
Abstract:
A battery management apparatus is provided. The battery management apparatus includes a switched capacitor level shifter having a first port and a second port. The first port is configured to couple to a cell in a battery stack and the second port is configured to couple to a voltage measurement device. The apparatus includes a discharge device coupled to the second port, wherein the discharge device is configured to discharge the cell via the switched capacitor level shifter. A method of managing a battery stack is also included.
Abstract:
A power drive apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a first switch having a first plurality of power devices arranged in a back to back configuration within adjacent stacked rows of the first switch. The apparatus includes a second switch having a second plurality of power devices arranged in a back to back configuration within adjacent stacked rows of the second switch. A bus is shared with the first switch and the second switch. The apparatus includes a control drive device coupled to a gate of each power device of the first plurality of power devices and each power device of the second plurality of power devices.