Abstract: An electric-vehicle frame includes a mid-section and an end section. The mid-section has first and second frame rails spaced from each other by a first distance along a cross-vehicle axis defining a battery compartment therebetween. The end-section has first and second frame rails spaced from each other by a second distance along the cross-vehicle axis smaller than the first distance. A first connector is fixed to the first frame rail of the mid-section and to the first frame rail of the end-section. A second connector is fixed to the second frame rail of the mid-section and to the second frame rail of the end-section.

Abstract: A battery box for an electric vehicle includes an Al casting that extends between and joins to a BIW or chassis rails of the electric vehicle. The Al casting includes a bottom wall, a side wall with a pair of rails that are securely attached to the BIW or chassis rails of the vehicle, and a plurality of cross members. The bottom wall, the side wall, and the plurality of cross members define a structural enclosure with a plurality of battery compartments and at least one crush zone, and the structural enclosure is load bearing member of the electric vehicle.

Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a floor panel formed with a floor tunnel; a transmission; a transmission support member; an inverter attached to a case of the transmission; a battery unit disposed behind the transmission and on an outer side in a vehicle width direction of the floor tunnel; and a harness disposed such that an intermediate portion between a first end portion connected to the inverter and a second end portion connected to a front end portion of the battery unit 4 extends across the floor tunnel from inside to outside thereof. The battery unit has a substantially rectangular shape in a bottom view, and a corner on the floor tunnel side of a front end portion of the battery unit is cut out to form a free space between the front end portion of the battery unit and a portion of the floor tunnel behind the transmission support member.

Abstract: An energy management system for a towed vehicle includes an energy harvesting system for harvesting electrical energy from the energy of the towed vehicle, an energy storage system for storing the harvested electrical energy, and a computer controller for controlling the release of the stored electrical energy to one or more components of the towed vehicle for operating the towed vehicle.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a floor surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a support structure and support wheels coupled to the support structure. An auxiliary wheel is coupled to the support structure to influence motion of the patient transport apparatus over the floor surface to assist users. An actuator is operatively coupled to the auxiliary wheel and operable to move the auxiliary wheel relative to the support structure from a retracted position to a deployed position. A user interface sensor is operatively connected to the actuator and configured to generate signals responsive to the user touching the user interface. A controller is operatively coupled to the user interface sensor and the actuator to operate the actuator in response to detection of signals.

Abstract: Described herein are battery packs and electric vehicles using these packs. In some examples, a battery pack comprises two portions/covers and a set of battery modules positioned within the enclosed cavity formed by these portions. A battery pack may comprise a set of pressure-relief valves positioned in and protruding through a wall of at least one portion. Each valve can be coaxial with a corresponding gap provided between two adjacent modules. The valve is configured to provide a fluid path (to the exterior of the battery pack) when the pressure inside the pack exceeds a set threshold. In some examples, the battery pack comprises an inlet tube fluidically coupled to the inlet port of each module and an outlet tube fluidically coupled to the outlet port of each module. A set of specially configured orifices or controllable valves is positioned on the fluid path through each module.

Abstract: A battery container, a battery pack, and a vehicle are provided. The battery container includes a battery compartment and a first beam. The battery compartment is configured to accommodate a plurality of batteries. The batteries are arranged along a first direction. The first beam extends along the first direction and forms a first side wall of the battery compartment. A first adhesive receiving groove is recessed from an inner wall of the first beam. The first adhesive receiving groove extends along the first direction. The first adhesive receiving groove is configured to be filled with a connection adhesive to connect the first beam to the batteries. The inner wall of the first beam is a side wall of the first beam facing the batteries.

Abstract: A method for mounting a battery system to a chassis floor of an electrical vehicle is provided, wherein the battery system is adapted for providing electrical power for driving rolling movement of said electrical vehicle, and wherein a plane extends through and parallel to said chassis floor with a first side of said plane facing in a downward direction during use of the electrical vehicle, the method including: fixing a plurality of battery modules to the chassis floor at the first side of said plane, each battery module including electrical terminals; subsequently electrically connecting the electrical terminals of the battery modules to each other to form the battery system; and fixing a cover plate to the chassis floor such that the cover plate covers the battery modules. A vehicle chassis and a vehicle including such a chassis are provided as well.

Abstract: A battery unit for a vehicle is provided. The battery unit includes a lower case having two battery compartments arranged in a direction toward opposite sides of the vehicle, respectively, and a connecting portion bent to be convex upwardly between the two battery compartments. A reinforcing structure is disposed on the connecting portion. Two battery modules are installed in the two battery compartments, respectively and a power wire is electrically connected to at least one of the two battery modules and extends from one of the two battery compartments to the other one of the two battery compartments through the connecting portion.

Abstract: An electrically driven vehicle includes at least one wheel driven by a motor, a vehicle body including a floor panel, a battery pack arranged on the lower side of the floor panel and configured to supply power to the motor, at least one wire harness extending in a front-rear direction of the electrically driven vehicle between the floor panel and the battery pack, and a harness cover extending in the front-rear direction of the electrically driven vehicle along the at least one wire harness and interposed between the at least one wire harness and the battery pack.

Abstract: A battery pack assembly includes, among other things, a tray, a lid secured to the tray to provide an enclosure having an interior, at least one battery module disposed within the interior, a cross-member disposed within the interior adjacent to the at least one battery module, and a stanchion secured to the cross-member. The stanchion disposed entirely within the interior. The assembly further includes a fastener that extends through an opening in the lid to engage the stanchion.

Abstract: Power supply device includes a plurality of secondary battery cells, a pair of end plates that cover both end faces of battery stack in which the plurality of secondary battery cells are stacked, a plurality of fastening members that fasten end plates to each other, a plurality of pressing parts that press upper surfaces of the plurality of secondary battery cells respectively, and buffer interposed between pressing parts and the upper surfaces of secondary battery cells. Buffer includes a plurality of covers made of resin, and a connecting part, having flexibility, for connecting two of the plurality of covers. Buffer is configured such that each of the plurality of covers is disposed on the upper surface of corresponding one of secondary battery cells, and each of pressing part abuts on the upper surface of the corresponding cover.

Abstract: A retractable vehicle step is attachable to a vehicle or truck. The vehicle step facilitates access to a cargo hold, interior, or roof of the vehicle. Advantageously, the vehicle step may provide clearance space relative to a tailgate of the vehicle by displacing a stepping member of the vehicle step in a generally lateral direction. The vehicle step desirably has a covered and protected biasing mechanism for transitioning between retracted and extended positions of the stepping member. Advantageously, the vehicle step may be pulled out from under the vehicle by the foot of a user. Another advantage is that the vehicle step is readily attachable to the vehicle using already existing connection members, thereby generally eliminating or mitigating the need for customized retrofitting and avoiding undesirable installation cost and time. Finally, the vehicle step may be configured into at least two different arrangements for attachment to a vehicle utilizing the same components.

Abstract: A trailer mountable power storage and distribution system is provided. The power storage and distribution system includes a battery assembly and an auxiliary component assembly. The battery assembly includes a housing configured to be mounted to a chassis assembly of a trailer unit. The auxiliary component assembly is configured to be mounted to the chassis assembly of the trailer unit. The auxiliary component assembly has a thermal management component and a power distribution module. The thermal management component is configured to remove heat from the battery assembly. The power distribution module is configured to electrically connect the battery assembly to a load disposed on a tractor configured to tow the trailer unit.

Abstract: An electric vehicle may include: a cowl; a charging lid disposed outward of the cowl in a vehicle width direction, and a charging cable disposed between the cowl and the charging lid. A drain hole is defined in a bottom wall of the cowl, the bottom wall of the cowl may include a first bottom wall portion and a second bottom wall portion, the first bottom wall portion is located more proximate to a central portion of the cowl than the second bottom wall portion, the second bottom wall portion is located between the first bottom wall portion and the drain hole and is adjacent to the drain hole, and an inclination angle of a surface of the second bottom wall portion is greater than an inclination angle of a surface of the first bottom wall portion.

Abstract: A method includes moving a stabilization device comprising a stabilization surface relative to a base of a surgical cart, wherein the moving comprises moving the stabilization device from a retracted position in which the stabilization surface is spaced from the ground surface to a deployed position in which the stabilization surface is in contact with the ground surface, and wherein the moving comprises overcoming a biasing force biasing the stabilization device toward the retracted position.

Abstract: A personal vehicle having quick detachable modules and wireless communication between modules. In one embodiment, a scooter is provided that has a chassis frame and a vehicle body module detachably attached to the frame chassis. The vehicle body module includes one or more batteries. The scooter also includes a rear wheel module having a hub motor detachably attached to the frame chassis, and a controller that directs power from the battery to the hub motor and wirelessly transmits data between the modules to enable vehicle operation.

Abstract: A battery pack locking mechanism, used for unlocking or locking a battery pack on the bracket, and comprising a fixing portion. The fixing portion has a locking space. When the battery pack is placed relative to the bracket, the locking mechanism is used for locking a connecting portion on the battery pack in the locking space. On one side of the locking space, the locking mechanism is provided with an opening facing towards the battery pack and entering the bracket along the horizontal direction, so that the connecting portion enters the opening along the horizontal direction and moves into the locking space. According to the locking mechanism, effectively reducing the complexity of the process and the step of mounting and fixing the battery pack on the bracket. Also provided are a bracket assembly, an electric vehicle, and a battery pack locking method.

Abstract: A traction battery pack venting system includes a plurality of battery arrays within a traction battery pack. The battery arrays each have a plurality of individual battery cells. The system further includes a divider system that provides a plurality of vented gas receiving compartments. Each of the vented gas receiving compartments are separate and distinct from the other vented gas receiving compartments within the plurality of vented gas receiving compartments. Each of the vented gas receiving compartments are associated with one of the battery arrays. Each of the vented gas receiving compartments can be associated with a manifold. The vent gas produced from thermal runaway can be discharged to the vented gas receiving compartments, directed to a manifold, and discharge to the external atmosphere.

Abstract: A battery storage device includes a battery case (42), a case side connection terminal (43), a lid member (8), a lock mechanism (133), and an operation member (44). The lock mechanism (133) is capable of fixing a battery (62A or 62B) stored in the battery case (42) to the battery case (42) below the lid member (8). The operation member (44) is constituted such that at least a part thereof overlaps an inserting/removing port (136) on an upper side in a view in an insertion direction of the battery (62A or 62B) in a state at a lock operation position.