Abstract: An electric vehicle comprises: a vehicle body; a cavity in the vehicle body, the cavity formed by at least one wall of the vehicle body and by an opening in the vehicle body; a closure configured for closing the opening; an electric motor for propulsion of the electric vehicle; and components that comprise a high voltage battery system, the components mounted to the vehicle body inside the cavity, the high voltage battery system including electrochemical cells powering the electric motor, the high voltage battery system being enclosed by the wall of the vehicle body and the closure and having no standalone pack enclosure.

Abstract: A car door handle that lies flush with the car door exterior surface prior to engagement is provided. Once engaged, the car door handle rotates out and away from the door. After the handle is fully deployed, a grip-through loop is presented to the user, thus simplifying door control.

Abstract: A car door handle that lies flush with the car door exterior surface prior to engagement is provided. Once engaged, the car door handle rotates out and away from the door. After the handle is fully deployed, a grip-through loop is presented to the user, thus simplifying door control.

Abstract: A technique is provided in which detection of an impending collision results in the vehicle's control system taking steps to minimize damage to the passenger cabin, thereby increasing passenger safety. In particular, once an object is detected in the vehicle's pathway, the on-board controller determines whether or not a collision with the object (e.g., an on-coming car or a stationary object) is imminent. Once the system determines that a collision is imminent, the controller (i) deactivates the car's anti-lock braking system, (ii) locks-up the wheels, and (iii) rotates the front wheels to minimize intrusion of the wheels into the passenger cabin. The system may be configured to tailor the response to an imminent collision based on (i) vehicle speed, and (ii) probable impact area.

Abstract: A battery pack protection system is provided for use with an electric vehicle in which the battery pack is mounted under the car. The system utilizes a bumper that is attached to the front of the battery pack enclosure and which is configured to (i) deflect debris striking the bumper and (ii) absorb impact energy due to the debris, thereby minimizing the transference of impact energy to the battery pack and the batteries contained within the pack.

Abstract: A technique is provided in which detection of an impending collision results in the vehicle's control system taking steps to minimize damage to the passenger cabin, thereby increasing passenger safety. In particular, once an object is detected in the vehicle's pathway, the on-board controller determines whether or not a collision with the object (e.g., an on-coming car or a stationary object) is imminent. Once the system determines that a collision is imminent, the controller (i) deactivates the car's anti-lock braking system, (ii) locks-up the wheels, and (iii) rotates the front wheels to minimize intrusion of the wheels into the passenger cabin. The system may be configured to tailor the response to an imminent collision based on (i) vehicle speed, and (ii) probable impact area.

Abstract: A battery pack protection system is provided for use with an electric vehicle in which the battery pack is mounted under the car. The system utilizes a bumper that is attached to the front of the battery pack enclosure and which is configured to (i) deflect debris striking the bumper and (ii) absorb impact energy due to the debris, thereby minimizing the transference of impact energy to the battery pack and the batteries contained within the pack.

Abstract: A system is provided that minimizes wheel intrusion into the occupant compartment during a small overlap collision. The system uses a front suspension subframe that is rigidly mounted to the front rails during normal vehicle operation, but which is designed to rotate during a small overlap collision, thereby allowing the attached front wheel assembly to swivel out and away from the vehicle. As a result, the wheel assembly directly involved in the collision is not driven into the passenger cabin.

Abstract: A system is provided that minimizes wheel intrusion into the occupant compartment during a small overlap collision. The system uses a front suspension subframe that is rigidly mounted to the front rails during normal vehicle operation, but which is designed to rotate during a small overlap collision, thereby allowing the attached front wheel assembly to swivel out and away from the vehicle. As a result, the wheel assembly directly involved in the collision is not driven into the passenger cabin.

Abstract: A dual hinged door assembly for a vehicle is provided, the assembly including an upper door portion and a lower door portion. The upper door portion, which may include a window, pivots about a primary axis formed by its juncture with a structural member in the roof. The lower door portion, which may include a window, pivots about a secondary axis formed by its juncture with the upper door portion. Primary and secondary drive systems may be used to provide independent powered motion of the upper and lower door portions. Each drive system may include a powered strut, e.g., a hydraulic strut, and a non-powered strut, e.g., a gas strut.

Abstract: A control system for use with a vehicle's dual hinged door assembly is provided, the control system including a door switch, upper and lower door portions, primary and secondary door drive systems and a controller. The upper door portion pivots about a primary axis formed by its juncture with a structural member in the roof while the lower door portion pivots about a secondary axis formed by its juncture with the upper door portion. Primary and secondary drive systems provide independent powered motion of the upper and lower door portions. The controller monitors door switch activation and determines whether activation corresponds to a door open or door closed command; performs preset door opening and closing sequences using the drive systems; and modifies the preset door opening and closing sequences based on data from proximity sensors, pinch sensors, latch sensors, drive system motor speed and the current draw by the drive systems.

Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a vehicle's dual hinged door assembly is provided, where the dual hinged door assembly includes a first door portion hingeably coupled to a structural member within the vehicle's roof such that it pivots about a primary axis formed by its juncture with the structural roof member, a second door portion hingeably coupled to the first door portion such that it pivots about a secondary axis formed by its juncture with the first door portion, a primary drive system providing powered motion for the first door portion about the primary axis, a secondary drive system providing powered motion for the second door portion about the secondary axis, and a controller coupled to the drive systems that provides independent motion control of the first and second door portions via the primary and secondary drive systems.

Abstract: A dual hinged door assembly for a vehicle is provided, the assembly including an upper door portion and a lower door portion. The upper door portion, which may include a window, pivots about a primary axis formed by its juncture with a structural member in the roof. The lower door portion, which may include a window, pivots about a secondary axis formed by its juncture with the upper door portion. Primary and secondary drive systems may be used to provide independent powered motion of the upper and lower door portions. Each drive system may include a powered strut, e.g., a hydraulic strut, and a non-powered strut, e.g., a gas strut.

Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a vehicle's dual hinged door assembly is provided, where the dual hinged door assembly includes a first door portion hingeably coupled to a structural member within the vehicle's roof such that it pivots about a primary axis formed by its juncture with the structural roof member, a second door portion hingeably coupled to the first door portion such that it pivots about a secondary axis formed by its juncture with the first door portion, a primary drive system providing powered motion for the first door portion about the primary axis, a secondary drive system providing powered motion for the second door portion about the secondary axis, and a controller coupled to the drive systems that provides independent motion control of the first and second door portions via the primary and secondary drive systems.

Abstract: A control system for use with a vehicle's dual hinged door assembly is provided, the control system including a door switch, upper and lower door portions, primary and secondary door drive systems and a controller. The upper door portion pivots about a primary axis formed by its juncture with a structural member in the roof while the lower door portion pivots about a secondary axis formed by its juncture with the upper door portion. Primary and secondary drive systems provide independent powered motion of the upper and lower door portions. The controller monitors door switch activation and determines whether activation corresponds to a door open or door closed command; performs preset door opening and closing sequences using the drive systems; and modifies the preset door opening and closing sequences based on data from proximity sensors, pinch sensors, latch sensors, drive system motor speed and the current draw by the drive systems.