Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes a battery module, a battery cell assembly that is a component of the battery module, and a battery cell of the battery cell assembly, wherein the battery cell is configured to generate heat during operation. The battery cell assembly also includes a phase change material (PCM) disposed along a thermal pathway within the battery cell assembly that transfers the heat generated by the battery cell away from the battery cell during operation. The PCM is configured to conduct a first portion of the heat generated by the battery cell during operation. Further, the PCM is configured to absorb a second portion of the heat generated by the battery cell to affect a phase change within at least a portion of the PCM.

Abstract: A battery cell assembly for use in a battery module including a battery cell that includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode and a rigid frame coupled to the battery cell. The rigid frame includes a first frame connector and a second frame connector. The frame is configured to facilitate electrical coupling of the positive electrode of the battery cell with the first frame connector, and to facilitate electrical coupling of the negative electrode of the battery cell with the second frame connector. The first and second frame connectors are configured to interface with frame connectors of other battery cell assemblies to facilitate physical and electrical connection of a plurality of battery cell assemblies disposed in a stacked orientation relative to each other.

Abstract: A battery module includes a power assembly including a first battery cell and a second battery cell in a stacked orientation relative to each other, wherein the first battery cell comprises a first tab electrode extending therefrom, and wherein the second battery cell comprises a second tab electrode extending therefrom. The battery module also includes an interconnect assembly configured to facilitate electrically coupling the first tab electrode with the second tab electrode with the first and second battery cells in the stacked orientation. The interconnect assembly includes a coupling structure about which the first and second tab electrodes at least partially conform. In addition, the interconnect assembly includes a clamp disposed about the coupling structure and the first and second tab electrodes such that the first and second tab electrodes are secured in electrical communication.

Abstract: A battery module includes active material disposed in layers to form a generally planar electrochemical cell with an upper surface, a lower surface, and side surfaces. The battery also includes electrodes extending out of the electrochemical cell, and a frame disposed about the active material such that edges of the frame surround the side surfaces of the active material and the electrodes extend beyond the frame. The battery further includes an upper layer of pouch material disposed over the upper surface of the active material and an upper surface of the frame, and a lower layer of pouch material disposed over the lower surface of the active material and a lower surface of the frame. The upper layer of pouch material and the lower layer of pouch material function to provide a seal that seals the active material within the frame.

Abstract: A battery module including a first positive terminal, a second positive terminal, a ground terminal, a power conversion circuit, and a power assembly. The power assembly includes a plurality of battery cells coupled in series and disposed in a stacked orientation relative to each other and configured to output a first voltage between the first positive terminal and the ground terminal. The power conversion circuit is electrically coupled to the power assembly and configured to receive the first voltage as an input and to output a second voltage different from the first voltage. The second positive terminal is electrically coupled to the power conversion circuit to receive the second voltage from the power conversion circuit.

Abstract: A battery module includes a power assembly including a first battery cell and a second battery cell in a stacked orientation relative to each other. The first battery cell includes a first tab electrode extending therefrom, and the second battery cell includes a second tab electrode extending therefrom. The battery module also includes an interconnect assembly configured to facilitate electrically coupling the first tab electrode with the second tab electrode. The interconnect assembly includes a roller housing structure about which the first and second tab electrodes at least partially conform such that the first and second tab electrodes are positioned in an opening defined by the roller housing structure. The interconnect assembly also includes a roller disposed in the opening of the roller housing structure such that the first and second tab electrodes are secured in electrical communication.

Abstract: A battery module includes a power assembly including a first battery cell and a second battery cell in a stacked orientation relative to each other. The first battery cell includes a first tab electrode extending therefrom, and the second battery cell includes a second tab electrode extending therefrom. The battery module also includes an interconnect assembly configured to facilitate electrically coupling the first tab electrode with the second tab electrode with the first and second battery cells in the stacked orientation. The interconnect assembly includes a crimping element disposed over the first and second tab electrodes. The crimping element is configured to apply a compressive force to the first and second tab electrodes such that the first and second tab electrodes are secured in electrical communication via direct contact.

Abstract: A system includes a battery cell having an internal heat fin and a first electrically insulating layer disposed over at least a portion of a single side of the internal heat fin. The battery cell includes an electrochemical stack disposed above the first insulating layer and the internal heat fin in a stack. The battery cell also includes a pouch material film configured to hermetically seal with one side of the internal heat fin or the first insulating layer about the electrochemical stack such that the internal heat fin forms an outer boundary of the battery cell. The pouch material film includes a metallic foil layer disposed between a second electrically insulating layer and a third electrically insulating layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a backlit motor vehicle gauge such as a speedometer or a revolution counter, which gauge has a wall provided with translucent graduations disposed over a circular arc, one or more light-emitting elements (16) carried by a support plate (13), and a light guide (18) interposed between the support plate (13) and the graduated wall so as to diffuse the light emitted by the light-emitting elements (16) towards a back face of the graduated wall in order to illuminate all of the graduations. According to the invention, the light guide (18) is mounted to pivot IO about an axis (AX) passing through the center of the circular arc while having its position servo-controlled, and said light guide (18) carries a spot lighting member (28) situated radially at the same level as the circular arc so as to highlight a portion of the region carrying the graduations. The invention is applicable to gauges designed to equip motor vehicles.

Abstract: A vehicle interior trim component hinge assembly includes a rotatable component, and a shaft disposed through the rotatable component. The hinge assembly also includes a first friction disk rotationally coupled to the shaft, and a second friction disk rotationally coupled to the rotatable component. The hinge assembly further includes a biasing member configured to urge the first and second friction disks toward one another to establish a friction force that provides resistance to rotation of the rotatable component about the shaft.

Abstract: A roof assembly for a vehicle is disclosed and includes a display device supported at the roof assembly. The display device is selectively movable between a use position and a stowed position. The roof assembly also includes a user interface associated with the display device, a light source supported at the roof assembly that is configured to illuminate the user interface and a switch for activating the light source when the display device is selectively moved from the stowed position. Another roof assembly for a vehicle is disclosed that includes a vehicle component that is at least partially supported at a transparent roof panel. A method of manufacturing a perimeter trim member for a vehicle is disclosed and includes designing the perimeter trim member as a plurality of sections and molding the plurality of sections as a single sheet of material.

Abstract: A method for operating a direct current (DC) motor is shown and described. The method includes using pulse width modulated (PWM) DC output to control the speed of the DC motor. The method further includes sensing current output to the motor. When the sensed current exceeds a threshold, the method holds the PWM DC output off.

Abstract: A system includes a battery cell having a packaging and a coil disposed within the packaging. The battery cell further includes a first terminal electrically coupled to a portion the coil and protruding through an opening in the packaging, wherein the first terminal is hermetically sealed at the opening in the packaging using a compressive force.

Abstract: A compact evaporator including a suction baffle system is provided for use in a refrigeration system. The suction baffle system includes a suction baffle and a passageway. The suction baffle includes a plurality of walls and is adjacent to the interior wall of shell. The passageway extends below one of the walls of the suction baffle toward the lower portion of the shell and is adjacent to the interior wall of the shell. A suction tube having an inlet is attached to the evaporator shell and the inlet is adjacent to the passageway and located partially below the suction baffle. The passageway minimizes the possibility of liquid carry-over in the suction tube that feeds into the compressor.

Abstract: A vehicle door arrangement includes a trim panel, a structural element and a second trim panel. A connection between the first trim panel and the second trim panel comprises a sealing element. The first trim panel comprises an attachment element which extends along the sealing element and interacts with the sealing element.

Abstract: A head rest for a seat assembly includes a rotation mechanism that allows the head rest to rotate with respect to the seat assembly. The rotation mechanism may allow the head rest to incline when in a raised position to provide clearance for an occupant seated in the seat assembly. The rotation mechanism also may allow the head rest to rotate outward from the seat assembly when in a lowered position to displace the occupant with respect to the seat assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle seating system includes a vehicle seat and a seat control motor coupled to the vehicle seat. The seat control motor is configured to move the vehicle seat to an occupant-desired position. The vehicle seating system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the seat control motor. The controller is configured to output a signal to the seat control motor to induce a vibration within the vehicle seat.

Abstract: Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems and heat exchangers are provided that include multichannel tube configurations designed to promote flow of refrigerant within the multichannel tubes near the edges of the tubes that are contacted first by an external fluid. The tube configurations include flow paths of varying cross-sections, spacings, and sizes. Flow control mechanisms, such as inserts, blocking plates, sleeves, crimped sections, and crushed sections, may be employed with the flow paths to favor flow near the edges of the tubes that are contacted first by an external fluid.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a vehicle trim component is provided that includes disposing a fiber panel onto a first surface of a mold cavity. The method also includes compressing the fiber panel between the first surface and a second surface of the mold cavity to form the fiber panel into a desired shape. The method further includes injecting resin into the mold cavity to fill at least one void between the first surface and the second surface adjacent to the fiber panel.