Abstract: An electric vehicle battery disconnect bracket configured disconnect one or more battery cells or modules experiencing a thermal event within a battery pack to mitigate propagation of the thermal event throughout the battery pack, including a bracket body formed of a first material on a first major surface of the body, and a second material on an opposing second major surface of the body, the first material having a larger coefficient of thermal expansion than the second material, such that an increase in temperature above a defined threshold experienced by the body causes the first material to expand more than the second material, thereby transitioning the body from a first equilibrium state representing a closed, conductive position to a second equilibrium state representing an open, isolation position.

Abstract: An electric vehicle battery pack with a selectable thermal regulation path, including a plurality of battery cells, and a thermally regulated member movably coupled to the plurality of battery cells, wherein the thermally regulated member is configured to move between a contact position in which the thermally regulated member is in contact with at least a portion of the plurality of battery cells, and an isolation position, in which the thermally regulated member is spaced apart from the plurality of battery cells.

Abstract: A structurally supportive battery busbar configured to enable distribution of electrical energy amongst a plurality of battery cells and to provide structural rigidity to the plurality of battery cells, the structurally supportive busbar including one or more bands configured to band the plurality of battery cells together under a tensile force to form a battery module, and one or more structural reinforcement beams configured to traverse at least partially along a length or width of the battery module, the at least one of the bands or one or more structural reinforcement beams include an electrically conductive portion configured to couple the plurality of battery cells together for electrical distribution throughout the battery module.

Abstract: An electric vehicle battery pack release system configured to cause a physical separation of a battery pack from an electric vehicle on to which the battery pack is mounted, including one or more pyrotechnic bracket assembly configured to operably couple a battery pack to an electric vehicle, one or more sensor configured to sense a state of the electric vehicle, and an electronic control unit configured to receive data from the one or more sensors and to trigger an explosion in the one or more pyrotechnic bracket assemblies to affect the physical separation of the battery pack from the electric vehicle.

Abstract: A low-profile, selectively extendable cupholder located within an interior of a motor vehicle configured to transition between a collapsed position substantially maintaining a neat, clean appearance of the interior of the motor vehicle, and an extended position configured to receive a beverage container, the cupholder including a body portion defining one or more recesses, a lid portion configured to both pivot or slide relative to the body portion between an closed position and an open position, and one or more floor portions operably coupled to both the body portion and a lid portion and configured to both pivot and telescopically extend relative to the body portion between a collapsed position and an extended position, wherein in the extended position the body portion, the lid portion and the one or more floor portions collectively define a cavity configured to receive a beverage container.

Abstract: An electric vehicle battery pack configured to rapidly discharge one or more individual battery cells within a multi-cell battery arrangement to mitigate a propagation of a multi-cell thermal runaway event, the vehicle battery pack including a plurality of battery cells and a battery management system including sensing circuitry configured to sense one or more conditions of the plurality of battery cells, a processor configured to process data sensed by the sensing circuitry to determine whether any of the plurality of battery cells is experiencing the onset of a thermal runaway event, and a control engine configured to isolate and rapidly discharge a potential energy from a battery cell experiencing the onset of a thermal runaway event, thereby mitigating a potential for a propagation of a thermal runaway event experienced by a single cell into a multi-cell thermal runaway event.

Abstract: An emergency rapid cooling system configured to provide rapid cooling to an electric vehicle battery pack during a thermal event. The emergency rapid cooling system including at least one capsule filled with a fluid, the at least one capsule including at least one nozzle positioned in proximity to at least one battery cell, wherein the at least one nozzle is configured to open upon reaching at least one of a determined temperature or pressure, thereby enabling the fluid within the at least one capsule to rapidly decrease in pressure and accompanying temperature to provide cooling to the at least one battery cell.

Abstract: A charge port cover, sized and shaped for selective concealment of a charge port recess of a vehicle during vehicle connection via a charging cable to an external charging source. The charge port cover includes a body plate member comprised of rigid or semi-rigid material. The body plate member includes a planar front face and a planar rear face juxtaposed in opposite orientations to one another. The body plate member also includes an outer edge surface joining and defining a perimeter of the front face and the rear face, the outer edge surface having a thin profile. The body plate member also includes a charging connector aperture, located at an interior spaced-apart location from the perimeter, defining a passageway between the planar front face and the planar rear face and configured to selectively receive a charging cable therethrough.

Abstract: An electric vehicle including side impact battery pack protection mechanism for reducing damage to a battery pack in the event of a side impact, the electric vehicle including a vehicle frame, a battery pack, and one or more side impact battery pack protection brackets configured to at least of enable the vehicle battery pack to shift along a vehicle width direction or enable physical separation of the battery pack from the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A cross car beam assembly for use with a vehicle may include a beam having first and second portions that are spaced apart from each other in a lateral direction when the cross car beam assembly is mounted in the vehicle. The cross car beam assembly further includes a safety unit connected to the first and second portions so that the safety unit extends between the first and second portions. The safety unit includes a rigid member configured to cooperate with the first and second portions to provide continuous rigid structure from the first portion to the second portion. Furthermore, the rigid member is connected to at least one of the first and second portions with at least one integral connection feature that braces the rigid member in a longitudinal direction or a lateral direction of the vehicle when the cross car beam assembly is mounted to the vehicle.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a dual battery system for in a dual manner powering propulsion of an electric vehicle including a first electric motor coupled in driving relationship to one or more rear wheels and a second electric motor coupled in driving relationship to one or more front wheels. The dual battery system includes a first battery and a second battery. The first battery is configured to provide electric power for driving the first electric motor and the second battery is configured to provide electric power for driving the second electric motor. The present disclosure also relates to an electric vehicle including such a dual battery system.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method performed by a within-vehicle-confirming system on-board a vehicle for establishing that a key device is within an interior of the vehicle. The system determines that there is a secure communication link between the vehicle and the key device. The system further provides a vehicle sound signal within the interior of the vehicle. Moreover, the system receives from the key device a key device signal via the secure communication link, which key device signal is derived from a sound signal detected by one or more sensors associated with the key device. The system further compares the vehicle sound signal with the key device signal, and enables a start of the vehicle when the key device signal matches the vehicle sound signal. The disclosure also relates to a within-vehicle-confirming system in accordance with the foregoing, and to a vehicle at least partly comprising such a system.

Abstract: A cross car beam assembly for use with a vehicle includes first and second beam sections that are connected together by a tapered joint. The tapered joint includes an engagement structure formed on the first beam section, and a socket formed on the second beam section that receives the engagement structure. Furthermore, the engagement structure is tapered in a first direction and a second direction different than the first direction, and the socket is also tapered in the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: A modular cross car beam assembly for use with a vehicle includes an intermediate beam section, a driver side beam section, and a passenger side beam section. Furthermore, the driver side beam section and the passenger side beam section are attachable on either side of the intermediate beam section depending on whether the vehicle is a left-hand-drive vehicle or a right-hand-drive vehicle.

Abstract: A cross car beam assembly for use with a vehicle may include a beam having first and second portions that are spaced apart from each other in a lateral direction when the cross car beam assembly is mounted in the vehicle. The cross car beam assembly further includes a safety unit connected to the first and second portions so that the safety unit extends between the first and second portions. The safety unit includes a rigid member configured to cooperate with the first and second portions to provide continuous rigid structure from the first portion to the second portion. Furthermore, the rigid member is connected to at least one of the first and second portions with at least one integral connection feature that braces the rigid member in a longitudinal direction or a lateral direction of the vehicle when the cross car beam assembly is mounted to the vehicle.

Abstract: A cross car beam assembly for use with a vehicle includes first and second beam sections that are connected together by a tapered joint. The tapered joint includes an engagement structure formed on the first beam section, and a socket formed on the second beam section that receives the engagement structure. Furthermore, the engagement structure is tapered in a first direction and a second direction different than the first direction, and the socket is also tapered in the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: A modular cross car beam assembly for use with a vehicle includes an intermediate beam section, a driver side beam section, and a passenger side beam section. Furthermore, the driver side beam section and the passenger side beam section are attachable on either side of the intermediate beam section depending on whether the vehicle is a left-hand-drive vehicle or a right-hand-drive vehicle.