Abstract: Traction battery packs are disclosed for use in electrified vehicles. An exemplary traction battery pack may include an outer enclosure assembly establishing an interior, and a battery array housed within the interior. A polymer-based enclosure cover of the outer enclosure assembly may be structurally reinforced by one or more structural cross-members. The structural cross members are designed to provide structural integrity during both normal operating conditions and thermal/venting events of the traction battery pack.

Abstract: A traction battery pack partitioning method includes providing a battery pack having an enclosure that houses at least a first battery array and a second battery array within an interior area, and, in response to thermal energy released from at least one battery cell in the first battery array, expanding a material to partition the interior area into a first subarea that houses the first battery area and a second subarea that houses the second battery array.

Abstract: A battery pack terminal retention system includes a sense lead, and a plurality of tab terminals secured directly to each other and to the sense lead. A battery pack terminal retention method includes securing a plurality of tab terminals to a sense lead; and monitoring a voltage using the sense lead. The tab terminals can be secured to the sense lead via welds.

Abstract: A battery pack terminal retention system includes a busbar; a group of more than two first tab terminals secured directly to each other and to a first portion of the busbar; and a group of more than two second tab terminals secured directly to each other and to a different, second portion of the busbar,

Abstract: Multifunctional cross-member beams are provided for use within traction battery packs. An exemplary cross-member beam may include features for interfacing with and supporting various subcomponents (e.g., battery cells, cell tab terminals, bus bars, thermal barriers, etc.) of a cell stack of the traction battery pack. The cross-member beam may further incorporate features for facilitating the venting of battery cell vent byproducts during battery thermal events.

Abstract: Cell stack end caps are provided for use within traction battery packs. An end cap may be positioned to at least partially fill a volume of space between a cell stack and an enclosure structure (e.g., an enclosure tray) inside the traction battery pack. The end cap may be configured to square a draft angle of a side wall of the enclosure structure in order to impart a compressive load to the cell stack and/or the enclosure structure. A foam structure may be positioned between the end cap and the enclosure structure or within a hollow passageway of the end cap for increasing the structural integrity of the traction battery pack.

Abstract: A battery pack terminal retention system includes a clasp configured to hold tab terminals as the tab terminals are electrically connected together. A battery pack terminal retention method includes holding terminals together using a clasp; and electrically connecting together the plurality of terminals during the holding. The terminals can be tab terminals that are electrically connected together using welds.

Abstract: Divider fins are disclosed for traction battery packs. An exemplary divider fin may be arranged between adjacent battery cells of a battery cell stack. The divider fin may include an upper fin portion configured to interface with an enclosure cover, and a lower fin portion configured to interface with an enclosure tray or a heat exchange plate. The divider fin may be configured to compartmentalize the cell stack, structurally join upper and lower battery structures, contain thermal energy during battery thermal events, etc.

Abstract: A traction battery pack assembly includes a battery pack enclosure that provides an interior area, and at least one cell stack that includes battery cells and at least one divider distributed along a cell stack axis. The at least one divider compartmentalizes the interior area into a plurality of compartments. Each of the compartments holds at least one of the battery cells.

Abstract: Nestable cross-member beams are provided for use within traction battery packs. A first cross-member beam of a first cell stack may nest together with a second cross-member beam of a second cell stack to establish a structural cross-member assembly between the first and second cell stacks at a location inside the traction battery pack. The structural cross-member assembly may include one or more venting passageways that facilitate the venting of battery cell vent byproducts to a location external to the traction battery pack during battery thermal events. The venting passageways may direct the vent byproducts through one or more valve assemblies provided within an enclosure assembly of the traction battery pack. The valve assemblies may direct the vent byproducts through one or more vehicle body components.

Abstract: A traction battery pack venting assembly includes an enclosure, at least one cell stack within the enclosure, a cross-member assembly within the enclosure, and a valve assembly that opens to provide a vent path from the at least one cell stack to a passageway of the cross-member assembly. A method of establishing a vent path within a traction battery pack includes, within a battery pack enclosure, using a valve assembly to block an opening to a passageway provided by a cross-member assembly; and in response to at least one battery cell within the battery pack enclosure venting, opening the valve assembly to permit flow through the opening to the passageway.

Abstract: A battery pack venting assembly includes a first beam establishing a first side of a passageway and a second beam establishing an opposite, second side of the passageway. The passageway is configured to communicate battery cell vent byproducts. A method of establishing a vent path within a traction battery pack includes, within an enclosure assembly of a battery pack, providing a cross-member assembly having a first beam and a second beam; and communicating battery cell vent byproducts through at least one opening in the first beam into a passageway having a perimeter that is at least partially provided by the first beam and the second beam.

Abstract: Structural cross-member assemblies are provided for traction battery packs. An exemplary cross-member assembly may include a cross-member beam having a beam body and at least one reinforcement section that provides structural integrity to the beam body. The reinforcement section may be a pultrusion and may embody various cross-sectional shapes. The cross-member beam may be positioned adjacent to an additional cross-member beam to establish the cross-member assembly disposed between adjacent cell stacks of the traction battery pack.

Abstract: Multi-functional cross-member assemblies are provided for traction battery packs. An exemplary cross-member assembly may function as both a structural member for supporting one or more cell stacks and further as a “cold plate” for thermally managing the one or more cell stacks. In some implementations, the cross-member assembly may include structural beam members (e.g., pultrusions) and a heat exchanger portion that includes an internal coolant circuit.

Abstract: Electrical connection systems are provided for electrically connecting cell stacks of a traction battery pack. Exemplary electrical connections systems may include a first high voltage terminal of a first cell stack and a second high voltage terminal of a second cell stack. The first high voltage terminal may be mounted to a first cross-member beam of the first cell stack, and the second high voltage terminal may be mounted to a second cross-member beam of the second cell stack. The first high voltage terminal may be arranged and coupled to the second high voltage terminal to electrically connect the first cell stack and the second cell stack.

Abstract: A method of assembling a battery pack includes, outside of a battery pack enclosure, securing at least one first battery cell to a first side of a thermal barrier, and securing at least one second battery cell to an opposite, second side of the thermal barrier. The method provides a battery cell subassembly with the thermal barrier sandwiched between the at least one first battery cell and the at least one second battery cell.

Abstract: This disclosure details electrified vehicles that are equipped with one or more attachment and sealing assemblies for securing a battery pack to vehicle body components. An exemplary attachment and sealing assembly may establish a mid-span attachment point of the battery pack. The attachment and sealing assembly may include an attachment column and a sealing ring that cooperate to secure the battery pack to the vehicle and to seal openings formed through the battery pack and the vehicle body component.

Abstract: This disclosure details electrified vehicles that are equipped with one or more attachment and sealing assemblies for securing a battery pack to the vehicle. An exemplary attachment and sealing assembly may establish a mid-span attachment point of the battery pack and may include a pass-through component, a fastener, and a seal. The fastener may be positioned relative to the pass-through component using either a bottom-up or top-down approach. The seal may radially seal between a portion of a battery pack enclosure assembly and the pass-through component.

Abstract: This disclosure details electrified vehicles that are equipped with one or more attachment and sealing assemblies for securing a battery pack to vehicle body components. An exemplary attachment and sealing assembly may establish a mid-span attachment point of the battery pack. The attachment and sealing assembly may include an attachment column and a sealing ring that cooperate to secure the battery pack to the vehicle and to seal openings formed through the battery pack and the vehicle body component.

Abstract: This disclosure details electrified vehicles that are equipped with one or more attachment and sealing assemblies for securing a battery pack to the vehicle. An exemplary attachment and sealing assembly may establish a mid-span attachment point of the battery pack and may include a pass-through component, a fastener, and a seal. The fastener may be positioned relative to the pass-through component using either a bottom-up or top-down approach. The seal may radially seal between a portion of a battery pack enclosure assembly and the pass-through component.