Abstract: A traction battery pack may include a housing. The traction battery pack may also include a plurality of battery cells arranged within the housing. Further, the traction battery pack may include a busbar configured to electrically connect the battery cells. The busbar may be partially embedded in a polymer material so as to provide an embedded busbar. The embedded busbar establishes at least a portion of the housing.

Abstract: A traction battery pack may include a plurality of battery cells. The traction battery pack may include a fluid conduit arranged adjacent the battery cells. The fluid conduit may define a passageway configured to guide thermal exchange fluid relative to the battery cells. The fluid conduit may includes a first conduit section and a second conduit section. The first and second conduit sections may be made of polymer.

Abstract: A traction battery pack may include a plurality of battery cells. A traction battery pack may include a fluid conduit arranged adjacent the battery cells. The fluid conduit may define a passageway configured to guide thermal exchange fluid relative to the battery cells. The fluid conduit may be made of polymer.

Abstract: A traction battery pack assembly includes one or more battery cells, and a cell holder assembly having a frame and a plurality of sleeves. The cell holder assembly holds each battery cell within a cell receiving opening of the frame with at least one sleeve disposed between the frame and the battery cell.

Abstract: A traction battery pack assembly includes a cell holder assembly having a plurality of pockets. Each pocket is established by at least one sidewall that tapers inward from the first end region of the pocket toward the opposite second end region of the pocket. Each pocket is configured to receive at least one battery cell. At least one wedge is associated with each pocket. The wedge is disposed between the sidewall of the pocket and a battery cell received within the pocket.

Abstract: A battery pack assembly includes a cross-member assembly extending along a cross-member axis, and a battery array alongside the cross-member assembly. The battery array has at least one group of battery cells and an depopulated area disposed along a battery array axis. A first group of battery cells can be spaced a distance along the battery array axis from a second group of battery cells to provide the depopulated area. A first group of battery cells can be spaced from an endplate of an array to provide the depopulated area.

Abstract: A battery pack venting system, including: a structural member having a first channel and a second channel, the first channel configured to communicate a flow of vent byproducts received through at least one first inlet in a first direction to a first outlet from the structural member, the second channel configured to communicate a flow of vent byproducts received through at least one second inlet in a second direction to second outlet from the structural member.

Abstract: Thermal barrier assemblies are provided for inhibiting the transfer of thermal energy inside a traction battery pack. An exemplary thermal barrier assembly may include a heat spreader fin arranged within a cell stack and configured to provide a path for directing thermal energy into an enclosure structure rather than through the thermal barrier assembly to a cold side of the cell stack. The heat spreader fin may extend to a location that is either between an insulating layer of the thermal barrier assembly and the enclosure structure or between a grouping of battery cells of the cell stack and the enclosure structure.

Abstract: Multi-functional thermal barrier assemblies may be configured to both manage thermal energy levels inside a traction battery pack and to increase the structural integrity of the traction battery pack. In some implementations, the thermal barrier assembly may include an internal cooling circuit for directing a coolant through a thermal barrier structure of the thermal barrier assembly. The thermal barrier structure may be an extrusion, a pultrusion, or an injection molded part. In other implementations, the thermal barrier assembly may include thermally insulating layers. The thermally insulating layers may be cladding layers that provide an outer skin of the thermal barrier structure.

Abstract: A vehicle seat securing system includes a traction battery pack, and a seat mounting cross-member assembly that extends into the traction battery pack. A vehicle seat securing method includes securing the vehicle seat to the seat mounting cross-member assembly using at least one threaded fastener.

Abstract: A traction battery assembly includes an enclosure assembly having an interior area, and a pressure relief device having a valve member movable from a closed position to an unlocked-release position, and movable from the unlocked-release position to a locked-release position. The valve member in the closed position blocks flow through the pressure relief device from the interior area. The valve member in the unlocked-release position permits flow from the interior area. The valve member in the locked-release position permits flow from the interior area. A ratchet mechanism that holds the valve member in the locked-release position.

Abstract: “Spacerless” cell block assemblies are provided for traction battery packs. Exemplary cell block assemblies may include a battery cell grouping, a bus bar module, and a heat exchanger plate. The battery cell grouping may be arranged between the bus bar module and the heat exchanger plate. The bus bar module may provide first spacer features, and the heat exchanger plate may provide second spacer features. The first and second spacer features cooperate to maintain air gaps between adjacent battery cells of the battery cell grouping.

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: Fusible thermal interface materials are provided for traction battery packs. An exemplary fusible thermal interface material may be disposed between a grouping of battery cells and a heat exchanger plate for limiting the transfer of thermal energy associated with a battery thermal event from moving from cell-to-cell and/or compartment-to-compartment within the traction battery pack. The fusible thermal interface material may be configured to transition from a conductor to an insulator when a temperature exceeds a predefined temperature threshold.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle and method for heating a passenger cabin of an electrified vehicle that may include an internal combustion engine in addition to an electric machine and a traction battery for supplying the electric machine control an electric heating element to store thermal energy while the vehicle is connected to an external power source that is also used to charge the traction battery, and to extract stored thermal energy during operation of the vehicle with the electric heating element turned off to extend the electric driving range of the vehicle while also providing heat to the passenger cabin. The electric heating element may positioned and controlled to heat one or more elements directly by mechanical contact, or indirectly by heating a circulating liquid coolant to a temperature above a current or anticipated external ambient temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an oil-cooling system arranged to circulate oil through an electric machine and an oil-to-coolant heat exchanger. A coolant system has conduit arranged to circulate coolant through an inverter, a heater core, and the heat exchanger. A climate control system is arranged to circulate an airstream through the heater core to heat a passenger cabin with waste heat from the electric machine and the inverter.

Abstract: A exhaust-gas heat management system includes a catalytic converter in the exhaust-gas train of an internal-combustion engine, a cover enclosing the catalytic converter, and thereby realizing a cavity for holding a latent-heat storage PCM, at least two fluid connections between the cavity and the collecting vessel, and a pump device for activating and deactivating a PCM circuit between the cavity and the collecting vessel by means of the fluid connections. A method comprises determining an operating state of the internal combustion engine, determining the catalytic converter temperature, determining the PCM temperature, activating the PCM circuit if the PCM temperature is above a phase transition temperature of the PCM, and the internal combustion engine is in a switched-on operating state or the internal combustion engine is in a switched-off operating state and the catalytic converter temperature is below a light-off temperature of the catalytic converter.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a battery including a first strand of cells and a second strand of cells, an electric machine selectively powered by the battery, and at least one auxiliary component selectively powered by the battery. The battery is configurable such that the at least one auxiliary component is able to draw power from the first strand of cells but not the second strand of cells. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a passenger cabin, an inverter, and a coolant system having conduit arranged to circulate coolant through the inverter and an evaporator. A refrigerant system includes a condenser and conduit arranged to circulate refrigerant through the condenser and through the evaporator to absorb heat generated by the inverter. A climate control system is arranged to circulate an airstream through the condenser and into the cabin to heat the cabin.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an inverter, a climate control system, and a coolant system. The climate control system includes a housing, and a heater core and an electric heater disposed within the housing. The coolant system includes conduit arranged to circulate coolant through the inverter and the heater core. The inverter is disposed upstream of the heater core.