Abstract: An integrated drive assembly for an electric vehicle is provided, where the power inverter enclosure is separate from the motor and the transmission, and where the power inverter enclosure is coupled to, and separated from, the motor via a plurality of inverter support members. Each of the inverter support members is rigidly coupled to the transmission enclosure and compliantly coupled to the power inverter enclosure using a plurality of flexible bushings.

Abstract: A door handle assembly extends a door handle in parallel from an outer surface of a vehicle door and retracts the door handle until it is flush with the outer surface. The door handle assembly includes a door handle formed from a planar handle member and a handle base member. The planar handle member is coupled to the handle base member and a swing arm coupled to the backside of the handle base member extends and retracts the door handle. A first upper fork is rotably coupled to a backside of the handle base member near the distal portion of a first post portion and a second upper fork is rotably coupled to the backside of the handle base member near the distal portion of a second post portion. The lower dual fork portion of the swing arm pivots about a shaft mounted to an inner door surface.

Abstract: A system that helps to mitigate the risks associated with roadway debris is provided. The system uses an on-board sensor system to detect obstacles within the vehicle's pathway and an on-board controller and air spring suspension system to automatically increase ride height and road clearance when an obstacle is detected, thereby allowing the vehicle to potentially avoid the detected obstacle.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle's display system is provided, where the system monitors the user's position within the vehicle's seat and automatically adjusts the location of the display to compensate for variations in the size or seating position of the user, thereby helping to alleviate the eye strain, fatigue, neck and back pain that often accompany the improper use of a monitor for an extended period of time.

Abstract: A multi-mode thermal management system is provided for use with the battery pack of an electric vehicle, the system utilizing the surface area of the battery pack to remove battery pack heat. The system includes two sets of coolant conduits separated by a thermal insulator, with one set of the coolant conduits thermally coupled to the batteries and the other set of coolant conduits coupled to at least one thermally conductive battery pack surface. A valve controller is used to optimize system performance by coupling the battery cooling conduits to the battery pack heat withdrawal conduits and/or a separate radiator and/or a heat exchanger coupled to a refrigeration subsystem.

Abstract: A multi-mode thermal management system is provided for use with the battery pack of an electric vehicle, the system utilizing the surface area of the battery pack to remove battery pack heat. The system includes two sets of coolant conduits separated by a thermal insulator, with one set of the coolant conduits thermally coupled to the batteries and the other set of coolant conduits coupled to at least one thermally conductive battery pack surface. A valve controller is used to optimize system performance by coupling the battery cooling conduits to the battery pack heat withdrawal conduits and/or a separate radiator and/or a heat exchanger coupled to a refrigeration subsystem.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel suspension system that achieves increased width in the passenger and/or luggage compartment is provided. The suspension system utilizes a (i) a wheel support member that is positioned between the inner and outer tire planes; (ii) a nonlinearly-shaped damper-spring support member that is rotatably attached to the wheel support member; (iii) a damper-spring mounting platform that is positioned above, and at least partially overlaps, the tire, and that is rotatably attached to the nonlinearly-shaped damper-spring support member; and (iv) a damper-spring assembly mounted to the damper-spring mounting platform and coupled to a vehicle body structure.

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 debris capture plate mounted in front of the battery pack and positioned such that the leading edge of the mounted capture plate is positioned closer to the underlying road surface than the lowermost battery pack surface. Capture plate stiffeners, which are mounted to the capture plate, use deformation control features (e.g., notches) to promote a preconfigured pattern of capture plate deformation when a piece of debris impacts the plate's leading edge. The deformed capture plate then traps the debris and stops it from passing under the battery pack, thereby preventing the battery pack from possible debris impact damage.

Abstract: A system is provided for detecting when a vehicle mounted battery pack is damaged from an impact with a piece of road debris or other obstacle. The system utilizes a plurality of cooling conduits located between the lower surface of the batteries within the battery pack and the lower battery pack enclosure panel. The cooling conduits are configured to deform and absorb impact energy when an object strikes the lower battery pack enclosure panel. When the cooling conduits deform, a change in coolant flow/pressure occurs that is detectable by one or more sensors integrated into the conduit's coolant channels. A system controller, coupled to a sensor monitoring subsystem, may be configured to provide any of a variety of responses when cooling conduit deformation is detected.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting when a vehicle mounted battery pack is damaged from an impact with a piece of road debris or other obstacle. Positioned within the battery pack is a plurality of deformable cooling conduits located between the lower surface of the batteries within the battery pack and the lower battery pack enclosure panel. One or more sensors are incorporated into the cooling conduits which monitor coolant flow rate or pressure. When the cooling conduits deform, a change in coolant flow/pressure occurs that is detected by the sensors integrated into the conduit's coolant channels. A system controller, coupled to a sensor monitoring subsystem, may provide any of a variety of responses when cooling conduit deformation is detected.

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 plurality of deformable cooling conduits located between the lower surface of each of the batteries and the lower battery pack enclosure panel, with a thermal insulator interposed between the conduits and the lower enclosure panel. A layer of thermally conductive material may be included which is interposed between the cooling conduits and the thermal insulator and in contact with a lower surface of each of the cooling conduits. The cooling conduits are configured to deform and absorb impact energy when an object, such as road debris, strikes the lower surface of the lower battery pack enclosure panel. Further protection may be achieved by positioning a ballistic shield, alone or with a layer of compressible material, under the bottom surface of the battery pack.

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 plurality of deformable cooling conduits located between the lower surface of the batteries within the battery pack and the lower battery pack enclosure panel. The cooling conduits are configured to deform and absorb impact energy when an object, such as road debris, strikes the lower surface of the lower battery pack enclosure panel. Further protection may be achieved by positioning a ballistic shield, alone or with a layer of compressible material, under the bottom surface of the battery pack.

Abstract: An energy absorbing and distributing side impact system for use with a vehicle is provided, the system utilizing a battery pack enclosure that includes a plurality of cross-members that transverse the battery pack enclosure and absorb and distribute at least a portion of the load received when either the first or second side of the vehicle receives a side impact. The battery pack enclosure is positioned between the front and rear vehicle suspension assemblies and mounted between, and mechanically coupled to, vehicle structural members (e.g., rocker panels) located on either side of the vehicle. In addition to providing rigidity, strength and impact resistance, the battery pack cross-members segregate the batteries contained within the battery pack enclosure into battery groups.

Abstract: A system that helps to mitigate the risks associated with roadway debris is provided. The system uses an on-board sensor system to detect obstacles within the vehicle's pathway and an on-board controller and air spring suspension system to automatically increase ride height and road clearance when an obstacle is detected, thereby allowing the vehicle to potentially avoid the detected obstacle.

Abstract: An air vent that is integrated into the back panel of a vehicle's seat back is provided. The air vent, which is coupled to an air duct within the vehicle seat, allows heated or cooled air from the vehicle's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to be directed towards the rear portion of the vehicle's passenger cabin, thereby helping to insure the comfort of those passengers in the vehicle's rear seats.

Abstract: A system and method of use is provided that monitors the position of a vehicle seat and automatically adjusts the location of a vehicle display based on the current seat position, thereby helping to alleviate the eye strain, fatigue, neck and back pain that often accompany the improper use of a monitor for an extended period of time.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle's display system is provided, where the system monitors the user's position within the vehicle's seat and automatically adjusts the location of the display to compensate for variations in the size or seating position of the user, thereby helping to alleviate the eye strain, fatigue, neck and back pain that often accompany the improper use of a monitor for an extended period of time.

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 plurality of deformable cooling conduits located between the lower surface of each of the batteries and the lower battery pack enclosure panel, with a thermal insulator interposed between the conduits and the lower enclosure panel. A layer of thermally conductive material may be included which is interposed between the cooling conduits and the thermal insulator and in contact with a lower surface of each of the cooling conduits. The cooling conduits are configured to deform and absorb impact energy when an object, such as road debris, strikes the lower surface of the lower battery pack enclosure panel. Further protection may be achieved by positioning a ballistic shield, alone or with a layer of compressible material, under the bottom surface of the battery pack.

Abstract: An adjustable display screen mounted within a vehicle is provided. The combination of the display's mounting system and the linkage assembly allows the user to adjust and optimize the position of the display screen regardless of seating position, thereby alleviating the eye strain, fatigue, neck and back pain that often accompany the improper use of a monitor for an extended period of time.

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 plurality of deformable cooling conduits located between the lower surface of the batteries within the battery pack and the lower battery pack enclosure panel. The cooling conduits are configured to deform and absorb impact energy when an object, such as road debris, strikes the lower surface of the lower battery pack enclosure panel. Further protection may be achieved by positioning a ballistic shield, alone or with a layer of compressible material, under the bottom surface of the battery pack.