Abstract: A structural assembly for an electric vehicle includes a vehicle frame and a battery structure. The vehicle frame is distinct from a vehicle body and includes a front section, a rear section and a mid-section disposed between the front and rear sections. The mid-section includes opposed longitudinal rails. The battery structure is configured to house power storage units and is disposed between the opposed longitudinal rails. The battery structure includes a battery housing secured to the opposed longitudinal rails of the mid-section. The mid-section and the battery housing are combined into a unitized structure that is removably secured to the front and rear sections of the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A structural assembly for an electric vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a battery structure, a pair of mounting structures, and a plurality of fasteners. The vehicle frame includes opposed longitudinal rails. The battery structure is disposed between the opposed longitudinal rails and includes a battery housing configured to house power storage units. Each mounting structure is secured to a respective side of the battery housing and supports a corresponding longitudinal rail. The plurality of fasteners extend through a corresponding mounting structure of the pair of mounting structures and a corresponding longitudinal rail of the opposed longitudinal rails to secure the vehicle frame and the battery structure to each other. An outer periphery of the corresponding mounting structure is substantially flush with an outer periphery of the corresponding longitudinal rail.

Abstract: Vehicle subframes and methods of producing the same are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a subframe of a vehicle including longitudinal members, and lateral extensions extending from the longitudinal members, the lateral extensions extending outward from a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle, outer edges of the lateral extensions including contours to avoid turn radii of steerable tires of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle assembly includes a frame that has a passenger side rail and a driver side rail. The assembly further includes a battery support plate and a battery pack. The battery support plate is secured to the passenger side rail and the driver side rail. The battery pack has a plurality of cross-members. To secure the battery pack to the battery support plate, mechanical fasteners each extend through an aperture in the battery support plate to engage one of the cross-members.

Abstract: A structural assembly for a vehicle includes a vehicle frame distinct from a vehicle body. The vehicle frame includes opposed longitudinal rails. Each rail includes a single, monolithic body having a central internal brace and a pair of opposed ends. One end of the opposed ends is fixed to a first side of the central internal brace and the other end of the opposed ends is fixed to a second side of the central internal brace that is opposite the first side.

Abstract: Vehicle subframes and methods of producing the same are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a subframe of a vehicle including longitudinal members, and lateral extensions extending from the longitudinal members, the lateral extensions extending outward from a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle, outer edges of the lateral extensions including contours to avoid turn radii of steerable tires of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle assembly includes a frame that has a passenger side rail and a driver side rail. The assembly further includes a battery support plate and a battery pack. The battery support plate is secured to the passenger side rail and the driver side rail. The battery pack has a plurality of cross-members. To secure the battery pack to the battery support plate, mechanical fasteners each extend through an aperture in the battery support plate to engage one of the cross-members.

Abstract: Vehicle subframes and methods of producing the same are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a subframe of a vehicle including longitudinal members, and lateral extensions extending from the longitudinal members, the lateral extensions extending outward from a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle, outer edges of the lateral extensions including contours to avoid turn radii of steerable tires of the vehicle.

Abstract: A motor vehicle assembly includes a front end module, a front suspension and a SORB structure connected to the front end module and the front suspension. That SORB structure includes a cross member, a first crush horn, a second crush horn, a first support bracket and a second support bracket.

Abstract: A motor vehicle assembly includes a front end module, a front suspension and a SORB structure connected to the front end module and the front suspension. That SORB structure includes a cross member, a first crush horn, a second crush horn, a first support bracket and a second support bracket.

Abstract: Modular vehicle platforms are disclosed. An example modular platform includes a frame to couple to a body of a vehicle. A first bracket is coupled to the frame. One of a second bracket or a third bracket is coupled to the frame. The first bracket is spaced from the second bracket or the third bracket. The first bracket and the second bracket enable attachment of a first suspension to the frame. The first bracket and the third bracket enable attachment of a second suspension to the frame. The first suspension has a first geometry that is different than a second geometry of the second suspension.

Abstract: Modular vehicle platforms are disclosed. An example modular platform includes a frame to couple to a body of a vehicle. A first bracket is coupled to the frame. One of a second bracket or a third bracket is coupled to the frame. The first bracket is spaced from the second bracket or the third bracket. The first bracket and the second bracket enable attachment of a first suspension to the frame. The first bracket and the third bracket enable attachment of a second suspension to the frame. The first suspension has a first geometry that is different than a second geometry of the second suspension.

Abstract: Systems include a transceiver having a transceiver antenna, a transponder positioned a first distance from the transceiver, and an intermediate structure positioned a second distance from the transponder (where the first distance is greater than the second distance). The transponder has a transponder antenna, and the intermediate structure has an intermediate antenna (and a capacitor). The transponder antenna is a first size antenna (smallest), the intermediate antenna is a second size antenna (bigger), and the transceiver antenna is a third size antenna (biggest). The intermediate structure provides field lines between the transceiver antenna and the transponder antenna that the transponder antenna is otherwise incapable of fully receiving from the transceiver antenna. This causes the intermediate antenna to transfer voltage received from the transceiver antenna to the transponder antenna.

Abstract: A package for at least two objects includes RFID bridge antennas, having RF antenna elements, for wirelessly communicating data between a tag associated with each object and a reader. An electromagnetic carrier signal transmitted by the reader antenna is received by one of the RF antenna element and retransmitted to the tag antenna by the other RF antenna element, increasing the distance over which the tag can communicate with the reader. Where the tag is attached to a packaged object, the RFID bridge antenna may be included in the package to allow wireless data communication between the tag and a reader. The reader may also be located external to the package. For example, one of the RF antenna elements may be attached to a label on the package, allowing data stored in the tag to be extracted by the external reader.

Abstract: A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, has at least one multiple supply unit in the form of an ink stick disposed therein. The ink stick has an electronically-readable memory device associated therewith, and the memory device has stored therein electronic data related to the ink stick and readable by the machine. The memory device is attached to the ink stick and removed before the ink stick is used for printing in the machine. In another aspect, the memory device is attached to a container for the ink stick. The container is a cartridge for use in the machine, or a container for packaging the ink stick. The machine may include a coupler configured to read electronic data from the memory device while the memory device is positioned external to the printing apparatus, thus allowing the machine to verify the suitability of the ink stick before it is installed in the machine.

Abstract: A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, has at least one multiple supply unit in the form of an ink stick disposed therein. The ink stick has an electronically-readable memory device associated therewith, and the memory device has stored therein electronic data related to the ink stick and readable by the machine. The memory device may be attached to the ink stick and removed before the ink stick is used for printing in the machine. In another aspect, the memory device is attached to a container for the ink stick. The container may be a cartridge for use in the machine, or a container for packaging the ink stick. The machine may include a coupler configured to read electronic data from the memory device while the memory device is positioned external to the printing apparatus, thus allowing the machine to verify the suitability of the ink stick before it is installed in the machine.

Abstract: A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, has at least one multiple supply unit in the form of an ink stick disposed therein. The ink stick has an electronically-readable memory device associated therewith, and the memory device has stored therein electronic data related to the ink stick and readable by the machine. The memory device may be attached to the ink stick and removed before the ink stick is used for printing in the machine. In another aspect, the memory device is attached to a container for the ink stick. The container may be a cartridge for use in the machine, or a container for packaging the ink stick. The machine may include a coupler configured to read electronic data from the memory device while the memory device is positioned external to the printing apparatus, thus allowing the machine to verify the suitability of the ink stick before it is installed in the machine.

Abstract: A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, has at least one multiple supply unit in the form of an ink stick disposed therein. The ink stick has an electronically-readable memory device associated therewith, and the memory device has stored therein electronic data related to the ink stick and readable by the machine. The memory device may be attached to the ink stick and removed before the ink stick is used for printing in the machine. In another aspect, the memory device is attached to a container for the ink stick. The container may be a cartridge for use in the machine, or a container for packaging the ink stick. The machine may include a coupler configured to read electronic data from the memory device while the memory device is positioned external to the printing apparatus, thus allowing the machine to verify the suitability of the ink stick before it is installed in the machine.

Abstract: A package for at least two objects includes RFID bridge antennas, having RF antenna elements, for wirelessly communicating data between a tag associated with each object and a reader. An electromagnetic carrier signal transmitted by the reader antenna is received by one of the RF antenna element and retransmitted to the tag antenna by the other RF antenna element, increasing the distance over which the tag can communicate with the reader. Where the tag is attached to a packaged object, the RFID bridge antenna may be included in the package to allow wireless data communication between the tag and a reader. The reader may also be located external to the package. For example, one of the RF antenna elements may be attached to a label on the package, allowing data stored in the tag to be extracted by the external reader.

Abstract: A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, has at least one multiple supply unit in the form of an ink stick disposed therein. The ink stick has an electronically-readable memory device associated therewith, and the memory device has stored therein electronic data related to the ink stick and readable by the machine. The memory device may be attached to the ink stick and removed before the ink stick is used for printing in the machine. In another aspect, the memory device is attached to a container for the ink stick. The container may be a cartridge for use in the machine, or a container for packaging the ink stick. The machine may include a coupler configured to read electronic data from the memory device while the memory device is positioned external to the printing apparatus, thus allowing the machine to verify the suitability of the ink stick before it is installed in the machine.