Abstract: An article, such as a battery pack system, includes a battery pack that is comprised of a plurality of battery cells. An external housing covers at least a portion of the battery pack. A silicate-based thermal barrier coating is configured to block heat emitted from the battery pack.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body including a first frame rail and a second frame rail and a cross-brace directly connected to the first frame rail and the second frame rail. A powertrain-electrification component is supported by the cross-brace. A vehicle subframe is directly connected to the cross-brace. A vehicle-steering gear is connected to the subframe. The direct connection of the subframe to the cross-brace dampens vibration, e.g., road vibration and noise, in the subframe to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness transferred to a vehicle occupant through the vehicle-steering gear.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a brace assembly that extends from a passenger side frame rail of a vehicle to a driver side frame rail of the vehicle, and at least one electrified vehicle powertrain module supported by the brace assembly.

Abstract: Protection and load distribution strategies are disclosed for electrified vehicle traction battery packs. Exemplary battery protection structures may include a corrugated portion and at least one flat sheet portion that are joined together. The battery protection structure may be integrated as part of an outer enclosure assembly of the traction battery pack or could embody a skid plate design that is a separate structure from the outer enclosure assembly. The battery protection structures may be configured for absorbing and transferring energy during vehicle loading events, thereby minimizing the transfer of loads inside the battery pack where relatively sensitive battery internal components are housed.

Abstract: Battery pack designs are provided for use in electrified vehicles. Exemplary battery packs may include a battery array that includes one or more interconnected array frames. A split thermal fin may be held within the one or more array frames. The proposed designs of the split thermal fin enable a reduction of the amount of thermal interface material required between the thermal fin and a support structure (e.g., a heat exchanger plate) of the battery pack.

Abstract: A traction battery assembly, includes, among other things, a thermal exchange plate, a battery array, a thermal interface material between the thermal exchange plate and the battery array, and a separator sheet between the thermal exchange plate and the battery array. The separator sheet is in in direct contact with the thermal interface material.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an access cover detection circuit for an electrified vehicle component and a corresponding method. An exemplary component of an electrified vehicle includes an access cover configured to selectively open and close relative to the component, and a circuit configured to indicate whether the access cover is open. The circuit includes a light sensitive electronic component.

Abstract: A traction battery assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a traction battery, an electric machine, an electrical harness assembly, a protrusion adjacent the electrical harness assembly. The protrusion is configured to move from a first position to a second position in response to a loading event. When the protrusion is in the first position, the electric machine is electrically coupled to the traction battery through the electrical harness assembly. When the protrusion is in the second position, the electric machine is electrically decoupled from the traction battery.

Abstract: This disclosure details exemplary battery pack designs for use in electrified vehicles. Exemplary battery packs may include a battery array that includes one or more interconnected array frames. A split thermal fin may be held within the one or more array frames. The proposed designs of the split thermal fin enable a reduction of the amount of thermal interface material required between the thermal fin and a support structure (e.g., a heat exchanger plate) of the battery pack.

Abstract: An apparatus and method, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a battery pack having a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet, a coolant source to cool the battery pack, and a proportional valve in communication with the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet, and in communication with the coolant source. A battery control module controls the proportional valve such that a direction of flow is switchable at the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet based on temperatures at the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet to provide bi-directional cooling flow through the battery pack. The battery control module directly connects the coolant outlet to the coolant inlet via the proportional valve to bypass the coolant source in response to a predetermined condition.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body including a first frame rail and a second frame rail and a cross-brace directly connected to the first frame rail and the second frame rail. A powertrain-electrification component is supported by the cross-brace. A vehicle subframe is directly connected to the cross-brace. A vehicle-steering gear is connected to the subframe. The direct connection of the subframe to the cross-brace dampens vibration, e.g., road vibration and noise, in the subframe to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness transferred to a vehicle occupant through the vehicle-steering gear.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a traction battery, and at least one shield extending longitudinally and having a portion that is vertically beneath the traction battery. The shield is removably fastened directly to the traction battery.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell. The method includes closing a cathode inlet valve upstream of an inlet of a cathode of the fuel cell to prevent air from entering the fuel cell through the cathode inlet during a shutdown period and a soak period of the fuel cell. The method includes maintaining an anode outlet valve downstream of an outlet of the anode in a closed state to prevent air from leaking into the fuel cell through the anode outlet during the shutdown period and the soak period of the fuel cell.

Abstract: An article, such as a battery pack system, includes a battery pack that is comprised of a plurality of battery cells. An external housing covers at least a portion of the battery pack. A silicate-based thermal barrier coating is configured to block heat emitted from the battery pack.

Abstract: This disclosure details exemplary traction battery pack designs for use in electrified vehicles. An exemplary traction battery pack may include a venting system having one or more vent exhaust channels. The vent exhaust channels may be integrated with an enclosure assembly of the battery pack for purging battery vent byproducts from the battery pack during cell venting events. In some embodiments, the vent exhaust channels are coated with a thermal protective coating for reducing heat dissipation to surrounding components.

Abstract: This disclosure describes manual release systems for electrified vehicle charge port locks. In some embodiments, a vehicle key may be used to manually override a position of the charge port lock. In other embodiments, a pull button and cable arrangement may be used to manually override the position of the charge port lock. The pull button may be packaged under a vehicle hood and, in some embodiments, may be mounted to either a cooling system component or a grille support structure.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a brace assembly that extends from a passenger side frame rail of a vehicle to a driver side frame rail of the vehicle, and at least one electrified vehicle powertrain module supported by the brace assembly.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a traction battery, and at least one shield extending longitudinally and having a portion that is vertically beneath the traction battery. The shield is removably fastened directly to the traction battery.

Abstract: This disclosure details exemplary battery pack designs for use in electrified vehicles. Exemplary battery packs may include a battery array that includes one or more interconnected array frames. A split thermal fin may be held within the one or more array frames. The proposed designs of the split thermal fin enable a reduction of the amount of thermal interface material required between the thermal fin and a support structure (e.g., a heat exchanger plate) of the battery pack.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to thermal event detection for battery packs of electrified vehicles. An example electrified vehicle includes a battery assembly including an enclosure assembly surrounding at least one battery array, and a controller configured to receive information associated with the battery assembly and detect a thermal event based on the information. The controller is configured to issue a plurality of corrective action commands following detection of the thermal event.