A support plate and reinforcement member may be mounted within a hollow side sill between a rocker and crossmembers for a vehicle framework. The support plate may include flanges along either edge and a straight, projecting face between the flanges. The reinforcement member, mounted on the support plate proximate to an outer surface of the side sill, may include flanges along either edge and a wavy projecting face between the flanges. Contact portions of the projecting face for the reinforcement member may contact an interior of the side sill at regions aligned with where the side sill mounts to the crossmembers, with intervening portions of the projecting face, in areas adjacent energy absorbing crush cans, extending less far from the flanges. The intervening portions may also be laterally offset from the contact portions, to provide larger weld areas.

A frame assembly for an automobile and method of assembling same. The frame assembly includes a battery housing at least partially integral with an automobile frame. The frame includes longitudinal beams that extend between front frame rails and rear frame rails. The battery housing includes two portions, a upper cover integrated with the longitudinal beams and a base plate that connects to the upper cover or the longitudinal beams with a releasable connection. The base plate includes a connection flange that includes at least one seal. When connected, at least one battery module is enclosed in the battery housing.

Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle air duct. In one example, a system for a vehicle, includes a passage comprising an inlet at a downstream portion of a front wheel well of the vehicle and an outlet upstream of a rear wheel well of the vehicle.

An in-vehicle control device mounted on a vehicle includes an electronic control unit configured to determine that there is a possibility that damage to a bottom portion of the vehicle occurs when a vertical acceleration, which is an acceleration in a vertical direction of the vehicle, or a vertical acceleration increase rate, which is an amount of increase in the vertical acceleration per unit time, reaches a first threshold value or higher.

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.

Systems and methods are presented herein for a vehicle frame comprising a first rail member and a second rail member. Each of the first rail member and the second rail member comprise a front rail portion, wherein the front rail portion is configured to provide resistance to deformation to protect a battery pack assembly positioned between the first rail member and the second rail member. Additionally, each of the first rail member and the second rail member comprise a rail portion, wherein the rail portion is structured to mechanically deform when subjected to a threshold impact force.

A vehicle body structure and a vehicle are provided. The vehicle body structure includes a front longitudinal beam, a front compartment crossbeam, and a floor front crossbeam. The front longitudinal beam includes a left front longitudinal beam and a right front longitudinal beam that are disposed at an interval in a transverse direction. The front longitudinal beam is provided with a body section and a downward bent section connected to a rear end of the body section. The front compartment crossbeam is connected to the downward bent section of the left front longitudinal beam and the right front longitudinal beam, and is at least partially located below the body section. The floor front crossbeam is located behind the front compartment crossbeam at an interval, and is connected to the front longitudinal beam.

A frame system for a vehicle including a high-voltage component that includes a pair of spaced apart primary rails that extend from a front of the vehicle toward a rear of the vehicle and a pair of longitudinally extending sills. An impact support rail extends outward from each of the primary rails, and connects each respective primary rail to one of the sills. A cross-member extends outward from each of the primary rails, and connects each respective primary rail to one of the sills, and a laterally extending frame support member extends between the sills at a location between the impact support rails and the cross-members. A pocket is collectively formed between each primary rail, the respective impact support rail, the respective sill, the respective cross-member, and the laterally extending frame support member, and the pocket is configured for receipt and protection of the high-voltage component.

This application is directed to an apparatus for providing electrical charge to a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a driven mass configured to rotate in response to a kinetic energy of the vehicle, the driven mass coupled to a shaft, where rotation of the driven mass causes the shaft to rotate. The apparatus further comprises a hardware controller. The hardware controller identifies output power parameters for the vehicle and generate a control signal based on the identified output power parameters for the vehicle. The apparatus also comprises a generator that generates an electrical output based on a mechanical input and a conditioning circuit electrically coupled to the generator. The conditioning circuit receives the electrical output from the generator and the control signal from the hardware controller, generates a charge output based on the electrical output and the control signal, and conveys the charge output to the vehicle.

An electric vehicle battery pack with a reinforced cover to better support vehicle cabin loads such as seat submerge loads, seat pitch loads, and the like. The cover has a number of reinforcing members affixed thereto and positioned over cross members of the battery pack frame. Loads imposed by the cabin are thus transferred to the reinforcing members and then to the rigid cross members. In this manner, battery packs of embodiments of the disclosure better support cabin loads applied thereto, improving their strength and better protecting more delicate components within the battery pack.