A vehicle power module assembly including an array of stacked switch unit assemblies, a front cover, first and second side rails, and an end cover is provided. Each of the assemblies may include a power stage frame having a mid-cutout located at a substantially central side frame region such that a mid-cutout region is defined along each side of the array. The front cover may be disposed at a first end of the array. The first and second side rails may each extend from the front cover and each may be disposed within one of the mid-cutout regions such that an outer surface of each side rail is substantially flush with an outer surface of a respective power stage frame. The end cover may be arranged with the front cover to retain the assemblies therebetween. The assembly may further include a clamping plate and a spring element.

In an embodiment, an expansion component (e.g., expanding foam element, inflatable pad, a pneumatic or hydraulic mechanism, etc.) is arranged inside of a battery module compartment (e.g., on a bottom interior surface of the battery module compartment). A battery module is inserted into the battery module component and is fixated, or secured, within the battery module compartment at least in part based upon the expanding component which starts to expand or continues to expand after the insertion. In a further embodiment, the battery module may be removed from the battery module compartment after a contraction function (e.g., collapse of the foam element, deflation of the inflatable pad, etc.) of the expansion component is initiated.

The invention relates to a system for installation of traction batteries for a vehicle having a chassis comprising at least one load-carrying frame member. A front bracket member and a rear bracket member are adapted to be secured to and project from the frame member of the vehicle for receiving a traction battery between the front bracket member and the rear bracket member. The system also comprises a first and a second slider adapted to be connected to a front and a rear side, respectively, of a traction battery. The sliders are adapted to be mated with the bracket members subsequently to the sliders having been connected to the traction battery, thereby enabling the traction battery by means of the connected sliders to be received by the bracket members and be moved towards the frame member of the vehicle.

A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, a body coupled to the chassis, the body defining a refuse compartment, a tailgate detachably coupled to the body, and an electrical energy system, and a detachable electrical connection. A first portion of the electrical energy system is coupled to the tailgate. A second portion of the electrical energy system is coupled to the body. The detachable electrical connection is between the first portion and the second portion of the electrical energy system.

A battery pack locking mechanism, used for unlocking or locking a battery pack on the bracket, and comprising a fixing portion. The fixing portion has a locking space. When the battery pack is placed relative to the bracket, the locking mechanism is used for locking a connecting portion on the battery pack in the locking space. On one side of the locking space, the locking mechanism is provided with an opening facing towards the battery pack and entering the bracket along the horizontal direction, so that the connecting portion enters the opening along the horizontal direction and moves into the locking space. According to the locking mechanism, effectively reducing the complexity of the process and the step of mounting and fixing the battery pack on the bracket. Also provided are a bracket assembly, an electric vehicle, and a battery pack locking method.

A tractor trailer battery system having a battery compartment containing one or more battery units which house one or more battery cells, electrical leads from the battery units to a trailer mounted controller in electrical communication with a cab mounted controller which is in electrical communication an electric motor or hybrid engine system. The battery system allows for either the trailer mounted controller or the cab mounted controller to provide principal communication to the electric motor or hybrid engine system.

Embodiments are directed to establishing a direct electrical bond between a bonding connector of a contact plate and a battery cell in a battery module. In a first embodiment, an oscillating laser is used to weld the bonding connector to a battery cell terminal over a target area over which the bonding connector makes non-flush contact. In a second embodiment, the bonding connector is flattened to reduce a gap between the bonding connector and the target area on the battery cell terminal, and then laser-welded (e.g., using an oscillating or non-oscillating laser). In a third embodiment, at least one hold-down mechanism is applied over the bonding connector to secure the bonding connector to the battery cell terminal, after which the bonding connector is laser-welded to the battery cell terminal.

Embodiments are directed to contact plates configured to establish electrical bonds between battery cells in a battery module. In a first embodiment, the contact plate includes at least one primary conductive layer including a hole that is aligned with two or more terminals of two or more battery cells in a group of battery cells that are configured to be connected in parallel with each other, and a bonding connector configured to provide direct electrical bonds between the contact plate and the two or more terminals of the two or more battery cells. In a second embodiment, a contact plate includes at least one primary conductive layer and a set of bonding connectors made from at least one material that is selected to match at least one material used for the terminals of the at least one group of battery cells.

An electric or hybrid motor-vehicle having a modular battery system having at least one fixed battery module and at least one removable battery module is provided. The removable battery module has an outer casing that receives a first thermally conductive plate and at least one rechargeable battery pack, placed in contact with the first thermally conductive plate. An internal circuit extending inside the first thermally conductive plate is filled with a heat transfer fluid. A second thermally conductive plate is fluidly connected to the internal circuit so as to be flowed through by the heat transfer fluid flowing in the internal circuit and is arranged with an outer face thereof outside the outer casing to be placed in contact with a direct expansion plate of an auxiliary cooling circuit installed on the electric or hybrid motor-vehicle.

An embodiment battery-mounting structure includes a side sill, a mounting bracket connected to the side sill, the mounting bracket being deformable by external force, a connecting member coupled to the mounting bracket and spaced apart from the side sill by a predetermined distance, and a battery assembly including a side flange coupled to the connecting member, the battery assembly being configured to receive a high-voltage battery.