Method and apparatus for attaching a crushable carbon fiber reinforced polymer structure to the outer surface of a battery enclosure

• Main Authors: Stanko, William L, Nusier, Saied, Barbat, Saeed David, Baccouche, Mohamed Ridha
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 28.08.2018
• Subjects: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS INVEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OFTRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GASEXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS, IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; ELECTRICITY; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS; MOTOR VEHICLES; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSIONOF CHEMICAL INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY; TRAILERS; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES IN GENERAL

A battery housing for a traction motor battery of a vehicle is disclosed that includes a plurality of elongated impact absorbing carbon fiber reinforced polymer members attached to the walls of the enclosure. The impact absorbing members may be corrugated members that have ridges and furrows connected by ramp surfaces that define trapezoidal spaces relative to the sides of the enclosure. The ridges are designed to be deformed into the trapezoidal space in the event of an impact to absorb impact forces and protect the battery. The impact absorbing members may be retained by T-shaped guides on the outer surface of the walls of the enclosure or may be adhesively attached to the sides of the enclosure.