Array frame design for electrified vehicle battery arrays

Abstract

A battery array includes a frame body extending along a longitudinal axis and including a top surface, a bottom surface, and frame arms that connect between the top surface and the bottom surface. In some embodiments, the array frame includes at least one lifting arm that extends from the top surface and establishes an engagement area for engaging and lifting the frame body. In other embodiments, the array frame includes a recessed groove for accommodating a tension strap.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A battery array, comprising:
 an array frame including a frame body extending along a longitudinal axis and including a top surface, a bottom surface, and frame arms that connect between said top surface and said bottom surface; and   at least one lifting arm that extends from said top surface and establishes an engagement area for engaging and lifting said frame body.   
     
     
         2 . The battery array as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said top surface extends between opposing ends, and each of said opposing ends includes a lifting arm that extends along said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The battery array as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one lifting arm extends upwardly from said top surface of said array frame. 
     
     
         4 . The battery array as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one lifting arm protrudes outboard of said frame arms. 
     
     
         5 . The battery array as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said top surface and said bottom surface is rotationally symmetric about an axis that is transverse to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         6 . The battery array as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said top surface and said bottom surface includes a recessed groove. 
     
     
         7 . The battery array as recited in  claim 6 , comprising a tension strap received within said recessed groove. 
     
     
         8 . The battery array as recited in  claim 1 , comprising a thermal fin embedded in said frame body. 
     
     
         9 . The battery array as recited in  claim 8 , comprising a first battery cell positioned in a first pocket of said frame body and a second battery cell positioned in a second pocket of said frame body. 
     
     
         10 . The battery array as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said second pocket is separated from said first pocket by said thermal fin. 
     
     
         11 . The battery array as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one lifting arm includes a lip and a recess inboard of said lip. 
     
     
         12 . The battery array as recited in  claim 1 , comprising a lifting tool for engaging said engagement area. 
     
     
         13 . A battery array, comprising:
 an array frame including a frame body;   a lifting arm extending from a top surface of said frame body;   a recessed groove formed in said top surface or a bottom surface of said frame body; and   a tension strap received within said recessed groove.   
     
     
         14 . The battery array as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said lifting arm establishes an engagement area for engaging and lifting said frame body. 
     
     
         15 . The battery array as recited in  claim 13 , wherein at least one of said top surface and said bottom surface is rotationally symmetric about an axis that is transverse to a longitudinal axis of said frame body. 
     
     
         16 . The battery array as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said tension strap includes detents that extend toward said top surface or said bottom surface of said frame body. 
     
     
         17 . The battery array as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said recessed groove extends between a first side and a second side of said top surface or said bottom surface and is disposed between a rigid snap arm and a flexible snap arm that extend from said first side or said second side. 
     
     
         18 . The battery array as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said tension strap is seated flush with said top surface or said bottom surface. 
     
     
         19 . The battery array as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said recessed groove is positioned between opposing feet of said bottom surface of said frame body. 
     
     
         20 . The battery array as recited in  claim 19 , wherein a center of said bottom surface is elevated relative to said opposing feet.