# US 11,110,787 B2 · Structural enhancements of an electric vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,110,787 B2 - Document ID: US11110787B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/710,708 - Filed: 2019-12-11 - Published: 2021-06-17 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2019-12-11 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Terry A. Swartzell; Andre T. Matsumoto; Bradley Leier; Andrew W. White - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11110787B2 ## CPC - B60K 1/04: of the electric storage means for propulsion - B62D 21/155: {Sub-frames or underguards} - B62D 25/2009: {in connection with other superstructure subunits} - B60K 2001/0438: {Arrangement under the floor} - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract An electric vehicle includes a body structure, a forward sub-frame, and a battery pack. The body structure includes first and second side rails. The forward sub-frame includes first and second side supports each having and extending longitudinally between forward and rearward end portions. The first and second side supports are located forward of, and substantially parallel to, the first and second side rails. The battery pack includes a support structure disposed beneath, and engaged to, the body structure between the first and second side rails. The support structure has a plurality of longitudinal components spaced laterally apart from one-another, and disposed parallel to the opposite first and second side rails. The rearward end portions of the first and second side supports are proximate to respective first and second longitudinal components of the plurality of longitudinal components. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electric vehicle comprising: a body structure including opposite first and second side rails; a forward sub-frame including opposite first and second side supports each including and extending longitudinally between forward and rearward end portions, wherein the first and second side supports are located forward of and substantially parallel to the first and second side rails; and a battery pack including a support structure disposed beneath and engaged to the body structure between the first and second side rails, the support structure having a plurality of longitudinal components spaced laterally apart from one-another and disposed parallel to the opposite first and second side rails, wherein the rearward end portions of the first and second side supports are proximate to respective first and second longitudinal components of the plurality of longitudinal components. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electric vehicle set forth in claim 1, wherein the first side support co-extends along a first centerline, the first longitudinal component co-extends along the first centerline, the second side support co-extends along a second centerline, and the second longitudinal component co-extends along the second centerline. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The electric vehicle set forth in claim 2, wherein the plurality of longitudinal components includes a third longitudinal component attached to the first side rail and spaced laterally outward from the first longitudinal component, and a fourth longitudinal component attached to the second side rail and spaced laterally outward from the second longitudinal component. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electric vehicle set forth in claim 1, wherein the forward sub-frame includes a first stanchion extending vertically between and attached to the forward end portion of the first side support and a first forward side rail of the body structure, and a second stanchion extending vertically between and attached to the forward end portion of the second side support and a second forward side rail of the body structure. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The electric vehicle set forth in claim 2, wherein the forward sub-frame includes a first stanchion extending vertically between and attached to the forward end portion of the first side support and a first forward side rail of the body structure, and a second stanchion extending vertically between and attached to the forward end portion of the second side support and a second forward side rail of the body structure. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electric vehicle set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a first coupling assembly including a forward fastener, a first rearward fastener, and a plate in contact with and disposed beneath the rearward end portion of the first side support and the support structure, wherein the forward fastener extends through the plate and the rearward end portion of the first side support, and is secured to the body structure, and wherein the first rearward fastener extends through the plate and the support structure, and is secured to the body structure; and a second coupling assembly including a forward fastener, a first rearward fastener, and a plate in contact with and disposed beneath the rearward end portion of the second side support and the support structure, wherein the forward fastener extends through the plate and the rearward end portion of the second side support, and is secured to the body structure, and wherein the first rearward fastener extends through the plate and the support structure, and is secured to the body structure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The electric vehicle set forth in claim 6, wherein the forward fastener and the first rearward fastener of the first coupling assembly and the forward fastener and the first rearward fastener of the second coupling assembly are bolts adapted to thread into the body structure. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The electric vehicle set forth in claim 6, wherein the first and second coupling assemblies each include a second rearward fastener. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The electric vehicle set forth in claim 6, wherein the first rearward fasteners of the first and second coupling assemblies extend through a bulkhead of the support structure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The electric vehicle set forth in claim 9, wherein the rearward end portions of the first and second side supports are spaced forward of the bulkhead. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The electric vehicle set forth in claim 6, wherein the rearward end portions of the first and second side supports are spaced forward of the support structure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The electric vehicle set forth in claim 11, wherein the plate is adapted to undergo plastic deformation upon a forward impact upon the first and second side supports. ### Claim 13 An electric vehicle comprising: a body structure including opposite first and second side rails; a forward sub-frame including opposite first and second side supports each including and extending longitudinally between forward and rearward end portions, wherein the first and second side supports are located forward of and substantially parallel to the first and second side rails; a battery pack including a support structure disposed beneath and engaged to the body structure between the first and second side rails, the support structure having a forward bulkhead longitudinally extending between the first and second side rails; a first coupling assembly including a forward fastener, a first rearward fastener, and a plate in contact with and disposed beneath the rearward end portion of the first side support and the support structure, wherein the forward fastener extends through the plate and the rearward end portion of the first side support, and is secured to the body structure, and wherein the first rearward fastener extends through the plate and the support structure, and is secured to the body structure; and a second coupling assembly including a forward fastener, a first rearward fastener, and a plate in contact with and disposed beneath the rearward end portion of the second side support and the support structure, wherein the forward fastener extends through the plate and the rearward end portion of the second side support, and is secured to the body structure, and wherein the first rearward fastener extends through the plate and the support structure, and is secured to the body structure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The electric vehicle set forth in claim 13, wherein the forward fastener and the first rearward fastener of the first coupling assembly and the forward fastener and the first rearward fastener of the second coupling assembly are bolts adapted to thread into the body structure. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The electric vehicle set forth in claim 13, wherein the first and second coupling assemblies each include a second rearward fastener. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The electric vehicle set forth in claim 13, wherein the first rearward fasteners of the first and second coupling assemblies extend through a bulkhead of the support structure. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The electric vehicle set forth in claim 16, wherein the rearward end portions of the first and second side supports are spaced forward of the bulkhead. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The electric vehicle set forth in claim 13, wherein the rearward end portions of the first and second side supports are spaced forward of the support structure. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The electric vehicle set forth in claim 18, wherein the plate is adapted to undergo plastic deformation upon a forward impact upon the first and second side supports. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The electric vehicle set forth in claim 13, wherein the support structure includes first and second elongated components spaced laterally apart from one-another and disposed parallel to the first and second side rails, wherein the rearward end portions of the first and second side supports are proximate to the respective first and second elongated components.