Battery assembly having a cross-member and method of managing loads utilizing a cross-member

A battery assembly, comprising:

• a tray having a floor;
• a lid secured to the tray to provide an enclosure having an interior;
• a battery module disposed within the interior, the battery module having a plurality of battery cell frames disposed along a battery module axis, the plurality of battery cell frames each including a frame toe that projects horizontally;
• and
• a cross-member disposed within the interior adjacent to the battery module, the cross-member including a vertically extending wall having a protrusion that is vertically aligned with the frame toes of the plurality of battery cell frames,
• wherein the cross-member includes a platform, the vertically extending wall extending vertically upward from the platform, the platform extending horizontally to a position vertically beneath the frame toes,
• wherein the platform of the cross-member extends aft to the position vertically beneath the frame toes.

A method of managing loads within a battery pack, comprising:

• providing a battery module within a battery pack, the battery module having a plurality of battery cell frames disposed along a battery module axis, the plurality of battery cell frames each including a frame toe that projects horizontally;
• providing a cross-member within the battery pack, the cross-member having a vertically extending wall with a protrusion that is vertically aligned with, and spaced a distance from, the frame toes of the plurality of battery cell frames;
• and
• when a load is applied to the battery pack that causes the plurality of battery cell frames to move horizontally relative to the cross-member such that the vertically extending wall contacts the battery cell frames, contacting the frame toes with the protrusion prior to the battery module contacting other portions of the vertically extending wall.