# US 11,440,596 B2 · Motor vehicle floor assembly configured to facilitate electrical connections and airflow > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,440,596 B2 - Document ID: US11440596B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/012,399 - Filed: 2020-09-04 - Published: 2022-03-10 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2020-09-04 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Galen Keith Thomas - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11440596B2 ## CPC - B62D 25/20: Floors or bottom sub-units {(sub-frames for mounting engine or suspensions B62D21/11; drip trays F16N31/006)} - B60H 1/00278: {for the battery} - B60H 1/00392: {for electric vehicles having only electric drive means} - B60K 1/04: of the electric storage means for propulsion - B60K 11/06: with air cooling - B60R 16/0215: {Protecting, fastening and routing means therefor} - B60R 16/0231: {Circuits relating to the driving or the functioning of the vehicle (monitoring tyres B60C23/00; indicating overspeed B60K31/00; for dash boards B60K37/00, B60Q3/10; for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52; brake control systems B60T; registering or indicating the working of vehicles G07C5/00; measuring distance G01C, e.g. combinations of speed and distance G01C23/00; engine indicators G01L; measuring speed or acceleration G01P)} - B62D 25/2009: {in connection with other superstructure subunits} - B60H 2001/003: {Component temperature regulation using an air flow} - B60K 2001/005: {the electric storage means} - B60K 2001/0438: {Arrangement under the floor} - B60Y 2410/115: Electric wiring; Electric connectors - 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) - B60H: ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES - 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 - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY ## Abstract This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle floor assembly configured to facilitate electrical connections and/or airflow within the vehicle, and a corresponding method. An example assembly includes a floor including an electrical line arranged entirely within the floor. In another example assembly, the floor additionally or alternatively includes an air flow path. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising: a floor including an electrical line arranged entirely within the floor, wherein the electrical line extends to a first electrical module in a first pocket beneath an uppermost surface of the floor, wherein the electrical line is one of a wire, wire harness, a bus bar, and a circuit trace, and the first electrical module is one of a printed circuit board and an electrical connector, and wherein the floor forms a bottom wall and at least three side walls of the first pocket. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the floor forms four side walls of the first pocket such that the first pocket is only accessible from a location above the uppermost surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The assembly as recited in claim 2, further comprising a cover attached to the uppermost surface and sealing the first pocket from the location above the uppermost surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein: the floor forms a bottom wall and only three side walls of the first pocket, the first pocket is arranged adjacent an edge of the floor, and the three side walls are arranged such that the first pocket is accessible from a location above the uppermost surface and a location adjacent the edge. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the electrical line extends between the first electrical module and a second electrical module arranged in a second pocket beneath the uppermost surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein the first and second electrical modules are electrical connectors. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the electrical line extends between a first connector adjacent a front edge of the floor and a second connector adjacent a rear edge of the floor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein: the electrical line is a first electrical line, and the assembly further comprises a first electrical module arranged in a first pocket arranged beneath an uppermost surface of the floor and electrically connected to the first electrical line. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein: the assembly further comprises a second electrical line extending between a third connector adjacent the front edge of the floor and a fourth connector adjacent the rear edge of the floor, the assembly further comprises second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth electrical modules arranged in respective second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth pockets arranged beneath the uppermost surface, and each of the second third, fourth, fifth, and sixth electrical modules are electrically connected to one of the first and second electrical lines. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein: the floor also provides an upper cover of an enclosure of a battery assembly, and the motor vehicle is an electrified vehicle. ### Claim 11 A method, comprising: electrically connecting a first load to a second load via an electrical line, wherein the electrical line is arranged entirely within in a floor of a motor vehicle, wherein the electrical line extends to an electrical module in a pocket beneath an uppermost surface of the floor, wherein the electrical line is one of a wire, wire harness, a bus bar, and a circuit trace, and the electrical module is one of a printed circuit board and an electrical connector, and wherein the floor forms a bottom wall and at least three side walls of the pocket. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the floor is a cover of a battery assembly of the motor vehicle.