Battery pack optimization for thermal management

A heat spreader for distributing heat way from battery cells in a battery pack of a vehicle, the heat spreader comprising:

• a flat body having a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side opposite of the first longitudinal side, a first major surface extending between the first and second longitudinal sides, and a second major surface opposite of the first major surface;
• a head attached to the first longitudinal side of the flat body, the head and the flat body collectively having a T-shaped profile, a first portion of the head projecting from the first major surface of the flat body in a first direction, a second portion of the head projecting from the second major surface of the flat body in a second direction opposite of the first direction;
• a first chamfer extending between and connecting the first portion of the head and the first major surface of the flat body;
• and
• a second chamfer extending between and connecting the second portion of the head and the second major surface of the flat body.

A housing for a battery pack of a vehicle, the housing comprising:

• a bottom wall;
• a top wall;
• a first sidewall having an inner surface, an outer surface, and an opening that extends through the inner and outer surfaces;
• a second sidewall disposed opposite of the first sidewall;
• and
• an end wall, the housing having an open end opposite of the end wall and adjoining the bottom wall, the top wall, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall, wherein the opening in the first sidewall is located closer to the open end of the housing than the end wall of the housing.