FRAME SUPPORT DEVICE

Abstract

A structure can enclose a body with a plurality of walls that divide the body into a plurality of sections along a height of the body. A first wall and an opposing second wall can define a section of the plurality of sections. A middle section of the first wall can be located closer to the second wall in a first direction than an end section of the first wall. The first wall and the second wall can move toward each other in a second direction in response to a force exerted on the body.

Description

INTRODUCTIONElectric vehicles may include various electrical components that provide power to the vehicle. The electrical components may be electrically coupled to vehicle components to power the vehicle.SUMMARYA vehicle frame rail support device may include a body having a plurality of wall-divided portions. At least two of the walls may buckle and move towards each other in response to a force applied to the body to support the structure of the body. The two walls may at least partially contact each other as they move towards each other. The disclosed solutions have the technical advantage of absorbing the energy of a force acting on the body to minimize the amount of force applied to a battery adjacent or near the body. For example, the contact between the curved walls may facilitate providing support to the body and distributing the load throughout the body to absorb the force energy. The body may include a plurality of second portions connected to the body. The second portions may be disposed between the portions of the body and a battery pack to further facilitate absorption of the energy of the force applied to the body.At least one aspect is directed to a device. The apparatus may include a body having a plurality of walls dividing the body into a plurality of sections along a height of the body. A first wall and an opposing second wall may define a portion of the plurality of portions. A central portion of the first wall may be disposed closer to the second wall than an end portion of the first wall in a first direction. The first wall and the second wall may move toward each other in the first direction in response to a force applied to the body in a second direction.At least one aspect is directed to a vehicle. The vehicle may include a device. The apparatus may include a body having a plurality of walls dividing the body into a plurality of sections along a height of the body. A first wall and an opposing second wall may define a portion of the plurality of portions. A central portion of the first wall may be disposed closer to the second wall than an end portion of the first wall in a first direction. The first wall and the second wall may move toward each other in the first direction in response to a force applied to the body in a second direction.At least one aspect is directed to a device. The device may include a body having a plurality of walls dividing the body into a plurality of first portions and a plurality of second portions. A first wall and an opposing second wall may define a portion of the plurality of first portions. A central portion of the first wall may be disposed closer to the second wall than an end portion of the first wall in a first direction. The first wall and the second wall may move toward each other in the first direction in response to a force applied to the body in a second direction.These and other aspects and implementations are discussed in detail below. The above information and the following detailed description include illustrative examples of various aspects and implementations, and provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed aspects and implementations. The drawings provide an illustrative representation and further understanding of the various aspects and implementations, and are part of this specification. The above information and the following detailed descriptions and drawings include illustrative examples and should not be considered as limiting.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe accompanying drawings are not to scale. Like numerals and labels in the various drawings identify like elements. For clarity, not every component needs to be labeled in each drawing. The following are shown: FIG. 1 illustrates an example side view of an electric vehicle according to implementations. FIG. 2A illustrates an example perspective view of a battery pack, according to implementations. FIG. 2B illustrates an example perspective view of a battery module, according to implementations. FIG. 3 shows an example front view of a frame support positioned adjacent to a battery pack of the electric vehicle of FIG. 1, according to implementations. FIG. 4 illustrates an example perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 3, according to implementations. FIG. 5 illustrates an example front view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 3, according to implementations. FIG. 6 illustrates an example perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 3 in a first state, according to implementations. FIG. 7 illustrates an example perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 3 in a second state, according to implementations. FIG. 8 illustrates an example illustration of a process according to implementations. FIG. 9 illustrates an example illustration of a process according to implementations.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe following is a more detailed description of various concepts related to implementations of methods, apparatus, and systems of a vehicle frame rail support apparatus. The apparatus may at least partially crumple or buckle as described herein to absorb the energy of a force applied to at least a portion of a vehicle frame. The device may include at least one body. The body may include a plurality of walls that divide the body into first or second portions (e.g., generally rectangular portions). At least a first portion may include two walls (e.g., a top wall and a bottom wall) structured to be at least partially biased toward each other. The two walls may be structured to flex or bulge towards each other when a force is applied to the body. The two walls may contact each other at or near a center of the first portion to facilitate distributing the load of the force applied to the body to the entire body (e.g., by forming two generally triangular shaped portions from the rectangular portion). The body may be disposed on or near a vehicle frame rail (e.g., the rocker) to support the frame rail when, e.g., a force is applied to the frame rail. The concepts introduced above and discussed in detail below may be implemented in numerous ways.The present disclosure relates to systems and methods of a vehicle frame rail support apparatus. The device may include a body having a plurality of first portions. A plurality of walls may divide the first portions along the height of the body. At least two of the walls may flex (e.g., bulge) towards each other and may move towards each other in response to a force applied to the body to support the structure of the body. A first wall of the at least two walls may include a first protrusion and a second wall of the at least two walls may include a second protrusion. The first protrusion and the second protrusion may at least partially contact each other as the walls move toward each other.The disclosed solutions have the technical advantage of absorbing the energy of the force applied to the body to minimize the amount of force applied to a battery that is adjacent or proximate to the body. For example, the contact between the first protrusion and the second protrusion may facilitate the distribution of a load of the force to the entire body. For example, a wall of the body may receive a first force level when the two walls move toward each other and a second force level after the first protrusion contacts the second protrusion, the second force level being greater than the first force level. In other words, the body may distribute the load to the entire body to facilitate absorption of the energy of the force. The body may include a plurality of second portions coupled to the body. The second portions may be disposed between the portions of the body and a battery pack to further facilitate absorption of the energy of the force applied to the body. The body may include an extrusion of aluminum to facilitate bulging, crushing, and absorbing energy.FIG. 1 illustrates an example cross-sectional view 100 of an electric vehicle 105 in which at least one battery pack 110 is installed. Electric vehicles 105 may include, but are not limited to, electric trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), electric vans, electric automobiles, electric cars, electric bicycles, electric scooters, electric cars, electric cars or commercial vehicles, hybrid vehicles or other vehicles such as marine or air transport vehicles, aircrafts, helicopters, submarines, boats, or drones. The battery pack 110 may also be used as an energy storage system for powering a building, such as a residential building or business buildings. Electric vehicles 105 may be fully electric or partially electric (e.g., plug-in hybrid), and further electric vehicles 105 may be fully autonomous, partially autonomous, or unmanned. Electric vehicles 105 may also be human-operated or non-autonomous. Electric vehicles 105, such as electric trucks or cars, may include on-board battery packs 110, batteries 115, or battery modules 115, or battery cells 120 for powering the electric vehicles. The electric vehicle 105 may include a chassis 125 (e.g., a frame, an internal frame, or a support structure). The chassis 125 may support various components of the electric vehicle 105. The chassis 125 may extend over a front portion 130 (e.g., a hood portion), a body portion 135, and a rear portion 140 (e.g., a trunk, payload, or trunk portion) of the electric vehicle 105. The battery pack 110 may be installed or placed in the electric vehicle 105. For example, the battery pack 110 may be installed on the chassis 125 of the electric vehicle 105 in one or more of the front portion 130, the body portion 135, and the rear portion 140. The battery pack 110 may include or be connected to at least one bus bar, e.g., a current collector element. For example, the first bus bar 145 and the second bus bar 150 may include electrically conductive material to connect or otherwise electrically couple the battery 115, the battery modules 115, or the battery cells 120 to other electrical components of the electric vehicle 105 to provide electrical power to various systems or components of the electric vehicle 105.FIG. 2A illustrates an example battery pack 110. Referring to FIG. 2A, the battery pack 110 may provide power to the electric vehicle 105, among other things. Battery packs 110 may include any arrangement or network of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or electromechanical devices to power a vehicle of any type, such as electric vehicle 105. The battery pack 110 may include at least one housing 205. The housing 205 may include at least one battery module 115 or at least one battery cell 120, as well as other battery pack components. The battery module 115 may be or include one or more groups of prismatic cells, cylindrical cells, pouch cells, or other form factors of the battery cells 120. The housing 205 may include a shield at the bottom of the battery module 115 to protect the battery module 115 and / or cells 120 from external influences, for example, when the electric vehicle 105 is controlled over rough terrain (e.g., terrain, trenches, rocks, etc.). The battery pack 110 may include at least one cooling line 210 that may distribute liquid through the battery pack 110 as part of a heat / temperature control or heat exchange system, which may also include at least one thermal component (e.g., cooling plate) 215. The thermal component 215 may be positioned relative to an upper sub-module and a lower sub-module such that it is located between, among other things, the upper and lower sub-modules. The battery pack 110 may include any number of thermal components 215. For example, one or more thermal components 215 may be present for each battery pack 110 or battery module 115. At least one cooling line 210 may be coupled to, part of, or independent of the thermal component 215.FIG. 2B shows an example of a battery module 115 that includes one or more battery cells s 120. The battery module 115 may include at least one sub-module. For example, the battery modules 115 may include at least one first (e.g., upper) sub-module 220 or at least one second (e.g., lower) sub-module 225. At least one thermal component 215 may be disposed between the upper sub-module 220 and the lower sub-module 225. For example, a thermal component 215 may be configured for heat exchange with a battery module 115. The thermal component 215 may be disposed or thermally coupled between the upper sub-module 220 and the lower sub-module 225. A thermal component 215 may also be thermally coupled to more than one battery module 115 (or more than two sub-modules 220, 225). The thermal components 215 shown adjacent to each other may be combined into a single thermal component 215 spanning the size of one or more sub-modules 220 or 225. The thermal component 215 may be positioned below the sub-module 220 and above the sub-module 225, between the sub-modules 220 and 225, on one or more sides of the sub-modules 220, 225, among other things. The thermal component 215 may be disposed in sidewalls, cross members, structural beams, and various other components of the battery pack, as in the battery pack 110 described above. The battery submodules 220, 225 may together form a battery module 115. In some examples, each submodule 220, 225 may be considered a complete battery module 115 rather than a submodule.The battery modules 115 may each include a plurality of battery cells 120. The battery modules 115 may be disposed within the housing 205 of the battery pack 110. The battery modules 115 may include battery cells 120, which are, for example, cylindrical cells or prismatic cells. The battery module 115 may operate as a modular unit of battery cells 120. For example, a battery module 115 may collect current or electrical power from the battery cells 120 included in the battery module 115 and provide the current or electrical power as an output of the battery pack 110. The battery pack 110 may include any number of battery modules 115. For example, the battery pack may include one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, or another number of battery modules 115 disposed in the housing 205.Each battery module 115 may include an upper submodule 220 and a lower submodule 225, possibly with a thermal component 215 between the upper submodule 220 and the lower submodule 225. The battery pack 110 may include or define a plurality of areas in which the battery module 115 and / or the cells 120 may be positioned. The battery modules 115 may be square, rectangular, round, triangular, symmetrical, or asymmetrical. In some examples, the battery modules 115 may have different shapes such that some battery modules 115 are rectangular and other battery modules 115 are square, among other possibilities. The battery module 115 may include or define a plurality of slots, holders, or containers for a plurality of battery cells 120. It should be understood that the representations and descriptions illustrated herein are provided by way of example only and are not to be considered limiting. For example, the battery cells 120 may be inserted into the battery pack 110 without the battery modules 220 and 225. The battery cells 120 may be arranged in the battery pack 110 in a cell-to-pack configuration without the modules 220 and 225, among other things.Battery cells 120 have a variety of form factors, shapes, or sizes. For example, the battery cells 120 may have a cylindrical, rectangular, square, cubic, flat, pouch, elongated, or prismatic shape factor.FIG. 3 illustrates an example front view of a device 300. The apparatus 300 may include or be disposed within a portion of the vehicle 105. For example, the apparatus 300 may include or be positioned adjacent to a portion of a rocker 155 of the vehicle 105 (e.g., at or near a side of the vehicle 105, below a door, between the front and rear wheels, etc., as shown in at least FIG. 1 ). For example, the apparatus 300 may include or be positioned within a portion of a frame rail 160 of the vehicle 105 (e.g., the running board or frame supporting one or more components of the vehicle 105). The apparatus 300 may facilitate supporting the rocker 155 (e.g., the frame rail 160 shown in at least FIG. 1 ) of the vehicle 105 when a force is applied to the rocker 155, as described herein. The device 300 or a portion of the device 300 may be coupled to the vehicle 105 by various means, including fasteners.The device 300 may include a first end 320 and a second end 325. The first end 320 of the device 300 may be disposed at or near a sidemost portion of the vehicle 105 (e.g., at or below a door of the vehicle 105, at a first side 170 of the vehicle 105, directly adjacent to a rocker 155 of the vehicle 105, as shown in FIG. 1 ). The second end 325 may be at least partially opposite the first end 320 and may be disposed proximate to the center of the vehicle 105 (e.g., adjacent to the battery pack 110, closer to the second side 165 of the vehicle 105, as shown in FIG. 1 ). For example, the vehicle 105 may include a first device 300 disposed adjacent to a frame sill 155 of a first side 170 of the vehicle 105 and a second device 300 disposed adjacent to a frame sill 155 of a second side 165 of the vehicle 105, the battery pack 110 disposed between the first and second devices 300. The device 300 may include a body 305 disposed at or near the second end 325 of the device 300 (or at or near the first end 320).As described herein, the body 305 may include a plurality of walls that divide the body 305 into a plurality of portions along a height (e.g., height direction 455 shown in at least FIG. 4 ) of the body 305. For example, the body 305 may include at least a first portion 310. The body 305 may include a plurality of first portions 310 (e.g., a first portion 310, two first portions 310, three first portions 310, or more than three first portions 310 along a height of the body 305, each divided by one or more corresponding walls). The device 300 may include at least one second body 330 that is adjacent or proximate to the body 305. The body 305 may be monolithically formed with the second body 330, or the second body 330 may be independently formed and coupled to the body 305 within the vehicle 105. The second body 330 may include a plurality of portions that may at least partially deform in response to a force applied to the second body 330.The body 305 or another portion of the device 300 may include at least a second portion 315. For example, the device 300 may include a plurality of second portions 315 each positioned adjacent a corresponding first portion 310 in the direction toward the second end 325 of the device 300. In some examples, at least one second portion 315 may be positioned adjacent to a first portion 310 in the direction toward the first end 320 of the device 300. The body 305 may include each of the first portions 310 and second portions 315 monolithically formed with one another (e.g., such that each of the plurality of first portions 310 has an adjacent wall with one of the plurality of second portions 315), or the second portions 315 may be independent of the body 305 and adjacent to the body 305 (e.g., coupled to the body 305). Each of the first portions 310 and the second portions 315 may be made of the same material, or at least one of the second portions 315 may be at least partially or completely different in material from at least one of the first portions 310. The device 300 may include the same number of second portions 315 as first portions 310 (e.g., to define a total of six portions as shown in the figures), or the device 300 may include a different number of second portions 315 and first portions 310. For example, the body 305 may include a plurality of second portions 315 (e.g., a second portion 315, two second portions 315, three second portions 315, or more than three second portions 315).The body 305 may be formed by various manufacturing methods. The body 305 may be, for example, an extrusion or include an extrusion. For example, the body 305 may be formed at least partially via an extrusion process to form the one or more first portions 310 or second portions 315. The body 305 or one or more parts of the body 305 may be formed from various metallic materials, including aluminum or steel. The body 305 may additionally or alternatively include various nonmetallic materials, including, but not limited to, plastic. One or more portions of the device 300 may be formed using one or more additional or alternative manufacturing processes, including, but not limited to, additive manufacturing, stamping, or other processes.FIG. 4 shows an example perspective view of the body 305 of the device 300 and FIG. 5 shows an example front view of the body 305. The body 305 may be formed via an extrusion process such that the body 305 extends longitudinally along a portion of the vehicle 105 (e.g., at least partially between a front end of the vehicle 105 and a rear end of the vehicle 105). The body 305 may extend in a length direction 445, for example, as shown in FIG. 4. Each of the first portions 310 or the second portions 315 may extend longitudinally at least partially or fully across the longitudinal length of the body 305 (e.g., between a front end of the vehicle 105 and a rear end of the vehicle 105) in the longitudinal direction 445.As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the body 305 may include, among other things, a plurality of walls (e.g., walls 420, 425, 430, 435, 460, 465, 470 or adjacent walls described or shown herein) that may divide the body 305 into first portions 310 or second portions 315 in height, length, or width of the body 305. For example, the plurality of walls of the body 305 may divide the body into first portions 310 in a height direction 455 (e.g., such that the first portions 310 are at least partially stacked over each other). For example, at least a first portion 310 may include a first wall 420, an opposing second wall 425, a third wall 430 extending at least partially between the first wall 420 and the second wall 425, and a fourth wall 435 opposing the third wall 430. Each of the walls may be monolithically formed with each other. The first wall 420 and the second wall 425 may include a greater width (e.g., in a width direction 450, in a direction from the second end 325 to the first end 320 of the device) than a height of the third wall 430 and the fourth wall 435 (e.g., in the height direction 455) to form a substantially rectangular shape. In other words, at least a first portion 310 may include an aspect ratio between 1:1 and 10:1 (e.g., 2:1, 3:2, etc.). The first portion 310 may include a greater or lesser aspect ratio (e.g., less than 1:1 or greater than 10:1). The body 305 of the device 300 may include a height greater than a width. In other words, the body 305 may include an aspect ratio between 1:10 and 1:1 (e.g., 1:2, 2:3, etc.). The body 305 may include a greater or lesser aspect ratio (e.g., less than 1:10 or greater than 1:1).The first wall 420 (or the second wall 425) may extend from one end portion to another end portion (e.g., from one end connected to the third wall 430 to another end connected to the fourth wall 435). A central portion of the first wall 420 (e.g., a midpoint between the third wall 430 and the fourth wall 435) may be positioned closer to the second wall 425 than the end portions of the first wall 420 in a first direction (e.g., in the height direction 455 as shown and described herein). For example, the first wall 420 may be curved, curved, curved, pointed, or otherwise formed such that at least a portion of the center of the first wall 420 is closer in position to the second wall 425 than another portion of the first wall 420. A central portion of the second wall 425 (e.g., a midpoint between the third wall 430 and the fourth wall 435) may be positioned closer to the first wall 420 than the end portions of the second wall 425. The second wall 425 may be, for example, curved, curved, pointed, or otherwise formed such that at least a portion of the center of the second wall 425 is closer in position to the first wall 420 than another portion of the second wall 425.As described herein, at least two of the plurality of walls (e.g., the first wall 420 and the second wall 425) may bulge toward each other or move toward each other in the first direction (e.g., in the height direction 455) in response to a force applied to the body 305 (e.g., in response to a force applied to a portion of the frame rail 160 of the vehicle 105) in a second direction (e.g., a direction that may not be parallel to the height direction 455, such as substantially in the width direction 450 described herein, in the length direction 445 described herein, or in another direction). The at least two of the plurality of walls (e.g., the first wall 420 and the second wall 425) may include a protrusion. For example, at least a first portion 310 may include at least one protrusion on one or more walls. For example, at least one of the first portions 310 may include a first protrusion 405 and a second protrusion 410. The first protrusion 405 may protrude from an inner surface of the first wall 420 of the first portion 310, and the second protrusion 410 may protrude from the opposing inner surface of the second wall 425. The first protrusion 405 may contact the second protrusion 410 in response to a force applied to the body 305. The first protrusion 405 or the second protrusion 410 may include surfaces or surfaces that are flat (e.g., at an angle corresponding to that of the wall 465 or perpendicular to the wall 435) even when the respective first wall 420 or the second wall 425 are curved (e.g., to contact each other along a flat plane).As shown in the figures, the first protrusion 405 and the second protrusion 410 may extend from the first wall 420 and the second wall 425, respectively, approximately (e.g., ±10%) in the center of the walls in the width direction 450. The first protrusion 405 may substantially oppose the second protrusion 410, or the first protrusion 405 may be offset from the second protrusion 410 in the height direction 455. The first protrusion 405 may extend longitudinally along the first wall 420 in the length direction 445 and the second protrusion 410 may extend longitudinally along the second wall 425 in the length direction 445. One or more of the first portions 310 may not include protrusions. For example, each second first portion 310 may include protrusions (e.g., the first protrusion 405 or the second protrusion 410) in a height direction 455, and any portion therebetween may not include protrusions, as illustrated in the figures. In other words, each first portion 310 having at least two walls (e.g., the first wall 420 and the second wall 425) that may bulge toward each other may include at least one protrusion on an inner surface of the respective wall. The outer surface of the respective walls (e.g., the outer surface of the first wall 420 or the second wall 425) may not include protrusions. The first portions 310 that do not include protrusions on the inner surfaces of the first portion 310 may be greater than or equal to (e.g., area or volume) the first portions 310 that include protrusions. For example, when the first wall 420 or the second wall 425 moves inward into a portion of a first portion 310, the same wall may move outward away from a portion of another first portion 310 (e.g., the immediate first portion 310 in a height direction 455) to define a larger open space within the portion 310 that is free of protrusions (e.g., as shown in FIG. 7 ).Each wall of the first wall 420, the second wall 425, the third wall 430, or the fourth wall 435 of the first portion 310 may include about the same thickness. The thickness may be between 1 mm and 5 mm, for example (e.g., the thickness may be 2.5 mm). One or more of the walls may include a different thickness. The thickness may be substantially greater or less than between 1 mm and 5 mm. The thickness may be, for example, less than 1 mm (e.g., 0.5 mm) or more than 5 mm (e.g., 10 mm). The small thickness of the walls of the first portion 310 may increase mikroability while reducing excess material.The first protrusion 405 may protrude from the inner surface of the first wall 420 at a distance in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm, or the first protrusion 405 may protrude from the inner surface of the first wall 420 substantially greater or less than between 1 mm and 5 mm. The second protrusion 410 may protrude from the inner surface of the second wall 425 by a distance in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm, or the second protrusion 410 may protrude from the inner surface of the second wall 425 substantially larger or smaller than between 1 mm and 5 mm.A portion of at least a first portion 310 of the body 305 may be structured to facilitate causing movement of the first protrusion 405 toward the second protrusion 410 (or movement of the second protrusion 410 toward the first protrusion 405) when a force is applied to or proximate the third wall 430 (e.g., substantially in the width direction 450, from the first end 320 of the device 300 toward the second end 325). For example, the first wall 420 or the second wall 425 of the first portion 310 may include at least one notch 415 that may cause the first wall 420 or the second wall 425 to flex (e.g., buckle) towards each other in response to a force applied to the body 305. The first wall 420 may include a first notch 415 positioned on a first side of the first protrusion 405 in the width direction 450, and a second notch 415 positioned on a second side of the first protrusion 405 in the width direction 450. The first wall 420 may include a third notch 415 at a first end of the first portion 310 in the width direction 450 (e.g., adjacent to a second portion 315) and a fourth notch 415 at another end of the first portion 310 in the width direction 450. In some examples, the first wall 420 or the second wall 425 may not include indentations 415.The notches 415 may include a discontinuity in the wall (e.g., a partial cut, a slot, an opening) that may facilitate reducing the rigidity of the first wall 420 or increasing the flexibility of the wall 420. For example, as shown in the figures, the notches 415 may facilitate (or further facilitate) biasing the first protrusion 405 toward the center of the first portion 310 (e.g., by slightly curving, folding, or bending the first wall 420 toward the center due to the notches 415). The second wall 425 may include one or more notches 415 similarly positioned relative to the second protrusion 410 to cause the second wall 425 to buckle and bias the second protrusion 410 toward the center of the first portion 310 (e.g., by slightly folding or bending the second wall 425 toward the center). The notches 415 may facilitate, but need not facilitate, biasing the first wall 420 or the second wall 425. For example, the notches 415 may facilitate movement of the protrusions 405, 410 towards each other when a force is applied to the body 305, but may also contribute to the shape of the first wall 420 or the second wall 425 when the body 305 is static. In non-notch examples 415 (not shown), movement of the protrusions 405, 410 towards each other when a force is applied to the body 305 is facilitated by the shape (e.g., the curved shape) of the first wall 420 or the second wall 425, as discussed above with reference to FIG. 4.When a force is applied to or near the third wall 430 (e.g., in a direction from the first end 320 of the device 300 or from the second end 325 of the device 300), the force may further facilitate causing the first wall 420 and the first protrusion 405 to bulge or bend toward the second wall 425 and the second protrusion 410. For example, the curved shape or indentations 415 of the first portion 310 promote the first wall 420 or the second wall 425 to bulge toward each other upon a force applied to the body 305. By this bulging, the first protrusion 405 may at least partially contact the second protrusion 410. The first wall 420 or the second wall 425 may not include protrusions 405, 410 such that the curvature causes a portion of the first wall 420 and the second wall 425 to be directly contacted (e.g., with or without the protrusions 405, 410).Bulging the first wall 420 and the second wall 425 toward each other when a force is applied to the body 305 may facilitate the body 305 absorbing the energy of a force applied to the body 305 and distributing the load of the force to the entire body 305 by providing additional stability to the structure of the body 305 after, for example, the first wall 420 and the second wall 425 contact each other (e.g., at the first protrusion 405 and the second protrusion 410). For example, at a first time when an initial force is applied to the body 305 substantially parallel to the width direction 450, a first portion of a total force of the body 305 may be applied to the fourth wall 435 of the one or more first portions 310. At a second time, when the first wall 420 and the second wall 425 move toward each other such that the first protrusion 405 is about to contact the second protrusion 410, a second portion of a total force of the body 305 may be applied to the fourth wall 435. At a third time, after the first protrusion 405 contacts the second protrusion 410, a third portion of the total force of the body 305 may be applied to the fourth wall 435. Accordingly, the first wall 420 and the second wall 425 (e.g., at the first protrusion 405 and the second protrusion 410) facilitate the distribution of a lateral force load (e.g., along the width direction 450) over the entire first portion 310 to reduce or distribute a portion of the total force applied to the fourth wall 435 over time (e.g., to reduce a potential force applied to the battery pack 110 adjacent to or in line with the fourth wall 425).The body 305 may absorb the energy of a force, such that the body 305 facilitates preventing or substantially reducing the likelihood of deformation of a battery pack 110 of the vehicle 105 adjacent the body 305 in response to the force. For example, the first wall 420 and the second wall 425 of the first portion 310 may allow crushing or bulging to facilitate absorption of force energy, while the contact between the first protrusion 405 and the second protrusion 410 allows for an increase in the stability of the structure of the body 305. The protrusions 405, 410 and the curved first wall 420 and second wall 425 may offset, for example, a neutral bending axis that defines a specific bending direction and thus may reduce or prevent uncontrolled bulging of the body 305. As described herein, the body 305 may form one or more stable triangular portions that are responsive to a force acting on the body 305 that may cause a secondary peak reaction force during load displacement. The material, geometry, and structure of the body 305 may facilitate absorption of the energy of a force applied to the body 305. For example, if the body 305 is formed at least partially via an extrusion using aluminum, a high energy absorption of the material may be achieved when a force is applied to the body 305. For example, the body 305 with a total of six sections (e.g., three first sections 310 and three second sections 315) with a relatively small wall thickness (e.g., between 1 mm and 5 mm) provides a high level of energy absorption, as opposed to a body with more sections and a higher wall thickness. Moreover, the aspect ratio of the first portions 310 may allow for contact between the protrusions 405, 410 that may cause a secondary reaction when a force is applied to the body 305, which in turn may allow for additional support of the body 305 when the force is applied.The one or more second portions 315 may be connected to the first portions 310 on a common wall. For example, each of the plurality of second portions 315 may include one or more parallel walls (e.g., the first parallel wall 465 and the second parallel wall 470). The first parallel wall 465 of a second portion 315 may be connected to an end of the first wall 420 of a first portion 310, and the second parallel wall 470 of the one second portion 315 may be connected to an end of the second wall 425 of the first portion 310. For example, the first parallel wall 465 may be monolithically formed with the first wall 420, and the second parallel wall 470 may be monolithically formed with the second wall 425. In some examples, the first parallel wall 465 may be formed independently of and coupled to the first wall 420, and the second parallel wall 470 may be formed independently of and coupled to the second wall 425. The first parallel wall 465 may be substantially parallel to the first wall 420 (e.g., when the first wall 420 does not move toward the second wall 425) and the second parallel wall 470 may be substantially parallel to the second wall 425 (e.g., when the second wall 425 does not move toward the first wall 420).At least one second portion 315 may be defined by the fourth wall 435 of at least one first portion 310, such that the second portion 315 may be disposed adjacent to the first portion 310. The second portions 315 may include at least one wall having a greater thickness than a wall of the first portion 310. For example, the first parallel wall 465, the second parallel wall 470, or a second section wall 460 extending between the first and second parallel walls may include a thickness greater than or equal to the third wall 430 or the first wall 420 of at least one first section 310. For example, the second section wall 460 (or the first parallel wall 465 or the second parallel wall 470) may be in the range of 2 mm and 6 mm (e.g., 3 mm). At least one wall of at least one second portion 315 may not include indentations 415 (e.g., may be a substantially planar or curved surface) such that at least one wall of the second portion 315 has a higher stiffness than the first wall 420 or the second wall 425 of the first portion 310. With this configuration, the second portions 315 may facilitate providing additional stability to the first portions 310 of the body 305. The second section wall 460 may be substantially perpendicular to the first parallel wall 465 (or the first wall 420) and the second parallel wall 470 (or the second wall 425).The body 305 may include at least one extension 440 that protrudes from an outer wall of the body 305 to facilitate the orientation or positioning of the body 305 relative to the vehicle 105. The extension 440 may serve, for example, as a reference for the alignment of the body 305 or other portion of the device 300 with a portion of the vehicle 105. The extension 440 may facilitate reducing relative movement between the body 305 and the vehicle 105 when the body 305 is coupled to the vehicle 105.FIG. 6 shows the body 305 at a first time when a force is applied to the body 305 (e.g., in a general left-to-right direction). As shown in FIG. 6, the walls 420, 425 of the first portion 310 begin to move toward each other at the time a force is applied to the body 305. FIG. 7 shows the body 305 at a second time when the force has been applied to the body 305 (e.g., in a general left-to-right direction). The second time point may be later than the first time point, for example. As shown in FIG. 7, the walls 420, 425 of the first portion 310 may move towards each other such that at least a portion of the walls (e.g., a first protrusion 405 and a second protrusion 410) may at least partially contact each other. The first wall 420 and the second wall 425 may move towards each other such that at least a portion of the first portion 310 forms a triangular region defining at least one angle 705 between the third wall 430 and the first wall 420. The size and shape of the first portions 310 may be different or may vary such that the angle 705 is in the range of 1 degree and 89 degrees. For example, the angle 705 may be in the range of 15 degrees and 75 degrees (e.g., 25 degrees, 35 degrees, 45 degrees, etc.). When the first protrusion 405 contacts the second protrusion 410, the angle 705 may facilitate the distribution of a load of the force applied to the body 305 to the entire body 305. For example, as angle 705 increases, the ability of portion 310 to respond to the force acting on body 305 decreases until contact of protrusions 405, 410 results in a stable triangular portion 310.FIG. 8 shows an example method 800 for installing the body 305 in a vehicle 105. The method 800 may include providing the body 305, as illustrated in operation 805. Providing the body 305 may include receiving the body 305 after the manufacture of the body 305 (e.g., via extrusion). Providing the body 305 may include manufacturing the body 305 (e.g., via extrusion or various other methods). The body 305 may include a plurality of walls defining one or more first portions 310. At least two walls of the body 305 (e.g., the first wall 420 and the second wall 425) may be structured to bulge and move towards each other when a force is applied to the body 305. For example, the first wall 420 may include a first plurality of notches 415 that reduce the stiffness of the first wall 420 (e.g., relative to a wall without notches, such as a planar wall having the same thickness) and bias the first wall 420 at least partially toward the second wall 425. The second wall 425 may include a second plurality of notches 415 that reduce a stiffness of the second wall 425 and bias the second wall 425 at least partially toward the first wall 420.The first wall 420 may include a first protrusion 405 extending from an inner surface of the first wall 420 toward the second wall 425. The second wall 425 may include a second protrusion 410 extending from an inner surface of the second wall 425 toward the first wall 420. The curved first wall 420 and the curved second wall 425 may move towards each other when a force is applied to the body 305 such that the first protrusion 405 may contact the second protrusion 410. The contact between the first protrusion 405 and the second protrusion 410 may facilitate distributing the load of the force applied to the body 305 to the entire body 305 and providing stability to the body 305 to absorb energy.The method 800 may include coupling the body 305 to a portion of the vehicle 105, as shown in operation 810. For example, the body 305 may form or be coupled to a portion of a frame rail 160 positioned in the vehicle 105 adjacent to or near the battery pack 110 of the vehicle 105 (e.g., between the battery pack 110 and an exterior of the vehicle 105). The body 305 may be coupled to the vehicle 105 in various ways, including with various types of fasteners. For example, the body 305 may form or be coupled to a portion of a rocker of the vehicle 105.FIG. 9 illustrates an example method 900. The method 900 may include providing the device 300 as illustrated in operation 905. The device 300 may include at least one body 305. The body 305 may include a plurality of walls defining one or more first portions 310 along a height or longitudinal direction of the body 305. At least two walls of the body 305 (e.g., first wall 420 and second wall 425) may be structured to bulge and move towards each other when a force is applied to the body 305. For example, the first wall 420 may include a first plurality of notches 415 that reduce a stiffness of the first wall 420 (e.g., relative to a wall without notches, such as a planar wall) and at least partially bias the first wall 420 toward the second wall 425. The second wall 425 may include a second plurality of notches 415 that reduce a stiffness of the second wall 425 and bias the second wall 425 at least partially toward the first wall 420.The first wall 420 may include a first protrusion 405 extending from an inner surface of the first wall 420 toward the second wall 425. The second wall 425 may include a second protrusion 410 extending from an inner surface of the second wall 425 toward the first wall 420. The curved first wall 420 and the curved second wall 425 may move towards each other when a force is applied to the body 305 such that the first protrusion 405 may contact the second protrusion 410. The contact between the first protrusion 405 and the second protrusion 410 may facilitate distributing the load of the force applied to the body 305 to the entire body 305 and providing stability to the body 305 to absorb energy.The device 300 may include at least one second portion 315 substantially adjacent to at least one first portion 310 of the body 305. The second portion 315 may include at least one wall that has a higher stiffness than at least one wall of the first portion 310 (e.g., the first wall 420). The second portion 315 may include at least one wall having a greater thickness than at least one wall of the first portion 310 (e.g., the wall 460 of the second portion may be thicker than the first wall 420). The second portion 315 may include a smaller aspect ratio than the first portion 310. The second portion 315 may define a generally rectangular shape. The second portion 315 may be disposed between the first portion 310 and a battery pack 110 of a vehicle 105. For example, at least a portion of the device 300 may be coupled to a frame rail 160 of a vehicle 105 to absorb the energy of a force applied to the body 305 to reduce or eliminate a force applied to the battery pack 110 (e.g., such that the battery pack 110 is not deformed or damaged).Although the operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, it is not necessary for these operations to be performed in the order shown, and not all illustrated operations need to be performed. The actions described herein may be performed in a different order.Having now described some illustrative implementations, it will be apparent that the foregoing is illustrative and not restrictive, as it has been presented by way of example. Although many of the examples presented herein include specific combinations of methods or system elements, these acts and elements may be combined in other ways to achieve the same goals. Acts, elements, and features discussed in connection with an implementation are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in other implementations or implementations.The terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be considered as limiting. The use of "including", "comprising", "including", "containing", "including", "characterized by", "characterized in that", and variations thereof herein is intended to include the items listed below, their equivalents and additional items, as well as alternative implementations consisting solely of the items listed below. In one implementation, the systems and methods described herein consist of any combination of more than one or all of the described elements, acts, or components.Any reference to implementations or elements or acts of the systems and methods referred to herein in the singular may also include implementations including a plurality of these elements, and any reference to an implementation or element or act herein in the plural may also include implementations including only a single element. References in the singular or plural are not intended to limit the presently disclosed systems or methods, their components, acts, or elements to single or multiple configurations. References to an action or element being based on information, action, or element may include implementations where the action or element is based at least in part on information, action, or element.Each implementation disclosed herein may be combined with any other implementation or embodiment, and references to "one implementation", "some implementations", "one implementation", or the like are not necessarily mutually exclusive and are intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the implementation may be included in at least one implementation or embodiment. The terms used herein do not necessarily all refer to the same implementation. Each implementation may be combined with any other implementation, including or excluding, in any manner consistent with the aspects and implementations disclosed herein.References to "or" may be understood to be inclusive, such that any term described with "or" may refer to a single, more than one, or all of the described terms. References to at least one term from a conjunctival list of terms may be construed as an inclusive OR to refer to a single, more than one, or all of the terms described. For example, a reference to "at least one of "A" and "B"" may include both only "A", only "B", and both "A" and "B". Such references used in connection with "comprising" or other open terminology may include other items.Where technical features in the drawings, the detailed description, or a claim are followed by reference numerals, the reference numerals have been included to enhance the intelligibility of the drawings, the detailed description, and the claims. Therefore, neither the reference numerals nor their lack have a limiting effect on the scope of the individual claim elements.Modifications to the described elements and acts, such as variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes, and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, arrangements for mounting, use of materials, colors, orientations, may occur without materially compromising the teachings and advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein. For example, elements shown as integral may be comprised of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the type or number of individual elements or positions may be varied or varied. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may also be made in the design, operating state, and arrangement of the disclosed elements and operations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.For example, the body may include more or fewer portions than shown in the figures. Elements described as negative elements may instead be configured as positive elements, and elements described as positive elements may instead be configured as negative elements. For example, elements described as having a first polarity may instead have a second polarity, and elements described as having a second polarity may instead have a first polarity. Other relative parallel, perpendicular, vertical, or other positioning or orientation descriptions include variations within + / -10% or + / -10 degrees of pure vertical, parallel, or perpendicular positioning. References to "about," "substantially," or other terms include + / -10% variations from the stated measurement, unit, or range, unless expressly stated otherwise. Coupled elements may be electrically, mechanically, or physically coupled together, directly, or with intervening elements. The scope of the systems and methods described herein will therefore be apparent from the appended claims rather than from the foregoing description, and changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

An apparatus comprising: a body having a plurality of walls dividing the body into a plurality of sections along a height of the body; a first wall and an opposing second wall defining a section of the plurality of sections, a central section of the first wall being disposed closer to the second wall in a first direction than an end section of the first wall; and the first wall and the second wall moving towards each other in the first direction in response to a force applied to the body in a second direction.The apparatus of claim 1, comprising: the first wall comprising a first protrusion and the second wall comprising a second protrusion; and the first protrusion to contact the second protrusion in response to the force.The apparatus of claim 1, comprising: the portion further comprising a third wall connected to the first wall and the second wall, the third wall receiving a first force when the first wall and the second wall move toward each other and receiving a second force after a first protrusion of the first wall contacts a second protrusion of the second wall; and the first force different than the second force.The apparatus of claim 1, comprising: the plurality of sections comprising a plurality of first sections; the body comprising a plurality of second sections; and wherein each of the plurality of first sections has an adjacent wall of the plurality of walls with one of the plurality of second sections.The apparatus of claim 1, comprising: the plurality of sections comprising a plurality of first sections; the body comprising a plurality of second sections, each of the plurality of second sections comprising a plurality of parallel walls; a first parallel wall of the plurality of parallel walls connected at an end of the first wall of the section; and a second parallel wall of the plurality of parallel walls connected at an end of the second wall of the section.The apparatus of claim 1, comprising: the plurality of sections comprising a plurality of first sections; and the body comprising a plurality of second sections monolithically formed with the plurality of first sections.The apparatus of claim 1, comprising: the plurality of sections comprising a plurality of first sections; and a plurality of second sections independent of and coupled to the body.The device of claim 1, comprising: the body comprising an extrusion.The apparatus of claim 1, comprising: the body comprising a frame rail positioned adjacent a battery.The apparatus of claim 1, comprising: the plurality of sections comprising a plurality of first sections; a plurality of second sections coupled to the body; and the plurality of second sections comprising a different material than the plurality of first sections.A vehicle comprising: an apparatus comprising: a body having a plurality of walls dividing the body into a plurality of sections along a height of the body; a first wall and an opposing second wall defining a section of the plurality of sections, a central section of the first wall being disposed closer to the second wall in a first direction than an end section of the first wall; and the first wall and the second wall move towards each other in the first direction in response to a force applied to the body in a second direction.The vehicle of claim 11, comprising: the first wall comprising a first protrusion and the second wall comprising a second protrusion; and the first protrusion to contact the second protrusion in response to the force.The vehicle of claim 11, comprising: the portion further comprising a third wall connected to the first wall and the second wall, the third wall receiving a first force when the first wall and the second wall move toward each other and receiving a second force after a first protrusion of the first wall contacts a second protrusion of the second wall; and the first force different from the second force.The vehicle of claim 11, comprising: the plurality of sections comprising a plurality of first sections; the body comprising a plurality of second sections; and wherein each of the plurality of first sections has an adjacent wall of the plurality of walls with one of the plurality of second sections.The vehicle of claim 11, comprising: the plurality of sections comprising a plurality of first sections; the body comprising a plurality of second sections, each of the plurality of second sections comprising a plurality of parallel walls; a first parallel wall of the plurality of parallel walls connected at an end of the first wall of the section; and a second parallel wall of the plurality of parallel walls connected at an end of the second wall of the section.The vehicle of claim 11, comprising: the plurality of portions comprising a plurality of first portions; and the body comprising a plurality of second portions monolithically formed with the plurality of first portions.The vehicle of claim 11, comprising: the plurality of portions comprising a plurality of first portions; and a plurality of second portions independent of and coupled to the body.The vehicle of claim 11, comprising: the body comprising an extrusion.An apparatus comprising: a body having a plurality of walls dividing the body into a plurality of first portions and a plurality of second portions; a first wall and an opposing second wall defining a portion of the plurality of portions, wherein a central portion of the first wall is disposed closer to the second wall than an end portion of the first wall in a first direction; and the first wall and the second wall move toward each other in the first direction in response to a force applied to the body in a second direction.The apparatus of claim 19, comprising: the first wall comprising a first protrusion and the second wall comprising a second protrusion; and the first protrusion to contact the second protrusion in response to the force.

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