Model S range and interior update imminent?

[ICUDoc]

The current S pack IS structural - take it out and the remaining chassis is frighteningly wobbly, just with your hand.
However, in the context of the 4680 discussion , “structural” means “batteries integral to the strength of the battery pack”, and thus secondarily to the strength of the car. The idea is to eliminate some non-battery elements of the pack to save space and weight.

 

[46&2]

I've read the newer cell's form factor
is so big (high, thick pack) that it won't fit a current S.

 

[thebishop]

I've read the newer cell's form factor
is so big (high, thick pack) that it won't fit a current S.

The new cell is 15mm higher - doesn't sound it should be impossible, but haven't looked at what goes inside.

That being said, it seems reasonable that Tesla would want to test the structural battery at a lower volume vehicle first, so the S/X would fit the bill. Also, it may be significantly cheaper to produce, which would be a good incentive.

 

[46&2]

15mm higher - doesn't sound it should be impossible

No, they might be able to build the whole pack with a smaller total height difference - or a bigger one, we don't know. Some changes will be requiered, I think, if this route is chosen, at all...

Otherwise, ground clearance of "high/very high" is the new "normal" ...

 

[Tiger]

The new cell is 15mm higher - doesn't sound it should be impossible, but haven't looked at what goes inside.

The Plaid candidate seen in the wild was said to seem more "planted to the ground", maybe that's why. Maybe that's why it's bit wider too, to match the pack.

 

[thebishop]

The Plaid candidate seen in the wild was said to seem more "planted to the ground", maybe that's why. Maybe that's why it's bit wider too, to match the pack.

I am still a bit dubious of those observations - not enough quality shots with comparison possible. The blue car videod was not obviously bigger and there is a confirmation bias in what we want to see...

 

[Altair7]

Sure the new 3/Y could have structural packs, but do 4680s HAVE to be structural? Maybe just a new pack that fits into the space where the swapable pack went.

Well, SOMEBODY is finally thinking outside of the box.

 

[wdolson]

The Plaid candidate seen in the wild was said to seem more "planted to the ground", maybe that's why. Maybe that's why it's bit wider too, to match the pack.

Any size difference from that one video can be explained by flaring the fenders a little to accommodate wider tires.

From an engineering perspective any structural changes to the platform are major changes, even to just add a little width or length. Any structural changes must be safety tested, which means we'd be hearing about crash tests on the new chassis.

Because of the engineering and approval for structural changes, any changes happening to the S/X early this year will be cosmetic or internal. I also expect they will be relatively minor. There will be no changes to the core platform that has been in production essentially unchanged since 2012.

 

[FlatSix911]

This may be part of the solution... First look at Tesla’s new structural battery pack that will power its future electric cars (electrek.co)

 

[ICUDoc]

What is the stuff between the cells? Coolant?

 

[Zorg]

What is the stuff between the cells? Coolant?

Honey

 

[boonedocks]

Honey

Funny

 

[ICUDoc]

Honey

I understand that for the Canadian market (v. cold), they use maple syrup?

 

[FlatSix911]

What is the stuff between the cells? Coolant?

Did you read the article?...

"Electrek obtained the first picture of one of the very first structural battery packs ever produced by Tesla. The image shows the battery pack without the new 4680 cells in them – showcasing the honeycomb design of the pack: Without the cells, we can better appreciate the structural aspects of the honeycomb structure, which is known for its strength while also being lightweight.

It has already been used in aerospace and in the automotive industry – although not for the same use as Tesla. On the picture of Tesla’s new battery pack, we can also see that Tesla built the coolant loops on the sides around the pack. To complete the battery pack, Tesla would drop the 4680 battery cells into the holes and bound them to the pack to contribute to the structural integrity and power the electric vehicles."

 

[DanCar]

What is the stuff between the cells? Coolant?

Insulator, protects from fire. If one cell catches fire with the insulator others may not.

 

[ICUDoc]

Did you read the article?...

"Electrek obtained the first picture of one of the very first structural battery packs ever produced by Tesla. The image shows the battery pack without the new 4680 cells in them – showcasing the honeycomb design of the pack: Without the cells, we can better appreciate the structural aspects of the honeycomb structure, which is known for its strength while also being lightweight.

It has already been used in aerospace and in the automotive industry – although not for the same use as Tesla. On the picture of Tesla’s new battery pack, we can also see that Tesla built the coolant loops on the sides around the pack. To complete the battery pack, Tesla would drop the 4680 battery cells into the holes and bound them to the pack to contribute to the structural integrity and power the electric vehicles."

I often post without reading properly!
On this occasion, though, I am not sure that that answers my question, FlatSix911?
I see the coolant pipes on the sides, but the blue stuff making up the honeycomb presumably CONDUCTS heat away from the batteries? Or are you saying the coolant loops ARE the blue honeycomb?

 

[Tiger]

I see the coolant pipes on the sides, but the blue stuff making up the honeycomb presumably CONDUCTS heat away from the batteries? Or are you saying the coolant loops ARE the blue honeycomb?

Originally Munro speculated the batteries would be immersed into some sort of epoxy and cooling only from top and bottom bottom (which was supposed to be somehow most efficient). Probably the epoxy mix can be optimized for structural strength, fire insulation, and heat conductivity ...

 

[Zorg]

I thought that cooling was supposed to be through top and bottom rather the battery side.

 

[Tiger]

Any structural changes must be safety tested, which means we'd be hearing about crash tests on the new chassis.

The prerequisite requirement of a public crash test has already been debunked in another thread.

 

[thebishop]

Yes, wasn’t it just recently we got to see results from crash tests of the model y? Long time after market intro.