Energy storage system for vehicle and mounting system for same

1 . An energy storage system that is selectively mountable to a vehicle, the energy storage system comprising:

a frame including a base surface and a mounting surface, the base surface including a first portion configured to rest on a ground surface while the frame is not mounted to the vehicle, a second portion, and a fulcrum between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the first portion of the base surface is positioned in a first plane oriented at an acute angle relative to a second plane in which the mounting surface is positioned;

a battery supported on the frame; and

a frame mounting interface positioned adjacent the mounting surface, the frame mounting interface configured to engage a chassis mounting interface positioned on a chassis of the vehicle,

wherein a center of gravity of the energy storage system is positioned on a side of the fulcrum proximate the first portion of the base surface, the gravity exerted on the energy storage system biasing the first portion to contact the ground surface while the frame is resting on the ground surface,

wherein engagement of the first portion of the base surface with an even ground surface causes the second plane and the mounting surface to be oriented at an oblique angle relative to the even ground surface and causes the frame mounting interface to be oriented upwardly, away from the even ground surface for engagement with the chassis mounting interface while the frame is not mounted on the vehicle.

2 . The energy storage system of claim 1 , wherein the acute angle is a first acute angle, wherein the second portion of the base surface is oriented at a second acute angle relative to the first portion.

3 . The energy storage system of claim 2 , wherein the second acute angle is between approximately 5 degrees and approximately 30 degrees.

4 . The energy storage system of claim 2 , wherein the second acute angle is approximately 10 degrees.

5 . The energy storage system of claim 1 , wherein the frame mounting interface includes a bar and a plurality of latches protruding from the mounting surface.

6 . The energy storage system of claim 5 , wherein the frame mounting interface includes a recessed portion positioned on the mounting surface, wherein the bar extends laterally across the recessed portion.

7 . The energy storage system of claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a bumper positioned adjacent an end of the base surface, the bumper having a greater thickness than the rest of a base of the frame, the bumper including a towing feature.

8 . A system for coupling an energy storage system to a vehicle, the system comprising:

a first mounting interface configured to be positioned on one of the energy storage system and the vehicle, the first mounting interface including a bar; and

a second mounting interface configured to be positioned on the other of the energy storage system and the vehicle, the second mounting interface including a mounting surface, an arm extending outwardly from the mounting surface, and a latch member coupled to the arm, the arm is supported for pivoting movement relative to the mounting surface, the latch member configured to engage the bar, actuation of the arm causing the latch member to draw the bar and the first mounting interface against the mounting surface.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the arm is pivotable relative to the mounting surface in an upward direction from a first position toward a second position, wherein the latch member includes a hook oriented to engage the bar as the arm pivots in the upward direction, the pivoting movement of the arm in the upward direction drawing the first mounting interface against the mounting surface.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein pivoting movement of the arm in the upward direction while the hook engages the bar lifts the energy storage system from a support surface.

11 . The system of claim 8 , further comprising:

an opening positioned on the first mounting interface or the second mounting interface; and

a lug positioned on the other of the first mounting interface and the second mounting interface, the lug received in the opening as the first mounting interface is drawn against the second mounting interface.

12 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising a lock actuator that is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, the lock actuator operable to selectively engage the lug, thereby securing the energy storage system against movement relative to the vehicle.

13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the lug is received into the opening in an insertion direction, the lug including an aperture extending in a direction transverse to the insertion direction, the lock actuator operable to selectively engage the aperture.

14 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the opening is a first opening and the lug is a first lug, the system further comprising a second opening laterally spaced apart from the first opening and a second lug laterally spaced apart from the first lug and received in the second opening as the first mounting interface is drawn against the second mounting interface, wherein the lock actuator is operable to selectively engage both the first lug and the second lug.

15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the lock actuator is positioned between the first opening and the second opening.

16 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the arm is a first arm and the latch member is a first latch member, the system further comprising a second arm laterally spaced apart from the first arm and a second latch member coupled to the second arm, the first latch member and the second latch member configured to engage the bar.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein a crossbar extends laterally between the first arm and the second arm.

18 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the first mounting interface is positioned on the energy storage system and the second mounting interface is positioned on the vehicle, wherein the first mounting interface is oriented at an acute angle relative to a base surface of the energy storage system on which the energy storage system is configured to rest while in an unmounted state.

19 . A method of mounting an energy storage system to a vehicle, the method comprising:

engaging a mounting feature of the energy storage system with a latching member supported on the vehicle;

rotating the latching member relative to the vehicle in a direction away from a support surface, thereby lifting the energy storage system away from the support surface, rotational movement of the latching member causing an end surface of the energy storage system to be drawn toward and against an end surface of the vehicle; and

actuating a locking arm to extend through at least one lug coupled to the energy storage system, thereby securing the energy storage system against movement relative to the vehicle.