Patent Publication Number: US-2022227426-A1

Title: Electric vehicle strut tower to body structure interface bracket

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     This disclosure relates generally to vehicle structures and, more particularly, to an electric vehicle frame strut tower to body structure interface bracket. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A vehicle frame is the main supporting structure of a vehicle. Vehicle frames can be body-on-frame constructions, where the body of the vehicle is separate from the frame, or unibody constructions, where the frame and the body are integrated. The vehicle frame supports mechanical components of the vehicle and manages the static and dynamic loads on the vehicle (e.g., the weight of passengers and cargo, torsional twisting due to uneven road surfaces, torque from a vehicle engine and/or transmission, etc.). Some vehicles include struts that are coupled to the frame to help in supporting the weight of the vehicle and providing shock absorption from ground impacts. 
     SUMMARY 
     An example electric vehicle comprising a frame, a battery pack supported by the frame, a body coupled to the frame, a strut tower coupled to the frame to support the body and absorb road surface impacts on the electric vehicle, and a strut tower interface bracket to couple the strut tower to the body. 
     An example electric vehicle comprising a strut tower coupled to a frame of the electric vehicle and a strut tower interface bracket to couple the strut tower to a body of the electric vehicle, the strut tower interface bracket sized to partially surround the strut tower. 
     An example apparatus to be coupled between a body of an electric vehicle and a strut tower, the example apparatus comprising a first interface including a first mounting feature and a second mounting feature to enable the first interface to be coupled to the strut tower, a second interface including a third mounting feature and a fourth mounting feature to enable the second interface to be coupled to the body, the second interface perpendicular to the first interface, and a third interface perpendicular to the first interface and the second interface, the third interface having a curvature to enable the third interface to be coupled to a strut cap of the strut tower. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example unibody vehicle having a strut. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example chassis with a strut tower for an electric vehicle. 
         FIGS. 3A, 3B  illustrate an example strut tower mounted to the frame of an electric vehicle. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example assembly of a body of an electric vehicle coupled to an example strut tower mounted to a frame of the electric vehicle. 
         FIG. 5  is a first perspective view of an example strut tower interface bracket coupled to the body of the electric vehicle and the strut tower mounted to the frame of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIGS. 6A, 6B  are first perspective views of the strut tower interface bracket of  FIG. 5  coupled to the body of the electric vehicle and the strut tower of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIGS. 7A, 7B  are second perspective views of the strut tower interface bracket of  FIG. 5  coupled to the body of the electric vehicle and the strut tower of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIGS. 8A-8H  are views of the strut tower interface bracket of  FIGS. 5, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B . 
     
    
    
     The figures are not to scale. Instead, the thickness of the layers or regions may be enlarged in the drawings. Although the figures show layers and regions with clean lines and boundaries, some or all of these lines and/or boundaries may be idealized. In reality, the boundaries and/or lines may be unobservable, blended, and/or irregular. In general, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying written description to refer to the same or like parts. As used in this patent, stating that any part (e.g., a layer, film, area, region, or plate) is in any way on (e.g., positioned on, located on, disposed on, or formed on, etc.) another part, indicates that the referenced part is either in contact with the other part, or that the referenced part is above the other part with one or more intermediate part(s) located therebetween. As used herein, connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and joined) may include intermediate members between the elements referenced by the connection reference and/or relative movement between those elements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and/or in fixed relation to each other. As used herein, stating that any part is in “contact” with another part is defined to mean that there is no intermediate part between the two parts. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A vehicle frame, also referred to as a chassis, supports mechanical components of the vehicle and manages the static and dynamic loads on the vehicle (e.g., the weight of passengers and cargo, torsional twisting due to uneven road surfaces, torque from a vehicle engine and/or transmission, etc.). Some vehicles include struts coupled to the frame that help in supporting the weight of the vehicle and providing shock absorption from ground impacts. A strut can include a coil spring to support the height, weight, and stability of the vehicle, and the strut can include a shock absorber to dampen vibration and absorb bumps that may be caused by irregularities on roadways. A strut in unibody vehicles (e.g., where the frame and the body of the vehicle are integrated) is typically mounted to the unibody structure. In body-on-frame vehicles (e.g., where the body of the vehicle is separate from the frame), the strut is typically attached to the frame using short long arms (SLA) suspension. 
     However, in recent years, many vehicles that traditionally had internal combustion engines have been converted to fully electrified vehicles and/or partially electrified vehicles. In some examples, vehicle subsystems must be redesigned to accommodate electric vehicle (EV) components (e.g., batteries, power distribution units (PDU), electric motors, etc.) while meeting safety requirements. For example, electric vehicles include battery packs attached to the frame. In such examples, the frame must be a rolling assembly before the body is decked and, thus, the strut must be a part of the rolling frame structure. To accommodate the frame mounted strut, a taller and wider strut tower is required. However, the frame mounted strut tower in the electric vehicle is cantilevered significantly away from the frame, which poses stiffness challenges for the frame of the vehicle. 
     Examples disclosed herein describe a joint (e.g., a strut tower interface bracket) between the frame mounted strut tower and the body of the electric vehicle after the body and frame have been joined. Examples disclosed herein allow the body to be coupled to a pre-assembled frame (or roller skate/skateboard) with a MacPherson strut front suspension. However, the strut tower cannot be cantilevered from the frame and unsupported during normal service loading conditions. In examples disclosed herein, the strut tower interface bracket allows the strut tower to be connected to the body structure after the body is coupled to the frame. In examples disclosed herein, the strut tower interface bracket provides the stiffness and strength for service loads and dimensional stability of the electric vehicle. 
     Unless specifically stated otherwise, descriptors such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. are used herein without imputing or otherwise indicating any meaning of priority, physical order, arrangement in a list, and/or ordering in any way, but are merely used as labels and/or arbitrary names to distinguish elements for ease of understanding the disclosed examples. In some examples, the descriptor “first” may be used to refer to an element in the detailed description, while the same element may be referred to in a claim with a different descriptor such as “second” or “third.” In such instances, it should be understood that such descriptors are used merely for identifying those elements distinctly that might, for example, otherwise share a same name. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example unibody vehicle  100  with a mounted strut. The unibody vehicle  100  includes an example strut  105 , an example attachment location  110 , and an example curved portion  115 . In the illustrated example, the strut  105  supports the weight of the unibody vehicle  100  and provides shock absorption from ground impacts. In some examples, the strut  105  can include a coil spring to support the height, weight, and stability of the unibody vehicle  100 , and the strut  105  can include a shock absorber to dampen vibration and absorb bumps that may be caused by irregularities on roadways. In the illustrated example, the strut  105  is typically mounted on the unibody structure at the attachment location  110 . In the illustrated example of  FIG. 1 , the unibody vehicle  100  is structured to allow the frame and the body to be integrated. The strut  105  is mounted on the integrated frame and body of the unibody vehicle  100  at the attachment location  110 . In the illustrated example, the strut  105  is mounted near the curved portion  115  of the unibody vehicle  100 . In some examples, the curved portion  115  is structured to account for a placement of a wheel on the unibody vehicle  100 . In the illustrated example, the strut  105  is located near the curved portion  115  to more easily dampen vibrations and absorb bumps that may be caused by irregularities on roadways. 
     The illustrated example of  FIG. 1  further includes an example location  120  for a rolling chassis (frame) of an electric vehicle with a body-on-frame structure. In examples of an electric vehicle with a body-on-frame structure, a frame is in the location  120  instead of integrated with the body, as shown in the unibody vehicle  100 . In such examples, the strut  105  is attached to the rolling frame of the location  120  instead of mounted at the attachment location  110 . However, to accommodate the strut  105  mounted to the frame of an electric vehicle at the location  120 , a taller and wider strut tower is required. The illustrated example of  FIG. 1  illustrates the challenges of mounting the strut  105  (designed for the unibody vehicle  100 ) in an electric vehicle with a body-on-frame structure. Examples disclosed herein illustrate a strut tower and joining member for mounting the strut  105  in electric, body-on-frame vehicles without comprising the performance of the strut  105 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example rolling chassis  200  with a mounted strut tower for an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle chassis  200  includes an example frame  205 , an example battery pack  210 , and an example strut tower  215 . In the illustrated example of  FIG. 2 , the frame  205  accommodates the attached battery pack  210  that supplies energy to the electric vehicle. In such examples, the frame  205  is structured as a rolling assembly before the body of the electric vehicle is decked. In the illustrated example, the strut tower  215  is mounted to the frame  205  to be able to support the weight and height of the body of the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle chassis  200  of  FIG. 2  illustrates only one strut tower (e.g., strut tower  215 ) mounted to the frame  205 . However, in other examples, the electric vehicle chassis  200  includes multiple strut towers mounted to the frame  205  (e.g., one strut tower mounted to the frame  205  at each location of a wheel/tire, two strut towers mount to the front end of the frame  205 , etc.). 
       FIGS. 3A, 3B  illustrate an example strut tower  305  mounted to the frame of an electric vehicle. The illustrated examples of  FIGS. 3A, 3B  include the example strut tower  305  and an example frame  310 .  FIG. 3A  illustrates the strut tower  305  coupled to the frame  310  for an example electric vehicle. In the illustrated example, the strut tower  305  is higher and wider than a typical SLA suspension that is attached to the unibody structure of standard unibody vehicles. However, in some examples, the strut tower  305  is not commonly used due to the geometry of the strut tower  305  compromising the performance of the strut (e.g., to support the height, weight, and stability of the vehicle, and to dampen vibration and absorb bumps that may be caused by irregularities on roadways). 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates example instability of the strut tower  305  when coupled to the frame  310 . The illustrated example of  FIG. 3B  further includes example vertical stress  315  and example horizontal stress  320 . In the illustrated example, the mounting of the strut tower  305  on the frame  310  creates a bending point  325  for the strut tower  305 . The vertical stress  315  illustrates vertical loads that are applied to the strut tower  305  during operation (e.g., the weight of the vehicle, the weight of passengers, impacts from irregularities in roadways, etc.). The horizontal stress  320  illustrates side loads that are applied to the strut tower  305  during operation (e.g., the vehicle turning, bending of the frame  310 , etc.). In the illustrated example, the strut tower  305  is unable to properly support the vertical stress  315  and the horizontal stress  320 .  FIG. 3B  illustrates the need for an additional structural support for the strut tower  305  coupled to the frame  310 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example assembly of a body of an electric vehicle on an example strut tower mounted to a frame of the electric vehicle. The illustrated example of  FIG. 4  includes an example body  405 , an example strut tower  410 , an example frame  415 , and an example assembly direction  420 . In the illustrated example, the body  405  is separate from the frame  415  (e.g., body-on-frame structure). The frame  415  includes the suspension and wheel/tire already loaded (not illustrated in  FIG. 4 ). The strut tower  410  is mounted to the frame  415 . In the illustrated example, the strut tower  410  is unsupported (e.g., the strut tower  410  is mounted to the frame  415  without a supporting member). In some examples, the strut tower  410  is similar to the example strut tower  305  of  FIGS. 3A, 3B . In such examples, the strut tower  410  is unable to support stress from loads because it is unsupported when mounted to the frame  415 . In the illustrated example, the body  405  is coupled to the frame  415  based on the assembly direction  420 . In the illustrated example, the body  405  is not coupled to the strut tower  410 . The illustrated example of  FIG. 4  illustrates the assembly of the body  405 , the strut tower  410 , and the frame  415  in an electric, body-on-frame vehicle.  FIG. 4  illustrates the need for an additional structural support for the strut tower  410  that is mounted to the frame  415 . 
       FIG. 5  is a first perspective view of an example strut tower interface bracket  510  coupled to the body  405  of the electric vehicle and the strut tower  410  mounted to the frame  415  of  FIG. 4 . The illustrated example of  FIG. 5  includes an example dash panel  505 .  FIG. 5  illustrates the addition of the strut tower interface bracket  510  to provide the support for the strut tower  410 , as described above in connection with  FIG. 4 . As described in connection with  FIG. 4 , the strut tower  410  is isolated from the body  405  even after the body  405  has been coupled to the frame  415 . However, the strut tower  410  cannot be cantilevered from the frame  415  and unsupported during normal service loading conditions. In the illustrated example, the strut tower interface bracket  510  connects the strut tower  410  to the body  405 , which allows the body  405  to support the strut tower  410  through the strut tower interface bracket  510 . The strut tower interface bracket  510  provides the added supporting structure needed for the strut tower  410  to provide the stiffness and strength for service loads and dimensional stability of the vehicle. The strut tower interface bracket  510  is sized to partially surround the strut tower  410  while accommodating other structures such as the dash panel  505 . The strut tower interface bracket  510  is described in further detail below in connection with  FIGS. 6A-8H . 
       FIGS. 6A, 6B  are first perspective views of the strut tower interface bracket  510  of  FIG. 5  coupled to the body  405  of the electric vehicle and the strut tower  410  of  FIG. 4 . The illustrated examples of  FIGS. 6A, 6B  include an example first fastener  605 , an example second fastener  610 , an example third fastener  615 , an example fourth fastener  620 , and an example fifth fastener  625 . In the illustrated example, the strut tower interface bracket  510  is coupled to the body  405  and the strut tower  410  after the body  405  has been coupled to the frame of the vehicle (e.g., the example frame  415  of  FIGS. 4 and 4 ). In the illustrated example, the strut tower interface bracket  510  is coupled to the strut tower  410  and the structure of the body  405 . The strut tower interface bracket  510  is coupled to a surface  630  of the strut tower  410  via the first and second fasteners  605  and  610 . The strut tower interface bracket  510  is coupled to a surface  635  of the body  405  via the third and fourth fasteners  615  and  620 . The strut tower interface bracket  510  is also coupled to a strut cap  640  of the strut tower  410  via the fifth fastener  625 . In some examples, the fifth fastener  625  couples the strut tower interface bracket  510  to a strut cap  640  because the strut tower interface bracket  510  cannot be coupled to the backside of the strut tower  410  due to a lack of space between the strut tower  410  and the dash panel  505 . 
       FIG. 6B  illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the body  405  and the connection between the strut tower interface bracket  510  and the body  405 . In the illustrated example, the third fastener  615  and the fourth fastener  620  are inserted through the surface  635  of the body  405 . In some examples, the third fastener  615  is inserted partially through the body  405 . In other examples, the third fastener  615  may be inserted through the body  405  and secured on a different surface (e.g., a surface  650 ) of the body  405  opposite the surface  635 . In some examples, the fourth fastener  620  is inserted through the body  405  (e.g., a through-bolt joint) and secured on the surface  650  of the body  405  opposite the surface  635 . In other examples, the fourth fastener  620  may be inserted partially through the body  405 . In the illustrated examples of  FIGS. 6A, 6B , the fasteners  605 ,  610 ,  615 ,  620 ,  625  securely couple the strut tower interface bracket  510  to both the body  405  and the strut tower  410  to provide a joint between the body  405  and the strut tower  410  for increasing stiffness of the strut tower  410  in supporting the vehicle. The fasteners  605 ,  610 ,  615 ,  620 ,  625  may be rivets, screws, bolts, etc., and more or fewer fasteners may be used to couple the strut tower interface bracket  510  to the body  405 . 
       FIGS. 7A, 7B  are second perspective views of the strut tower interface bracket  510  of  FIG. 5  coupled to the body  405  of the electric vehicle and the strut tower  410  of  FIG. 4 . The Illustrated examples of  FIGS. 7A, 7B  include the body  405 , the strut tower  410 , and the frame  415  of  FIG. 4  and the dash panel  505  and strut tower interface bracket  510  of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 7A  illustrates the strut tower interface bracket  510  coupled between the body  405  and the strut tower  410 . In the illustrated example of  FIG. 7A , the fasteners couple the strut tower interface bracket  510  to the body  405  and the strut tower  410 .  FIG. 7B  illustrates a partial cross-section of the body  405  in the second perspective view of the strut tower interface bracket  510  of  FIG. 5  coupled to the body  405  of the electric vehicle and the strut tower  410  of  FIG. 4 . The illustrated example of  FIG. 7B  further includes the third fastener  615 , the fourth fastener  620 , and the fifth fastener  625  of  FIG. 6 . The third fastener  615  joins the strut tower interface bracket  510  to the body  405 . In some examples, the third fastener  615  is coupled to an example internal surface  705  of the body  405 . The fourth fastener  620  joins the strut tower interface bracket  510  to the body  405 . In some examples, the fourth fastener  620  is coupled to an example outer surface  710  of the body  405 . The fifth fastener  625  joins the strut tower interface bracket  510  to the strut tower  410 . 
       FIGS. 8A-8H  are views of the strut tower interface bracket  510  of  FIGS. 5, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B . In the illustrated example of  FIGS. 8A-8H , the strut tower interface bracket  510  includes an example tower mounting interface  805 , an example first mounting feature  810 , an example second mounting feature  815 , an example body mounting interface  820 , an example first radiused corner  825 , an example third mounting feature  830 , an example fourth mounting feature  835 , an example gusset support plate  840 , an example second radiused corner  845 , an example gusset or tower cap mounting interface  850 , an example fifth mounting feature  855 , and an example radiused edge  860 . In the illustrated examples of  FIGS. 8A-8H , the strut tower interface bracket  510  is one piece of metal that is shaped via one or more stamping, bending, and/or welding operations.  FIG. 8A  illustrates a front-left perspective view of the strut tower interface bracket  510 . In the illustrated example, the tower mounting interface  805  is a plate-like structure with a tapered edge  807 . The tapered edge  807  is angled to complement the shape of the strut tower  410 . The tower mounting interface  805  includes radiused corners  809 A,  809 B. In some examples, the radiused corners  809 A,  809 B reduce high stress points for the load applied to the strut tower interface bracket  510 . The tower mounting interface  805  includes the first mounting feature  810  and the second mounting feature  815 . The first mounting feature  810  and the second mounting feature  815  enable the tower mounting interface  805  to be mounted to the strut tower  410 . In the illustrated example, the tower mounting interface  805  transitions into the body mounting interface  820  via the first radiused corner  825 . The body mounting interface  820  is a plate-like structure that is shaped to facilitate the coupling of the strut tower interface bracket  510  and the body  405 . The body mounting interface  820  is substantially perpendicular to the tower mounting interface  805 . 
     In the illustrated example, the tower mounting interface  805  and the body mounting interface  820  are coupled via the first radiused corner  825 . The first radiused corner  825  has a curvature that facilitates the coupling of the tower mounting interface  805  and the body mounting interface  820  while accommodating the curvature of the strut tower  410 . The curvature of the first radiused corner  825  corresponds with (e.g., is congruent to, etc.) the curvature of strut tower  410 . In other examples, the first radiused corner  825  can have any other suitable shape to facilitate the coupling of the tower mounting interface  805  and the body mounting interface  820  (e.g., linearly sloped, etc.). The body mounting interface  820  includes the third mounting feature  830  and the fourth mounting feature  835 . The third mounting feature  830  and the fourth mounting feature  835  enable the body mounting interface  820  to be coupled to the body  405 . 
     In the illustrated example, the body mounting interface  820  transitions into the gusset support plate  840  via the second radiused corner  845 . In some examples, the body mounting interface  820  includes an L-shaped step  837  to transition to the second radiused corner  845 . In some examples, the L-shaped step  837  can have any suitable angle to accommodate any interfering structures on the body  405  and/or the dash panel  505 . The gusset support plate  840  is substantially parallel to the tower mounting interface  805  and substantially perpendicular to the body mounting interface  820 . The gusset support plate  840  is shaped to accommodate the spacing between the strut tower  410  and the dash panel  505 . In the illustrated example, the gusset support plate  840  and the body mounting interface  820  are coupled via the second radiused corner  845 . The second radiused corner  845  has a curvature that facilitates the coupling of the gusset support plate  840  and the body mounting interface  820  while accommodating the curvature of the strut tower  410 . The curvature of the second radiused corner  845  corresponds with (e.g., is congruent to, etc.) the curvature of strut tower  410 . In other examples, the second radiused corner  845  can have any other suitable shape to facilitate the coupling of the gusset support plate  840  and the body mounting interface  820  (e.g., linearly sloped, etc.). 
     In the illustrated example, the tower cap mounting interface  850  is coupled between the body mounting interface  820  and the gusset support plate  840 . The tower cap mounting interface  850  is substantially perpendicular to the tower mounting interface  805 , the body mounting interface  820 , and the gusset support plate  840 . The tower cap mounting interface  850  is shaped as a gusset with a curved edge  852  to accommodate the curvature of the strut tower  410 . In the illustrated example, the tower cap mounting interface  850  includes the fifth mounting feature  855 . In some examples, the curved edge  852  allows for the additional mounting feature of the strut tower interface bracket  510  (e.g., the fifth mounting feature  855 ) while accommodating other structures that may be included on the surface of the strut cap (e.g., the strut cap  640  of  FIG. 6 ) of the strut tower  410 . The fifth mounting feature  855  enable the tower cap mounting interface  850  to be mounted to the strut cap  640 . 
     In the illustrated example, the body mounting interface  820  and the gusset support plate  840  are coupled to the tower cap mounting interface  850  via the radiused edge  860 . The radiused edge  860  has a curvature and is an L-shape to facilitate the coupling of the body mounting interface  820 , gusset support plate  840 , and the tower cap mounting interface  850  while accommodating the curvature of the strut tower  410 . In other examples, the radiused edge  860  can have any other suitable shape to facilitate the coupling of the body mounting interface  820 , gusset support plate  840 , and the tower cap mounting interface  850  (e.g., linearly sloped, etc.). 
     In the illustrated examples of  FIGS. 8A-8H  the mounting features (e.g., the first mounting feature  810 , the second mounting feature  815 , the third mounting feature  830 , the fourth mounting feature  835 , and the fifth mounting feature  855 ) are holes to receive fasteners (e.g., bolt holes, etc.). In other examples, some or all of the mounting features can be different features (e.g., a weld surface, a threaded hole, etc.). In some examples, some of the mounting features can be absent. 
       FIG. 8B  illustrates a rear-left perspective view of the strut tower interface bracket  510 . In the illustrated example, the body mounting interface  820  is an L-shape inverted about the x-axis.  FIG. 8C  illustrates a rear-right perspective view of the strut tower interface bracket  510 . In the illustrated example, the tower cap mounting interface  850  and the radiused edge  860  are coupled to the length of the surface  865  of the body mounting interface  820 . The tower cap mounting interface  850  and the radiused edge  860  are L-shaped similar to the shape of the body mounting interface  820 . In the illustrated example, the tower cap mounting interface  850  and the radiused edge  860  have curvature that correspond with (e.g., are congruent to, etc.) the curvature of strut tower  410 . In other examples, the tower cap mounting interface  850  and the radiused edge  860  can have any other suitable shapes to facilitate the coupling of strut tower interface bracket  510  to the strut tower  410  (e.g., linearly sloped, etc.). 
       FIG. 8D  illustrates a top-right perspective view of the strut tower interface bracket  510 .  FIG. 8E  illustrates a front-right perspective view of the strut tower interface bracket  510 . In the illustrated example, the tower mounting interface  805  and the first radiused corner  825  are not coupled to the tower cap mounting interface  850  or the radiused edge  860 . In some examples, there is a space  870  between where the tower mounting interface  805 , the body mounting interface  820 , and the first radiused corner  825  are coupled and where the tower cap mounting interface  850 , the radiused edge  860 , and the body mounting interface  820  are coupled. In some examples, the space  870  facilitates the placement of the strut tower interface bracket  510  on the strut tower  410 . 
       FIG. 8F  illustrates a top perspective view of the strut tower interface bracket  510 .  FIG. 8G  illustrates a rear perspective view of the strut tower interface bracket  510 . In the illustrated example, tower mounting interface  805  appears to have a longer length than the body mounting interface  820  and the first radiused corner  825 .  FIG. 8G  illustrates how the tower mounting interface  805  is angled to accommodate the shape of the strut tower  410 , which causes the tower mounting interface  805  to appear longer in length in the rear perspective view.  FIG. 8H  illustrates a left perspective view of the strut tower interface bracket  510 . In the illustrated example, the gusset support plate  840 , the tower cap mounting interface  850 , and the radiused edge  860  are angled similar to the tower mounting interface  805 . In some examples, the gusset support plate  840 , the tower cap mounting interface  850 , and the radiused edge  860  are angled to facilitate the coupling of the strut tower interface bracket  510  to the strut cap (e.g., the strut cap  640 ) of the strut tower  410 . In some examples, the angle of the gusset support plate  840 , the tower cap mounting interface  850 , and the radiused edge  860  correspond with (e.g., is congruent to, etc.) the angle of strut tower  410 . 
     “Including” and “comprising” (and all forms and tenses thereof) are used herein to be open ended terms. Thus, whenever a claim employs any form of “include” or “comprise” (e.g., comprises, includes, comprising, including, having, etc.) as a preamble or within a claim recitation of any kind, it is to be understood that additional elements, terms, etc. may be present without falling outside the scope of the corresponding claim or recitation. As used herein, when the phrase “at least” is used as the transition term in, for example, a preamble of a claim, it is open-ended in the same manner as the term “comprising” and “including” are open ended. The term “and/or” when used, for example, in a form such as A, B, and/or C refers to any combination or subset of A, B, C such as (1) A alone, (2) B alone, (3) C alone, (4) A with B, (5) A with C, (6) B with C, and (7) A with B and with C. As used herein in the context of describing structures, components, items, objects and/or things, the phrase “at least one of A and B” is intended to refer to implementations including any of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, and (3) at least one A and at least one B. Similarly, as used herein in the context of describing structures, components, items, objects and/or things, the phrase “at least one of A or B” is intended to refer to implementations including any of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, and (3) at least one A and at least one B. As used herein in the context of describing the performance or execution of processes, instructions, actions, activities and/or steps, the phrase “at least one of A and B” is intended to refer to implementations including any of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, and (3) at least one A and at least one B. Similarly, as used herein in the context of describing the performance or execution of processes, instructions, actions, activities and/or steps, the phrase “at least one of A or B” is intended to refer to implementations including any of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, and (3) at least one A and at least one B. 
     As used herein, singular references (e.g., “a”, “an”, “first”, “second”, etc.) do not exclude a plurality. The term “a” or “an” entity, as used herein, refers to one or more of that entity. The terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more”, and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. Furthermore, although individually listed, a plurality of means, elements or method actions may be implemented by, e.g., a single unit or processor. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different examples or claims, these may possibly be combined, and the inclusion in different examples or claims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture have been disclosed that describe an electric vehicle frame strut tower to body structure interface bracket. The example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture use a strut tower interface bracket to couple the strut tower mounted on the frame to the body of the vehicle. The example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture improve the stiffness and strength of the strut tower for service loads and dimensional stability of the electric vehicle by joining the strut tower and the body of the vehicle using the strut tower interface bracket. 
     Example methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture of an electric vehicle frame strut tower to body structure interface bracket are disclosed herein. Further examples and combinations thereof include the following: 
     Example 1 includes an electric vehicle comprising a frame, a battery pack supported by the frame, a body coupled to the frame, a strut tower coupled to the frame to support the body and absorb road surface impacts on the electric vehicle, and a strut tower interface bracket to couple the strut tower to the body. 
     Example 2 includes the electric vehicle of example 1, wherein the strut tower interface bracket provides stiffness to the electric vehicle for service loading. 
     Example 3 includes the electric vehicle of example 1, wherein the strut tower interface bracket is coupled to the body via fasteners. 
     Example 4 includes the electric vehicle of example 1, wherein the strut tower interface bracket is coupled to a first surface of the strut tower and a second surface of the strut tower via fasteners. 
     Example 5 includes the electric vehicle of example 4, wherein the first surface of the strut tower is a strut cap. 
     Example 6 includes an electric vehicle comprising a strut tower coupled to a frame of the electric vehicle, and a strut tower interface bracket to couple the strut tower to a body of the electric vehicle, the strut tower interface bracket sized to partially surround the strut tower. 
     Example 7 includes the electric vehicle of example 6, wherein a surface of the strut tower interface bracket is coupled to the body via a first bolt and a second bolt, the first bolt and the second bolt to create respective bolt joints. 
     Example 8 includes the electric vehicle of example 6, wherein a first surface of the strut tower interface bracket is coupled to a first surface of the strut tower via a first bolt and a second bolt. 
     Example 9 includes the electric vehicle of example 8, wherein a second surface of the strut tower interface bracket is coupled to a second surface of the strut tower via a third bolt, the second surface of the strut tower interface bracket different from the first surface of the strut tower interface bracket. 
     Example 10 includes the electric vehicle of example 9, wherein the second surface of the strut tower is a top surface of the strut tower. 
     Example 11 includes an apparatus to be coupled between a body of an electric vehicle and a strut tower, the apparatus comprising a first interface including a first mounting feature and a second mounting feature to enable the first interface to be coupled to the strut tower, a second interface including a third mounting feature and a fourth mounting feature to enable the second interface to be coupled to the body, the second interface perpendicular to the first interface, and a third interface perpendicular to the first interface and the second interface, the third interface having a curvature to enable the third interface to be coupled to a strut cap of the strut tower. 
     Example 12 includes the apparatus of example 11, wherein the third interface includes a fifth mounting feature to allow the third interface to be coupled to the strut cap of the strut tower. 
     Example 13 includes the apparatus of example 12, wherein the first mounting feature, the second mounting feature, the third mounting feature, the fourth mounting feature, and the fifth mounting feature are holes to receive fasteners. 
     Example 14 includes the apparatus of example 11, further including a radiused corner to couple the first interface and the second interface, the radiused corner curved to the strut tower, and a radiused edge to couple the second interface and the third interface, the radiused edge curved to the strut tower. 
     Example 15 includes the apparatus of example 11, wherein the first interface includes a tapered edge to enable the first interface to be coupled to the strut tower. 
     Example 16 includes the apparatus of example 11, wherein the third interface is angled to enable the third interface to be coupled to the strut cap of the strut tower. 
     Example 17 includes the apparatus of example 12, wherein the third interface is a gusset shape to allow for the fifth mounting feature without interfering with structures of the strut cap of the strut tower. 
     Example 18 includes the apparatus of example 11, wherein the second interface is a L-shape inverted on an x-axis. 
     Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture have been disclosed herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the claims of this patent. 
     The following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description by this reference, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the present disclosure.