Moveable magnet and panel assembly useful in a vehicle

• US 8,525,471 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2010
• Issued: 09/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Thorsell, Roy, Miller, Thomas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): TSO, EDWARD H
• Application Number:
  US12/970,378
• Publication Number:
  US 20110156638A1
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• Field of Search: 320/107, 320/108, 320/114, 320/115, 307/104
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0264 characterised by the type of electrical connection, e.g. wiring, plugs or USB
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/002 of trays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0007 Mid-console
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0094 characterised by means for covering after user, e.g. boxes, shutters or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/70 involving the reduction of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic leakage fields
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A magnet and panel assembly including at least a first panel having a first surface and a second wherein the panel has a configuration such that a magnetic field can extend past the first surface; a first magnetic source located on or near the second surface of the first panel; one or more magnetic source securing features adapted to hold the magnetic source on or near the second surface of the first panel wherein the source securing features are adapted to allow the first magnetic source to articulate in the x and y directions along a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the first panel.

Claims

1. A magnet and panel assembly comprising:

a) at least a first panel having a first surface and a second surface wherein the first panel has a configuration such that a magnetic field can extend past the first surface;

b) a first magnetic source located on or near the second surface of the first panel;

c) one or more magnetic source securing features adapted to hold the first magnetic source on or near the second surface of the first panel wherein the one or more magnetic source securing features are adapted to allow the first magnetic source to articulate in an x and y directions along a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the first panel,

wherein the first panel is part of an instrument panel, a console, sun visor, a headliner, compartment molded into a headliner, a glove box door, a door assembly, or a seat of a vehicle.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the one or more magnetic source securing features are attached by one or more attachment features to the first panel.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the assembly further comprises a second panel located near the second surface of the first panel wherein the one or more magnetic source securing features are attached to the second panel by one or more attachment features.

4. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein a second panel is attached to the second side of the first panel.

5. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein the second panel defines the range of movement of the first magnetic source.

6. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the one or more magnetic source securing features comprises one of more of springs, elastic bands, or armatures.

7. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first magnetic source has sufficient strength and the assembly is arranged to allow an object having a magnet or a part comprised of ferrous containing metal to be held in place on the first surface of the first panel.

8. An assembly according to claim 7 wherein the object is an electronic device, a note pad, a clip board, a picture holder, a compact disk holder, or a waste receptacle.

9. An assembly according to a claim 1 wherein the first panel is integrated into the console and is located so that a driver can view an object held on the first panel by the magnetic source.

10. An assembly according to claim 9 wherein the first panel is located such that there is a tray disposed at the bottom of the first panel adapted to carry the weight of the object held in place by the magnetic source.

11. An assembly according to claim 1 which further comprises a means for recharging a rechargeable battery of an electronic device wherein such recharging means is located in the vicinity of the first magnetic source such that the first magnetic source is capable of locating the recharging means with respect to the rechargeable electronic device to allow the battery of the rechargeable device to be recharged by the recharging means.

12. An assembly according to claim 11 wherein the recharging means comprises a connection to a power source of the vehicle, a controller and one or more coils of wire capable of generating an electromagnetic field connected to the controller wherein the first magnetic source is located within one of the one or more coils of wire.

13. A method of securing an object within a vehicle comprising

a) providing the object having a magnet or a part comprised of a ferrous containing metal;

b) contacting the object with the first panel of the assembly according to claim 1 in the vicinity of the magnetic field of one or more magnets; and

c) allowing the object to be held in place by the one or more magnets.

14. A method according to claim 13 the assembly further comprises a second panel located near the second surface of the first panel wherein the one or more magnetic source securing feature is attached to the second panel by one of more attachment features and the second panel defines the range of movement of the one or more magnets.

15. A method according to claim 13 wherein the one or more magnetic source securing features comprise one of more springs, elastic bands, or armatures.

17. A method according to claim 13 wherein the one or more magnets have sufficient strength and the assembly is arranged to allow an object having a magnet or a part comprised of ferrous containing metal to be held in place on the first surface of the first panel.

18. A method according to claim 17 wherein the object is an electronic device, a note pad, a clip board, a picture holder, a compact disk holder, or a waste receptacle.

16. A method of securing an object within a vehicle comprising:

a) providing the object having a magnet or a part comprised of a ferrous containing metal;

b) contacting the object with a first panel of an assembly having

i) at least the first panel having a first surface and a second surface wherein the panel has a configuration such that a magnetic field can extend past the first surface;

ii) a first magnetic source located on or near the second surface of the first panel;

iii) one or more magnetic source securing features adapted to hold the magnetic source on or near the second surface of the first panel wherein the one or more magnetic source securing features are adapted to allow the first magnetic source to articulate in an x and y directions along a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the first panel,

wherein the first panel is part of an instrument panel, a console, sun visor, a headliner, compartment molded into a headliner, a glove box door, a door assembly, a seat of the vehicle,

in the vicinity of the magnetic field of one or more magnets; and

c) allowing the object to be held in place by the one or more magnets.

19. A magnet and panel assembly comprising:

a) at least a first panel having a first surface and a second surface wherein the first panel has a configuration such that a magnetic field can extend past the first surface;

b) a first magnetic source located on or near the second surface of the first panel;

c) one or more magnetic source securing features adapted to hold the first magnetic source on or near the second surface of the first panel wherein the one or more magnetic source securing features are adapted to allow the first magnetic source to articulate in an x and y directions along a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the first panel;

wherein the magnetic source has sufficient strength and the assembly is arranged to allow an object having a magnet or a part comprised of ferrous containing metal to be held in place on the first surface of the first panel;

wherein the object is an electronic device, a note pad, a clip board, a picture holder, a compact disk holder, or a waste receptacle.

20. A method of securing an object within a vehicle comprising:

a) providing the object having a magnet or a part comprised of a ferrous containing metal;

b) contacting the object with a first panel of an assembly having

i) at least the first panel having a first surface and a second surface wherein the first panel has a configuration such that a magnetic field can extend past the first surface;

ii) a first magnetic source located on or near the second surface of the first panel;

iii) one or more magnetic source securing features adapted to hold the magnetic source on or near the second surface of the first panel wherein the one or more magnetic source securing features are adapted to allow the first magnetic source to articulate in an x and y directions along a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the first panel,

in the vicinity of the magnetic field of one or more magnets; and

c) allowing the object to be held in place by the one or more magnets, wherein the one or more magnets have sufficient strength and the assembly is arranged to allow the object having the magnet or the part comprised of ferrous containing metal to be held in place on the first surface of the first panel, wherein the object is an electronic device, a note pad, a clip board, a picture holder, a compact disk holder, or a waste receptacle.