GB2453110A

GB2453110A - Magnetic storage system

Info

Publication number: GB2453110A
Application number: GB0718662A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tim Butler; Andrew Walker; Simon Hall; Nick Robinson
Original assignee: Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd
Current assignee: Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd
Priority date: 2007-09-25
Filing date: 2007-09-25
Publication date: 2009-04-01
Also published as: GB0718662D0

Abstract

One or more temporary attachment points are provided for attaching an accessory to the interior trim of a vehicle. Each attachment point comprises magnetic attachment means and means for selectively activating the magnetic attachment means. The attachment points may be located on the dashboard 15 and/or on a central console 17, for example at positions 11-14. The magnetic attachment means may be located within the interior trim of the vehicle; it may comprise a permanent magnet (21, Figure 2) or an electromagnet (31, Figure 3). The means for selectively activating the magnetic means may be a mechanism including a spring for moving a permanent magnet relative to the interior trim, or alternatively a circuit for selectively supplying power to an electromagnet. The attachment point may further comprise a switch for controlling the activation of the magnetic means, and one or more lights identifying its location or the location of the switch.

Description

MAGNETIC STORAGE SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a storage system for use in a vehicle and, in particular, to a storage system that uses magnetism to hold a small item at a fixed position.

It is common that, on entry to a vehicle, people are carrying a number of small items such as pens, notepads and single sheets of paper. Sometimes, people also carry with them portable personal music players; mobile telephones and the like. When getting into a vehicle it is preferable to have somewhere safe to stow these items. In response to this customer need, the automotive industry has created vehicles with more convenient storage locations within easy reach of the driver.

However, whilst enclosed storage spaces such as the glove compartment and dedicated storage boxes in the cockpit module can provide secure storage for small items, the driver does not have easy access to these items during the journey.

Some of these items such as a notepad or single sheet of paper may be important to the driver or passengers for getting to their destination efficiently and comfortably that such items be available during the journey. This is also true as satellite navigation systems become more widely available and the navigation system is used throughout the journey.

It is therefore not only requisite that personal items can be stored safely, but also that they should be available during the journey. In order for these items to be truly "available" during a journey, they must be secured so that the driver can easily see them without excessive head or eye movements that result in his attention being distracted from the road for too long.

In order to address this issue, suppliers of portable satellite navigation systems sometimes supply a purpose built holder that is attachable to the windscreen of the vehicle. The drawback with attaching a device to the windscreen is that it is visible from outside the vehicle and must therefore be removed when the vehicle is left unattended.

However, the suckers that attach the system to the windscreen often leave a mark on the windscreen which could alert a thief to the presence of the satellite navigation system within the vehicle.

Another high value item that is frequently being used during the journey is the mobile phone. Whilst many phone manufacturers supply holders that are designed for use within a vehicle, these are typically quite an expensive after-market part that is typically specific to the make and model of the telephone. Therefore, in order to continue to use the phone in the car, the user must purchase a new holder every time they up-grade their handset. Furthermore, if two or more regular users of the vehicle have different mobile phones then a plurality of holders is required.

In order to avoid this proliferation of holders that can clutter the driver's cockpit area, the Gecko PadTh provides a rubberised mat that has a high coefficient of friction so that a mobile phone or other small item can be retained and is less likely to slide across the dash during the journey. Although the Gecko Pad reduces the likelihood of small items moving around during the journey it still does not provide an ideal solution to all of the issues raised above. In particular, items can only be mounted horizontally and the Gecko Pad' remains on show within the vehicle at all times.

It is against this background that the current invention has been made.

According to the present invention there is provided a temporary attachment point for attaching an accessory to the interior trim of a vehicle, the attachment point comprising: magnetic attachment means; means for selectively activating the magnetic attachment means.

Some of the articles that a user wants to attach to the attachment point will be magnetic.

However, for other articles a magnet can be attached, either permanently or just for use with the vehicle. If the article to which a magnet is attached is an electronic item, such as a mobile telephone or satellite navigation system, then the magnet must be shielded.

The shield is metallic and is therefore attracted to the magnetic attachment means.

The magnetic attachment means and the means for selectively disabling the magnetic attachment means may be located within the interior trim of the vehicle. Because the magnetic attachment means and the means for selectively disabling the magnetic attachment means are located within the vehicle trim, the temporary attachment point has a minimal impact on the styling of the interior trim piece to which it is applied. This means that there is no need to match the attachment point to the style, shape or colour of either the accessory to be held, or the vehicle in which the temporary attachment point is to be used.

The magnetic attachment means may comprise a permanent magnet and the means for selectively activating the magnetic attachment means may comprise a mechanism configured to move the magnet relative to the interior trim of the vehicle. The provision of a purely mechanical system means that the operation is independent of the vehicle ignition being switched on. If the attachment point is switched on it can continue to retain an accessory even when the vehicle is turned off.

Alternatively, the magnetic attachment means may comprise an electromagnet and the means for selectively activating the magnetic attachment means may comprise a circuit for selectively supplying power to the electromagnet. Because the electromagnet can be selectively activated by beginning or terminating the flow of power to the electromagnet, there are no moving parts. As a result of the lack of moving parts, the attachment point is a very robust system with a very small envelope. It is therefore possible to fit this type of attachment point in a confined area behind a trim panel.

The attachment point may further comprise a switch for controlling the means for selectively activating the magnetic attachment means. The provision of a switch allows the user to activate the system with ease.

The attachment point may further comprise one or more lights to identify the location of the attachment point and/or the switch. The light ensures that, whilst not detracting from the styling of the vehicle interior, it is still easy for the vehicle user to locate the attachment point. The light is preferably an LED or an array of LEDs. LEDs occupy a small space and do not produce excessive heat.

More than one attachment point can be incorporated into an interior trim panel for a vehicle. Different attachment points can be provided at different locations on the vehicle trim for use by different vehicle occupants for different purposes.

The interior trim panel may further comprise a plurality of holes which allow the light to shine out of the trim panel. These holes are too small to be seen by the user, all that the user will perceive is the light being emitted apparently through the surface of the trim panel. The provision of these tiny holes means that the user can be guided to the position of the attachment point without any change being required to the visible appearance of the interior trim panel. Therefore, when the attachment point is not in use and the light is not illuminated, the attachment point is not visible at all as there is no change to the styling of the trim panel.

The interior trim panel may comprise a single switch activates all of the attachment points provided within a piece of trim. Although each of the attachment points could be provided with an individual switch, the trim panel may alternatively be provided with a single switch so that all of the attachment points can be activated at the touch of single button.

At least one of the attachment points may be provided behind a substantially horizontal section of the trim panel. A horizontal attachment point is ideal for holding in place items that would otherwise slide around during a journey.

At least one of the attachment points may be provided behind a substantially vertical section of the trim panel. A vertical attachment point is ideal for holding in place items such as mobile phones and satellite navigation systems that need to be visible to the driver during the journey.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle interior highlighting a plurality of possible locations for a temporary attachment point according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a cross section through an example of an attachment point according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a cross section through a further example of an attachment point according to the present invention, Figure 4 is a cross section through a switch for the system illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a lighting system associated with one of the attachment points shown in any one of Figures 1 to 3.

Figure 1 shows a number of locations 11, 12, 13, 14 within a vehicle interior at which an attachment point 10 could be located. The vehicle interior consists of an instrument panel 15, steering wheel 16 and centre console 17. Although the illustrated example shows a left hand drive vehicle, it will be apparent that the invention could equally be applied to a right hand drive vehicle. The different locations for the attachment points within the vehicle interior are appropriate for the attachment of different types of device.

The first location 11 is on the dash adjacent the steering wheel 16. This location 11 is on a substantially horizontal section of the instrument panel 15. An attachment point 10 at location 11 could be used for retaining a small object which the driver needs to be able to see whilst driving, for example a satellite navigation system. Alternatively, an attachment point 10 at location 11 could be used to retaining a pair of sunglasses so that the driver can easily stow them whilst driving and then subsequently retrieve them without looking away from the road.

The second location 12 is on a substantially vertical part of the instrument panel 15.

This location 12 would therefore be ideal for retaining a small item that is preferably mounted in an upright position. The second location 12 could be used for a mobile phone, or for a satellite navigation system that is not configured to rest on a horizontal surface and therefore could not be used in location 11. It will be understood that, although location 12 is illustrated further from the steering wheel 16 than location 11 in Figure 1, it could be positioned closer to the steering wheel 16 if appropriate.

The third location 13 is on the centre console 17. An attachment point 10 positioned at the third location 13 could be used for retaining keys that otherwise tend to move around during the journey. Although the third location 13 is illustrated as generally on the centre console 17, the exact selection of the attachment point 10 could be selected so that the point 10 was positioned within a pie-existing storage location on the centre console.

The fourth location 14 is on a substantially horizontal part of the dash some distance from the steering wheel 16. An attachment point 10 at this location could be used by the front seat passenger for retaining objects.

Although four locations are illustrated in Figure 1, the exact number of attachment points provided within a vehicle and also their exact location could be subject to customisation. For example, additional attachment points could be provided in the seat backs for access by passengers seated in the row behind the seat containing the attachment point; in the doors and in the central arm rest.

The attachment points 10 are provided in such a manner that the impact on the interior trim of the vehicle is kept to a minimum. In particular, although the points 10 allow an object to be temporarily attached to the outer surface of the vehicle trim, the constituent parts of the attachment point are predominantly provided within the vehicle trim so that they are not visible at any time.

Each attachment point 10 has a magnetic device 21, 31 and a device 22 for selectively activating and disabling the attachment point 10. Figures 2 and 3 show different examples of an attachment point 10 according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows cross section through a mechanical attachment point 10 mounted behind a trim panel 20. The trim panel 20 is selected according to the desired location of the attachment point 10. A non-exhaustive list of suitable locations is set out above with reference to Figure 1.

The attachment point 10 consists of a permanent magnet 21 and a device 22 for selectively activating and disabling the attachment point 10. When the attachment point is activated the magnet 21 is positioned close to, or even in contact with, the inner surface of trim panel 20. As the magnet is a permanent magnet the magnet itself cannot be disabled. However, the attachment point 10 can be disabled by physically moving the magnet 21 away from the inner surface of the trim panel. This movement is facilitated by the device 22. The device 22 consists of a latching switch 23 that is attached to the magnet via an arm 24. In an alternative version of the device 22, the device consists of a push-push switch.

The device 22 is activated using a button 25 that protrudes through the trim panel 20.

When the attachment point 10 is activated the button 25 is either substantially flush with the trim panel 20 or it may protrude slightly from the trim panel. When the attachment point 10 is disabled the button 25 will be recessed within the trim panel 20. The magnet 21 is biased to remain in the active state by a biasing device. In the example illustrated in Figure 2, the biasing device is a helical spring 26.

When the user depresses the button 25, the latching switch 23 is activated and the arm 24 moves the magnet 21 away from the inner surface of the trim panel 20 against the biasing force of the spring 36. When the button 25 is fully depressed and the magnet 21 is at its maximum distance from the inner surface of the trim panel 20, the latching switch ensures that this condition is maintained. The attachment point 10 is then disabled.

When the user wishes to reactivate the attachment point 10, the button 25 is depressed further in order to release the latching mechanism within the latching switch 23. The spring 26 then forces the magnet 21 towards the inner surface of the trim panel. The movement of the magnet 21 results in the movement of the arm 34 and therefore the latching switch 23 and button 25 so that the button returns to its initial position.

The user can easily identify whether or not the attachment point is activated by looking to see the position of the button 25.

The configuration shown in Figure 2 is advantageous because it does not rely on a power supply. It is therefore particularly appropriate for attachment points that are configured to hold an item on a vertical surface. Furthermore, because the spring 26 biases the magnet towards the in-use position, even a mechanical failure in the device 22 for selectively activating and disabling the device will result in the device being permanently active, rather than permanently inactive.

In alternative examples not shown in Figure 2, the position of the magnet 21 is controlled either by a cam activated by a mechanical switch or by a worm gear and drive cog arrangement.

Figure 3 shows an alternative magnetic attachment point 10. The magnetic device in this example is an electromagnet 31 and the device (not shown) for selectively activating or disabling the attachment point 10 consists of a circuit that switches off the electromagnet and thereby disables the attachment point 10. The electromagnet 31 is mounted on the inner surface of the trim panel 20 in order to minimise the space required behind the trim panel for the attachment point 10.

The circuit controlling the electromagnet 31 is turned on and off using a switch 40 that is shown in Figure 4. Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the constituent parts of the switch 40. The switch 40 is also mounted on the inner surface of the trim panel 20. The switch 40 consists of a touch sensor 42 which is configured to send a signal to the electromagnet to change its state. Therefore if the electromagnet 31 is switched off and the touch sensor 42 detects a touch, the electromagnet 31 will be switched on. On the next occasion that the touch sensor 42 detects a touch a signal will be sent to switch off the electromagnet 31.

Lighting 33, 43 is provided in order to guide the user to the position of the attachment point 10. The position of the lighting 33, 43 is shown in Figures 3 and 4 respectively.

The lighting typically consists of a ring of light encircling the relevant function. The lighting 33, 43 is emitted through the trim panel 20 through tiny holes (not shown) that are too small for the human eye to perceive. These holes typically have a diameter of less than 0.5mm. When the attachment point is in its quiescent state, there is therefore no impact of the styling of the trim panel and the casual observer would have no reason to suspect the existence of the attachment point.

The lighting 33, 43 takes the form of LEDs because LED5 are small and do not create excessive heat in use. The lighting is activated when the vehicle ignition is activated when the switch is actuated. The lighting is also configured to automatically reduce the light level when the vehicle lighting is switched on.

In an alternative example, not shown in the accompanying figures, the lighting is provided using an electroluminescent sheet. This is advantageous because electroluminescent sheets provide an even light output. The electroluminescent sheet may be configured to take the shape of the surface to which it is applied thereby minimising the packaging space required.

In a further alternative example, also not shown in the accompanying figures, the lighting for a horizontal attachment point situated in the dash is provided by lights positioned within the rear view mirror or headlining and projecting downwards onto the dash and illuminating the position of the attachment point.

The strength of the magnet required will vary depending on the weight of the article to be held and also the angle at which the article is to be held. For example, the strength of the magnet will need to be greater for a vertically mounted article where the entire weight of the article must be supported by the magnet in comparison with a horizontally mounted article in which the magnetism need only be sufficient to prevent the article slipping as the vehicle corners.

In the context of the example shown above with reference to Figure 2, the switch can be augmented by the provision of a dial (not shown) that enables the user to move the magnet along a continuum between its closest approach to the interior surface of the adjacent trim panel when the magnetic field at the attachment point is at its strongest and its furthest point of travel at which the magnet is sufficiently far from the interior surface of the trim piece as to be effectively inactive.

In the context of the example shown above with reference to Figure 3, the strength of the electromagnet can be altered by pressing the button repeatedly, or pressing and holding the button, so that the electromagnet cycles through, for example, four different settings on consecutive presses of the button. These four settings could be on at low power, on at medium power; on at high power and off. An indication of the power setting can be represented by increasing the brightness or changing the colour of the illumination.

In order to decrease the impact on the vehicle styling of the example shown in Figure 2, the switch shown in Figure 4 could be used. However, in order to realise this version, it would be necessary to provide a mechanism that would enable the signal from the touch sensor to be converted into a mechanical movement of the latching switch 23 to move the magnet 21.

Figure 5 shows a portion of an instrument panel 15 including an attachment point 10.

The lighting identifying the attachment point in this example consists of four L-shaped portions 53 and a central cross X. The L-shaped portions identify the edges of the area in which the magnet 21, 31 is active and the cross X marks the centre of the attachment point 10. Below the attachment point 10 is a circle of lights 0 that identifies the position oftheswitch40.

Claims

1. A temporary attachment point for attaching an accessory to the interior trim of a vehicle, the attachment point comprising: magnetic attachment means; means for selectively activating the magnetic attachment means.

2. The attachment point according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic attachment means and the means for selectively disabling the magnetic attachment means are located within the interior trim of the vehicle.

3. The attachment point according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the magnetic attachment means comprises a permanent magnet and wherein the means for selectively activating the magnetic attachment means comprises a mechanism configured to move the magnet relative to the interior trim of the vehicle.

4. The attachment point according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the magnetic attachment means comprises an electromagnet and wherein the means for selectively activating the magnetic attachment means comprises a circuit for selectively supplying power to the electromagnet.

5. The attachment point according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a switch for controlling the means for selectively activating the magnetic attachment means.

6. The attachment point according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more lights to identify the location of the attachment point and/or the switch.

7. An interior trim panel for a vehicle, the interior trim panel being provided with one or more attachment point according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. The interior trim panel according to claim 7, further comprising a plurality of holes which allow the light to shine out of the trim panel.

9. The interior trim panel according to claim 8, wherein a single switch activates all of the attachment points provided within a piece of trim.

10. The interior trim panel according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein at least one of the attachment points is provided behind a substantially horizontal section of the trim panel.

11. The interior trim panel according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein at least one of the attachment points is provided behind a substantially vertical section of the trim panel.

12. An attachment point as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.