Adaptive electromagnetic attenuation for storage compartments

Abstract

This prevents deterioration of the latching force and appearance of the magnetic closure system over time. [Solution] The magnetic closing system has a permanent magnet having a first magnetic field that attenuates over a shorter distance than a second magnetic field generated by an electromagnet, which acts as a biasing device to bias the movable member toward the closed position in order to apply a closing force to the movable member. The electromagnet generates a damping force as a second magnetic field, based on a configurable damping profile of the controller, which counteracts the closing force corresponding to positional information indicating the position of the movable member by a sensor consisting of a potentiometer or a mechanical switch, thereby decelerating the movable member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to systems, and more particularly to electromagnetic closure systems for cabinets or storage compartments.

Background Art

[0002] Magnetic closure systems are used in various applications to provide a secure latch without a visible mechanism. Typically, these systems rely on permanent magnets or simple electromagnets to create an attractive force between two surfaces.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Magnetic closure systems often suffer from limitations such as excessive closure noise, wear from repeated shocks, and difficulty in providing satisfactory tactile feedback to the user. Some attempts have been made to mitigate these problems by adding damping materials such as foams or overmolds, but these approaches introduce additional problems including a reduction in latch force, visible wear or deformation after use, and susceptibility to the effects of environmental factors and compression from repeated use, which reduces effectiveness over time.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The examples described herein utilize an advanced control system that manipulates electromagnetic fields to achieve functional and experiential improvements in magnetic closure systems. The techniques described herein can be applied to magnetic closures for doors, lids, and other securely fixable members used in fixed containers, buildings, personal items, vehicles, and other locations. Some examples are described in the context of storage compartments for vehicle interiors, such as glove compartments, having a movable door or closing panel.

[0005] In some examples, adaptive electromagnetic damping systems for storage compartments are provided. In one example, the system utilizes electromagnets mounted on a fixed frame of the storage compartment, which work in conjunction with permanent magnets on a movable door or panel used to close the compartment. This configuration allows for dynamic control of the magnetic field interaction during the closing process. By activating the electromagnets at specific times and intensities, the system can provide a controlled damping force to slow the closing motion of the panel, significantly reducing noise and shock forces while maintaining a strong final latching force.

[0006] Various examples offer diverse control strategies and user experiences. Some examples employ potentiometers for continuous position sensing, enabling precise control of the electromagnet's duty cycle via an attack, decay, sustain, release (ADSR) envelope. This approach can achieve a very smooth "zero-force" closing sensation by precisely matching and canceling out the force profiles of permanent magnets. Some examples utilize a simpler switch-based activation where the electromagnet engages with a constant duty cycle when the door reaches a specific position. This approach can be used to provide a "hump" latch feel, emulating the tactile experience of closing a frictionless mechanical latch through the natural superposition of magnetic fields. The various examples described address one or more technical challenges associated with magnetic closing systems by providing improved wear resistance and / or an improved user experience compared to conventional mechanical latch systems, while maintaining a clean and visually non-mechanical appearance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] To facilitate the identification of any particular element or behavior description, the most significant digit(s) of the reference code indicates the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

[0008] [Figure 1]This is a system diagram of a magnetic closing system implemented inside a vehicle, with several examples.

[0009] [Figure 2] This flowchart shows the operation of a magnetic closure system, illustrating several examples.

[0010] [Figure 3] The graphs show the distances between members of a magnetic closure system and the net closing force applied at those distances, illustrating the undamped closing force achieved by the exemplary magnetic closure system versus the desired damped closing force.

[0011] [Figure 4] This is a graph of the damping force applied by the electromagnets of a magnetic closure system between each of the four phases of the damping profile, using several examples.

[0012] [Figure 5] A second graph shows the distance between members of a magnetic closure system and the net closing force applied at that distance, as well as a graph of the undamped closing force, damped force, and desired damped closing force achieved by the second exemplary magnetic closure system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Figure 1 shows an example of a magnetic closing system 100 implemented inside a vehicle 102. The magnetic closing system 100 comprises a storage container 104 having a fixed member 106 and a movable member 108. The movable member 108 can rotate around a hinge 114 to close or cover the opening 110 of the storage container 104 while moving along a line of movement 112.

[0014] The magnetic closing system 100 includes a biasing device represented by a permanent magnet 116 mounted on a movable member 108. The permanent magnet 116 applies a closing force to the movable member 108, biasing it toward a closed position 126 in contact with a fixed member 106. In this example, the closing force is provided by the magnetic force between the permanent magnet 116 and a ferromagnetic metal strike plate 128 surrounding at least a portion of the opening 110 of the storage container 104, and the fixed member 106 in this example can be considered to be the strike plate 128, including the strike plate 128, or the entire storage container 104. Suitable materials for the strike plate 128 may include iron, steel, or other ferromagnetic materials.

[0015] The permanent magnet 116 provides a reliable latching mechanism that maintains closure even without power, thereby providing a fail-safe function that keeps the storage container 104 closed even in the event of a power outage, and does not require power consumption to maintain that closed state.

[0016] The electromagnet 118 is mounted on the fixed member 106 and configured to apply a damping force to reduce the contact speed between the movable member 108 and the fixed member 106. As described above, high-speed impacts between the movable member 108 and the fixed member 106 can generate undesirable noise, wear, vibration, and / or other effects, especially when the surfaces in contact with each other are the magnet and the metal strike plate 128. If not damped, the closing force applied to the movable member 108 by the permanent magnet 116 can accelerate the movable member 108 to an undesirable speed before contact. If the user applies excessive force when rotating the movable member 108 toward the closed position 126, the problem of excessive speed at contact can be further exacerbated. Therefore, the electromagnet 118 can be controlled to apply a damping force (in this case, a repulsive force between the permanent magnet 116 and the electromagnet 118, and thus between the fixed member 106 and the movable member 108) to decelerate the movable member 108 before it reaches the closed position 126, thereby reducing impact force and / or noise. When activated by electrical stimulation, the electromagnet 118 interacts with the permanent magnet 116 to generate a magnetic field that produces a repulsive force, effectively damping the closing motion of the movable member 108.

[0017] The magnitude of this damping force can be controlled by adjusting the magnitude of the electrical stimulation applied to the electromagnet 118. Efficient control of the electrical stimulation is performed in this example by a controller 120 coupled to a power supply 122 and a sensor (e.g., a potentiometer or mechanical switch incorporated within the hinge 114).

[0018] The sensor can be any suitable sensor capable of generating positional information indicating the position of the movable member 108 relative to the closed position 126. In some examples, the sensor may be incorporated into or otherwise coupled to the hinge 114 to determine the angular position of the movable member 108 (e.g., along the moving arc 112). In some examples, other means may be used to determine the linear position of the movable member, such as a linear motion potentiometer coupled to a slide drawer or other movable member. In some examples, proximity sensors such as Hall effect sensors, ultrasonic sensors, or optical sensors may be used. It will be understood that various types of sensors may be used to generate information regarding the location of the movable member relative to a fixed member. In some examples, sensing the electromotive force (EMF) induced from a permanent magnet 116 approaching the electromagnet 118 may be used as a proximity sensor.

[0019] An example using a potentiometer as a sensor may be configured to provide continuous position data (e.g., a continuous range of positions along the movement path 112) over the entire operating range. In some examples, a potentiometer or other sensor configuration (such as multiple switch sensors) may enable sensing three or more possible positions of the movable member 108. For example, a window may be defined along the movement path 112 from which the electromagnet 118 can or is configured to influence the force acting on the movable member 108. One or more sensors may be used to sense multiple possible positions of the movable member 108 within this window, e.g., three or more possible positions. In some examples, the number of possible positions that can be sensed within the window (or more generally along the movement path 112) may be defined or influenced by the resolution of one or more sensors used, such as the resolution of a potentiometer. An example using a mechanical switch as a sensor may enable the mechanical switch to be activated when the movable member 108 is at a specific distance from the closed position 126, called the switch distance. In some examples, the electromagnet 118 may be activated to apply a damping force to the movable member 108 only when the movable member 108 is within a predetermined distance from the closed position 126, for example, at the damping distance 124 shown in Figure 1. The damping distance 124 may be considered to be the straight-line distance, angular distance, or other distance between the line in Figure 1 indicating the closed position 126 and the line indicating the damping distance 124. In some examples, the electromagnet 118 may also be stopped when the movable member 108 moves further from the closed position 126 than the damping distance 124.

[0020] In some examples using a mechanical switch, the attenuation distance 124 is equal to the switch distance such that the electromagnet 118 is activated when the mechanical switch is activated. In some such examples, the electromagnet 118 may also be stopped when the mechanical switch is stopped by the movable member 108 moving further than the attenuation distance 124 and further than the closed position 126.

[0021] The controller 120 is used to control the supply of electrical stimulation to the electromagnet 118. In the illustrated example, the controller 120 may be a controller integrated into one or more systems of the vehicle 102, such as a circuit, microcontroller, or computing device configured to control vehicle functions. In various examples, the controller 120 may be implemented by one or more devices that provide hardware and / or software logic, such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a computing system having one or more processors and one or more memories that store machine-executable instructions. In some examples, the controller 120 executes instructions (such as firmware) that can be modified or reconfigured based on configuration information such as user input and / or software updates received via a communication link to change the behavior of the controller 120 when controlling the magnetic closure system 100.

[0022] Power supply 122 supplies the power necessary for the operation of magnetic closing system 100 including electromagnet 118 and controller 120. In some examples, power supply 122 is a power source of vehicle 102 such as the electrical system of a vehicle. In some examples, vehicle 102 is an electric vehicle including one or more batteries and one or more generators. In various examples, power supply 122 may include the supply of power from another source such as a battery or other power storage means, a generator, and / or a long-distance transmission line. The magnitude of the damping force applied to movable member 108 by electromagnet 118 may be based on the magnitude of the electrical stimulus. For example, the duty cycle of the current or voltage of electromagnet 118 may be varied between 0% and 100%, or the magnitude of the current or voltage of the electrical stimulus may be directly adjusted, thereby adjusting the magnitude of the intensity of the electric field generated by electromagnet 118. Each of these approaches may be regarded as a different method for adjusting the magnitude of the electrical stimulus. The magnitude of the damping force applied to movable member 108 at any given time by the magnetic field generated by electromagnet 118 is a function not only of the magnitude of the electrical stimulus but also of the position of movable member 108 and possibly other factors (such as interference that affects the intensity of the magnetic field at one or more locations).

[0023] Controller 120 is configured to apply an electrical stimulus (supplied by power source 122) to electromagnet 118 based on position information from the sensors. The magnitude of the electrical stimulus can be adjusted by controller 120 based on the position information received from the sensors, time information related to the position information, and other factors that may be related to the performance of magnetic closure system 100, such as the temperature of various components, the age of various components, the battery voltage, past performance data, the roughness of the current road conditions, the configuration of the vehicle's suspension, the user's preferences, etc. Various approaches for controlling electromagnet 118 are described below with reference to method 200 of FIG. 2. Controller 120 implements one or more control schemes for controlling electromagnet 118 based on the position information. In some examples, the control scheme implemented by controller 120 is reconfigurable as described above. In some examples, the control scheme implements an attenuation profile applied to the electrical stimulus, and thus to electromagnet 118, based on the position information and optionally other information such as time information. Examples of control schemes described herein may include an attack, decay, sustain, release (ADSR) envelope approach used in a potentiometer, or a constant duty cycle applied to electromagnet 118 when movable member 108 is within attenuation distance 124 (which it is) and can be used in a mechanical switch or another type of sensor. In some examples, as described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 2, the control scheme can be updated dynamically, such as via a wirelessly received software update.

[0024] In some examples, when movable member 108 is within closed position 126, permanent magnet 116 supplies the main latching force that maintains the closure of containment container 104. In some examples, the latching force can be further enhanced by electromagnet 118 if additional holding force is required. As described in more detail below, some examples stop electromagnet 118 after closure is achieved and / or after a timeout interval has elapsed after movable member 108 has passed within attenuation distance 124 of closed position 126.

[0025] It will be understood that the techniques described herein may be applied to other movable members and / or different trajectories of movement than those illustrated, such as linear motion (e.g., of a sliding drawer). In some examples, the movable and fixed members may be objects that perform functions other than opening and closing a container. The example shown in Figure 1 is implemented as a storage container in a vehicle 102, such as a glove compartment, but it will be understood that some examples, such as container covers, doors, or other movable parts that come into contact with other parts in the context of architectural design, building equipment, outdoor containers, personal belongings, etc., may be used outside the context of a vehicle.

[0026] In some examples, the biasing device may use elements or functions other than the permanent magnet 116, or may be used to apply a closing force to a movable member 108 that uses multiple permanent magnets. For example, the permanent magnet 116 may be replaced or complemented by the function of a weight or counterweight such that the movable member 108 is biased toward the closed position 126 by gravity for at least part of its movement 112. Examples of such gravity biasing functions include a lid that swings downward relative to an upward opening, a rotating cover that includes a counterweight that pulls the lower end of the cover downward so that the upper end contacts the fixed member 106, and a sliding drawer that inclines on a trajectory to slide downward toward the closed position 126. Other examples of biasing devices include a spring-based mechanism that relies on an elastic member that generates a closing force when extended or compressed.

[0027] The attenuation distance 124 and / or switch distance may be set to a distance suitable for the operation of magnetic attraction between ferromagnetic components, such as a distance of at most a few inches. In some examples, the attenuation distance 124 is about 1 inch. In some examples, the attenuation distance 124 may be set according to the strength of the electromagnet 118. For example, the attenuation distance 124 may be set to a distance where the attractive and / or repulsive forces applied by the electromagnet 118 are negligible, e.g., 0.05% of its maximum force. In some examples, the attenuation distance 124 may be a distance between 1 cm and 10 cm, or between 3 cm and 20 cm. In some examples, the attenuation distance 124 may be a distance where the electromagnet 118 applies less than a threshold percentage of its maximum force, such as between 0.01% and 5% of its maximum force, or between 0.1% and 10% of its maximum force.

[0028] Various examples described herein provide magnetic closing systems that include a biasing device used to apply a closing force to a movable member. The closing force biases the movable member toward a closed position in which it contacts or is in close proximity to a fixed member. An electromagnet is configured to apply a damping force in response to an electrical stimulus to counteract the closing force, the damping force having a magnitude at least in part based on the magnitude of the electrical stimulus. In some examples, the electromagnet may also be configured to apply an attractive force, depending on the situation, to better control the speed at which the movable member approaches the closed position and / or to increase the force that maintains the movable member in the closed position.

[0029] The sensor is configured to generate positional information indicating the position of the movable member. The controller is configured to apply an electrical stimulus to the electromagnet based on the positional information in order to decelerate the movable member before it reaches the closed position.

[0030] In some examples, the biasing device includes a permanent magnet. In some examples, the movable member is a door or cover of a storage compartment, the fixed member is the opening of the storage compartment, and the movable member is configured to rotate to a closed position. In some examples, the sensor is or includes a potentiometer, and the position information indicates the position of the movable member within a continuous range of positions. In some examples, the sensor is or includes a mechanical switch, and the position information indicates whether the movable member is within the switch distance of the closed position.

[0031] In some examples, the system includes a vehicle. The storage compartment is the vehicle's storage compartment, the electrical stimulation is supplied by the vehicle's electrical system, and the controller is the vehicle's controller.

[0032] In some examples, the sensor includes a mechanical switch, the position information indicates whether the movable member is within the switch distance to the closed position, and the attenuation distance is the switch distance.

[0033] Figure 2 shows a flowchart of Method 200 for operating a magnetic closure system, such as magnetic closure system 100. The operation of Method 200 can be described below with reference to the elements of magnetic closure system 100 shown in Figure 1, but it will be understood that Method 200 can be applied to various different examples of magnetic closure systems.

[0034] While exemplary method 200 represents a specific sequence of operations, the sequence can be modified without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, some of the expressed operations may be performed in parallel or in different sequences that do not substantially affect the functionality of method 200. In other examples, different components of an exemplary device or system implementing method 200 may perform functions substantially simultaneously or in specific sequences.

[0035] In some examples, method 200 includes, in operation 202, applying a closing force to the movable member 108 to bias it toward the closed position 126. Operation 202 can be performed by any suitable biasing device as described above. In some examples, operation 202 is passive, and the biasing device applies the closing force without requiring any action or stimulation. For example, a permanent magnet 116 may be used to passively apply a closing force to the movable member 108, and the strength of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 116 acting on the movable member 108 changes as a function of the position of the movable member 108.

[0036] The closing force continuously biases the movable member 108 toward the closed position 126, where it contacts the fixed member 106. In some examples, the closing force is primarily generated by the magnetic attraction between the permanent magnet 116 on the movable member 108 and the metal strike plate 128 on the fixed member 106. This passive biasing force can help ensure that the storage container 104 remains securely closed without requiring power when not in use, and also provides a fail-safe latch mechanism in case of power loss to the system.

[0037] In some examples, method 200 includes using a sensor to generate position information indicating the position of the movable member 108 in operation 204. The sensor (such as a potentiometer or mechanical switch) generates position information indicating the current position of the movable member 108 relative to the closed position 126. In some examples, the position information is binary, and for example, a mechanical switch may generate a binary electrical signal (e.g., low voltage or high voltage) indicating whether the movable member 108 is within the switch distance (e.g., attenuation distance 124). While this may be less granular than the position information generated by a potentiometer, the use of a mechanical switch may allow for a simpler and easier implementation of the magnetic closing system. In other examples, a sensor (such as a rotary potentiometer or linear potentiometer) may generate position information that provides more detailed information about the position of the movable member 108, such as indicating the position of the movable member 108 within a continuous position range (e.g., the range between the fully open position and the closed position 126 along the movement range 112). The use of potentiometers or similar continuous-value position sensors can enable precise tracking of both position and velocity, potentially allowing for more complex control strategies for magnetically closed systems.

[0038] According to some examples, method 200 includes the controller 120 determining whether the position of the movable member 108 is within the damping distance 124 of the closed position 126 during operation 206. The controller 120 processes the position information to determine whether the movable member 108 has entered the damping distance 124 at which active control (e.g., damping) of the closing motion should begin. The specific damping distance may vary depending on different examples and configurations of the damping profile and may be adjusted based on factors such as the strength of the permanent magnet 116, the desired user experience, and the design of a particular storage container 104.

[0039] In operation 206, if it is determined that the movable member 108 is not within the attenuation distance 124, method 200 loops back to operation 202 (or operation 204) to passively apply a closing force without activating the electromagnet 118 and continues to monitor the position of the movable member 108. This ensures that the system engages only when needed, saving power and preventing premature interference with the closing motion. In some examples, to further save power, the determination of whether the movable member 108 is within the attenuation distance 124 is a power-free passive operation; for example, the electrical circuit is closed by a mechanical switch or permanent magnet only when the movable member 108 is within the attenuation distance 124, and the switch remains open and therefore power-free while the movable member 108 is not within the attenuation distance 124.

[0040] If it is determined that the movable member 108 is within the damping distance 124, method 200 proceeds to operation 208.

[0041] According to some examples, method 200 includes applying an electrical stimulus to the electromagnet 118 based on positional information in operation 208.

[0042] In some examples, the determination in operation 206 and the application of electrical stimulation in operation 208 may be as simple as activating a controller circuit to open a switch between the power supply 122 and the electromagnet 118 by a high-voltage signal from a mechanical switch, in order to enable a constant duty cycle for the electromagnet 118. In some examples, the determination in operation 206 and the application of electrical stimulation in operation 208 may involve the controller 120's processor executing configurable software (e.g., firmware) instructions to track the position and velocity of the movable member 108 based on continuous position information generated by a potentiometer, and (in operation 208 below) applying a complex attenuation profile to the electrical stimulation applied to the electromagnet 118 to control the velocity of the movable member 108 over time as it approaches the closed position 126 and passes within the attenuation distance 124. It will be understood that various examples may be used to perform the determination in operation 206 and the application of electrical stimulation in operation 208 using varying degrees of complexity in processing various types of position information.

[0043] Therefore, in some examples, when the movable member 108 enters the attenuation distance 124, the controller 120 begins to apply an electrical stimulus to the electromagnet 118. The characteristics of the electrical stimulus may be determined based on the position information generated in the operation 204 and the selected control strategy. The controller 120 may also incorporate additional factors into the electrical stimulus calculation, such as the velocity of the movable member 108 (derived from position data over time) or a default attenuation profile that can be updated via firmware. An example of an attenuation profile is described below with reference to Figure 4.

[0044] In some examples, method 200 includes applying a damping force to the movable member 108 by an electromagnet 118 in operation 210 to decelerate the movable member 108 before it reaches the closed position 126. The electrical stimulation causes the electromagnet 118 to generate a magnetic field that interacts with the permanent magnet 116 on the movable member 108 to repel the movable member 108 from the fixed member 106. This interaction generates a damping force that counteracts the closing motion, effectively decelerating the movable member 108 as it approaches the closed position 126. In some examples, the damping force at least partially counteracts one or more attractive forces that accelerate the movable member 108 toward the closed position 126, such as the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 116, the attractive force of another biasing device, or a force applied by a user actively closing the storage container 104. An example of the net forces acting on the movable member implemented by the systems and methods described herein is illustrated with reference to Figure 3.

[0045] As described above, damping force serves several purposes. By decelerating the movable member 108 before impact, damping force can reduce closing noise, particularly high-frequency sounds associated with undamped magnetic or mechanical latches. Controlled deceleration can also reduce impact force and reduce wear over time on both the movable member 108 and the fixed member 106. Damping action can also be used to create a premium or tactile experience for the user. The damping profile can be adjusted, selected, or dynamically configured based on the received configuration information to emulate a range of closing experiences, from smooth and effortless movement to a more tactile "hump" sensation reminiscent of a high-quality mechanical latch.

[0046] In some examples, method 200 may include further actions (not shown) to stop or reduce the force of the electromagnet 118 when the movable member 108 reaches the closed position 126, allowing the permanent magnet 116 to provide the final latching force. This may enable reliable closing while minimizing power consumption in the steady state.

[0047] Method 200 may also include additional operations not shown in Figure 2, such as monitoring for prolonged partial closure. For example, if complete closure is not achieved, the electromagnet 118 may be stopped after a timeout interval (e.g., 5 seconds). In some examples, such as some mechanical switch implementations, the electromagnet 118 is stopped after the timeout interval has elapsed and the movable member 108 remains within the attenuation distance 124, regardless of whether complete closure has been achieved. This can prevent unnecessary power consumption in situations including interference with complete closure or other obstacles (or inability) to record the complete closure of the sensor. In some examples, more complex processes, such as the use of adaptive learning algorithms to optimize performance based on usage patterns, may be used to select, generate, or modify the attenuation profile applied by the controller 120.

[0048] Therefore, in some examples, the controller 120 is configured to apply an electrical stimulus to the electromagnet when it determines, based on position information, that the movable member is within the decay distance to the closed position. The controller may also be configured to stop applying an electrical stimulus to the electromagnet when it determines, based on position information, that the movable member remains within the decay distance to the closed position for longer than the timeout interval.

[0049] In some examples, the controller is configured to adjust the magnitude of the electrical stimulation using positional information obtained based on the attenuation profile. The controller may also be configured to change the attenuation profile in response to the reception of configuration information.

[0050] Figure 3 is a graph 300 that represents the force profiles included in a magnetic closure system, such as the magnetic closure system 100. Graph 300 provides a visual representation of how various forces interact during the closure process of the movable member 108.

[0051] The x-axis of graph 300 represents the distance 302 indicating the position of the movable member 108 relative to the closed position 126. The damping distance 124 is shown on this axis and marks the range in which the electromagnet 118 actively influences the closing motion.

[0052] The y-axis represents force 304, which is the force acting on the movable member 108 during the closing process. The maximum net closing force 306 indicates the peak net force experienced during closing. In this example, the maximum net closing force 306 is applied to the movable member 108 as it approaches the closed position 126, as a result of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 116 exerting the maximum attractive force between the permanent magnet 116 of the movable member 108 and the metal strike plate 128 of the fixed member 106.

[0053] The undamped closing force 308 represents the force profile present in a purely passive magnetic closing system without the electromagnetic damping system described herein. This force is generated primarily by the permanent magnet 116 and increases exponentially as the movable member 108 approaches the closed position 126.

[0054] The net closing force 310 illustrates an example of the force profile the system aims to achieve. This profile is designed to provide a smooth and controlled closing experience while ensuring a secure latch. The simplified example shown in Figure 3 is intended to illustrate the direct flattening or partial cancellation of the attractive force applied by the permanent magnet 116. A more extreme example may be shown in which the net closing force 310 is equal to zero at all distances 302 as a result of the electromagnet 118 applying a magnetic field that precisely cancels the passive magnetic field of the permanent magnet 116.

[0055] The damping force 312, visualized as the difference between the undamped closing force 308 and the net closing force 310, corresponds to the repulsive damping force applied by the electromagnet 118 to counteract the undamped closing force 308. This force is dynamically adjusted based on positional information and by a control scheme or damping profile implemented by the controller 120.

[0056] The interaction between these forces demonstrates how the system effectively controls the closing process and reduces impact forces and noise while maintaining a secure latch. By adjusting the damping force 312, the system can closely approximate the net closing force 310, providing a premium user experience and minimizing wear on components.

[0057] In some examples, the damping force 312 can be applied more effectively over a longer distance than the closing force, allowing the electromagnet 118 to decelerate the movable member 108 even before the permanent magnet 116 begins to apply its closing force. For example, one can consider the ratio of the magnitude of the damping force 312 applied to the movable member 108 to the magnitude of the closing force applied to the movable member 108, in some examples this ratio is greater at a first position of the movable member 108 than at a second position of the movable member 108, and the first position (e.g., outside the damping distance 124) is further from the closed position than the second position (e.g., inside the damping distance 124). In some examples, this greater range of damping force 312 than closing force can be achieved by using a permanent magnet 116 that generates a first magnetic field that dampens over a shorter distance than the second magnetic field generated by the electromagnet 118. This allows the damping force 312 to be applied more effectively over longer distances than shorter distances in examples where a constant duty cycle is used for the electromagnet 118 (e.g., implementation of some mechanical switches). This causes the movable member 108 to resist closing when it first enters the damping distance 124, but to actively pull into the closed position 126 when it is very close to the closed position 126. This effect can be used to reproduce the tactile sensation and movement of closing a door with a mechanical latch, without the accompanying sound.

[0058] In some examples, the desired net closing force 310 can be achieved using a mechanical switch for the sensor. As the movable member 108 passes through the closed position 126, the electromagnet 118 may be actuated on a constant duty cycle, for example, a constant 40% duty cycle where the electrical stimulation drives the electromagnet 118 for 40% of the time. Thus, this control scheme applies an electrical stimulation of a fixed magnitude when the movable member 108 enters the attenuation distance 124. The duty cycle may be selected or modified to balance the effectiveness of attenuation with power consumption, among other considerations.

[0059] Figure 4 is a graph 400 that provides a detailed representation of the damping profile 412 of the damping force 312 applied over time, illustrating the ADSR (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release) envelope control strategy of a magnetic closure system, such as an example of a magnetic closure system 100 that uses a potentiometer as a sensor.

[0060] Similar to Figure 3, the y-axis represents the magnitude of the force 304 applied to the movable member 108. The force applied to the movable member 108 includes the undamped closing force 308 applied by the permanent magnet 116 and the damping force 312 applied by the electromagnet 118 to counteract the closing force of the permanent magnet 116 (or other biasing device). The sum of these forces is shown as a dashed line representing the net closing force 310.

[0061] The x-axis of graph 400 represents time 410 and shows the progression of the damping force 312 applied during the closing process of the movable member 108. In this example, the damping force 312 is applied according to a damping profile 412 that changes with time and distance.

[0062] It will be understood that even with a single configuration of the controller 120, the damping profile 412 applied to the time-dependent 410 can change depending on the situation. If the potentiometer detects that the closing motion of the movable member 108 has been accelerated, decelerated, stopped, reversed, or otherwise perturbed, the controller 120 can respond to this perturbation by changing the damping force 312 applied, thereby changing the damping profile 412. The exemplary damping profile 412 shown in Figure 4 represents a typical use case in which the closing of the storage container 104 is performed in a typical manner.

[0063] The damping profile 412 is the overall shape of the force curve and has four distinct phases: attack phase 402, decay phase 404, sustain phase 406, and release phase 408. Throughout the process of the damping profile 412, the distance approaches zero, and as a result, the undamped closing force 308 increases exponentially until the distance reaches zero at the closed position 126. When the movable member 108 is in the closed position 126, the undamped closing force 308 remains at its maximum value, as indicated by the plateau at the right end of the graph of the undamped closing force 308.

[0064] The attack phase 402 represents the rapid engagement of the damping force 312 as the movable member 108 enters the damping distance 124 of the closed position 126. During the attack phase 402, the electromagnet 118 rapidly increases its force (to a high negative magnitude) in order to begin decelerating the movable member 108. The damping force 312 of the damping profile 412 applied by the electromagnet 118 rapidly increases from zero (the electromagnet 118 is inactive) to the maximum repulsive value, which is shown as a negative value of the force 304 (the electromagnet 118 is driven by a constant duty cycle, as described below). This increase may be the result of a combination of the following factors: the magnitude of the electrical stimulation may increase rapidly, while the distance 302 decreases, thereby increasing the damping force 312 between the electromagnet 118 and the permanent magnet 116. At the end of the attack phase 402, the relatively weak undamped closing force 308, combined with the very negative damping force 312, results in a speed bump phase 414 with a net closing force 310, during which the momentum of the closing movable member 108 is damped or reduced by the dominance of the damping force 312.

[0065] During the decay phase 404, the damping force 312 of the damping profile 412 is damped or reduced to an intermediate level, such as 50% of the maximum force applied during the attack phase 402. This decay reduces the damping force 312 to a stable intermediate strength, achieving a controlled offset of the closing force applied by the permanent magnet 116 and slowing the speed of the movable member 108 as it approaches the closed position 126 during the sustain phase 406. However, by the end of the decay phase 404, the undamped closing force 308 becomes dominant over the damped force 312, resulting in a tensile biasing phase 416 of the net closing force 310, during which the movable member 108 is slightly biased toward the closed position by the net closing force 310.

[0066] The sustain phase 406 represents a period during which a relatively constant damping force is applied. During the sustain phase 406, the electromagnet 118 maintains a constant force (at an intermediate strength achieved at the end of the decay phase 404) to guide the movable member 108 through most of its closing motion. The sustain phase 406 helps ensure a consistent feel throughout the closing process. The sustain phase 406 continues until after the movable member 108 reaches the fully closed position 126.

[0067] Finally, the release phase 408 shows that the damping force 312 decreases slowly and gradually as the movable member 108 approaches the closed position 126. This gradual decrease in force allows for a smooth transition to the final latching action, minimizing the possibility of rebound or noise at the closing point. In the release phase 408, the net closing force 310 consequently proceeds to the recovery phase 418, during which the permanent magnet 116 becomes dominant and secures the storage container 104 with its maximum force.

[0068] The damping profile 412 shown in Graph 400 represents an implementation of an ADSR envelope control strategy that can be used in conjunction with a potentiometer sensor for precise position feedback. In some examples, this control scheme allows for fine-tuning of each phase to achieve desired closing characteristics such as noise reduction, wear prevention, and improved user experience. By adjusting the damping force 312 according to this profile, the system can closely approximate the desired closing force, providing a premium feel while effectively managing the closing dynamics of the storage compartment. Furthermore, in some examples, the ability to adjust the parameters of each phase through firmware updates provides flexibility in optimizing the system's performance for various vehicle models or user preferences.

[0069] Therefore, in some examples, the damping profile 412 includes four phases. In some examples, these phases may be started, ended, and / or modified based on the characteristics of the position information. In some examples of the attack phase 402, a damping force 312 of a first magnitude is applied to the movable member 108 when it is determined that the movable member 108 is moving toward the closed position 126 above a velocity threshold. For example, the maximum damping force 312 shown in the damping profile 412 may be applied to counteract a velocity exceeding a specific velocity threshold defined by the damping profile 412. In some examples of the sustain phase 406 following the attack phase 402, a damping force 312 of a second magnitude (e.g., 50% of the first magnitude) less than the first magnitude is applied to the movable member 108 when it is determined that the movable member 108 is moving below a velocity threshold. Therefore, for example, the decay phase 404 may be started when the controller 120 determines that the movable member 108 has been decelerated below a velocity threshold. In the release phase 408 following the sustain phase 406, a damping force 312 of a third magnitude less than the second magnitude is applied to the movable member 108 when it is determined that the movable member 108 is in the closed position 126.

[0070] In some examples, the electromagnet 118 may also operate according to one or more opening profiles to assist in moving the movable member 108 away from the closed position 126. The electromagnet 118 may be used to automatically open the storage container 104 and / or to control the trajectory in which the movable member 108 moves away from the closed position 126 while it is open. In the first exemplary opening profile, the electromagnet 118 neutralizes the closing force of the permanent magnet 116, allowing the movable member 108 to be opened without any magnetic force acting on it. In the second exemplary opening profile, the electromagnet 118 applies a repulsive force greater than the closing force during an initial phase when the movable member 108 is close to the closed position 126 (for example, to actively push open the door of the storage container 104), followed by an intermediate phase in which the electromagnet 118 neutralizes the closing force, allowing the movable member 108 to open according to gravity or other non-magnetic forces, and finally a deceleration phase in which the electromagnet 118 applies an attractive force to slow down the opening speed of the movable member 108 before it stops in the fully open position defined by the mechanical stop. The final phase may perform a function similar to the damping behavior of the electromagnet 118 during closing, such as reducing noise, vibration, and wear of the mechanical components when the movable member 108 contacts the mechanical stop in the fully open position.

[0071] It will be understood that other damping profiles, other opening profiles, and other control schemes may be implemented in the various examples and configurations of magnetic closing systems described herein.

[0072] Figure 5 shows a second alternative version of the net force graph in Figure 4, in which a constant duty cycle (e.g., a constant 40% duty cycle) is applied to the electromagnet 118 regardless of the position of the movable member 108. This second alternative example can replicate the tactile experience of a mechanical latch, as described above.

[0073] When the distance 302 from the fixed member 106 to the movable member 108 is large, the repulsive force of the electromagnet 118, indicated as the damped force 312 (indicated as the force value below the horizontal distance 302 axis), is slightly greater than the attractive force of the permanent magnet 116, indicated as the undamped closing force 308. This results in a force 304 that is slightly below zero. As the distance 302 approaches below the damping distance 124, the strength of the damped force 312 further exceeds the undamped closing force 308, resulting in greater resistance (a high negative force 304) when the user tries to push the movable member 108 closed, similar to a mechanical latch that exerts a spring-based repulsive force against closing. However, as this repulsive force is overcome by the user and the distance 302 approaches zero, the greater strength of the permanent magnet 116 at close range overcomes the strength of the electromagnet 118, resulting in a reversal of the direction of the force 304, which rises above zero to a maximum net closing force 306, pulling the movable member 108 to the final short-distance (e.g., less than 1 centimeter) closed position. This final part of the closing experience replicates the feeling of a mechanical latch clicking shut and pulling the door or lid to its final closed position.

[0074] Given the small magnitude of the force at the attenuation distance 124, it will be understood that in some examples, very similar experiences and behaviors can be reproduced by switching the electromagnet 118 to a constant duty cycle only when the movable member 108 enters the attenuation distance 124 (detected, for example, using a mechanical switch as described above).

[0075] The examples described herein may address one or more technical challenges of magnetic closure systems. As stated above, the various examples described offer improved noise, vibration, and harshness (NVR), improved wear prevention, and / or an improved user experience compared to conventional magnetic or mechanical latching systems, while maintaining a clean, mechanism-free appearance without the use of bulky mechanical damping systems such as pneumatic cylinders and pistons.

[0076] Therefore, some embodiments may include one or more of the following examples.

[0077] Example 1 is a biasing device configured to apply a closing force to a movable member, comprising: a biasing device that biases the movable member toward a closed position where the movable member is close to a fixed member; an electromagnet configured to apply a damping force to counteract the closing force in response to an electrical stimulus, wherein the damping force has a magnitude based on the magnitude of the electrical stimulus; a sensor configured to generate position information indicating the position of the movable member; and a controller configured to apply an electrical stimulus to the electromagnet based on the position information in order to decelerate the movable member before it reaches the closed position.

[0078] In Example 2, the subject of Example 1 includes the provision that the biasing device comprises a permanent magnet.

[0079] In Example 3, the subject matter of Examples 1 and 2 is further described, wherein the fixed member comprises a storage compartment defining an opening, the storage compartment having a door, and the movable member comprises the door of the storage compartment, the movable member is configured to rotate to a closed position, the closed position including the movable member closing the opening of the storage compartment.

[0080] In Example 4, the subject of Example 3 includes a vehicle equipped with a storage compartment, the electrical stimulation is supplied by the vehicle's electrical system, and the controller is the vehicle's controller.

[0081] In Example 5, the subject matter of Examples 1 to 4 is expanded to include a sensor comprising a potentiometer, where position information indicates the position of a movable member selected from three or more possible positions.

[0082] In Example 6, the subject of Example 5 is further described by the controller, which is configured to adjust the magnitude of an electrical stimulation based on positional information according to an attenuation profile, wherein the attenuation profile comprises an attack phase having a first magnitude of attenuation force applied to the movable member based on the determination that the movable member is moving toward the closed position above a velocity threshold; a sustain phase following the attack phase, which comprises a second magnitude of attenuation force less than the first magnitude applied to the movable member based on the determination that the movable member is moving below a velocity threshold; and a release phase following the sustain phase, which comprises a third magnitude of attenuation force less than the second magnitude applied to the movable member based on the determination that the movable member is in the closed position.

[0083] In Example 7, the subject matter of Examples 1 to 6 is expanded to include a sensor comprising a mechanical switch, wherein the position information indicates whether or not the movable member is within the switch distance of the closed position.

[0084] In Example 8, the themes of Examples 1 to 7 include the fact that the ratio of the magnitude of the damping force applied to the movable member to the magnitude of the closing force applied to the movable member is greater at the first position of the movable member than at the second position of the movable member, and the first position is further from the closed position than the second position.

[0085] In Example 9, the subject of Example 8 is extended to include a biasing device comprising a permanent magnet, the permanent magnet generating a first magnetic field that decays over a shorter distance than a second magnetic field generated by an electromagnet.

[0086] In Example 10, the subject of Example 9 is configured such that the controller applies an electrical stimulus to the electromagnet in response to determining, based on positional information, that the movable member is within the attenuation distance of the closed position.

[0087] In Example 11, the subject of Example 10 is further configured such that the controller stops applying an electrical stimulus to the electromagnet when it determines, based on positional information, that the movable member remains within the decay distance of the closed position for longer than the timeout interval.

[0088] In Example 12, the subject of Example 11 is extended to include a sensor comprising a mechanical switch, position information indicating whether the movable member is within the switch distance of the closed position, and the attenuation distance being substantially equal to the switch distance.

[0089] In Example 13, the subject matter of Examples 1 through 12 is extended to include the fact that the controller is configured to adjust the magnitude of electrical stimulation based on positional information, based on the attenuation profile.

[0090] In Example 14, the subject of Example 13 is extended to include the fact that the controller is configured to change its attenuation profile in response to the reception of configuration information.

[0091] Example 15 is a method for applying a closing force to a movable member by a biasing device, wherein the closing force is applied by biasing the movable member toward a closed position toward a fixed member, by generating position information indicating the position of the movable member using a sensor, and by applying an electrical stimulus to an electromagnet based on the position information using a controller, wherein the electromagnet applies a damping force to counteract the closing force, the damping force having a magnitude based on the magnitude of the electrical stimulus, and the damping force is applied by an electromagnet that decelerates the movable member before it reaches the closed position.

[0092] In Example 16, the subject of Example 15 is extended to include the biasing device comprising a permanent magnet which generates a first magnetic field that attenuates over a shorter distance than a second magnetic field generated by an electromagnet, thereby the ratio of the magnitude of the damping force applied to the movable member to the magnitude of the closing force applied to the movable member is greater at a first position of the movable member than at a second position of the movable member, and the first position is further from the closed position than the second position.

[0093] In Example 17, the subject of Example 16 is extended to include the application of an electrical stimulus to an electromagnet in accordance with the determination, based on positional information, that the movable member is within the attenuation distance of the closed position.

[0094] In Example 18, the subject of Example 17 includes stopping the application of an electrical stimulus to the electromagnet in response to determining, based on positional information, that the movable member remains within the decay distance of the closed position for longer than the timeout interval.

[0095] In Example 19, the subject of Example 18 is extended to include a sensor comprising a mechanical switch, position information indicating whether the movable member is within the switch distance of the closed position, and the attenuation distance being substantially equal to the switch distance.

[0096] Example 20 is a non-temporary computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of the system, cause the system to perform an operation including: applying a closing force to a movable member by a biasing device, the closing force biasing the movable member toward a closed position in which it is close to a fixed member; generating position information indicating the position of the movable member by a sensor; and applying an electrical stimulus to an electromagnet by a controller based on the position information, the electromagnet applying a damping force to counteract the closing force, the damping force having a magnitude based on the magnitude of the electrical stimulus, and the damping force being applied by the electromagnet to decelerate the movable member before it reaches the closed position.

[0097] Example 21 is at least one machine-readable medium that, when executed by a processing circuit, contains instructions that cause the processing circuit to perform an action to implement one of Examples 1 through 20.

[0098] Example 22 is a device that includes means for implementing any one of Examples 1 through 20.

[0099] Example 23 is a system that implements one of the examples from 1 to 20.

[0100] Example 24 is a way to implement one of the methods from Examples 1 through 20.

[0101] Other technical features may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the drawings, description, and claims herein.

[0102] It should be noted that the above descriptions and figures, along with the examples described herein, merely illustrate the principles of this subject matter and should not be interpreted as limiting the subject matter. Therefore, it should be understood that various configurations embodying the principles of this subject matter may be devised, even if not explicitly described or shown herein. Furthermore, all descriptions of the principles, aspects, and implementations of this subject matter enumerated herein are intended to encompass their equivalents as well as their specific examples.

[0103] It should be understood that not all objectives or benefits are necessarily achieved according to any particular embodiment described herein. Therefore, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that some embodiments may operate in a manner that achieves or optimizes one benefit or group of benefits taught herein, without necessarily achieving other objectives or benefits that may be taught or suggested herein.

[0104] All processes described herein can be embodied in software code modules executed by a computing system including a computer or processor, thereby enabling complete automation. The code modules can be stored in any type of non-temporary computer-readable medium or other computer storage device. Some or all of the methods can be embodied in dedicated computer hardware.

[0105] Many variations beyond those described herein will become apparent from this disclosure. For example, depending on the embodiment, some of the operations, events, or functions of any of the algorithms described herein may be executed in a different order, and may be added, merged, or completely excluded (e.g., not all described operations or events are necessary for the practice of the algorithm). Furthermore, in some embodiments, operations or events may be executed in parallel, not sequentially, for example, through multithreading, interrupt handling, or through multiple processors or processor cores, or on other parallel architectures. In addition, different tasks or processes may be executed by different machines and / or computing systems that can work together.

[0106] The various exemplary logic blocks and modules described in relation to the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or executed by machines such as processing units or processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof, designed to perform the functions described herein. The processor may be a microprocessor, but in alternative examples, the processor may be a controller, microcontroller, or state machine, or a combination thereof. The processor may include electrical circuits that process computer-executable instructions. In some embodiments, the processor includes an FPGA or other programmable device that performs logical operations without processing computer-executable instructions. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, a microprocessor combined with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0107] While this specification primarily describes digital technologies, processors may also primarily include analog components. Computing environments may include, but are not limited to, any type of computer system based on a microprocessor, mainframe computer, digital signal processor, portable computing device, device controller, or in-device computing engine, to name a few. Elements of methods, processes, routines, or algorithms described in relation to embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, software modules executed by a processor device, or a combination of the two. Software modules may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disks, removable disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of non-temporary computer-readable storage medium. Exemplary storage media may be coupled to a processor device so that the processor device can read information from and write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may be integrated into the processor device. Processor devices and storage media may reside within an ASIC. ASICs may reside within a user terminal. Alternatively, the processor device and storage medium can exist as separate components within the user terminal.

[0108] The processes described herein or shown in the figures of this disclosure may be initiated on demand when started by a user or system administrator in response to an event such as a predetermined or dynamically determined schedule, or in response to any other event. When such a process is initiated, a set of executable program instructions stored in one or more non-temporary computer-readable media (e.g., hard drives, flash memory, removable media) may be loaded into the memory (e.g., RAM) of a server or other computing device. The executable instructions may then be executed by the hardware-based computer processor of the computing device. In some embodiments, such a process or part thereof may be implemented in series or in parallel on multiple computing devices and / or multiple processors.

[0109] The flow diagrams described herein may show operations as sequential processes, but many operations can be performed in parallel or simultaneously. In addition, the order of operations can be rearranged. A process terminates when its operation is complete. A process can correspond to a method, procedure, algorithm, etc. The operation of a method may be performed whole or in part, in conjunction with some or all of the operations of other methods, or by any number of different systems, such as the systems described herein, or any part thereof, such as a processor, contained in any of those systems.

[0110] Unless otherwise specified or understood in the context in which they are used, conditional language such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may” is generally used to suggest that some embodiments include certain features, elements, and / or steps, while others do not. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and / or steps are in some form for an embodiment, nor is it intended to imply that an embodiment necessarily includes logic for determining whether these features, elements, and / or steps should be included in or performed in any particular embodiment, with or without user input or input request.

[0111] Disjunctive phrases such as "at least one of X, Y, or Z" are generally understood, unless otherwise specified, to be used from context to indicate that an item, term, etc., could be any one of X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and / or Z). Therefore, such disjunctive phrases are generally not intended, nor should they be intended, to imply that some embodiments require the presence of at least one X, at least one Y, or at least one Z, respectively.

[0112] Any process description, element, or block in a flowchart described herein and / or depicted in the accompanying drawings should also be understood to represent a module, segment, or portion of code containing execution instructions for implementing a particular logical function or element in the process. Within the scope of the embodiments described herein, alternative embodiments may be included in which, depending on the function in question, elements or functions may be omitted, executed in an order different from the order illustrated or described, substantially simultaneously or in reverse order, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0113] It should be emphasized that many variations and modifications can be made to the above examples, and that the elements of these variations should be understood to be found in other acceptable embodiments. All such modifications and variations are intended to be incorporated herein within the scope of this disclosure.

[0114] Any process description, element, or block in a flowchart described herein and / or depicted in the accompanying drawings should also be understood to represent a module, segment, or portion of code containing execution instructions for implementing a particular logical function or element in the process. Within the scope of the embodiments described herein, alternative implementations are included in which, depending on the function in question, elements or functions may be omitted, executed in an order different from that shown or described, substantially simultaneously or in reverse order, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0115] Unless otherwise specified, articles such as "a" or "an" should generally be interpreted as including one or more described items. Therefore, phrases such as "devices configured to..." are intended to include one or more enumerated devices. Such enumerated devices may also be collectively configured to perform the stated enumeration. For example, "processors configured to perform enumerations A, B, and C" could include a first processor configured to perform enumeration A, working in conjunction with a second processor configured to perform enumerations B and C.

[0116] It should also be understood that one or more of the elements shown in the drawings / figures may be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner to be useful for a particular application, or may be removed or rendered as non-functional in certain cases.

[0117] A “client device” refers to any machine that interfaces with a communication network to obtain resources from one or more server systems or other client devices. A client device may be, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, desktop computer, laptop, portable digital assistant (PDA), smartphone, tablet, ultrabook, netbook, laptop, multiprocessor system, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, game console, set-top box, or any other communication device that a user may use to access a network.

[0118] "Communication network" refers to one or more parts of a network, which may include, for example, an ad hoc network, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual private network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless WAN (WWAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), the Internet, a part of the Internet, a part of a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a plain old telephone service (POTS) network, a cellular telephone network, a wireless network, a Wi-Fi® network, another type of network, or a combination of two or more such networks. For example, a network or part of a network may include a wireless or cellular network, and the coupling may be a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) connection, a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) connection, or another type of cellular or wireless coupling.In this example, the coupling may implement any of the various types of data transfer technologies, such as Single Carrier Radio Transmission Technology (1xRTT), Evolution-Data Optimized (EVDO) technology, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) technology, Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) technology, the third-generation partnership project (3GPP) including 3G, fourth-generation radio (4G) networks, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), Long Term Evolution (LTE) standards, and others defined by various standardization bodies, other long-range protocols, or other data transfer technologies. The term "network" as used herein refers to a communications network unless otherwise specified.

[0119] "Component" refers to a device, physical entity, or logic having boundaries defined by, for example, function calls or subroutine calls, branching points, APIs, or other techniques that provide the division or modularization of a particular processing or control function. Components can be combined with other components through their interfaces to execute a machine process. Components are packaged functional hardware units designed to be used with other components and are usually part of a program that performs a particular function of the associated function. Components can constitute either software components (e.g., code embodied on a machine-readable medium) or hardware components. A "hardware component" is a tangible unit capable of performing a particular operation and can be configured or arranged in a particular physical manner. In various examples, one or more hardware components of one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone computer system, a client computer system, or a server computer system) or computer system (e.g., a processor or a group of processors) may be configured by software (e.g., an application or application portion) as hardware components that operate to perform a particular operation as described herein. Hardware components can also be implemented mechanically, electronically, or in any appropriate combination thereof. For example, a hardware component may include dedicated circuitry or logic permanently configured to perform a specific operation. A hardware component could be a dedicated processor, such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). A hardware component may also include programmable logic or circuitry temporarily configured by software to perform a specific operation. For example, a hardware component may include software executed by a general-purpose processor or other programmable processor.When configured by such software, a hardware component becomes a specific machine (or a specific component of a machine) that is independently tuned to perform the configured function, and is no longer a general-purpose processor. It will be understood that the decision to implement a hardware component mechanically, in a dedicated and permanently configured circuit, or in a temporarily configured circuit (e.g., configured by software) may be made based on cost and time considerations. Thus, the term “hardware component” (or “hardware implementation component”) should be understood to encompass tangible entities that are physically constructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a particular way or to perform a particular operation as described herein. Considering the example of a hardware component being temporarily configured (e.g., programmed), each hardware component does not need to be configured or instantiated in time in any one instance. For example, if a hardware component includes a general-purpose processor configured by software to be a dedicated processor, the general-purpose processor may be configured as different dedicated processors (e.g., with different hardware components) at different times. Therefore, software configures one or more specific processors such that, for example, one hardware component is configured at one time and a different hardware component is configured at a different time. Hardware components can provide information to other hardware components and receive information from other hardware components. Thus, the described hardware components can be considered to be communicatively coupled. When multiple hardware components exist simultaneously, communication can be achieved between two or more of the hardware components through signal transmission (e.g., through appropriate circuits and buses). In examples where multiple hardware components are configured or instantiated at different times, communication between such hardware components can be achieved, for example, by storing and retrieving information in a memory structure accessed by the multiple hardware components.For example, one hardware component may perform an operation and store the output of that operation in a memory device to which it is communicatively coupled. Further hardware components may then access the memory device to retrieve and process the stored output. Hardware components may also initiate communication with input or output devices and may operate on resources (e.g., a collection of information). Various operations of the exemplary methods described herein may be performed at least partially by one or more processors that are configured either temporarily (e.g., by software) or permanently to perform the operations in question. Whether configured temporarily or permanently, such processors may constitute a processor implementation component that operates to perform one or more operations or functions described herein. As used herein, “processor implementation component” refers to a hardware component implemented using one or more processors. Similarly, the methods described herein may be implemented at least partially by processors, and a particular one or more processors are examples of hardware. For example, at least some of the operations of the methods may be performed by one or more processors or processor implementation components. Furthermore, one or more processors may also operate to support the execution of the operations in question as a “cloud computing” environment or “software as a service” (SaaS). For example, at least some of the operations may be performed by a group of computers (as an example, machines containing processors), and these operations may be accessible via a network (e.g., the Internet) and one or more appropriate interfaces (e.g., APIs). The execution of a particular operation may reside not only within a single machine but may also be distributed among processors that may be deployed across several machines. In some examples, a processor or processor implementation component may be located within a single geographical location (e.g., a home environment, an office environment, or a server farm). In other examples, a processor or processor implementation component may be distributed across several geographical locations.

[0120] "Computer-readable storage medium" refers to both machine storage medium and transmission medium, for example. Therefore, these terms include both storage devices / mediums and carrier / modulated data signals. The terms "machine-readable medium," "computer-readable medium," and "device-readable medium" mean the same thing and may be used interchangeably in this disclosure.

[0121] For example, “machine storage medium” refers to one or more storage devices and media that store executable instructions, routines, and data (e.g., centralized or distributed databases, and associated caches and servers). Thus, the term includes, but is not limited to, solid-state memory, including internal or external memory of a processor, as well as optical and magnetic media. Specific examples of machine storage medium, computer storage medium, and device storage medium include, by example, non-volatile memory, including semiconductor storage devices such as erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), FPGAs, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The terms “machine storage medium,” “device storage medium,” and “computer storage medium” mean the same thing and may be used interchangeably in this disclosure. The terms “machine storage medium,” “computer storage medium,” and “device storage medium” specifically exclude carrier waves, modulated data signals, and other such media, at least some of which are covered by the term “signaling medium.”

[0122] A "non-temporary computer-readable storage medium" refers to a tangible medium capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by a machine, for example.

[0123] "Signal medium" means any intangible medium, including, for example, digital or analog communication signals or other intangible mediums that can store, encode, or carry instructions for execution by a machine, and that facilitate the communication of software or data. The term "signal medium" should be interpreted as including any form, such as modulated data signals, carrier waves, etc. The term "modulated data signal" means a signal having one or more of its properties that are set or modified to encode information within the signal. The terms "transmission medium" and "signal medium" mean the same thing and may be used interchangeably in this disclosure.

[0124] A "user device" refers, for example, to a device that is accessed, controlled, or owned by a user and that the user interacts with to perform actions or interacts with other users or computer systems.

Claims

1. A biasing device configured to apply a closing force to a movable member, wherein the closing force biases the movable member toward a closed position where the movable member is close to a fixed member, An electromagnet configured to apply a damping force to counteract the closing force in response to an electrical stimulus, wherein the damping force has a magnitude based on the magnitude of the electrical stimulus, and A sensor configured to generate position information indicating the position of the movable member, A controller configured to apply the electrical stimulation to the electromagnet based on the position information in order to decelerate the movable member before it reaches the closed position, A system that includes these features.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the biasing device comprises a permanent magnet.

3. The fixing member comprises a storage compartment that defines an opening, wherein the storage compartment has a door. The movable member includes the door of the storage compartment, The system according to claim 1, wherein the movable member is configured to rotate to a closed position, the closed position includes the movable member closing the opening of the storage compartment.

4. The vehicle further comprises the aforementioned storage compartment, The electrical stimulation is supplied by the vehicle's electrical system. The system according to claim 3, wherein the controller is the controller of the vehicle.

5. The sensor includes a potentiometer, The system according to claim 1, wherein the position information indicates the position of the movable member selected from three or more possible positions.

6. The controller is configured to adjust the magnitude of the electrical stimulation based on the position information according to an attenuation profile, and the attenuation profile is Based on the determination that the movable member is moving toward the closed position beyond a velocity threshold, an attack phase is performed, comprising a first magnitude of the damping force applied to the movable member. A sustain phase following the attack phase, comprising a damping force of a second magnitude less than the first magnitude applied to the movable member based on the determination that the movable member is moving below the velocity threshold, The system according to claim 5, comprising: a release phase following the sustain phase, wherein the release phase comprises a damping force of a third magnitude less than the second magnitude applied to the movable member based on the determination that the movable member is in the closed position.

7. The sensor is equipped with a mechanical switch, The system according to claim 1, wherein the position information indicates whether or not the movable member is within the switch distance of the closed position.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the magnitude of the damping force applied to the movable member to the magnitude of the closing force applied to the movable member is greater at the first position of the movable member than at the second position of the movable member, and the first position is further from the closed position than the second position.

9. The biasing device comprises a permanent magnet, The system according to claim 8, wherein the permanent magnet generates a first magnetic field that is attenuated over a shorter distance than the second magnetic field generated by the electromagnet.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to apply the electrical stimulation to the electromagnet in response to determining, based on the position information, that the movable member is within the attenuation distance of the closed position.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to stop applying the electrical stimulation to the electromagnet when it determines, based on the position information, that the movable member remains within the decay distance of the closed position for a longer period than the timeout interval.

12. The sensor is equipped with a mechanical switch, The position information indicates whether the movable member is within the switch distance of the closed position. The system according to claim 11, wherein the attenuation distance is substantially equal to the switch distance.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the magnitude of the electrical stimulation based on the position information based on the attenuation profile.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to change the attenuation profile in response to the reception of configuration information.

15. A step of applying a closing force to a movable member by a biasing device, wherein the closing force biases the movable member toward a closed position where it is close to a fixed member, The steps include generating position information indicating the position of the movable member using a sensor, The controller applies an electrical stimulus to the electromagnet based on the position information, The electromagnet applies a damping force to counteract the closing force, and the damping force has a magnitude based on the magnitude of the electrical stimulation. The damping force is applied by the electromagnet, which decelerates the movable member before it reaches the closed position, Methods that include...

16. The biasing device comprises a permanent magnet, The method according to claim 15, wherein the permanent magnet generates a first magnetic field that attenuates over a shorter distance than the second magnetic field generated by the electromagnet, and thereby the ratio of the magnitude of the damping force applied to the movable member to the magnitude of the closing force applied to the movable member is greater at the first position of the movable member than at the second position of the movable member, and the first position is further from the closed position than the second position.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the electrical stimulation is applied to the electromagnet in response to determining, based on the position information, that the movable member is within the attenuation distance of the closed position.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of stopping the application of the electrical stimulation to the electromagnet in response to determining, based on the position information, that the movable member remains within the attenuation distance of the closed position for a longer period than the timeout interval.

19. The sensor is equipped with a mechanical switch, The position information indicates whether the movable member is within the switch distance of the closed position. The method according to claim 18, wherein the attenuation distance is substantially equal to the switch distance.

20. A non-temporary computer-readable medium containing instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by one or more processors of the system, the system A step of applying a closing force to a movable member by a biasing device, wherein the closing force biases the movable member toward a closed position where it is close to a fixed member, The steps include generating position information indicating the position of the movable member using a sensor, The controller applies an electrical stimulus to the electromagnet based on the position information, The electromagnet applies a damping force to counteract the closing force, The damping force has a magnitude based on the magnitude of the electrical stimulation. The damping force is applied by the electromagnet, which decelerates the movable member before it reaches the closed position, A non-temporary computer-readable medium that enables the operation of a computer.

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