Magnetic Floating Speaker Jerk Detection and Docking Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic floating devices, such as magnetic floating speakers, are not suitable for use in vehicles due to dynamic movements causing unsafe positioning and potential damage from jerks or braking events, where the floating unit can detach and become a projectile.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic floating device with a base unit and a floating unit, where the magnetic floating controller adjusts the magnetism of the base magnet to securely dock the floating unit into the base unit upon anticipating a jerk event, using a signal input unit to receive announcements of impending jerks and adjust the magnetism to transition between floating and grounded states, ensuring stability and preventing projectile movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the floating unit is kept in a floating state for ergonomic use, then ease of operation is improved, but safety deteriorates during jerk events as the floating unit can detach and become a projectile

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic floating device dynamically adjusts the magnetic field strength based on vehicle motion states. The controller receives signals from the vehicle's electronic control unit about jerk events and modifies the magnetic field accordingly - maintaining strong magnetic force during normal operation for ergonomic floating, and increasing magnetic force during jerk events to secure the floating unit and prevent it from becoming a projectile

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback control by receiving real-time motion state signals from the vehicle's electronic control unit. When the ECU detects a jerk event through acceleration sensors or brake status, it sends a signal to the magnetic floating controller, which then adjusts the magnetic field strength to secure the floating unit, creating a closed-loop safety mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the magnetic force is increased to secure the floating unit during jerk events, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates as the floating unit cannot float ergonomically

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic floating device dynamically adjusts the magnetic field strength based on vehicle motion states. The controller receives signals from the vehicle's electronic control unit about jerk events and modifies the magnetic field accordingly - maintaining strong magnetic force during normal operation for ergonomic floating, and increasing magnetic force during jerk events to secure the floating unit and prevent it from becoming a projectile

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic monitoring of vehicle motion states through the electronic control unit and acceleration sensors. The magnetic field is adjusted in periodic cycles - normal floating mode during stable vehicle operation, and secure mode when jerk events are detected, creating alternating operational states that balance ergonomics and safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If the floating unit is allowed to move freely for ergonomic benefits, then ease of operation is improved, but harmful factors increase as the floating unit can hit vehicle parts like window glass or wind panel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidharmful factors
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system takes preliminary anti-action by detecting jerk events before the floating unit can become a dangerous projectile. The electronic control unit monitors vehicle motion and sends advance warning signals to the magnetic floating controller, which pre-adjusts the magnetic field to secure the floating unit before it can detach and hit vehicle parts like window glass or wind panel

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by proactively securing the floating unit when jerk events are anticipated. The electronic control unit detects upcoming brake applications or acceleration changes and triggers the magnetic field adjustment in advance, preventing the floating unit from moving freely and potentially causing damage to vehicle interior parts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The magnetic floating device effectively secures the floating unit during dynamic events, preventing damage and ensuring safe operation within a vehicle by temporarily locking it into the base unit, allowing for ergonomic use and safe integration in vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

a base unit with a shell, a magnetic floating controller and at least one base magnet... The magnetic floating controller is designed to adjust the floating unit between a floating state and a grounded state by means of an adjustment in magnetism of the at least one base magnet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

In the floating state, the floating unit is floating above the base unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic levitation: Maglev

Implementation Method 3

The magnetic floating controller is designed to adjust the floating unit from the floating state to the grounded state by adjusting the magnetism of the at least one base magnet as a function of the announcement signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetism adjustment: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3670945B1Magnetic floating device and a vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.12.15 AUDI AG
  • EP3670945B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3670945B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3670945B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention is concerned with a magnetic floating device (10) comprising a base unit (17), a floating unit (19) and a signal input unit (22). The base unit (17) comprises a shell (35), a magnetic floating controller (19) and at least one base magnet (20). The floating unit (18) comprises a covering component (30), a functional component (31) and at least one floating magnet (32). The signal input unit (22) is designed to receive an announcement signal (36) that signals an anticipation of a jerk event. The magnetic floating controller (19) is designed to adjust the floating unit (18) from the floating state (S1) to the grounded state (S2) in order to temporarily dock and/or lock the floating unit (18) in the shell (35) of the base unit (17) by adjusting the magnetism of the at least one base magnet (20) as a function of the announcement signal (36).