Vehicle Storage Surface Actuator for Acceleration Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage solutions in vehicles are inadequate for safely securing a variety of objects during accelerations, as they either fail to prevent displacement or are not flexible enough to accommodate different items, posing a risk of distraction or injury.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that compensates for acceleration forces by moving a surface using actuators and control circuits, which receive and respond to acceleration data to tilt or adjust the surface, ensuring objects remain secure through counter-acceleration and minimizing space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If storage compartments are designed to be safe against massive accelerations, then reliability improves, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety against accelerationVSAvoidflexibility to store various objects
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The storage compartment surface is made dynamically adjustable through actuators that can tilt or reposition the surface in real-time. This dynamic capability allows the same surface to effectively secure different types of objects (cups, laptops, bottles, etc.) while maintaining safety against acceleration forces, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the surface is moved to compensate acceleration, then reliability improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of object displacementVSAvoidenergy for actuator movement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system receives acceleration information in advance and activates actuators to tilt the surface before the acceleration occurs or at the onset of acceleration. This preliminary anti-action creates a counter-acceleration effect that prevents object displacement while minimizing the duration of actuator operation, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-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

Effectively prevents objects from falling by compensating acceleration forces, allowing for safe storage of diverse items with minimal movement, enhancing safety and flexibility in vehicle storage solutions.

Implementation Method 1

compensating acceleration forces of objects on a surface... moving the surface to at least partly compensate the acceleration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertia: Inertia

Implementation Method 2

Moving the surface to at least partly compensate the acceleration may comprise a moving that prevents an object located on the surface from falling down due to acceleration or acceleration forces affecting the surface and the object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3517354B1A method and an apparatus for compensating acceleration forces of objects on a surface and a vehicle comprising the apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP3517354B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3517354B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3517354B1 patent drawingFigure 1c

AI summary

Embodiments provide a method (4) for compensating acceleration forces of objects (3) on a surface (1). The method (4) comprises in a first step (5) sensing information related to an acceleration on the surface (1); and in a further step (6) moving the surface (1) to at least partly compensate the acceleration.