Conductive Wall Elements for Incident Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current disaster detection systems in buildings, particularly in plasterboard, wood, or cement walls, are complex to install, require electronic knowledge, and fail to simultaneously detect intrusion, water leaks, and fire effectively, often leading to delayed detection and increased repair costs.

Innovation Solution

A detection system comprising three elongated conductive elements arranged parallelly, with one element electrically powered and connected by a conductive loop, allowing an electronic device to measure voltages and detect potential variations to infer the occurrence of disasters such as intrusion, water leaks, or fire, without requiring extensive electronic knowledge during installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional detection systems are installed in walls, then detection capability is provided, but installation complexity and electronic knowledge requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection system is segmented into three separate elongated conductive elements (F1, F2, F3) that can be independently installed within the wall structure. Each element serves a specific function: F1 and F3 are passive conductors while F2 is the powered reference element. This segmentation allows installers to simply place the elements in the wall without needing to understand complex electronic circuits, as the electronic device automatically handles all measurements and processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary electronic device that automatically measures voltages on the conductive elements and deduces disaster occurrence. This intermediary handles all the complex electronic processing, eliminating the need for installers to have electronic knowledge. The electronic device serves as a mediator between the simple conductive elements and the complex detection algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple detection systems are used for different disaster types, then detection coverage is improved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection coverageVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection system achieves universality by using a single set of three conductive elements to detect multiple types of disasters: intrusion (through wall breach), water leaks (through conductivity changes), and fire (through temperature-induced material changes). The electronic device analyzes voltage patterns on these elements to differentiate between disaster types, eliminating the need for separate detection systems for each hazard.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the detection functions for intrusion, water leaks, and fire into a single integrated system. Instead of having separate sensors and processing systems for each disaster type, the invention combines all detection capabilities into one unified system that uses the same three conductive elements and electronic device, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of time

If detection systems are installed in plasterboard walls, then early detection is achieved, but installation difficulty increases without electronic knowledge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection timingVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The detection system is divided into simple, discrete conductive elements that can be independently installed within the wall layers. The installer only needs to place these elements in the appropriate positions during wall construction, without needing to understand or configure complex electronic circuits. The electronic device is pre-configured to automatically measure voltages and detect disasters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic device performs self-service by automatically measuring voltages on the conductive elements, processing the data, and detecting disaster occurrence without requiring installer intervention or electronic knowledge. The system self-configures and self-diagnoses, eliminating the need for technically skilled installers while enabling early detection during wall installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 system provides a simple, cost-effective, and low-consumption method to detect disasters early, allowing for precise localization of water leaks and differentiation between types of incidents, minimizing repair costs and ensuring easy installation without visible electronics.

Implementation Method 1

the electronic device being capable of measuring the voltage on the at least two other elongated conductive elements (F1, F3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage measurement: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

the second and third elongated conductive elements (F2, F3) being connected near their second end by a conductive loop

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3977085B1System for detecting incidents in buildings or vessels
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 SAINT GOBAIN PLACO SAS
  • EP3977085B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3977085B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3977085B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The subject matter of the invention is a system for detecting incidents in buildings or vessels, as well as a method for detecting incidents, such as break-ins, damage, water leaks and possibly fire. In particular, the field of the invention relates to walls, façades or ceilings made from plasterboard, wood or cement and comprising such a detection system. The subject matter of the invention is also the use of the detection system for constructing buildings or vessels comprising smart walls. The invention is particularly advantageous since the different incidents can be detected using a single, low-cost, low-consumption system. The system is easy to install when laying walls and is invisible.