Covering element and system with at least one covering element

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing covering elements for floors, walls, and ceilings face limitations in design flexibility and cost-effectiveness when integrating electrical functionality, particularly for smart home applications, as they often require complex installations and high costs due to the need for extensive wiring and uniform electrical standards.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a functional layer with a transmission device for wireless information transmission and a measuring device, allowing for modular and flexible use of covering elements with different functionalities, enabling autonomous operation and easy adaptation without electrical contact, reducing the need for extensive wiring and standardization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electrical functionality is integrated into the entire surface of the covering through a functional layer, then smart home applications and automation are enabled, but the cost of the covering increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmart home application capabilityVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The covering surface is divided into individual covering elements, and only selected elements are equipped with functional layers containing electronic components. This segmentation allows partial electrification rather than complete surface coverage, reducing material costs while maintaining smart home functionality where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Electrical functionality is applied locally to specific covering elements rather than uniformly across the entire covering surface. The functional layer with electronic components is installed only in areas where smart home features are required, creating local quality variations that optimize both cost and functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If functional layers with electronic components are installed in covering elements, then electrical functionality is provided, but the installation process becomes complex requiring careful planning and wiring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical functionalityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The functional layer with electronic components is extracted as a separate, self-contained unit that can be installed independently within covering elements. This extraction eliminates the need for complex wiring through the entire covering structure, as each functional element operates autonomously or connects through simplified interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The covering elements with functional layers are designed to be self-sufficient units that can be installed without requiring extensive wiring infrastructure. Each element contains its own electronic components and can operate independently, reducing the overall installation complexity and planning requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Extent of automation

If the entire covering surface incorporates electrical functionality, then comprehensive smart home integration is achieved, but the covering becomes expensive and complex to install

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmart home integrationVSAvoidcovering structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The covering system is segmented into standard elements and functional elements. Only specific elements containing electronic components are deployed based on automation requirements, rather than equipping every element. This segmentation maintains comprehensive smart home integration capability while simplifying the overall covering structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The covering system uses universal standard elements for non-functional areas and specialized functional elements for automated areas. This multi-functionality approach allows the same basic covering structure to serve both aesthetic and technological purposes, reducing overall complexity while maintaining automation capabilities.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3511482B1Covering element and system with at least one covering element
Publication Date: 2022.02.09 PARADOR
  • EP3511482B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3511482B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3511482B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a covering element (1), preferably for a covering (3) comprising a plurality of covering elements (1) and/or further covering elements (2), in particular for use as a floor, wall and/or ceiling covering, with a base body (4) and at least one functional layer (5), wherein the functional layer (5) comprises a transmission device (6) for transmitting information and a measuring device (7) for acquiring information, wherein the measuring device (7) is coupled to the transmission device (6) in such a way that the transmission device (6) is designed for the, preferably wireless, transmission of the information received by the measuring device (7), and wherein the covering element (1) is designed to be electrically contactless and/or electrically contact-free around all side edges (8).