Modular Glass Wall Element With Integrated Flat Screen

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing modular wall elements for interior design are inflexible in terms of design, unsuitable for audio-visual performances, and have difficult-to-clean surfaces, limiting their use as both decorative and functional elements.

Innovation Solution

A modular large-area wall element with a glass outer surface featuring a decorative pattern and integrated flat screen, allowing for flexible design and easy cleaning, along with removable electronics and adjustable lighting, enabling versatile use as a partition, display, or decorative wall.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a wall panel with permanently fixed decorative pattern is used, then the design is stable and structurally simple, but the design flexibility and adaptability are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wall panel is divided into multiple independently replaceable design elements including interchangeable pattern panels, removable flat screens, and separate lighting units. This segmentation allows the decorative pattern and functional components to be independently changed without replacing the entire wall panel structure, thereby improving design flexibility while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wall panel transitions from a static, permanently fixed design to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. The decorative patterns can be changed by swapping panels, the flat screen can be removed or replaced, and the lighting can be adjusted or repositioned. This dynamic capability enables the wall panel to adapt to different aesthetic and functional requirements over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a projection screen is integrated into the wall panel, then audio-visual display capability is improved, but the wall panel becomes unsuitable for use as a partition or exhibition wall due to beam path obstruction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio-visual display capabilityVSAvoidusability as partition or exhibition wall
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flat screen is extracted from the traditional projection screen concept and integrated directly into the wall panel structure as a self-contained unit. This eliminates the need for external projectors and screens, allowing the wall panel to function as both a decorative partition/exhibition wall and an audio-visual display device simultaneously without obstructing beam paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The wall panel is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a decorative partition wall, an exhibition wall, and an audio-visual display device. The integrated flat screen, combined with the decorative pattern and lighting elements, enables the single structure to fulfill diverse functional requirements without compromising any of its intended uses.

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

3Ease of manufacture

If surfaces made of paper or plastic are used for the wall panel, then the manufacturing cost is low and ease of manufacture is improved, but the cleaning difficulty increases and quality impression is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidcleaning ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wall panel employs a composite structure combining a rigid support framework with interchangeable decorative panels made of various materials. The primary structural components use durable, easy-to-clean materials like metal or treated wood, while the decorative surfaces can be made of glass, metal, or other materials that are both aesthetically pleasing and easy to maintain. This composite approach balances manufacturing considerations with long-term cleanliness and quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If the flat screen is permanently integrated into the wall panel, then the audio-visual display function is stable, but the electronics unit cannot be easily replaced or exchanged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio-visual display function stabilityVSAvoidelectronics unit replaceability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The flat screen is designed as a separate, modular unit that can be independently removed and replaced within the wall panel structure. This segmentation allows the electronics unit to be easily exchanged for upgrades, repairs, or maintenance without affecting the structural integrity or aesthetic appearance of the overall wall panel system, thereby maintaining functional stability while improving replaceability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution creates a high-quality, easy-to-clean wall element that combines decorative and functional capabilities, supporting audio-visual media display and flexible design, with enhanced usability through removable components and adjustable lighting, suitable for various interior design applications.

Implementation Method 1

the glass outer surface (40) which is provided with a decorative pattern, for example by painting, mirroring, partially mirroring, coating, printing or backing with an inlay

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMirroring: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the glass outer surface (40) which is provided with a decorative pattern, for example by painting, mirroring, partially mirroring, coating, printing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoating: Coatings

Implementation Method 3

a large-area wall element with a glass outer surface featuring a decorative pattern and integrated flat screen, allowing for flexible design and easy cleaning

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 4

at least one surface section is formed, which can be backlit by a suitable, preferably surface light source, with cold light sources in the form of LEDs, EL or the like being suitable for this purpose

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP1809828B8Large area wall element for interior design
Publication Date: 2011.09.21 MIRROR IMAGE INC

AI summary

The invention relates to a modular-type, large-surface wall element for interior design, comprising a wall plate (12) that has a decorative surface pattern (14) and forms at least one display area (16) for a screen (12). The wall plate comprises, on the user side, an outer glass surface that is provided with the decorative surface pattern (14) being generated by means of painting, rear-side depositing, etching, sand-blasting and/or vaporization of all or part of the surface of the wall plate, particularly on the rear face of the wall plate opposite to the outer surface. The display area is embodied in the form of at least one incision (16) in the surface pattern, to which is allocated, on the rear side thereof, a modular-type, detachably mounted flat screen that is encapsulated in a housing, for electronic image representation through the outer glass surface.