Grid-Based Modular Door Station With Frameless Functional Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing modular door communication systems have limited design flexibility and surface variation options, with standardized components that do not maximize the use of available viewing and operating area, and require additional framing and cover panels.

Innovation Solution

A modular assembly system with dimensionally standardized functional units and a grid design where the grid dimensions are defined as integer products of standardized minimum dimensions, allowing for a 'frameless' structure with interchangeable and customizable surface materials, and enabling maximum utilization of the visible area without additional framing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If standardized components with fixed dimensions are used, then manufacturing and assembly are simplified, but design flexibility and surface variation options are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddesign flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the door communication system into modular functional units (call buttons, mailboxes, cameras, loudspeakers) that can be independently selected and arranged. Each unit has standardized mounting dimensions but offers varied functional and surface design options, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and design flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grid-based carrier system provides a universal mounting platform that can accommodate multiple types of functional units with different functions and surface designs. The standardized grid pattern allows any combination of units to be mounted using the same carrier structure, achieving both manufacturing simplicity and design versatility.

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

2Stability of the object's composition

If additional framing and cover panels are used to enclose functional units, then structural stability and protection are improved, but the use of available viewing and operating area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidviewing and operating area
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the framing function from traditional enclosed structures and integrates it directly into the carrier grid system. The grid itself provides the structural framework, eliminating the need for separate cover panels and framing elements, thus maximizing the viewing and operating area while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier grid combines the structural support function and the mounting framework function into a single integrated element. This merging eliminates redundant framing components and allows functional units to be mounted directly on the grid, maximizing the usable area of the door system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a grid frame with webs is used to accommodate functional units, then structural support and positioning are provided, but aesthetic appearance and surface design variation are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows different surface designs and materials to be applied to different local areas (individual functional units and carrier sections) while maintaining the standardized grid structure. This enables aesthetic customization without compromising the structural positioning accuracy provided by the grid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The functional units can be arranged asymmetrically on the grid according to functional requirements and aesthetic preferences, while the grid itself maintains a regular symmetric pattern. This allows the underlying structure to provide reliable positioning while the surface arrangement achieves aesthetic variety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP2644063B1Modular assembly system
Publication Date: 2018.07.04 GIRA GIERSIEPEN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2644063B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2644063B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2644063B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The system (1) has a carrier (2) exhibiting a pattern that is defined with square unit areas, where base sides of the square unit areas exhibit modular dimensions. A length (LE) and a width (BE) of recesses (AE) and a center distance between the recesses are dimensioned as an integral multiple of the modular dimensions according to the dimensions. The dimensions are defined as a quantity by a characteristic length or width dimension (EW) that is greater than a standardized minimum allowable dimension. A functional unit (4) and another functional unit are separable by the distance. The function units are designed as a bell push-button, a letterbox or a decoration module. An independent claim is also included for a function unit.