Integrated Façade Element with Pre-wired Control Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of building facade elements often faces quality issues due to incorrect installation of electrical equipment and connections, leading to reliability problems despite proper wiring.

Innovation Solution

A facade element with integrated electrical equipment and a control device that includes power supply sockets and data BUS connection sockets, allowing for direct control of the equipment via a communication network, either wired or through radio communication, enhancing the autonomy and connectivity of the facade element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional wiring methods with cables and connectors are used to connect electrical equipment in facade elements, then the facade elements can be connected to power supply networks, but installation quality problems occur due to incorrect installation of control means and connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control device is pre-integrated into the facade element during manufacturing, with control means already connected to the electrical equipment. This self-service approach eliminates the need for operators to perform complex wiring and control connections during installation, thereby improving installation reliability while maintaining ease of operation through simple mounting procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control device and its connections to electrical equipment are prepared in advance during the facade element manufacturing process. This preliminary action ensures that all control means are correctly installed and tested before the facade element reaches the construction site, preventing installation errors and improving overall installation quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If facade elements are made autonomous with integrated control devices and actuators, then the reliability of installation improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation reliabilityVSAvoidfacade element complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device, actuators, and electrical equipment are merged into a single integrated facade element unit during manufacturing. This consolidation improves installation reliability by ensuring all components are correctly connected from the start, while the modular nature of the integrated unit actually simplifies the overall system complexity by reducing the number of separate components that need to be handled during installation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control device is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both the control means for actuators and the interface for electrical connections. This universal design approach manages device complexity by using a single multi-functional component rather than multiple separate devices, while simultaneously improving installation reliability through standardized integration

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

Data Source

PatentEP2941521B1Façade element, building comprising such an element and method for mounting a building façade
Publication Date: 2018.02.14 SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
  • EP2941521B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2941521B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2941521B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a building façade element (1), comprising at least one piece of electrical equipment (4, 5, 10), as well as a device (8) for monitoring the electrical equipment and means (9, 9', 91-94, L1, L1') for supplying electricity to the monitoring device (8). It also comprises means (9, 9', 93, 94, L2, L2') for connecting the monitoring device to a communication network. This façade element (1) is particularly easy to integrate into a building.