Vandal-Resistant Intercom Panel With Segmented Grid
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intercom systems are vulnerable to vandalism due to their large display area, making it easy for attackers to damage the electronic circuit with a hammer, rendering the system unusable.
Innovation Solution
The intercom system features a vandal-proof design with a grid of main bars on the screen's window, making it difficult to hit the electronic circuit directly and requiring high kinetic energy to damage, while the push buttons and single screen common to multiple buttons maintain usability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a large display area is used for electronic labels, then the visibility and information display capability are improved, but the vulnerability to vandalism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display area is segmented into multiple separate display regions (at least three) that are divided by gaps of at least 2mm width. This segmentation means that even if one region is damaged, others remain functional, reducing the impact of vandalism on the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
A protective grid structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the external environment and the electronic circuitry. The grid consists of bars positioned in front of the display regions, creating physical barriers that must be penetrated to reach the vulnerable electronic components behind the screen.
2Ease of operation
If push buttons are used for call buttons, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of damaging electronic circuitry with a hammer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective grid segments the access path to the electronic circuitry by placing bars in front of display regions and gaps between them. This segmentation creates multiple obstacles that a hammer must overcome, making it difficult to reach the electronic circuitry even when push buttons are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective grid extends into the space between the user and the screen, adding a new dimensional layer of protection. The bars protrude from the screen surface, creating a three-dimensional barrier structure that intercepts hammer blows before they can reach the electronic components.
3Device complexity
If a single screen is used for multiple electronic labels, then device complexity is reduced, but the impact of circuit damage is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The single screen is divided into multiple independent display regions separated by gaps of at least 2mm. This segmentation ensures that damage to one region's circuitry does not necessarily affect other regions, as the gaps provide physical separation and potential isolation of damage zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective grid is installed beforehand to cushion and absorb the impact of potential vandalism. The grid structure is designed to take the brunt of hammer blows, protecting the underlying electronic circuitry and the single screen from catastrophic damage.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
Intercom for a residence comprising: - a vandal-resistant panel (54) having a front face (52) intended to be directly exposed to the outside, this panel having a through window (102) located opposite a common screen (80) so that each display area near a push button is visible from the outside by the visitor, - a grid (103) which divides this window (102) into at least n openings (108-111), each of a width of less than 3 centimeters, this grid having for this purpose main bars (104-106) which separate the openings from each other, each main bar extending only opposite a respective gap (90-92) between two display areas (84-87).