Modular Smart Wall Layout for Hidden Device Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing number of connected media devices and home appliances in smart homes leads to clutter and safety issues, such as tripping hazards from protruding furniture and electronics, particularly around TV and loudspeaker setups, necessitating a solution to minimize exposed devices while maintaining a neat appearance.

Innovation Solution

A modular smart wall system that integrates multimedia devices and home appliances into the wall structure, using frame modules with mounting cells, C-shape steel, and a flexible display, allowing for customization and easy maintenance, with outlets and data ports integrated within the frame for a tidy and functional installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If multimedia devices and home appliances are placed on furniture or tables near the living room wall, then device functionality is provided, but the appearance of the living room wall becomes cluttered and safety hazards arise from protruding objects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidsafety hazards from protruding objects
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multimedia devices and home appliances into a single integrated wall-mounted unit. The housing combines TV mounting space, loudspeaker compartments, and appliance storage in one unified structure that is fixed to the wall, eliminating the need for separate furniture pieces and reducing protruding objects in the living room.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wall-mounted unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it houses the TV, accommodates loudspeakers, provides storage for home appliances, and offers workspace surfaces. This multi-functional design replaces multiple separate furniture items, achieving a neat appearance while maintaining all necessary device functionalities.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of electronic devices and furniture is increased to provide comprehensive functionality, then device capabilities are enhanced, but the clutter and complexity of the living space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidnumber of furniture and electronic pieces
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple electronic devices and furniture functions into a single integrated wall-mounted unit. The housing incorporates TV mounting, loudspeaker compartments, appliance storage, and workspace surfaces in one unified structure, reducing the total number of separate pieces while maintaining comprehensive functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wall-mounted unit is designed to perform multiple functions: displaying TV content, providing audio through loudspeakers, storing and powering home appliances, and offering workspace surfaces. This multi-functional approach enhances adaptability while minimizing the number of separate devices and furniture pieces needed.

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

3Ease of manufacture

If devices are embedded within the wall structure, then a neat appearance and reduced clutter are achieved, but installation and maintenance complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidinstallation and maintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The wall-mounted unit is divided into separate modular compartments: TV mounting section, loudspeaker compartments, appliance storage sections, and workspace areas. Each compartment can be independently accessed, installed, and maintained. The removable trays and openable compartments allow easy access to devices without requiring demolition of the entire wall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates pre-designed access mechanisms in the form of removable trays and openable compartments. These preliminary access paths are built into the structure, allowing users to access devices for installation, maintenance, or removal without requiring complex construction work or professional intervention, thus simplifying the maintenance process while maintaining a neat external appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3733990B1Smart wall
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3733990B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3733990B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3733990B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a smart wall including a plurality of frame modules including at least one mounting cell, a fastener configured to fasten the plurality of frame modules to each other to form a frame structure, a fixing member configured to fix the frame structure to a ceiling and a floor, an electronic appliance disposed in the mounting cell, and an art wall configured to cover a front surface of the frame structure, wherein the plurality of frame modules includes at least one of a first frame module including mounting cells arranged side by side in a horizontal direction, a second frame module including a mounting cell larger than the mounting cells of the first frame module, or a third frame module having a length corresponding to a vertical length of the frame structure and including mounting cells arranged side by side in a vertical direction.