Modular Wall System With Capacitive Touch Glass Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular wall systems made from shatterable materials like glass lack flexibility and reconfigurability, making it difficult to change aesthetics and functionality without significant labor, and they are not suitable for multiple applications without system overhauls.
Innovation Solution
A modular wall system incorporating a modular frame with conductive plates that detect electrical capacitance and inductive plates for hidden switching, allowing for touchscreen capabilities and control of various functions, enabling easy reconfiguration and use across different environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If glass panels are used for aesthetic purposes, then visual appeal is improved, but fragility and breakage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the glass panel: aesthetic display function, touchscreen input function, and structural integrity function. The glass panel is merged with conductive layers and electronic components to create a multi-functional element that maintains visual appeal while adding durability through the integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The glass panel serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it provides aesthetic appearance, enables touch interaction through integrated conductive layers, maintains structural integrity, and can display information. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the glass panel both aesthetically pleasing and reliably functional.
2Stability of the object's composition
If permanent wall systems are used, then structural stability is improved, but reconfigurability and flexibility decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The wall system is divided into modular panels that can be independently assembled, disassembled, and reconfigured. Each panel contains integrated touchscreen functionality, allowing the overall system to maintain structural stability through modular connections while enabling easy reconfiguration by simply changing panel arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall system transitions from a static permanent structure to a dynamic reconfigurable system. Panels can be moved, added, or removed based on changing needs, while maintaining structural integrity through standardized connection mechanisms. The integrated electronics adapt to new configurations without requiring system overhaul.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular wall components are made reconfigurable, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but labor requirements and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system merges multiple functions into integrated controllers that manage lighting, audio, blinds, and other wall functions through a unified interface. This reduces reconfiguration complexity by providing centralized control rather than requiring separate systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular panels and control systems are designed with universal interfaces and protocols that work across different configurations and functions. The same panel type can serve different purposes in different locations, and the control system adapts to various arrangements without requiring specialized components for each configuration.
4Ease of operation
If touchscreen technology is integrated into glass panels, then user interaction capability is improved, but electrical complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The touchscreen technology is merged directly into the glass panel structure itself, with conductive layers integrated during panel manufacturing. This eliminates the need for separate touchscreen assemblies and reduces electrical complexity by consolidating control circuits within the panel's existing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Conductive layers and touchscreen functionality are pre-integrated into the glass panels during manufacturing before installation. This preliminary action reduces on-site electrical complexity by having the touchscreen infrastructure already in place, requiring only connection to power and control systems during installation.
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 system provides flexible reconfiguration and control of functions like lighting, music, and blinds, while maintaining modularity and safety, even in wet environments, by using conductive and inductive plates that can be easily repositioned without rewiring, enhancing usability and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
conductive plates that are configured to hold an electrical potential and detect an electrical capacitance through the decorative panel at an identified position on the conductive plate when touched
Implementation Method 2
An inductive plate is disposed in the pocket of the conductive plate. In this manner, the inductive plate provides a hidden switching location that, when activated, triggers transmission of a signal to a specified destination
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are generally directed to modular wall systems. Such modular wall systems include a modular frame, one or more tiles attached to the modular frame, a decorative panel positioned between at least one of the tiles and an inter-connected conductive plate, and conductive plates that are configured to hold an electrical potential and detect an electrical capacitance through the decorative panel at an identified position on the conductive plate when touched. In another embodiment, a modular wall system includes a modular frame, tiles attached to the modular frame, conductive plates that have pockets formed therein, and an inductive plate disposed in the pocket of the conductive plate. As such, the inductive plate provides a hidden switching location that, when activated, triggers transmission of a signal to a specified destination.