Panel element
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing panel bodies for floor, wall, and ceiling coverings have limited design options and require complex installations, making them costly and inflexible for functional element integration, especially in smart home applications where different standards and advanced functionalities are needed.
Innovation Solution
A panel body design featuring a carrier panel with a functional layer containing a printed circuit, actuators, and conductor tracks between the carrier panel and the cover layer, allowing for easy assembly and integration of functional elements like sensors and actuators, enabling flexible use and modular functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If functional elements are integrated into panel bodies using separate sensor layers or external sensors, then sensing capability is provided, but considerable effort is required to connect and evaluate sensor signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor layer, functional layer with printed circuit, and carrier panel into an integrated assembly. The printed circuit on the functional layer directly connects sensors to actuators and control units, eliminating separate connection steps and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full sensing and actuation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The functional layer serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it provides the printed circuit for electrical connections, houses the sensors for detection, and contains the actuators for actuation. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If smart home systems use different standards and require advance decisions on spatial arrangement, then system functionality is achieved, but flexibility for retrofitting and adaptation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into modular panel bodies that can be independently configured with different functional layers. Each panel can be customized with specific sensors, actuators, and printed circuits according to different smart home standards, allowing flexible retrofitting without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The functional layer with printed circuit provides dynamic connectivity options, allowing sensors and actuators to be connected and configured according to different communication standards. This enables the system to adapt to various smart home protocols and be easily reconfigured for retrofitting applications.
3Area of stationary object
If conventional panel installations are used for floor and wall coverings, then surface coverage is achieved, but installation complexity increases and costs rise due to separate functional element installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the panel body structure with the functional layer containing printed circuits, sensors, and actuators into a single integrated unit. This allows functional elements to be installed simultaneously with the panel covering itself, eliminating separate installation steps and reducing overall installation complexity and costs.
4Adaptability or versatility
If functional elements are installed behind wall or floor coverings, then functionality is provided, but adapting functional elements becomes significantly more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The functional layer with printed circuits, sensors, and actuators is pre-integrated into the panel body during manufacturing. This preliminary integration allows functional elements to be easily accessed and adapted by simply replacing or reconfiguring panel modules, rather than requiring complex disassembly and reinstallation behind finished coverings.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a panel element (1) for a floor, wall or ceiling covering, for an item of furniture or a façade, comprising a carrier panel (2) and a top-side cover layer (3) on top of said carrier panel (2). According to the invention, between the carrier panel (2) and the cover layer (3) at least one functional layer (4) is arranged having a printed circuit and comprising at least one actuator (5) in the form of a luminous layer and/or comprising at least one mechanical actuator (5) and/or comprising at least one conductive track (6) for transmitting energy from electrical current to an external consumer.