Mobile Partition Wall Voltage Drop Elimination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile partition walls face limitations due to high voltage drops caused by relays, which restrict the number of wall elements that can be supplied with a voltage source, making it difficult to efficiently manage and control multiple independently displaceable wall elements.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves separating the voltage supply and signaling for activating control units and motors, using a parallel electrical connection for control units and a signaling element to trigger unlocking signals, eliminating the need for relays and allowing for the supply of multiple control units with a single voltage source. This includes a signaling element with plug-in connections for communication between wall elements and a microcomputer for controlling the movement of connection profiles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If relays are used to sequentially supply voltage to control units of wall elements, then the electrical connection can be established through all wall elements, but the voltage drop becomes high which limits the number of supplyable wall elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidvoltage drop
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates the voltage supply function from the signaling function. Control units are connected in parallel to the voltage source for simultaneous power supply, while separate signaling elements (contactless sensors) transmit unlocking signals sequentially. This segmentation eliminates the cumulative voltage drop problem of series relay connections while maintaining reliable control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces contactless signaling elements (such as optical or radio frequency communicators) as intermediaries between wall elements. These signaling elements transmit unlocking signals without electrical contact, avoiding the voltage drop associated with relay-based electrical connections while ensuring reliable signal transmission across multiple wall elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If relays are used for sequential voltage supply, then control can be achieved across wall elements, but the number of wall elements that can be supplied is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidnumber of supplyable wall elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the control system into two independent subsystems: a parallel voltage supply subsystem that can power any number of control units simultaneously, and a sequential signaling subsystem that maintains controlled operation. This allows the system to scale to any number of wall elements without the limitations imposed by relay-based voltage distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of energy

If control units are connected in parallel for simultaneous voltage supply, then voltage drop is reduced, but sequential activation of wall elements must be achieved through separate signaling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage drop reductionVSAvoidsignaling system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs contactless signaling elements as mediators between adjacent wall elements. These elements detect the position and movement of connection profiles and transmit unlocking signals sequentially through the parallel-connected control units, enabling controlled operation without complex electrical switching networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2331762B1Sliding partition
Publication Date: 2013.10.23 DORMA GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2331762B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2331762B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2331762B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a mobile partition (10) having a plurality of independently displaceable wall elements (20, 20'), wherein each wall element (20, 20') comprises vertically movable connection profiles (30), each wall element (20, 20') comprises a control unit (40) to control at least one drive (35, 35', 35") of the connection profiles (30), the connection profiles (30) are braced between the floor and the ceiling in a braced position (100), the connection profiles (30) are arranged on the wall element (20, 20') in an open position (110), and upon release of the mobile partition (10) the wall elements (20, 20') can be sequentially transferred from the braced position (100) into the open position (110). According to the invention, the control units (40) are connected in parallel to an electrical voltage source (50) in such a way that an operating voltage is applied to the control units (40) in the braced position (100), the wall elements (20, 20') comprise a signal element (60, 60'), and a first unlocking signal for unlocking a first wall element (20, 20') can be transmitted by means of the signal element, wherein the signal element (60, 60') produces a second unlocking signal for a second wall element (20') after a first wall element (20) is unlocked.