Ribbon Cable Conductor Rings for Intelligent Building Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current structured cabling methodologies are inadequate for supporting the needs of intelligent buildings, particularly in residential environments, due to a lack of flexibility and inefficiency in electrical wiring, which hampers the installation and reconfiguration of smart objects and increases the complexity of electrical systems.
Innovation Solution
An electrical power distribution network architecture featuring a conductive ring with parallel cables and a contact electrodes board that allows for flexible positioning and reconfiguration of electrical devices, combined with the use of ribbon cables that can be laid without ducts, enabling efficient data and power distribution in AC and DC modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional electrical wiring architectures are used in intelligent buildings, then power distribution can be achieved, but the system lacks flexibility for installing and reconfiguring smart objects
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical distribution system is segmented into modular functional units (power distribution units, control units, communication units) that can be independently installed, configured, and repositioned. This segmentation enables flexible installation of smart objects without requiring complete system reconfiguration, directly addressing the need for adaptability while managing complexity through standardized modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic reconfiguration capabilities where electrical connections and data communication paths can be dynamically adjusted through programmable control units. This allows the electrical system to adapt its topology based on the specific installation requirements of smart objects, providing flexibility while maintaining manageable complexity through automated control.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional cabling methods are used, then power and data can be distributed, but installation requires invasive interventions and ducts
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges power distribution, data communication, and control functions into integrated functional units that can operate together or independently. This consolidation reduces the need for separate ducts and conduits for different cable types, enabling installation with minimal invasive interventions while maintaining ease of installation through standardized mounting procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible cable management solutions and thin-profile mounting structures that can be installed on existing building surfaces without requiring extensive structural modifications. This approach maintains ease of installation while minimizing harmful invasive interventions to the building fabric.
3Reliability
If separate systems are used for power distribution and data communication, then each system can be optimized, but the overall system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The functional units are designed with universal interfaces and multi-functionality, allowing the same hardware platform to perform power distribution, data communication, and control functions. This universality maintains system reliability through optimized dedicated functions while reducing overall complexity by eliminating the need for completely separate systems for each function.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The present invention indicates an innovative wiring architecture for living environments, which meets the needs determined by the fast diffusion of the "intelligent buildings", i.e., buildings where a significant presence of electrical devices called "smart objects" is expected. This innovative wiring architecture can be implemented in all existing buildings, without requiring the creation of spaces to house cable ducts or other invasive interventions from the construction point of view; it also guarantees data and power distribution both in Ac and DC mode, substantially everywhere, thus supporting the installation and flexible positioning of the "smart objects"; and all this is achieved, while also guaranteeing safety requirements higher than or equal to those required by current regulations on the subject. This wiring architecture provides for the laying of one or more "conductor rings", each comprising a plurality of parallel conductor cables; and accessible to power, in parallel, a plurality of electrical devices, which can be positioned at any point. Furthermore, these "conductor rings" are associated with a data transmission line, suitable for supporting data exchanges with said electrical devices, and include at least one "contact electrode card", that is a card that allows the flexible reconfiguration of the contacts in such "conductive rings". In preferred forms of application, said "conductor rings" are made with "ribbon cables", i.e., flat and thin cables that can be laid on the walls without the excavation of special traces, and they are accessible through the installation of appropriate boxes for extraction of contacts, designed to be installed and uninstalled on such "ribbon cables" with maximum flexibility.