Prefabricated Wall Panel Wireway for Faster Cable Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing prefabricated wall panels require skilled labor for electrical installation due to stiff cables snagging and alignment issues, leading to inefficiencies and waste during on-site construction.
Innovation Solution
A prefabricated wall panel with an integrated wireway comprising channels that constrain cabling, allowing easy installation of services by technicians off-site, with defined passages for cable routing and versatile positioning of outlets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electrical cables are routed through holes made near ceiling level in existing prefabricated panels, then power can be delivered to electrical sockets, but the stiff cables snag within the cavity making the process time consuming and requiring skilled labor
Solution Approach 1:
The wireway is pre-installed within the panel cavity during manufacturing, creating a prepared pathway for cables before the panel is assembled on site. This preliminary action eliminates the need for skilled labor to manually route stiff cables through the cavity during installation, directly reducing installation time and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The wireway acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates cable passage through the panel cavity. Instead of cables directly navigating the complex cavity space, they are guided through the wireway's structured channels, making the installation process simpler and faster
2Ease of manufacture
If chased out holes are made in positioned panels to route cables, then electrical services can be installed, but this creates waste, mess and dust on site
Solution Approach 1:
The wireway is pre-installed within the panel cavity during manufacturing, creating a prepared pathway for cables before the panel is assembled on site. This preliminary action eliminates the need for skilled labor to manually route stiff cables through the cavity during installation, directly reducing installation time and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cable routing function is extracted from the on-site installation process and moved to the manufacturing process. The wireway is pre-formed and integrated into the panel during fabrication, removing the need to chase holes and create pathways during on-site installation, thereby eliminating the associated waste, mess and dust
3Adaptability or versatility
If conduits or pipes run horizontally along the wall to feed wiring, then wiring can be delivered to switches or sockets, but cable alignment and snagging issues are worsened due to the need to align adjacent panels
Solution Approach 1:
The wireway extends vertically through the full height of the panel cavity, adding a vertical dimension to cable routing. This allows cables to be fed from top to bottom through the panel rather than requiring horizontal alignment across multiple panels, significantly simplifying the alignment process and reducing snagging issues
Solution Approach 2:
The wireway is divided into multiple channels within the panel, allowing separate cable routes for different services. This segmentation enables independent cable management within each channel, making it easier to align and install cables without interference from adjacent cables or panels
4Adaptability or versatility
If a central ducting is used with open top for feeding wiring, then wiring can be fed from top channel, but this creates high amount of wasted space and makes cable installation difficult due to angling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The wireway extends vertically through the full height of the panel cavity, adding a vertical dimension to cable routing. This allows cables to be fed from top to bottom through the panel rather than requiring horizontal alignment across multiple panels, significantly simplifying the alignment process and reducing snagging issues
Solution Approach 2:
The wireway is positioned optimally within the cavity space rather than centrally, and its cross-sectional dimensions are tailored to the specific cable routing requirements. This local optimization reduces wasted space while maintaining wiring access flexibility, as the wireway occupies only the necessary volume for its function
Data Source
AI summary
A prefabricated wall panel for forming internal walls in a building is described. In an embodiment the panel comprises a rear board; a front board forming an internal wall for a room, said front board spaced away from said rear board to form a cavity; and a wireway disposed within the cavity, wherein the wireway comprises one or more channels that run substantially from a base of the wall panel to a top of the wall panel to allow services to pass through the panel, and wherein the wireway constrains cabling of the services within a channel.