WO2003044297A1

WO2003044297A1 - Multifunctional equipped partition particularly for interiors and the like

Info

Publication number: WO2003044297A1
Application number: PCT/EP2002/013247
Authority: WO
Inventors: Silvia Volponi; Alfonso Terrazzino; Pietro Mandurino; Cesare Guida; Davide Bruno
Original assignee: Abb Service S.R.L.
Priority date: 2001-11-22
Filing date: 2002-11-22
Publication date: 2003-05-30
Also published as: ITMI20012463A1; AU2002352136A1

Abstract

An equipped partition for interiors and the like, whose particularity consists of the fact that it comprises a horizontal upper portion, which is suitable to contain the wiring of the electrical system of said equipped partition, a vertical lower portion, and at least one post that is connected to the lower portion and ends at the horizontal upper portion, the post being hollow in order to accommodate branches of the wiring so as to carry the branches to respective user devices.

Description

MULTIFUNCTIONAL EQUIPPED PARTITION PARTICULARLY FOR INTERIORS AND THE LIKE

DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a multifunctional equipped partition particularly suitable for interiors and the like.

As is known, in buildings for the service sector, internal spaces similar to rooms/offices are normally divided by means of equipped partitions, which consist of modules that typically have a preset pitch. Installation of the technical network (particularly of the electrical system and of the data transmission system) on the partitions occurs as in conventional walls, i.e., by embedding raceways in the partition itself and by providing holes in the surface of the partition at the plug-in holder after the partitions have been assembled. Accordingly, the partitions have only a mechanical structural function and the interior space cannot be reconfigured/relocated by the user. Normally, modular partitions are only meant to divide interior spaces and in particular the post of the partition normally only has a structural function for providing support and tension between the panels, while the systems are provided within raceways and the panel is provided with holes at the plug-in holder. With the traditional concept of modular partition and of electrical system, signal system, telephone system et cetera provided in the traditional manner, relocation and reconfiguration of the interior space are usually not possible, as mentioned. Essentially, moving a plug-in holder on a partition entails providing holes in a new panel and eliminating an old one, moving a partition entails moving the entire system related to the new partition and eliminating the preceding system as well as eliminating the previous panels. This of course entails an increase in costs and longer execution times. Furthermore, equipped partitions currently used in buildings for the service sector are lit by ceiling lighting, i.e., the artificial light source for the interior space is located in an upward region and is powered. In this manner, the electric power supply for lighting must also be distributed on the ceiling, with consequent difficulties and costs for its installation and subsequent maintenance.

Wall-mounted lighting accessories (or accessories adaptable for this use) exist, but they may have, owing to their geometric position, a low luminous efficiency or provide a concentrated light that does not allow to have a pleasant view of the interior space, in addition to the fact that every single lighting point must be wired.

Moreover, conventional light bulbs (fluorescent bulbs with ballast or incandescent bulbs) normally used for this purpose overheat, generating the danger of burns, and are crossed by electric current, with a consequent risk of shock. Furthermore, separate systems are normally used for sound and light diffusion; for example, the sound section uses suitable loudspeakers of the magnetic type, in which the sound is generated by a thin and light membrane, often made of paper, which is mounted appropriately on an electromagnet, which induces the vibration of the membrane. Piezoelectric tweeters are also widely used; their performance makes them particularly suitable for audio output at high frequencies, but they are substantially based on magnetic loudspeakers with the same membrane.

Piezoelectric speakers have recently been marketed in which sound is generated by the vibration of the structure to which piezoelectric plates are appropriately applied, usually by gluing. The suitably amplified signal is send to said plates, which start to vibrate, inducting this vibration in the structure to which they are glued, therefore producing and diffusing the sound in the surrounding environment. The audio output of these piezoelectric speakers depends on how the structure is built and restrained, and can be optimized over a wide range of high and low frequencies. Piezoelectric speakers are usually simple thin panels of metal on which the piezoelectric plates are attached. As regards lighting, the technology of optical guides obtained for films or optic fibers made of plastic for lighting by lateral diffusion has been developed recently.

In the case of polymeric fibers, it is a matter of using a fiber that is capable of distributing the light generated by a source (which can also be a conventional light bulb) along its entire length (so-called "side light" type); in the case of films, microoptical elements are used which are reproduced on the surface of the polymeric films so as to transmit or reflect light depending on the angle of incidence (OLF, Optical Lighting Film type). In this manner, one can obtain a diffused distribution of lighting even from localized light sources through the polymeric medium, with a considerable reduction in the wiring required and an improved aesthetic effect.

A further improvement to the aesthetic effect of uniform distribution of the light and flexibility in choosing the color and the emission intensity can be provided by the use of light-emitting polymeric films that are already in use, such as organic LEDs (OLEDs). Devices have recently been marketed which utilize light-emitting polymeric films, which if subjected to a suitable electric field emit light whose intensity is proportional to the amplitude of the electrical signal and to its frequency. These fluorescent substances can be provided so as to emit at different wavelengths, accordingly changing the color of the emitted light. The electrical signals able to excite light emission can have an amplitude ranging between a few tens and several hundred volts and a frequency ranging between 100 Hz and 4-5 KHz. Furthermore, the response of these fluorescent membranes is very fast. Instead of said fluorescent membranes, it is also possible to use the very recent electroluminescent polymers. Moreover, touch-sensitive panels have recently been made available; these panels mount devices, for example of the piezoelectric type, which replace the entire mechanical part of the key. Pressing on these panels deforms them slightly, and this deformation generates an electrical signal equal to the signal generated conventionally by pressing a key.

The use of large magnets makes loudspeakers particularly heavy and bulky; moreover, the use of a large number of parts causes a significant reduction in reliability. Furthermore, the delicate nature of the membranes can reduce significantly the life of the loudspeaker and therefore conventional loudspeakers must be housed appropriately in enclosures that protect the membrane and the other components of the loudspeaker. As regards instead the luminous part, the need to have high voltages and high frequencies, which can be achieved with rather expensive power supplies and amplifiers, limits the use of the fluorescent panels described above. The aim of the present invention is to provide an equipped partition for interiors that can act not only as a partition for interior spaces but also as a support for accommodating wiring.

Within the scope of this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide an equipped partition that allows to make the interior space fully relocatable as regards the outlets, luminaires, telephone sockets et cetera.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an equipped partition that allows to make the interior space fully relocatable without having to modify the panels that compose the partition or provide holes in them. Another object of the present invention is to provide an equipped partition that allows a substantial revolution of the wiring required to provide electrical systems and data transmission systems.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an equipped partition that allows to provide partition-mounted lighting, with a reduction in the wiring and in the live parts distributed along the partition and the ceiling.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an equipped partition that allows to integrate customizable sound sources together with the previously cited light sources. Another object of the present invention is to provide an equipped partition that is highly reliable, relatively simple to provide, and at competitive costs.

This aim, these objects and others that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by an equipped partition for interiors and the like, characterized in that it comprises a horizontal upper portion, which is suitable to contain the wiring of the electrical system of said equipped partition, a vertical lower portion, and at least one post that is connected to said lower portion and ends at said horizontal upper portion, said post being hollow in order to accommodate branches of said wiring so as to carry said branches to respective user devices.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the equipped partition according to the present invention, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a detail of the equipped partition according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the wiring procedure for the equipped partition according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the equipped partition in the final configuration with the corresponding wiring;

Figures 4a and 4b are respectively views of two different embodiments of connectors for use in the equipped partition according to the present invention;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of a detail of the equipped partition according to the present invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of another detail of the equipped partition according to the present invention;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the lighting system that can be used in the equipped partition according to the present invention; Figure 8 is a schematic general perspective view of a room in which equipped partitions according to the present invention are used;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a lighting device/loudspeaker that can be used in combination with the equipped partition according to the present invention; and

Figure 10 is a schematic view of the possible configuration of a unit of the equipped partition according to the present invention.

With reference to the above cited figures, the equipped partition according to the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises an upper portion 2 and a lower portion 3. The upper portion 2 constitutes a first horizontal module, which is suitable to accommodate the main wiring of the room and accordingly runs along the entire upper perimeter of the partition 1.

The lower portion 3 is instead a vertically arranged module, and there are vertical posts 4 that are suitable to mutually connect the various modules that compose the vertical lower portion 3. Essentially, the upper or horizontal module 2 has the configuration of an inspectable raceway, and the post 4 of the lower portion 3 of the partition also becomes a raceway besides acting as the supporting structure of said partition; essentially, the partition no longer has only a mechanical structural function but accommodates inside it the electrical system and therefore also assumes a functional role as regards provisions for wiring.

Furthermore, the position of the peripheral devices can be modified without producing holes in the panels and the room is therefore relocatable according to the requirements of the user. The electric plug-ins can in fact be positioned along the vertical posts 4 without producing holes if one wishes to change the position of an electric plug-in in a panel of the equipped partition according to the invention. Furthermore, the arrangement of the wiring in the horizontal upper module or portion 2 of the partition allows to eliminate all the problems related to the crossing of doors, therefore eliminating the need for false ceilings and raised floors. All the wiring is arranged in the partition (particularly in the upper module 2) and can be installed/inspected very easily. All the cables (both power and control cables) can be gathered in a single wiring (optionally surrounded by an insulating sheath) with multiple-contact "safe" connection elements, both terminal and distributed along the length of the wiring. The expression "multiple-contact 'safe' connection elements" designates plug-in multiple-contact connectors that comply with safety standards similar to those of plug-type sockets and have a geometry that allows contact between the electrodes only when the connection maneuver is correct. This solution can allow to mutually connect the various elements that constitute the wiring in safety even if the electrical system is not disconnected. The safety characteristics, combined with the impossibility to perform incorrect connections, allow even personnel that has no electrical training to install the wiring.

T-shaped junction elements, shown in detail in Figures 4a and 4b and designated by the reference numerals 10 and 11 respectively for a first embodiment and for a second embodiment, are arranged along the main wiring cables. In the first embodiment, the T-shaped junction element is such that the wiring cables 12 are interrupted at the end of the transverse portion of the T-shaped junction element 10. In the second embodiment shown in Figure 4b, instead, the junction element 11 is the result of a through cavity 13, such that the wiring cables 12 can run without discontinuities along the entire upper perimeter of the upper module 2 of the equipped partition 1.

In any case, the T-shaped junction elements arranged on the main longitudinal wiring are always multiple-contact "safe" connections of the plug-in type, which allow the connection/disconnection of the branching elements in safety without having to remove power from the system.

This clearly allows very easy installation of the wiring, since the installer does not have to disconnect the wiring cables at each junction element 10. The installer, who does not require electrical training, can therefore install the cables of the electrical system simply by mutually connecting wiring elements, including certified ones, by virtue of "safe" connections of the plug-in type. Therefore, the main wiring 12 runs inside the inspectable upper module 2, while the branches of the main wiring 12 that finally reach the user devices run along the posts 4 of the lower module 3 of the equipped partition. Figure 3 illustrates the wiring cables 12 that are sent to a tensioning element 14, which is accommodated in the upper portion 2 of the equipped partition, and from which they are guided along the posts 4, in order to reach the final user devices, designated by the reference numeral 15 in this case. Figures 1, 5 and 6 illustrate the arrangement of a plug-in holder 18, coupled to the post 4, by virtue of a slider 19 that slides along the post 4. In this manner it is possible to position the plug-in holder 18 at the intended height without having to provide new holes in the partition when one wishes to change the position of the plug-in holder. This allows high versatility of said partition as well as a simple installation of the plug-in holders that does not require the intervention of specialized personnel.

According to a preferred alternative, the post 4 has such a width as to allow the flush mounting of the plug-in holder 18 inside said post, so that the plug-in holder 18 does not protrude from the equipped partition. In this last case, however, the possibility to position the plug-in holder 18 vertically is partly sacrificed for the sake of an aesthetic choice. The possibility to move the plug-in holder 18 to any position along the post 4 is in fact lost in this case, since the plug-in holder 18 is accommodated in a cavity that is provided in the post 4 and whose position is preset.

As regards the lighting of the partition system thus provided, it can be obtained according to various embodiments.

A first embodiment of a lighting system for the partition according to the present invention is based on the technology of optical guides obtained for plastic films or optical fibers for lighting by lateral diffusion. In the case of polymeric fibers, a fiber is used which is capable of distributing the light generated by the source (which can even be a conventional light bulb) along its entire length, while in the case of the film, the use is suggested of microoptical elements reproduced on the surface of the polymeric film so as to transmit or reflect light according to the angle of incidence.

In this manner it is possible to obtain, from localized light sources, a diffused distribution of the lighting through a polymeric medium, with a considerable reduction in the necessary wiring and for an improved aesthetic and functional effect. Accordingly, it is possible to light in an optimum manner all the regions of the panel that constitutes the lower portion 3 of the partition in a flexible and variable manner, optionally even in a user-selectable manner. The use of light-emitting polymeric films, also known as organic LEDs (OLEDs), can also allow complex signaling and alarm functions. The use of polymeric waveguides, which utilize refraction and reflection so as to diffuse through the surface a uniform and controlled quantity of light according to the angle of incidence of the source, and the use of organic LEDs that utilize the electronic properties of particular conducting polymers, allow to reduce wiring, facilitate the installation of light sources in the partitions, reduce the risks of failure and short-circuit due to the reduced presence of live parts distributed along the partition and the ceiling, and allow an aesthetic effect that is pleasant and restful for the eyes in comparison with fluorescent tubes usually arranged at the ceiling of the interior space delimited by equipped partitions. In a particular embodiment, at the post 4 there is a seat 21 for at least one lamp 22 that can be of the conventional type and whose part that protrudes from the partition is constituted by a light diffuser tube 23, which illuminates the interior space. Therefore, the luminaires can be arranged as shown in Figures 8 and 9, in which the diffuser tubes 23 are arranged parallel to the floor of the room provided by means of equipped partitions 1 and protrude from the upper portion 2 of said partition.

A second embodiment of the light source for illuminating rooms provided by means of equipped partitions, according to the present invention, proposes the introduction of a new solution for integrated sound/light diffusion, considerably simplifying the construction of loudspeakers of the classic type and thus also integrating the lighting/signaling functions. Since both piezoelectric elements and fluorescent membranes require, for their driving, signals that are very similar in terms of amplitude and frequency, the invention has the object of integrating the luminous membranes on piezoelectric loudspeakers and of using the same sound signal, suitably amplified, to drive both the piezoelectric element and the fluorescent membrane, while suitable sets of piezoelectric elements give touch-sensitivity to said panel, so as to have panels that can be adjusted by touching them with the user's hand.

The result is an extremely thin loudspeaker, with an elegant aesthetic appearance and a large number of integrated functions. Moreover, the loudspeakers can be given any shape, cut, folded and integrated very simply in other devices.

Essentially, the system consists of only three fundamental parts: piezoelectric plates, vibrating panels and luminous membranes.

Assembly is achieved in an extremely simple manner. Piezoelectric plates 25 are glued directly onto the panel, which can be made of various materials, such as plastic, metal et cetera and is generally designated by the reference numeral 3 to indicate the same panel or lower portion of the equipped partition; the positioning of said plates is optimized for the intended sound network and to give the necessary touch-sensitivity to said panel 3. Luminous membranes 26 are then arranged on the loudspeaker in order to compose the intended light configuration. The panel 3 can even be eliminated and the piezoelectric plates 25 can be glued directly onto the luminous membranes 26. In this case, the membrane 26 itself, vibrated by the piezoelectric plates 25, acts as a loudspeaker, further simplifying the construction of said loudspeaker. Furthermore, as mentioned, said piezoelectric plates 26 or additional sets of piezoelectric plates can be integrated into the loudspeaker in order to make it touch-sensitive. The piezoelectric layers that provide touch-sensitivity can be ceramic or even plastic. When a plate of these sets of plates is deformed by the pressure of a finger, it can for example send a control signal that varies the volume, switches off the device, switches on the light, et cetera.

In order to transmit control signals from the loudspeaker toward the control unit 27 it is possible to use the same transmission cables used for the sound signal. The control signal produced by the deformation caused by touch is in fact usually continuous and can travel without problems and without interfering with the same audio signal whose spectrum starts approximately from 20 Hz.

Figure 10 is a view of a possible configuration of the partition with an integrated lighting device/loudspeaker, in which the partition itself acts as a sound diffuser by virtue of the use of the piezoelectric plates. The luminous indication is instead obtained by means of electroluminescent polymers, which produce an intended indication when excited appropriately. Furthermore, the electrical signal for the luminous indication can be carried by means of the same sound diffusion cables and be demodulated from it. Figure 10, furthermore, illustrates an array of sensors 27, again of the piezoelectric type, but made of plastic, which by being connected appropriately by tracks 28, provide the panel with touch-sensitivity. The electrical signals produced by touch can be sent by means of a bus, which then performs interpretation and the intended function by optionally using a control unit 30.

In practice it has been found that the equipped partition according to the present invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects, since it allows to provide a highly versatile partition that does not require the intervention of specialized personnel for its configuration, allows extremely simplified wiring, and most of all allows the elements to be easily relocatable without having to provide holes, move power supply cables and the like.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept; all the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

Claims

1. An equipped partition for interiors and the like, characterized in that it comprises a horizontal upper portion, which is suitable to contain the wiring of the electrical system of said equipped partition, a vertical lower portion, and at least one post that is connected to said lower portion and ends at said horizontal upper portion, said post being hollow in order to accommodate branches of said wiring so as to carry said branches to respective user devices.

2. The equipped partition according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises, within said upper partition portion, T-shaped junction elements that are suitable to allow the connection of said wiring for the subsequent branching of said wiring to said user.

3. The partition according to claim 2, characterized in that said T-shaped junction elements allow the connection of separate wiring for each end of said junction element.

4. The partition according to claim 2, characterized in that said junction elements are hollow internally, in order to allow the uninterrupted passage of the conductors of part of said wiring within said junction elements.

5. The partition according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said internally hollow post has such a width as to allow to provide a seat for accommodating a plug-in holder.

6. The partition according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said post is provided with a rail that can move along the vertical extension of said post and is suitable to connect a plug-in holder, which protrudes from panels that constitute said lower portion of the partition.

7. The partition according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one tensioning element that is accommodated within said upper portion of the partition, for tensioning said wires accommodated within said upper portion of said partition, and for guiding said wires toward said user devices.

8. The partition according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, at the upper end of said posts, at least one seat for at least one light source which protruding at right angles from said partition on a surface that is suitable to diffuse into the interior space the light emitted by said light source.

9. The partition according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a panel that is suitable to form said lower portion of the partition and on which piezoelectric plates are arranged which are suitable to be excited by electrical signals and to induce vibrations of said panel.

10. The partition according to claim 9, characterized in that said panel furthermore comprises at least one luminous membrane that is applied thereto and is excited by said electrical signals that are suitable to excite said piezoelectric plates, said luminous membrane emitting light.

11. The partition according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises piezoelectric layers that are suitable to provide touch sensitivity and are arranged on said panel.

12. A panel for an equipped partition, characterized in that it comprises a sound emission and lighting device that is integrated in said panel.

13. The panel according to claim 12, characterized in that said sound emission/lighting device comprises at least one piezoelectric plate that is glued onto said panel and is suitable to be excited by an electrical signal, in order to vibrate said panel, and at least one fluorescent membrane that is glued onto said panel and is excited by said electrical signal.

14. The panel according to claim 13, characterized in that said at least one piezoelectric plate is glued directly onto said at least one luminous membrane, said membrane emitting sounds when vibrated by said plate.

15. The panel according to one or more of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that it furthermore comprises piezoelectric layers that are suitable to provide touch-sensitivity in order to send commands to said panel.

16. The panel according to one or more of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that said piezoelectric layer is connected to at least one bus that is suitable to interpret electrical signals sent by said piezoelectric layer when the user touches said piezoelectric layer.