Acoustic Clip with Grommet Decoupling for Wall Mount
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Solution Overview
Problem
Acoustic short circuits in building constructions occur due to sub-standard construction practices, where vibrational energy is transmitted between structural elements through fasteners, causing noticeable noise issues in multi-unit buildings.
Innovation Solution
A clip with a penetration-resistant base, channel interface, and grommet system that secures a support channel to a building assembly, preventing fasteners from penetrating through the structural members and decoupling the support channel from adjacent joists, thereby reducing vibration and enhancing acoustic isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a support channel is secured to a structural beam using a fastener, then the support channel is firmly attached to the building structure, but vibrational energy is transmitted from the structural beam to the support channel, causing acoustic short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The clip serves as an intermediary component between the support channel and the structural beam. It includes a penetration-resistant base that contacts the structural beam, a grommet that provides acoustic isolation, and a channel interface that secures the support channel. This intermediary structure allows firm attachment while preventing direct vibrational energy transmission through the use of the grommet as an acoustic isolation layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system is segmented into distinct functional components: the penetration-resistant base for structural contact, the grommet for acoustic isolation, and the channel interface for support channel attachment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the base provides attachment strength while the grommet prevents acoustic short circuits.
2Reliability
If a penetration-resistant base is used to prevent fastener penetration, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the complexity of the clip assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The penetration-resistant base is merged with the channel interface and grommet into a single integrated clip assembly. This combining of functions into one component maintains reliability by ensuring penetration resistance while managing overall assembly complexity through integration rather than separate parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The clip assembly utilizes composite construction with the penetration-resistant base made from materials that resist fastener penetration, the grommet made from acoustic isolation materials, and the channel interface made from securing materials. This composite approach allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall assembly manageability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The clip effectively prevents acoustic short circuits by securely fastening the support channel to the clip using channel fasteners and physically decoupling it from the structural beam, resulting in improved acoustic characteristics and reduced noise transmission.
Implementation Method 1
The grommet is positioned against the structural beam such that the grommet and insert physically decouple the support channel from the structural beam, resulting in reduced vibration and isolation dampening.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a clip for securing a support channel in an acoustical ceiling mount and a building construction having a wall, flooring, or ceiling assembly that displays improved acoustic characteristics. The clip includes a body having a penetration-resistant base, a channel interface extending outwardly from a portion of the base configured to engage the support channel, and an opening in another portion of the base, a grommet engaged in the opening of the body, and an insert engaged in the grommet. The channel interface includes at least a first slot configured to receive a channel fastener to secure the support channel to the clip. The clip may be operatively coupled with a support channel and disposed in a building construction between the support channel and a finished interior element.