Acoustic Tile Layer Structure for Stable Compression Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Acoustic tile elements with combined materials are unstable during transportation and storage, posing safety hazards and design challenges due to the compressible sound-absorbing layer causing stacks to fall over.
Innovation Solution
A tile element design featuring a wood fibre layer facing the room, a compressible mineral fibre layer, and a spacer projecting from the opposite surface, allowing the tile elements to be stacked stably by compressing the mineral fibre layer to align with the spacer, forming a load-bearing structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hybrid tile element combines sound absorbing material with an aesthetic layer, then acoustic properties and aesthetic appeal are improved, but stacking stability deteriorates due to compressibility of the sound absorbing material
Solution Approach 1:
The tile element is segmented into distinct functional layers: an aesthetic outer layer (wood fibre or plaster), a sound-absorbing inner layer (mineral fibre), and a rigid spacer structure. This segmentation allows each layer to independently fulfill its function while the rigid spacer prevents compression-induced instability during stacking.
Solution Approach 2:
A rigid spacer acts as an intermediary element between the aesthetic layer and the compressible sound-absorbing layer. This spacer maintains fixed spacing, prevents compression of the mineral fibre layer during stacking, and ensures stacking stability while allowing the sound-absorbing material to retain its acoustic properties.
2Reliability
If the sound absorbing layer is made more compressible to improve acoustic performance, then sound absorption is improved, but handling safety and stacking stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The tile is divided into functional segments where the compressible mineral fibre layer is separated from the rigid aesthetic and spacer layers. This allows the mineral fibre to be highly compressible for optimal sound absorption while the rigid spacer prevents unwanted compression during handling and stacking, eliminating safety hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of different layers is optimized independently: the mineral fibre layer is designed with high compressibility for sound absorption, while the spacer is designed with rigid geometry to maintain dimensional stability during stacking. This parameter differentiation resolves the contradiction between compressibility for acoustic performance and rigidity for handling safety.
3Shape
If the aesthetic layer is placed on the outer surface to improve appearance, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but the structural stability during stacking deteriorates due to the compressible inner layer
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the tile element have different mechanical properties: the outer aesthetic layer and the spacer are designed with rigid, non-compressible characteristics to maintain shape and stability during stacking, while the inner sound-absorbing layer is designed with compressible properties for acoustic performance. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between aesthetic appearance and stacking stability.
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
Provides stability during storage and transportation while maintaining acoustic properties and aesthetic appeal, ensuring safe handling and efficient stacking without compromising design.
Implementation Method 1
the mineral fibre material of the second layer has good sound absorbing properties
Implementation Method 2
the tile element is bringable to a compressed state by compression of the second layer in which the second major surface of the tile element is flush with the end surface of the spacer
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a tile element (1) for an acoustic tile system. The tile element (1) has a first major surface (2) intended to face a room and an opposing second major surface (3), the tile element comprising: a first layer (4) comprising wood fibre material and forming the first major surface (2); a second layer (5) comprising compressible mineral fibre material and forming the second major surface (3); and a spacer (6) arranged on and projecting in a direction from a second surface (7) of the first layer (4), the second surface (7) being opposite said first major surface (2) of the tile element (1), the spacer (6) having an end surface (8) arranged at a distance from the second surface (7) of the first layer (4); wherein the first layer (4) and the spacer (6) defines a space (9) accommodating the second layer (5) such that the second layer (5) is superimposed on the first layer (4), and wherein the tile element (1) is bringable to a compressed state by compression of the second layer (5) in which the second major surface (3) of the tile element (1) is flush with the end surface (8) of the spacer (6).