Suspended Metal Ceiling Panels With Concealed Locking Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suspended metal ceiling systems expose T-shaped support members and require visible access holes for locking mechanisms, which is undesirable for outdoor applications and aesthetic reasons, and poses a challenge in securing panels against dislodgment under environmental conditions like wind.
Innovation Solution
A suspended metal ceiling system with a locking mechanism using torsion spring attachments and slide clip arrangements on metal panels, which secures panels to the support structure without visible access holes, utilizing torsion springs and screw shafts for engagement and disengagement via a bladed tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If ceiling panels are placed on horizontal base portions of inverted T-shaped support members, then the support structure is exposed, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the support function from the visible ceiling plane by using concealed support members that are hidden behind or within the ceiling panels. The panels are designed to cover the support structure while maintaining structural integrity, separating the support function from the visible aesthetic surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The ceiling panels are designed to nest over the inverted T-shaped support members, with the panels concealing the support structure. The support members are positioned within or behind the panel edges, creating a nested configuration where the aesthetic surface contains the structural elements.
2Reliability
If ceiling panels are secured to the support structure to prevent dislodgment, then reliability improves, but visible access holes are required which deteriorate aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces concealed fastening mechanisms that act as intermediaries between the ceiling panels and support structure. These mechanisms include hidden clips, snap-fit connections, or concealed screws positioned in non-visible areas such as behind panel edges or within recessed channels, providing secure attachment without visible holes in the aesthetic surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening mechanism is relocated from the visible face of the panel to a different spatial dimension - either behind the panel surface, within recessed channels, or at the edges where they are not visible from the viewing angle. This dimensional relocation maintains security while preserving aesthetic appearance.
3Reliability
If locking mechanisms are added to secure panels, then reliability against environmental factors improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through thermal expansion, wind load-induced movement, or other environmental interactions that automatically engage or disengage the lock without requiring additional active components. This reduces complexity while maintaining reliability under environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical locking systems with simpler attachment methods such as friction-fit connections, adhesive bonds, or spring-loaded clips that provide sufficient security against environmental factors without requiring intricate mechanical components. This substitution reduces device complexity while maintaining reliability.
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 system effectively secures metal ceiling panels to the support structure without visible access holes, ensuring stability against environmental factors and easy access when needed, while maintaining an aesthetic appeal by concealing the locking mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
The metal ceiling panels are attached to the main tee members by having a torsion spring attachment on either side of the panel
Implementation Method 2
Each slide clip includes a spring for engagement and exterior loading
Data Source
AI summary
A suspended metal ceiling system having a grid of support members suspended from a structural ceiling and a plurality of ceiling panels positioned on the grid of the support members having a locking mechanism for connecting the ceiling panels to the grid actuatable from a side wall of the ceiling panels.