Suspended Ceiling Profile with Cut-Out Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grid systems for suspended ceilings fail to prevent transverse profiles from displacing along the longitudinal direction of wall profiles, leading to potential uncontrolled movement and falling of tiles.

Innovation Solution

A profile design featuring a first web, a second web, and a flange, with cut-outs on the second web to receive and position the second profile, preventing longitudinal displacement, and optionally locking it in multiple directions, including vertical, using foldable tabs for secure positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If transverse profiles are not fastened to wall profiles, then the grid system is easier to assemble and disassemble, but the transverse profiles may be displaced along the extension of the wall profiles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidposition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The wall profile is segmented into multiple functional parts: a first web for mounting, a second web extending along the first web, and a flange separating the webs. The second web contains cut-outs that provide discrete positioning points for transverse profiles, allowing them to be held at specific intervals without continuous fastening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Cut-outs in the second web act as intermediary structures between the wall profile and transverse profiles. These cut-outs receive and position the transverse profiles, preventing displacement along the wall profile while maintaining ease of assembly through simple insertion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If tabs are formed as cut-outs from the horizontal flange to lock transverse profiles, then the profiles are locked in position, but holes are visible from inside the room

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition stabilityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is moved from the horizontal flange to the second web, which is positioned in a different spatial dimension relative to the room interior. The cut-outs in the second web provide locking functionality while remaining hidden from view inside the room, as they are located on the exterior mounting side of the profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Shape

If a cap is added to conceal holes in the horizontal ledge, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting web and locking mechanism are merged into a single integrated second web structure. The cut-outs in the second web simultaneously provide both structural support and positioning functions, eliminating the need for separate caps or additional fastening components to conceal mounting holes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Manufacturing precision

If the length of the transverse T-profile is correctly adjusted to be positioned by the tongues, then the positioning precision is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidprofile length adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cut-outs in the second web automatically provide positioning for transverse profiles of various lengths. The profiles self-position within the cut-outs without requiring precise pre-adjustment of their lengths, as the cut-outs are designed to accommodate different profile sizes while maintaining consistent positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2218843B1A profile and a method for mounting a grid
Publication Date: 2011.12.21 SAINT GOBAIN ECOPHON
  • EP2218843B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2218843B1 patent drawingFigure 1c
  • EP2218843B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a first profile (1a) adapted to extend in a longitudinal direction along a surface, to be fastened to said surface, and to position at least one second profile. The first profile (1a) comprises a first web (11), a second web (12) and a flange (13), wherein, in a transverse cross-sectional direction of the first profile (1a), the first web (11) is adapted to extend along and to be fastened to said surface, the second web (12) extends in a first direction having at least a component along the first web (11), and the flange (13) extends in a second direction having at least a component transverse to the first web (11), thereby separating at least a portion of the first web (11) from a portion of the second web (12). The second web (12) comprises at least one cut-out (10) being adapted to receive and position said second profile. The present invention further relates to a method for mounting a grid.