False Ceiling Steel Section Bar Thickness Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing metal section bars for false ceilings face challenges in achieving sufficient mechanical strength and stability while minimizing weight and cost, particularly with thicknesses below 0.25 mm, where torque issues and reduced mechanical resistance become problematic.

Innovation Solution

A steel section bar with specific mechanical properties, including maximum tensile strength of 500-1000 N/mm² and elongation of 2-8%, combined with a clip having greater elongation ability, allows for reduced thickness without compromising mechanical performance, using non-stainless steel with zinc-based coatings and a unique manufacturing process involving cold cleaning and low-temperature annealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If the thickness of the section bar is reduced to minimize weight and cost, then the weight and material cost decrease, but the mechanical strength and stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of section barVSAvoidmechanical strength of section bar
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters by specifying a steel grade with tensile strength of 500-1000 N/mm² and elongation of 2-8%, enabling the use of thinner sections (below 0.25 mm) that maintain sufficient mechanical strength. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between reduced weight and maintained strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If the thickness of the section bar is reduced below 0.25 mm, then the material cost and weight decrease, but the mechanical resistance and stability deteriorate due to torque issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of material usedVSAvoidmechanical resistance and stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes material parameters by selecting steel with specific tensile strength (500-1000 N/mm²) and elongation (2-8%) characteristics, enabling the use of thinner material (below 0.25 mm) while maintaining adequate mechanical resistance and stability, thus resolving the contradiction between material quantity reduction and reliability maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If traditional steel grades are used to ensure sufficient mechanical strength, then the strength requirement is met, but the weight and material cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strength of section barVSAvoidweight of section bar
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes material parameters by specifying steel with tensile strength of 500-1000 N/mm² and elongation of 2-8%, enabling the use of thinner sections that reduce weight while maintaining the required mechanical strength level, thus resolving the contradiction between strength maintenance and weight reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Shape

If double-wall section bar design is used with overlapping sheets, then the structural complexity increases, but the mechanical strength does not add up as expected compared to single-wall design

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedouble-wall section bar structureVSAvoidmechanical strength of section bar
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the approach from increasing structural complexity (double-wall design) to optimizing material parameters (steel grade with 500-1000 N/mm² tensile strength and 2-8% elongation). This allows achieving the required mechanical strength with simpler or thinner designs, resolving the contradiction between structural complexity and strength effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enables the production of section bars with significantly reduced thickness while maintaining high mechanical strength and stability, potentially saving 20% of material used compared to traditional designs, and allows for cost-effective production without necessitating changes to existing equipment.

Implementation Method 1

a steel strip, in particular a cold-reduced and cold-cleaned and then annealed at low temperature steel strip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAnnealing: Annealing

Data Source

PatentEP2776642B1Support metal structure for a false ceiling
Publication Date: 2016.07.13 CIPRIANI GIUSEPPE
  • EP2776642B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2776642B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2776642B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A steel article (2) for false ceilings or for supporting false ceilings and process for making said article. The article has the following combination of features: maximum tensile strength Rm greater than 500 N/mm2 and elongation of from 0% to 15%.