Suspended Ceiling Tile Edge Grooves Prevent Displacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suspended ceilings face issues with ceiling tiles being displaced due to sudden air pressure changes, cleaning forces, and wind uplift, and current solutions like spring arrangements or hold-down clips are cumbersome to install and can damage the tiles.

Innovation Solution

The ceiling tile design incorporates side-edge portions with grooves and flanges that engage with the grid of profiles from both above and below, providing a clamping action to prevent vertical and lateral displacement without the need for external locking devices, allowing for easier installation and demounting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spring arrangements or hold-down clips are used to prevent ceiling tile displacement, then the ceiling tile stability is improved, but the device complexity and installation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveceiling tile stabilityVSAvoidlocking device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the displacement prevention function from separate external locking devices and integrates it directly into the ceiling tile structure through grooves and engagement portions. This eliminates the need for spring arrangements or hold-down clips, resolving the contradiction by removing the complex external components while maintaining the stability function within the tile itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The ceiling tile is designed with self-locking engagement portions and grooves that automatically prevent displacement when the tile is installed in the grid. The tile serves its own stabilization function without requiring external locking devices, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If spring arrangements or hold-down clips are installed, then ceiling tile displacement is prevented, but the installation time and labor requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveceiling tile stabilityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By removing the need for separate locking devices and integrating displacement prevention directly into the tile structure, the installation process is simplified to only require placing the tile into the grid position, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The self-locking grooves and engagement portions automatically secure the tile upon installation without requiring additional steps for attaching locking devices, thereby eliminating the time-consuming installation process associated with spring arrangements or clips.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If external locking devices are used, then ceiling tile displacement is prevented, but the manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveceiling tile stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the need for separate locking device manufacturing and assembly processes. The displacement prevention features are integrated directly into the ceiling tile manufacturing process, simplifying the overall manufacturing workflow while ensuring tile stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The grooves and engagement portions are combined as integral parts of the ceiling tile structure, manufactured together in a single process rather than requiring separate production and assembly of locking devices, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If external locking devices are installed, then ceiling tile displacement is prevented, but the ceiling tile may be damaged due to its porous and fragile nature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveceiling tile stabilityVSAvoidtile damage during installation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By eliminating external locking devices that require drilling, screwing, or clipping operations, the invention removes the source of potential damage to porous and fragile ceiling tiles. The integrated grooves and engagement portions are designed to work with the tile material without causing harm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The ceiling tile's own structure provides the displacement prevention function through its grooves and engagement portions, avoiding the need for external devices that could damage the tile during installation or use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This design effectively prevents involuntary displacements of ceiling tiles, simplifies the mounting process, reduces the need for additional hardware, and allows for easier access to the plenum space by eliminating the requirement for separate entrance chambers.

Implementation Method 1

each side-edge portion of the first pair comprises an upper engagement surface and each side-edge portion of the second pair comprises a lower engagement surface... A portion of the grid of profiles may engage from below with the first pair of side-edge portions... while another portion of the grid of profiles may engage from above with the second side-edge portions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical interlocking: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP2631380B1A suspended ceiling, a ceiling tile and an associated installation method
Publication Date: 2015.03.18 SAINT GOBAIN ECOPHON
  • EP2631380B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2631380B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2631380B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

In accordance with the present inventive concept, there is provided a suspended ceiling comprising a ceiling tile (500) and a grid of profiles forming a frame which supports the ceiling tile (500). The ceiling tile (500) has a first and a second pair of non-adjacent side-edge portions, wherein the grid of profiles engages from below with the first pair of side-edge portions, and wherein the grid of profiles engages from above with the second pair of side-edge portions. There is also provided a method for mounting the suspended ceiling. Furthermore, the present inventive concept also relates to an improved ceiling tile (500) for a suspended ceiling.