Demountable Ceiling Tile Fixing Member for Profile Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hold-down clips for suspended ceilings are difficult to dismount for inspection, aesthetically unappealing when visible, and often require special tools, making it hard to access the space above while preventing unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A demountable ceiling tile system with a fixing member that engages with the bulb of the profile from beneath, allowing for easy installation and dismounting by twisting the profile, which is not visible from below, maintaining the ceiling's appearance and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hold-down clips are used to secure ceiling tiles, then the tiles are held firmly in place, but the clips are difficult to dismount and require special tools
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing member is designed to engage with the profile from below rather than from above. The retaining portion engages the bulb of the profile from the rear side, allowing the ceiling tile to be secured firmly while enabling easy dismounting by simply pulling the tile downward from the front side without requiring special tools.
2Reliability
If hold-down clips are mounted from the rear surface, then they can secure the tiles effectively, but they are visible from below and aesthetically unappealing
Solution Approach 1:
The visible portion of the fixing mechanism is extracted and relocated. The retaining portion that engages with the profile is positioned on the rear side of the ceiling tile, hidden from view from below. Only the necessary engagement components remain visible from the front, maintaining aesthetic appearance while preserving securing effectiveness.
3Reliability
If ceiling tiles are made lightweight for sound absorption, then sound absorption is improved, but the tiles are easily displaced or lifted during cleaning or sudden pressure changes
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing system is segmented into distinct functional parts: a fixing portion that attaches to the ceiling tile and a retaining portion that engages with the profile's bulb. This segmentation allows the lightweight ceiling tile to be securely connected to the structural profile through the intermediate fixing member, providing resistance to displacement while maintaining the tile's lightweight sound-absorbing properties.
4Ease of manufacture
If the fixing member engages the bulb from above, then installation is straightforward, but dismounting requires access from above and special tools
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement direction is inverted: instead of engaging the bulb from above, the retaining portion engages the bulb from below. This allows both installation and dismounting to be performed by accessing the ceiling tile from the front side only, eliminating the need for special tools or access from above the ceiling structure.
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 securely holds ceiling tiles in place against vertical and horizontal displacement, facilitates easy installation and dismounting without visible fixtures, and allows authorized access while preventing unauthorized access to the space above.
Implementation Method 1
a fixing member adapted to fixedly engage with said at least one ceiling tile. At least a fixing portion of the fixing member is adapted to be inserted into said at least one ceiling tile via an edge surface of the said at least one ceiling tile. The fixing member has a retaining portion adapted for engagement with the bulb from beneath
Implementation Method 2
The retaining portion of the fixing member is adapted to release the engagement with the bulb when said at least one profile is twisted such that at least a portion of the profile is angled about a longitudinal axis of said at least one profile
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates a suspended ceiling (1) comprising at least one ceiling tile (2) having a front surface (2a), a rear surface (2b) opposite the front surface (2a) and one or more edge surfaces (2c) extending between the front and rear surfaces (2a, 2b), and at least two profiles (10, 11) adapted to support said at least one ceiling tile (2), wherein at least one of said profiles (10) comprises a flange (12) and a web (13) having a bulb (14), and a fixing member (20) adapted to fixedly engage with said at least one ceiling tile (2). At least a fixing portion (21) of the fixing member (20) is adapted to be inserted into said at least one ceiling tile (2) via an edge surface (2c) of the said at least one ceiling tile (2). The fixing member (20) has a retaining portion (24) adapted for engagement with the bulb (14) from beneath relative the bulb (14). The present invention also relates to a method for dismounting a suspended ceiling (1).