Integrated Ceiling Tile Lighting Housing and Panel Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ceiling grid lighting is costly and time-consuming to construct and modify, requiring specialized placement of linear lighting structures and adjustments to the grid beams.

Innovation Solution

A ceiling tile design featuring an integrated light housing and panel, allowing for easy installation and modification by incorporating a light housing that extends across a portion of the tile's width, with a panel covering the remaining width, enabling flexible and efficient lighting without the need for custom grid construction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If linear lighting structure is incorporated into the ceiling grid beams, then linear lighting can be provided, but the construction process becomes time-consuming and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelinear lighting capabilityVSAvoidconstruction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The ceiling system is divided into modular components: standard ceiling tiles and separate linear lighting fixtures. The lighting fixture is segmented into a housing portion and a diffuser portion that can be independently assembled and installed, eliminating the need to modify the entire ceiling grid structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The linear lighting function is extracted from the ceiling grid structure itself and placed into a separate, self-contained fixture that can be installed within the existing grid. This separates the lighting function from the structural grid, allowing independent installation without time-consuming grid modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If linear lighting structure is incorporated into the ceiling grid beams, then linear lighting can be provided, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelinear lighting capabilityVSAvoidconstruction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system is segmented into separate components (housing, diffuser, lighting elements) that can be manufactured independently using standard processes, avoiding the need for custom-built integrated grid modifications and reducing overall construction costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The linear lighting fixture is designed as a universal component that can be installed in standard ceiling grid openings without requiring custom grid construction. The fixture serves multiple functions: providing linear lighting, diffusing light evenly, and maintaining compatibility with existing ceiling grid systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If ceiling grid is rebuilt to adjust lighting, then lighting can be modified, but the process becomes nontrivial

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting adjustabilityVSAvoidgrid modification complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system is designed to be dynamically adjustable through simple fixture reconfiguration rather than static grid modifications. The housing and diffuser portions can be easily separated and repositioned to change lighting patterns, allowing flexible adaptation without complex structural changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting adjustment capability is extracted from the ceiling grid structure and placed into the modular fixture itself. This allows lighting modifications to be achieved by simply repositioning or reconfiguring the fixture components rather than rebuilding the entire grid structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If conventional ceiling tiles are used, then ceiling can be maintained easily, but lighting integration is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance easeVSAvoidlighting integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The ceiling tile and linear lighting fixture are merged into a single integrated unit that maintains the simplicity of conventional tile installation while incorporating lighting functionality. The fixture is designed to fit within standard ceiling tile openings, combining the ease of tile replacement with integrated lighting capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated fixture serves multiple functions: it provides linear lighting, acts as a ceiling cover, and maintains compatibility with standard ceiling grid systems. This multi-functional design allows conventional ceiling maintenance practices to continue while adding lighting capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10774529B2Ceiling tile with integrated lighting and ceiling system

Publication Date: 2020.09.15 CERTAINTEED CEILINGS CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure relates generally to a ceiling tile, for example, suitable for use in a ceiling grid. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a ceiling tile including a light housing extending across a first portion of a width of the ceiling tile, and a panel extending across a remaining portion of the width of the ceiling tile.