Concealed Stiffening Beam in Suspended Ceiling System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ceiling systems face challenges in achieving ease of installation while maintaining a stiff and aesthetically pleasing finish, particularly when using flexible ceiling panels that are prone to distortion due to movement of elongate carriers.
Innovation Solution
A ceiling system design featuring elongate carriers supporting ceiling panels with a stiffening beam connected between them, utilizing push-fit or bolted connections to prevent relative movement and rotation, allowing the stiffening beam to be concealed within the ceiling panel cavity, thus providing stability and aesthetic appeal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a stiffening beam is installed above the ceiling panels and carriers, then the stability and stiffness of the ceiling system is improved, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible beams
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening beam is positioned within the cavity formed by the elongate carrier and ceiling panel, nesting the structural element inside the aesthetic envelope. This allows the beam to provide stiffness while being concealed from view, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and aesthetic appearance.
2Strength
If traditional connection methods are used for ceiling panels to carriers, then the connection strength is improved, but the ease of installation deteriorates due to complex assembly procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical fastening systems (screws, bolts, clips) with a friction-based push-fit connection. The slight flexibility of the elongate carrier allows it to deform during insertion and then elastic recovery provides the holding force, eliminating the need for tools and complex assembly procedures while maintaining adequate connection strength.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the elongate carrier is made completely rigid to prevent movement, then the stability is improved, but the ease of installation deteriorates due to difficulty in pushing panels into place
Solution Approach 1:
The elongate carrier is designed with non-uniform flexibility: it has localized flexible regions that allow deformation during panel insertion, while maintaining overall structural rigidity to prevent excessive movement. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between stability and ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The slight flexibility of the elongate carrier acts as a cushioning mechanism that absorbs the impact of panel insertion. This beforehand cushioning allows panels to be pushed into place without requiring excessive force, while the carrier's elastic recovery maintains stable positioning after installation.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a ceiling system comprising: first and second elongate carriers configured to be suspended from an overhead structure; a ceiling panel having an elongate shape, the ceiling panel extending between the first and second elongate carriers and coupled to the first and second elongate carriers; and a stiffening beam extending between the first and second elongate carriers and connected to the first and second elongate carriers independently from the coupling of the ceiling panel to the elongate carriers; wherein the shape of the ceiling panel defines an elongate cavity inside the ceiling panel; and the stiffening beam is positioned within the cavity inside the ceiling panel.