Curved-Wall Ceiling Grid Member for Load Support and Tile Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ceiling grid members and assemblies face challenges in supporting increasing loads and retaining ceiling tiles while allowing easy removal or re-positioning, necessitating enhanced strength and retention mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The elongated ceiling grid members feature threaded upper and lower portions with middle portions that connect them, along with ceiling tile hold down clips and connectors that enhance structural integrity and facilitate easy tile handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional ceiling grid members are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the strength is insufficient to support increasing loads
Solution Approach 1:
The ceiling grid member is divided into three distinct portions: an upper portion with threaded walls for suspension, a lower portion with threaded walls for support, and a middle portion with curved sides for structural integrity. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while collectively providing the required load support capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ceiling grid member combines different geometric forms and structural characteristics in a single integrated design. The upper and lower portions feature threaded walls for mechanical connection, while the middle portion has curved sides for structural strength, creating a composite structure that achieves high load support capacity.
2Reliability
If ceiling tiles are securely retained, then the tiles remain in place under large forces, but removal or re-positioning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The hold down clip incorporates a resilient element that provides dynamic retention force. The resilient nature allows the clip to maintain secure retention under load while enabling easy release when force is applied, achieving both reliable retention and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hold down clip acts as an intermediary mechanism between the ceiling grid member and the ceiling tile. It provides the retention function while being separately attachable and removable, facilitating easy tile installation and removal while ensuring secure retention during use.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the ceiling grid assembly supports more structural members and accessories, then the functionality increases, but the load on the grid members increases
Solution Approach 1:
The division into upper, middle, and lower portions allows the grid member to distribute loads effectively. The upper portion handles suspension loads, the middle portion provides structural strength, and the lower portion supports accessories, enabling the system to accommodate more accessories while maintaining adequate load capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated design combining threaded upper and lower portions with a curved middle portion creates a composite structure optimized for multi-directional loading. This composite structure enables the grid members to support increased numbers of structural members and accessories while maintaining required strength.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 2A
Figure 3
AI summary
An elongated ceiling grid member including (1) an upper portion having spaced upper portion side walls (a) threaded to receive and retain a first threaded member and (b) with lowermost edges, (2) a lower portion having spaced lower portion side walls (a) threaded to receive and retain a second threaded member and (b) with uppermost edges, and (3) a middle portion that (a) connects the lowermost edges of the upper portion side walls and the uppermost edges of the lower portion side walls and (b) includes a pair of middle portion side walls that curve inwardly from the lowermost edges of the upper portion side walls and the uppermost edges of the lower portion side walls to contact each other between those edges.