Direct-Fire Ceiling Speaker Mounting for Variable Tile Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ceiling speakers often deform or fail ceiling tiles due to their design, which is typically suited for specific tile thicknesses, and they do not efficiently adapt to different tile thicknesses or provide effective direct sound delivery.
Innovation Solution
A small ceiling speaker system with a director that includes a flanged cylindrical shell body with circumferentially spaced threads, a direct fire ring, and a magnetically attachable grill, allowing for adjustable coupling to an acoustic channel shell and support on ceiling grid members, rather than directly on the tiles, enabling adaptation to various tile thicknesses and direct sound delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ceiling speakers are designed for predetermined thicknesses of ceiling tile, then the speaker can be securely installed, but it cannot adapt to different tile thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The director incorporates an adjustable mechanism with threads on its outer surface that engages with corresponding threads inside the acoustic channel shell. This allows the director to be dynamically positioned at different distances from the ceiling tile surface, adapting to various tile thicknesses while maintaining secure installation. The adjustable mechanism transforms a static device into a dynamic one capable of accommodating different installation conditions.
2Reliability
If ceiling speakers are mounted directly on ceiling tiles, then installation is simple, but the tiles deform or fail over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces ceiling grid members as an intermediary support structure between the speaker system and the ceiling tiles. The enclosure is supported by these grid members rather than directly on the tiles, distributing the load and preventing tile deformation or failure. This intermediary approach maintains installation simplicity while preserving tile integrity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the speaker module is adjusted with clamping force, then it can accommodate different thicknesses, but it may damage the ceiling tiles
Solution Approach 1:
The director serves as an intermediary adjustment mechanism that threads onto the acoustic channel shell, allowing distance adjustment without applying clamping force directly to the ceiling tiles. The adjustment occurs through the threaded engagement between the director and the acoustic channel shell, which is supported by the ceiling grid members, thereby preventing tile damage while achieving adaptability.
4Productivity
If the speaker system is made small for direct sound delivery, then it provides effective sound masking, but it has limited support options
Solution Approach 1:
The small speaker system achieves universality by combining multiple support and adjustment mechanisms: the enclosure supported by ceiling grid members, the acoustic channel shell extending through the tile, and the adjustable director with threaded engagement. This multi-functional design enables the compact speaker to be securely installed and adjusted in various ceiling configurations while maintaining effective direct sound delivery for sound masking applications.
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 solution allows for secure and adaptable installation on different ceiling tile thicknesses without deforming the tiles, providing effective direct sound delivery and interchangeability with existing systems, while maintaining a small acoustic footprint.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetically attachable and releasable grill
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An attachment to a small ceiling speaker system that is interchangeable with a diffuser of such system and that provides direct downward direction to sound produced by such system. A director interface is provided for adjustably attaching to an acoustic channel shell of such system. A direct fire ring releasably attaches to the director interface with a fastener. The direct fire ring supports magnets for releasably attaching a foraminous audio speaker grill. The director interface and the direct fire ring have alignable hub and spoke features and the hub and spokes of the director interface partially nest within the hub and spokes of the direct fire ring.