Elastic Double Hook Release for Ceiling Substructure Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing double hooks used for attaching elements to ceiling substructures are overly rigid, leading to damage of the ceiling clip or substructure when tensile forces are applied, resulting in costly repairs.

Innovation Solution

A double hook system with an extension hook and elastic wall sections that can positively or non-positively lock into a receiving arrangement, detaching from the rod when a specified tensile force is exceeded, preventing damage by allowing the hook to release instead of the entire structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the double hook is made rigid to ensure stable connection, then the connection stability is improved, but the ceiling clip or substructure profile is damaged when tensile force is applied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoiddamage to ceiling construction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the mechanical parameter of the second hook from rigid to elastic. The elastic wall sections can deform under tensile load, allowing the hook to absorb force through elastic deformation rather than transmitting it to the ceiling structure. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining connection stability through elastic resilience while preventing damage to the ceiling construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic wall sections act as a cushioning mechanism that absorbs tensile forces before they can damage the ceiling construction. The elastic deformation of the wall sections provides a buffer that protects the rigid ceiling structure from sudden or excessive loads, implementing beforehand cushioning to prevent harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the second hook is designed to detach when tensile force is exceeded, then damage to ceiling construction is prevented, but the connection reliability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage preventionVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The second hook is designed as a sacrificial component that can detach and be replaced. The elastic wall sections are configured to fail in a controlled manner by detaching from the rod when excessive tensile force is applied, protecting the more valuable ceiling construction. This disposable design prevents damage to the permanent ceiling structure while allowing replacement of the relatively simple hook component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic wall sections of the second hook serve as an intermediary between the load-bearing ceiling structure and the attached element. This intermediary component absorbs and manages tensile forces, detaching when necessary to protect the ceiling construction while maintaining connection reliability under normal operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the wall sections are made elastic to absorb tensile force, then damage to ceiling construction is avoided, but the connection strength is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage avoidanceVSAvoidconnection strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting elastic materials and designing wall section dimensions that provide appropriate elastic modulus. The elastic wall sections have sufficient strength to maintain connection under normal loads while being flexible enough to deform and absorb excessive tensile forces, thus avoiding damage to the ceiling construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The double hook may be made from composite materials or composites of elastic and rigid components. The first hook provides rigid connection strength, while the elastic wall sections of the second hook provide damage avoidance through controlled deformation. This composite approach combines the advantages of both rigid and elastic properties in a single component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 effectively absorbs tensile forces, preventing damage to the ceiling construction by detaching the hook from the rod, thus avoiding costly repairs and ensuring the integrity of the ceiling substructure.

Implementation Method 1

the two wall sections flex elastically. As soon as the two wall sections engage in the perforation or the eyelet/loop, they return to their original shape

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3018368B1Double hook and systems
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 ROPIMEX R OPEL
  • EP3018368B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2D
  • EP3018368B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4B
  • EP3018368B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5B

AI summary

The present invention relates to double hooks (1) for detachable insertion into a perforation (2), comprising a first hook (3) at a first end and a second hook (4) at a second end. A disadvantage of known double hooks is that they are so rigid that when the attached element is pulled, the ceiling clip, or even the entire profile of the ceiling cladding substructure, is subjected to the tensile force. This problem is solved for a double hook for detachable insertion into a perforation, comprising a first hook at a first end and a second hook at a second end, by, among other things, the first hook being open or closed and the second hook having an opening for a form-fit and/or force-fit connection with the perforation, wherein the second hook detaches from the perforation when a defined tensile force is exceeded.