M-Clamp Suspension for Timber Beam Ceiling Sound Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wooden beam ceiling systems face challenges in impact sound insulation due to direct contact between supporting battens and ceiling beams, and existing solutions for prefabricated ceiling elements are not stackable without damage.
Innovation Solution
The use of M-clamps to suspend supporting slats from ceiling beams, creating a gap for improved sound insulation, and allowing prefabricated ceiling elements to be stacked and assembled without destruction, utilizing a bent metal wire design that can deform for transportation and re-expand during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If supporting battens are fastened directly to ceiling beams, then the structure is simple and stable, but impact sound insulation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary element (resilient connector or elastic element) between the supporting batten and the ceiling beam. This intermediary component acts as a mediator that decouples the direct rigid connection, thereby reducing impact sound transmission while maintaining structural stability. The resilient connector allows for vibration isolation and sound insulation without compromising the load-bearing function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If resilient elements are used to space battens from beams for soundproofing, then impact sound insulation improves, but the ceiling elements cannot be stacked for transport and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic resilient connectors that can adapt their state between two conditions: during transport, the connectors are compressed or deactivated to allow tight stacking of ceiling elements; during installation, the connectors expand or activate to provide the necessary spacing and soundproofing function. This dynamic behavior enables both stackability and sound insulation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient connectors are pre-installed on the supporting battens before the ceiling elements are manufactured or assembled. This preliminary action ensures that the soundproofing function is already in place, and the connectors are positioned to allow for subsequent stacking without damage. The pre-installation also simplifies the assembly process at the construction site.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional clamps or corrugated nails are used to fasten battens at a distance, then sound insulation improves, but the installation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fastening function from the supporting batten itself and transfers it to a separate, integrated resilient connector system. This separation allows the batten to focus on its primary load-bearing function while the dedicated connector handles both the spacing and fastening functions. The extracted fastening mechanism is simplified into a modular component that is easier to install and adjust.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If M-clamps with bent metal wire are used to suspend battens, then sound insulation improves and stackability is enabled, but the clamp design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The M-clamp is constructed from bent metal wire, combining the properties of metal (strength, rigidity) with a flexible geometric configuration (the bent shape). This composite approach uses a single material with optimized geometry to achieve both the structural function of holding the batten at a distance and the flexibility needed for stacking. The bent wire design allows the clamp to deform elastically during stacking and then return to its original position, providing both sound insulation and stackability without requiring multiple different materials or components.
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
This solution provides enhanced impact sound insulation by spacing battens from ceiling beams, achieving a sound improvement of ≥8 dB and enabling non-destructive stacking and assembly of prefabricated ceiling elements, with faster and simpler clamping compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
The clips (15) are designed in such a way that they can be deformed in a reversible manner during stacking processes, in particular by folding together in an accordion-like fashion
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a ceiling element (25) for a timber beam ceiling, comprising several ceiling beams (2) and a lower ceiling lining, wherein the ceiling lining (4) has a batten substructure made of several supporting battens and a lower planking attached thereto, wherein the supporting battens are suspended from the ceiling beams (2) by means of two side legs and a central web having clamps (15;27) connecting them, wherein the central web of the clamps (15;27) has at least one bend or has an arc-shaped course, as well as a timber beam ceiling with such a ceiling element and a method for its manufacture.