Movable Ceiling Panel for Pod Room Acoustic Insulation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Fixed partition rooms require extensive planning, coordination, and infrastructure connections, leading to increased costs, disruption, and waste when reconfiguration is needed, whereas pod rooms offer flexibility but lack effective acoustic insulation solutions.

Innovation Solution

A ceiling panel system for pod rooms featuring movable cover components that can switch between open and closed configurations, providing at least 70% open area in the open configuration and effective acoustic insulation in the closed configuration, utilizing pivotable louvres with overlapping flanges and nibs to enhance the seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fixed partition rooms are used, then acoustic insulation is improved, but adaptability and ease of reconfiguration deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacoustic insulationVSAvoidease of reconfiguration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The ceiling panel incorporates movable cover components that can dynamically transition between open and closed configurations. The cover moves along tracks to seal the aperture when closed, providing acoustic insulation, and can be opened to allow light and air passage, enabling flexible reconfiguration of the pod room without permanent structural changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If fixed partition rooms are used, then acoustic insulation is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacoustic insulationVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ceiling system is segmented into modular panels, each with integrated cover components. This segmentation allows the acoustic insulation function to be distributed across multiple independent units that can be individually installed and configured, reducing overall installation complexity compared to a single complex fixed partition system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover components are designed to be self-contained within each ceiling panel, with the cover moving along integrated tracks. This self-service design eliminates the need for separate acoustic insulation mechanisms, reducing installation complexity while maintaining reliable acoustic performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If cover components are added to ceiling panel, then acoustic insulation is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacoustic insulationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cover, tracks, and ceiling panel are merged into a single integrated assembly. This combining of functions into one manufacturable unit reduces overall manufacturing complexity and cost compared to producing separate acoustic insulation components that would need to be assembled later.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 ceiling panel system allows for easy reconfiguration of pod rooms while ensuring high acoustic insulation and minimal disruption, reducing costs and waste associated with traditional fixed partition rooms.

Implementation Method 1

The cover components preferably provide a fractional sound absorption coefficient of at least 0.2, more preferably at least 0.4 and most preferably at least 0.6

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP3907343B1A pod room
Publication Date: 2025.03.05 ORANGEBROX
  • EP3907343B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3907343B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3907343B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4B

AI summary

There is provided a ceiling panel for a pod room. The ceiling panel comprises one or more cover components movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration; and an actuation mechanism configured to move the one or more cover components from the closed configuration to the open configuration in response to a trigger. The ceiling panel may provide a specified percentage open area in the open configuration. The ceiling panel may be adapted to acoustically insulate the pod room in the closed configuration.