Suspended Ceiling Nodes with Pivotable Tile Mounts
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing suspended ceiling systems face challenges in creating non-planar, organic forms due to the need for bespoke manufacturing and increased complexity, resulting in higher costs and time, especially for large public buildings requiring curved or polygonal shapes with different sizes and shapes of tiles.
Innovation Solution
A suspended ceiling system comprising adjustable nodes and ceiling tiles with a pivotable locating arrangement, featuring a tile bracket with a pivoting member and an elongate locating slot, allowing for non-coplanar relationships between tiles within a predetermined angular range, supported by a resilient element like a torsion spring for secure and flexible attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If polygonal shapes with different sizes and shapes are used to create curved or non-planar suspended ceiling surfaces, then the aesthetic appearance and organic forms are improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase due to bespoke manufacturing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a standardized node and tile assembly that can be used repeatedly across the entire ceiling surface. The node comprises a plate with multiple recesses that can accommodate tiles at various angles, and the tile includes a mount with a rounded region that engages with these recesses. This universal assembly can create both planar and non-planar surfaces without requiring bespoke manufacturing, resolving the contradiction between achieving complex shapes and reducing system complexity.
2Shape
If polygonal shapes with different sizes and shapes are used to create curved or non-planar suspended ceiling surfaces, then the aesthetic appearance and organic forms are improved, but the manufacturing time and cost increase due to bespoke manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized node and tile assembly enables rapid deployment of complex ceiling forms. The node plate with multiple recesses and the tile with engagement features can be pre-manufactured using standard processes, then quickly assembled on-site to create various curved and non-planar configurations. This eliminates time-consuming bespoke manufacturing while maintaining aesthetic quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates dynamics through the pivotable mount that allows the tile to rotate relative to the node within a predetermined angular range. This pivoting mechanism, facilitated by the rounded region engaging with the recess, enables the ceiling surface to achieve various non-planar configurations using identical standardized components, significantly reducing manufacturing time compared to custom-made pieces.
3Productivity
If standard ceiling tile systems are used, then manufacturing and installation efficiency are maintained, but the ability to create non-planar and organic forms is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized node and tile assembly maintains productivity through mass-producible components while achieving versatility in form creation. The node plate with multiple recesses arranged at specific angles and the tile with corresponding engagement features enable the same standardized components to create both planar and non-planar surfaces, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable connection between the tile mount and node allows standardized tiles to adapt to various angular configurations. The rounded region of the mount engages with the recess in the node plate, permitting rotation within a predetermined angular range. This dynamic capability enables standard components to create complex non-planar forms while maintaining manufacturing and installation efficiency.
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 enables the creation of complex, aesthetically pleasing suspended ceiling surfaces with improved adjustability and reduced manufacturing and installation time by allowing standard systems to adapt to various configurations, enhancing the transition from design to manufacture and installation.
Implementation Method 1
the tile bracket may comprise a hook and the spring is mounted on said hook. Preferably the spring is a torsion spring.
Implementation Method 2
The ceiling tile may comprise a spring for biasing the ceiling tile onto a node.
Data Source
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AI summary
A suspended ceiling having two or more ceiling tiles each including a tile mount; a node supporting adjacent vertices of the two ceiling tiles; and a fixing arrangement for fixing the tile mount of the ceiling tiles to the node. The node includes a suspension arrangement for suspending the node from above; and a pivotable locating arrangement for locating at least one of the ceiling tiles in a non-coplanar relationship with the other ceiling tile, the non-coplanar relationship being within a pre-determined angular range.