Pivotable Ceiling Tile Connecting Members for Gap Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface forming systems struggle to achieve well-defined gaps and parallel side edges between tiles, especially when dealing with non-planar, irregularly shaped, or non-rectangular structural ceilings and tiles.
Innovation Solution
A surface forming system comprising foldable tiles connected by pivotable connecting members, which include tile connectors and pivot connectors, allowing for efficient formation of surfaces with desired shapes and gap control, even on uneven structural ceilings, using hinge members for support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a grid system with ceiling tiles is used to form suspended ceilings, then the ceiling can conceal installations and provide aesthetic appeal, but it becomes difficult to achieve well-defined gaps and parallel side edges between tiles, especially with non-planar ceilings and irregularly shaped tiles
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting members are designed with pivotable connections that allow dynamic adjustment of tile angles and positions. This enables the rigid grid system to adapt to non-planar ceiling surfaces while maintaining precise gap control and parallel edge alignment between adjacent tiles through controlled movement and locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The ceiling system is divided into modular tiles connected by independent connecting members. Each connecting member can be independently adjusted to accommodate variations in ceiling geometry, allowing precise control of gaps and edges for each tile connection while adapting to the overall non-planar surface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional rigid connecting members are used to attach ceiling tiles, then the installation is simple, but the tiles cannot adapt to non-planar surfaces and irregularly shaped ceilings
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting members incorporate pivotable joints that enable dynamic adjustment to match irregular ceiling geometries. The mechanism allows the connecting members to pivot and lock at various angles, providing adaptability to non-planar surfaces while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that does not require complex mechanical systems.
3Shape
If ceiling tiles are installed on non-planar surfaces, then the system can conform to irregular ceiling shapes, but achieving parallel side edges and well-defined gaps between adjacent tiles becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable connecting members allow each tile to be independently positioned and angled to conform to the non-planar surface while maintaining precise control over edge alignment and gap uniformity. The dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to achieve both surface conformance and manufacturing precision simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Each connecting member is designed with specific local features that control the relationship between adjacent tiles, ensuring that while the overall surface conforms to the non-planar ceiling, the local connections between tiles maintain parallel edges and uniform gaps through precision-engineered pivot points and connection geometries.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a surface forming system intended to be supported by a structural ceiling and/or a wall of a room. The surface forming system comprises a first tile and a second tile, each tile comprising a front major surface, an opposing back major surface and at least one edge surface extending along the perimeter of the tile and connecting the front and back major surfaces, a first connecting member and a second connecting member, each comprising a tile connector and a pivot connector, wherein the tile connector of the first connecting member and the second connecting member are connected to the first tile and the second tile, respectively, and wherein the pivot connector of the first and the second connecting members are pivotably connected to each other such that the tiles are foldable relative each other. The invention further relates to a method for installation of a surface forming system supported by a structural ceiling and/or wall of a room.