Recessed Anchor Element for Suspended Ceiling Tile
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of tile systems, particularly suspended ceiling systems, is time-consuming and costly due to the need for on-site attachment of fasteners, which can lead to incorrect positioning and damage to tiles during handling, transportation, and storage.
Innovation Solution
An absorber tile element with a recessed anchor element featuring a head portion and threaded portion, integrated with an engagement member for secure hooking, allowing pre-mounting on the tile to reduce protrusion and facilitate easy suspension, thereby minimizing installation time and risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fasteners are attached to tiles at the construction site, then the connection is reliable, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is pre-assembled with the absorber tile element during manufacturing, with the threaded portion inserted through the tile and the head portion positioned on the opposite side. This preliminary action eliminates the need for on-site fastener attachment, reducing installation time while maintaining connection reliability through proper pre-positioning.
2Loss of time
If fasteners are pre-mounted off-site to reduce installation time, then installation becomes faster, but the fasteners are prone to damaging the tiles during handling, transportation and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The head portion of the fastener is nested within a recess in the tile surface, with the engagement member positioned inside the head portion. This nested configuration protects the protruding parts from external impacts during handling and storage, eliminating tile damage risks while allowing pre-mounting to reduce installation time.
3Productivity
If fasteners are pre-mounted to reduce installation time, then productivity increases, but correct positioning of anchor elements cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The tile is designed with a specifically shaped recess at the precise location where the fastener head portion should be positioned. This localized structural feature ensures correct positioning of the anchor element during pre-mounting, while the overall pre-assembly approach maintains high installation productivity.
4Ease of operation
If the anchor element protrudes from the tile surface, then engagement with suspension elements is easier, but the tile is more prone to damage during handling and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement member is nested inside the head portion of the fastener, which itself is nested in a recess in the tile surface. This nested arrangement allows the engagement member to protrude slightly from the head portion for easy engagement with suspension elements, while the head portion and recess structure protect it from damage during handling and storage.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 2b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a tile system (100, 200, 300) comprising: an absorber tile element (102a-f, 202a, 302a), an anchor element (106a-f, 206a, 306a) and a suspension element (104a-104f, 104x, 204a, 304a) for suspension of the absorber tile element (102a-f, 202a, 302a). The anchor element (106a-f, 206a, 306a) comprises a head portion (110a-b, 110e-f) and a threaded portion (112a-b, 112e-f). The head portion (110a-b, 110e-f) defining an open cavity (114a-b, 114e-f) facing a top surface (116a-b, 116e-f) of the head portion (110a-b, 110e-f). An engagement member (118a-b, 118e-f) is arranged in the cavity (114a-b, 114e-f). The threaded portion (112a-b, 112e-f) being threaded into the absorber tile element (102a-f, 202a, 302a) from a surface (107a-b, 107e-f; 108a-b, 108e-f; 209a; 309a) of the absorber tile element (102a-f, 202a, 302a) such that the head portion (110a-b, 110e-f) becomes recessed in the ceiling tile (102a-f, 202a, 302a). The suspension element (104a-104f, 104x, 204a, 304a) comprises a hook element (124a-b, 124e-f) hooking the engagement member (118a-b, 118e-f) of the anchor element (106a-f, 206a, 306a). A corresponding absorber tile element (102a-f, 202a, 302a) is also provided.