Recessed Tile Anchors for Faster Suspended Ceiling Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tile systems for suspended ceilings face challenges such as time-consuming installation, risk of incorrect positioning, potential for aesthetic issues due to misalignment, and risk of damaging tiles during handling and storage.
Innovation Solution
A tile element with an anchor element that is recessed within the tile, featuring a wire lock accessible from the surface, allowing for pre-mounting of the anchor element during tile manufacturing, reducing installation time and minimizing the 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-attached to the tile during manufacturing before the tile is installed at the construction site. This preliminary action eliminates the need for on-site attachment work, reducing installation time and labor costs while maintaining connection reliability through proper factory bonding processes.
2Loss of time
If fasteners are pre-mounted during manufacturing, then installation time is reduced, but the tiles are prone to damage during handling, transportation and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is integrated into the tile structure by being attached to the back surface, creating a nested configuration where the fastener head is recessed or flush with the tile surface. This nesting protects the fastener and tile from damage during handling and storage, while still allowing wire attachment at the installation site.
3Reliability
If multiple fasteners are attached to each tile at the construction site, then the tile suspension is secure, but the work becomes increasingly time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fasteners can be pre-attached to each tile during manufacturing in a single operation, ensuring proper spacing and secure attachment. This eliminates the need for workers to individually attach multiple fasteners at the construction site, significantly improving productivity while maintaining suspension security.
4Manufacturing precision
If the wire length is adjusted at the installation site, then the tile suspension height can be correctly adjusted, but the work becomes time-consuming and aesthetic problems may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The wire attachment system allows for easy length adjustment at the installation site through the pre-attached fastener mechanism. The wire can be threaded through the fastener and cut to the required length, providing flexible adjustment capability while reducing the time and complexity of the adjustment process compared to traditional methods.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a tile element (102a-f, 202a) comprising a tile (102a-f, 202a) and an anchor element (106a-f, 206a) associated with one surface (107a-f; 108a-f; 209a) of the tile (102a-f, 202a). The anchor element (106a-f, 206a) comprises a body (110a-f) supporting a wire lock (114a-f). The anchor element (106a-f, 206a) is arranged in the tile (102a-f, 202a) such that the anchor element (106a-f, 206a) becomes recessed in the tile (102a-f, 202a) and such that an access port (118a-f) of the wire lock (114a-f) becomes accessible from said surface (107a-f; 108a-f; 209a) of the tile (102a-f, 202a). The anchor element (106a-f, 206a) is arranged in the tile (102a-f, 202a) by being molded, pressed or slotted into the tile (102a-f, 202a). A tile system (100, 200) including a tile element (102a-f, 202a) is also provided.