Recessed Wire-Lock Ceiling Tile for Faster Suspension Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of suspended ceiling tile systems is time-consuming and prone to errors due to the need for on-site attachment of fasteners, which can damage tiles and result in aesthetic issues from misalignment or incorrect positioning.

Innovation Solution

A tile element with an integrated anchor element featuring a recessed wire lock that is molded or pressed into the tile, allowing for pre-mounting and reducing the risk of damage during handling and installation, while enabling easy height adjustment and correct positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fasteners are attached to tiles at the construction site, then reliable connection is achieved, but installation time increases and positioning accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor element is pre-formed as an integral part of the tile during manufacturing, with the wire lock positioned and ready for use. This eliminates the need for on-site attachment operations, reducing installation time while ensuring correct positioning and reliable connection from the start

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor element and tile are combined into a single integrated component, where the anchor element is molded or pressed directly into the tile. This merging eliminates separate fastening operations and ensures precise positioning that cannot be achieved with separately attached fasteners

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If fasteners are attached to tiles at the construction site, then connection reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If anchor elements are pre-mounted to reduce installation time, then installation efficiency improves, but tile damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation efficiencyVSAvoidtile damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If wires or lines are adjusted at the installation site, then adaptability to varying conditions is improved, but installation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment flexibilityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wire lock mechanism allows for dynamic adjustment of wire length and positioning after installation. The accessible wire lock enables workers to easily modify the suspension height and tension, providing adaptability to varying installation conditions without requiring complex adjustments or additional time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250012078A1Tile element and tile system

Publication Date: 2025.01.09 SAINT GOBAIN ECOPHON

AI summary

The present invention relates to a tile element comprising a tile and an anchor element associated with only one surface of the tile. The anchor element comprises a body supporting a wire lock. The anchor element is arranged in the tile such that the anchor element and the wire lock thereof becomes recessed in the tile and such that an access port of the wire lock becomes accessible from said surface of the tile. The anchor element is arranged in the tile by being molded, pressed or slotted into the tile. A tile system including a tile element is also provided.