Resilient Spring Wire Hanger for Acoustic Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drop ceilings suffer from vibration transmission due to non-resilient connections, leading to inadequate sound isolation between the upper floor and the suspended ceiling, despite the use of sound attenuation materials and cumbersome hangers, which do not completely satisfy the requirement for effective acoustic performance.
Innovation Solution
A bendable metallic wire hanger with a spring shape is used, tempered to create a resilient spring that isolates vibrations between the ceiling and the upper support, requiring minimal parts and tools for installation, and can be manufactured inexpensively and rapidly, accommodating various separation distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If non-resilient solid wires or rods are used to support the suspended ceiling, then structural support is provided, but sound transmission from the upper floor to the lower ceiling occurs through the rigid connections
Solution Approach 1:
The wire is transformed from a rigid state to a resilient spring state by applying heat treatment parameters. The wire is heated to a specific temperature range (1500-2000°F) to alter its physical properties, making it resilient while maintaining strength. This parameter change allows the same material to provide both structural support and sound isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient spring wire acts as an intermediary element between the upper and lower ceilings. Instead of direct rigid contact, the spring wire mediates the connection, absorbing vibrations and preventing sound transmission while still providing the necessary structural support. The spring shape serves as a mechanical intermediary that decouples the two structures acoustically.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If resilient materials are used to isolate sound, then sound transmission is reduced, but the hanger becomes large, cumbersome, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameters of a simple wire through heat treatment to create spring shapes. This transforms an inexpensive, simple wire into a resilient component that provides sound isolation without requiring large sizes or complex structures. The parameter change (heat treatment) creates the desired acoustic isolation properties in a compact form.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring shape is created locally at specific sections of the wire rather than requiring the entire hanger assembly to be complex. The heat treatment process creates resilient loops or bends at intervals along the wire, providing sound isolation at critical points while maintaining simplicity in the overall structure. This local application of quality achieves sound isolation without making the entire device large or cumbersome.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the wire is tempered to create a resilient spring, then sound isolation is improved, but additional manufacturing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex mechanical assembly processes with a thermal processing approach. Instead of assembling multiple parts mechanically, the wire is continuously formed and heat-treated in an integrated process. The heat treatment simultaneously creates the spring shapes and sets the resilient properties, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The forming and heat treatment operations are merged into a single integrated manufacturing process. The wire is formed into spring shapes and heat-treated in one continuous operation rather than as separate steps. This merging of operations simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of process steps, equipment requirements, and handling operations needed.
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
The solution effectively reduces sound transmission by transforming the wire into a resilient spring, providing improved acoustic isolation with reduced labor and material costs, and extending the hanger's shelf life by eliminating the need for additional parts that can wear out.
Implementation Method 1
A spring shape defined in the wire between the first wire end and the second wire end. The spring shaped is tempered for transforming the spring shape into a resilient spring
Implementation Method 2
provides sufficient resilience to disallow sound transmission from the floor above to the ceiling below
Data Source
AI summary
An isolating hanger and method of making is disclosed for mounting a ceiling from an upper support. The isolating hanger comprises a one piece bendable wire having a spring shape defined between a first and a second wire end. The spring shaped is tempered for transforming said spring shape into a resilient spring. The remaining bendable wire ends affix the upper support to the ceiling for isolating vibration between the ceiling and the upper support.