Secondary Profile Connector for Suspended Ceiling Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Suspended ceiling systems face challenges in withstanding high temperatures during fires and preventing equipment from falling, which poses hazards to people and obstructs rescue efforts, due to thermal expansion and mechanical stress issues in the connections between profiles.
Innovation Solution
A secondary profile connector with a tongue arrangement that deforms elastically or plastically to absorb thermal expansion, featuring a tab portion with a slit for reliable deformation and a hook member for enhanced safety, allowing for a secure and stable connection between profiles without additional assembly tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the suspended ceiling system uses rigid connections between profiles, then the structural strength is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to thermal expansion stress during fire conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system transitions from a static rigid joint to a dynamic system where the tab portion can deform elastically or plastically. This allows the connection to adapt its state based on thermal conditions: remaining rigid under normal conditions for strength, but allowing movement during thermal expansion to prevent failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical properties of the tab portion change based on applied force. Under normal conditions, it maintains high rigidity for structural strength. When thermal expansion forces exceed the threshold, the tab portion yields plastically, changing its mechanical behavior from rigid to compliant, thereby absorbing expansion forces and preventing connection failure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the tab portion is designed to be rigid, then the connection stability is improved, but thermal expansion causes elevated mechanical stress and potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The tab portion is designed with inherent compliance to cushion against thermal expansion forces before they can build up to dangerous stress levels. By allowing controlled deformation at the connection point, the system prevents stress accumulation that would otherwise lead to connection failure during fire conditions.
3Reliability
If the tab portion allows deformation to absorb thermal expansion, then fire resistance is improved, but connection stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The tab portion's designed compliance acts as a preliminary protective measure against thermal expansion. By anticipating the thermal expansion that occurs during fire, the connection is pre-configured to accommodate this movement through controlled deformation, preventing the harmful effects of rigid restraint.
4Strength
If additional assembly tools are used to secure connections, then connection strength is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is designed to be self-securing through the tongue arrangement and tab portion deformation mechanism. The secondary profile automatically engages with the primary profile and the tab portion deforms to lock in position, eliminating the need for additional assembly tools while maintaining strong connections.
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 mitigates thermal expansion and mechanical stress, ensuring the suspended ceiling system maintains structural integrity and safety by allowing for greater insertion depth and resilient engagement of profiles, preventing unintended release and maintaining the system's shape under extreme conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The tab portion is configured to be deformed in response to being pressed against the insertion side of the web with a force exceeding a threshold value for defining a second insertion depth while maintaining engagement with the insertion side of the web
Implementation Method 2
The tab portion is configured to be deformed in response to being pressed against the insertion side of the web with a force exceeding a threshold value for defining a second insertion depth while maintaining engagement with the insertion side of the web
Implementation Method 3
The tongue arrangement comprises a tab portion which, in a connected state of the secondary profile connector, is configured to abut an insertion side of the web for defining a first insertion depth for the secondary profile connector
Data Source
Figure 1a~3b
Figure 4a~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
A secondary profile connector (100) for a suspended ceiling system (1000) comprising a secondary profile (300) associated with the secondary profile connector (100) and a primary profile (200) having a web (202) provided with an opening (204) for reception of the secondary profile connector (100), the secondary profile connector (100) comprising a tongue arrangement (102) insertable into the opening (204) of the web (202) of the primary profile (200) for releasable connection of the secondary profile connector (100) to the primary profile (200).