Dual-Damped Ship Ceiling Structure for Shock Wave Decoupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ceiling systems in naval vessels are prone to severe damage and potential injury from shock waves due to differential movement between wall and ceiling panels and the surrounding structure during a direct hit, causing collisions and structural damage.

Innovation Solution

A ceiling system with a dual vibration damping unit, comprising a first unit with higher spring stiffness and damping to absorb shock loads and a second unit to decouple the ceiling panel from the supporting element, ensuring minimal relative movement under normal conditions and rapid damping of vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If ceiling panels are rigidly connected to wall panels and bulkheads, then structural stability is improved, but shock resistance deteriorates due to differential movement during shock waves

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidshock resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing rigid connections with dynamic vibration damping units that allow controlled movement. The ceiling panel is connected to the bulkhead via a first vibration damping unit with specific spring stiffness and damping characteristics, enabling the system to adapt its rigidity based on operational conditions - rigid during normal operation, flexible during shock events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by carefully selecting and adjusting the spring stiffness and damping coefficients of the vibration damping units. The first vibration damping unit has higher spring stiffness and damping than the second unit, creating a graduated flexibility that allows the system to maintain stability while accommodating shock-induced differential movements between panels with different damping characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If vibration damping units with high spring stiffness are used, then shock load absorption is improved, but normal operation vibrations increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock load absorptionVSAvoidoperation vibrations
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the vibration damping function into two separate units with different characteristics. The first vibration damping unit (with higher spring stiffness and damping) handles shock loads between the ceiling structure and bulkhead, while the second vibration damping unit (with lower spring stiffness and damping) handles vibrations between the ceiling panel and supporting element during normal operation. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by assigning different damping characteristics to different parts of the system. The first vibration damping unit located at the bulkhead connection has higher stiffness and damping for shock resistance, while the second unit closer to the ceiling panel has lower stiffness and damping to minimize operational vibrations. Each location receives the specific damping quality appropriate for its functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If multiple vibration damping units with different characteristics are used, then shock resistance and vibration control are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock resistance and vibration controlVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a supporting element as an intermediate component between the ceiling panel and the first vibration damping unit. This supporting element simplifies the connection architecture and allows the two vibration damping units to be implemented in a straightforward, modular manner, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the benefits of differentiated damping characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system effectively prevents collision and damage to the ceiling and surrounding structures by absorbing high accelerations and damping vibrations, enhancing longevity and reducing noise emissions.

Implementation Method 1

a first vibration damping unit, which movably connects the supporting element to the deck in the vertical and horizontal directions, which has a first vertical spring stiffness and a first vertical damping

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring stiffness: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a first vibration damping unit, which movably connects the supporting element to the deck in the vertical and horizontal directions, which has a first vertical spring stiffness and a first vertical damping

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

a second vibration damping unit, which movably connects the ceiling panel to the supporting element in the vertical direction and which has a second vertical spring stiffness and a second vertical damping

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring stiffness: Spring

Implementation Method 4

a second vibration damping unit, which movably connects the ceiling panel to the supporting element in the vertical direction and which has a second vertical spring stiffness and a second vertical damping

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4464589B1Shock-resistant ceiling system
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 LETHE GMBH
  • EP4464589B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4464589B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4464589B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Shock-resistant ceiling system which is fastened to a deck of a ship, comprising a support element arranged below the deck, a flat ceiling panel arranged below the support element and extending parallel to the deck, a first vibration damping unit which connects the support element to the deck in a vertically movable direction and which has a first vertical spring stiffness and a first vertical damping, a second vibration damping unit which connects the ceiling panel to the support element in a vertically movable direction and which has a second vertical spring stiffness and a second vertical damping, wherein the first spring stiffness is higher than the second spring stiffness, the first damping is higher than the second damping.