Sound-absorbing Ceiling Panel with Integrated Lighting Cavity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sound-damping devices with sound-absorbing fabrics in large rooms fail to effectively absorb sound waves due to gaps created for ceiling lamps, leading to increased background noise as sound waves are reflected back into the room.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating gaps in the fabric for lamp placement, with the lamps locked to the frame using support elements, and utilizing a cover plate with through openings for sound wave absorption and light passage, eliminating the need for additional fastening elements and ensuring efficient sound absorption and lighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If gaps are created in the fabric for ceiling lamp installation, then lighting is provided, but sound waves are reflected back into the room increasing background noise
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric is divided into multiple sections with through-openings arranged in a grid pattern, allowing sound waves to pass through multiple small gaps rather than one large gap, while still providing lighting. This segmentation maintains sound absorption functionality while enabling light transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the fabric serve different functions: areas with through-openings allow sound transmission and light passage, while the fabric material itself provides sound absorption. The frame structure provides structural support and mounting functionality. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by assigning specific properties to specific regions.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple free spaces are created for lighting, then sufficient illumination is achieved, but sound absorption capability decreases as sound waves reach the ceiling unhindered
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric with through-openings serves multiple functions simultaneously: it absorbs sound waves, allows sound transmission through openings, and permits light passage for illumination. The frame structure provides both structural support and mounting functionality. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to choose between lighting and sound absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric is designed to maintain continuous sound absorption action across its entire surface, including around the through-openings. The sound-absorbing material remains in continuous contact with the frame, ensuring uninterrupted sound damping functionality while allowing light and sound to pass through designated openings.
3Ease of manufacture
If a cover plate is added to hold fabric and lighting means, then installation is simplified and additional fastening elements are eliminated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover plate integrates multiple functions into a single component: it holds the fabric in place, supports the lighting means, provides structural closure to the frame, and eliminates the need for separate fastening elements. This merging reduces the total number of parts and simplifies installation despite the added complexity of the plate itself.
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 absorbs sound waves and provides sufficient room illumination while minimizing noise reflection, with a compact lighting arrangement that maintains predominant sound-absorbing properties across the ceiling surface.
Implementation Method 1
sound-absorbent device which is spaced from and fixed parallel to the ceilings of rooms... the background noise caused by sound waves disturbs the conversation and must therefore be dampened... the fabrics 5, which are inserted in a frame 4... have a sound-absorbing property
Implementation Method 2
arranging one or more lamps in the respective gap... the lighting means 12, which are preferably arranged in two rows running parallel to one another... the light waves generated by the respective LEDs pass through the lighting passages into the interior of the room
Data Source
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AI summary
In a sound-absorbing device (1) suspended from ceilings (3) in rooms (2), consisting of: - a frame (4) attached to the ceiling (3) at intervals and parallel to it, and - at least one surface element with sound-absorbing properties inserted or placed in the frame (4), this element is intended to provide sound-absorbing properties as far as possible over the entire surface of the ceiling (3) and to allow sufficient illumination for the interior of the room. According to the invention, this is achieved by providing at least one cavity (11) in the surface element (5), by arranging one or more lighting elements (12) in each cavity (11), and by securing each lighting element (12) directly or by means of support elements (13) to the frame (4).