Suspended Ceiling Adhesive Bonding for Airtightness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for attaching panel-shaped components to load-bearing ceilings are cumbersome, expensive, and often compromise airtightness and aesthetics, with visible joints and dirt marks from mechanical fasteners, and lack efficient alignment and handling capabilities.

Innovation Solution

The method employs an adhesive connection with a pasty adhesive of high initial adhesion to attach panel-shaped components indirectly to a substructure, eliminating the need for mechanical fasteners, allowing for quick, cost-effective, and invisible attachment, enabling alignment and airtightness, and simplifying handling with one person.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If mechanical fastening means (screws, hooks, clamps) are used to attach panel-shaped components to the substructure, then secure attachment and structural strength are improved, but the airtightness is compromised and visible dirt marks appear on the underside

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidair leakage and dirt marks
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical fastening system (screws, hooks, clamps) with a chemical bonding system using adhesive. The adhesive is applied between the panel-shaped component and the substructure, creating a bond that provides both attachment strength and maintains airtightness without penetrating the sealing plane. This substitution eliminates the harmful effects of mechanical fasteners while preserving the beneficial attachment function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If mechanical fastening means are used to ensure permanent secure attachment, then reliability of attachment is improved, but the complexity of the system and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the mechanical fastening elements (screws, hooks, clamps, retaining profiles) from the attachment system. By eliminating these complex mechanical components and replacing them with a simple adhesive application process, the system complexity is reduced while maintaining attachment reliability through the chemical bond between the panel and substructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If panel-shaped components are attached overhead using mechanical fasteners, then secure attachment is achieved, but the ease of operation and handling deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical fastening operation (requiring one hand to hold the panel and the other to operate fasteners) with a simplified adhesive application process. The adhesive is applied to the back of the panel or the substructure, and the panel is pressed into place, eliminating the need for complex manual fastening operations overhead and improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Strength

If mechanical fastening means are used to attach panel-shaped components, then firm attachment is achieved, but the ability to align panels after attachment is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment firmnessVSAvoidalignment adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dynamic element to the attachment process by using adhesive with controlled setting time. During the initial phase, the adhesive remains flexible allowing for alignment adjustments. Once the panels are properly positioned, the adhesive cures and provides firm attachment. This dynamic property enables both alignment adjustability and final attachment firmness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

5Reliability

If retaining profiles or holding rails are used to encompass panel-shaped components, then attachment security is improved, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible profiles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the visible retaining profiles or holding rails from the system. By eliminating these protruding mechanical elements and using adhesive bonding, the attachment security is maintained through the chemical bond while the aesthetic appearance is improved by achieving a seamless, profile-free ceiling surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This approach results in a seamless, airtight suspended ceiling with reduced labor and material costs, enabling easy alignment and handling of large components, while maintaining a clean underside and achieving high adhesion without visible fasteners.

Implementation Method 1

the fastening of the plate-shaped component to the substructure is effected by means of an adhesive connection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2589722B1Method and system for creating a suspended ceiling
Publication Date: 2014.06.11 STO SE & CO KGAA

AI summary

The method involves fastening a plate-shaped component indirectly through a substructure on a supporting ceiling and operating a fastener of the plate-shaped component at the substructure by an adhesive bond. An adhesive is used in paste form for producing the adhesive bond and removing the use of mechanical fastening unit for fastening the plate-shaped component at the substructure. An independent claim is included for a system for manufacturing a suspended ceiling.