Suspended Ceiling Profiles for Low-Height Dismantling and Hidden Cut Edges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suspended ceiling systems require high ceiling voids for dismantling, cannot be easily shortened on-site without compromising appearance or safety, and often have visible cut surfaces after installation.

Innovation Solution

A suspended ceiling design featuring ceiling elements with connecting elements and supporting profiles that allow for easy on-site cutting and folding, using pairs of stop surfaces to prevent horizontal movement and a horizontally projecting profile wall to conceal cut edges, enabling secure support during pivoting and folding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ceiling elements are supported with strip-shaped edge areas resting on supporting profiles, then ceiling elements can be securely supported, but high ceiling voids are required for dismantling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure support of ceiling elementsVSAvoidceiling void height
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting profile is segmented into multiple functional parts: a horizontal support surface for bearing weight, vertical side surfaces for forming stop surfaces, and a horizontally projecting profile wall for concealing cut edges. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining compact overall dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The profile wall projects horizontally from the supporting profile rather than extending vertically, utilizing the horizontal dimension to conceal cut surfaces without increasing the vertical ceiling void requirement. This dimensional shift resolves the contradiction between secure support and compact height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If ceiling elements are cut on-site to adjust length, then adaptability to different spaces is improved, but cut surfaces and edges become visible and unsightly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveon-site length adjustmentVSAvoidappearance of cut surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The profile wall acts as an intermediary element that visually screens the cut surfaces and edges of ceiling elements. By positioning this projecting wall between the viewer and the cut surfaces, the unsightly appearance is concealed while the ceiling element maintains its adjusted length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If ceiling elements are designed to abut against vertical surfaces of supporting profiles, then horizontal movement is prevented, but dismantling requires lifting ceiling elements very high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of horizontal movementVSAvoiddismantling operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The stop surfaces are pre-positioned on the supporting profile structure during installation. When ceiling elements are later removed or adjusted, these pre-positioned stop surfaces allow for controlled release of the ceiling element without requiring excessive lifting height, as the element can be disengaged by lifting only enough to clear the stop surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If ceiling elements are supported only by lifting during dismantling, then simple removal is possible, but high ceiling voids are required to accommodate the lifting motion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremoval operationVSAvoidceiling void height
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between ceiling elements and supporting profiles is designed to be dynamically adjustable. During installation, the stop surfaces provide rigid positioning. During dismantling, the same stop surfaces enable controlled dynamic movement as ceiling elements are lifted only to the extent needed to disengage from the stop surfaces, rather than requiring full clearance height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4603650A1False ceiling
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 PEER ROBERT
  • EP4603650A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4603650A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4603650A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a suspended ceiling which comprises ceiling elements (1) and supporting profiles (2, 3, 16, 23, 27, 38, 44), - wherein pairs (10, 13) of stop surfaces block relative movement of the ceiling element (1) horizontally normal to the supporting profiles, - wherein the pairs of stop surfaces can be disengaged by an upward movement of the ceiling element (1), - wherein a displacement region (15) extends in the horizontal direction on one of the supporting profiles, into which displacement region the ceiling element (1) can be displaced in the horizontal direction towards the respective supporting profile (2, 16, 23, 27, 38, 44). The wall-side support profile (2, 16, 23, 27, 38, 44) has a profile wall (14, 18, 29, 39) projecting in the horizontal direction, which extends below the underside of the flat element (5, 19) and thus represents a visual screen for an edge region of the flat element (5, 19), whereby the flat element (5, 19) is particularly easy to shorten.