Thin Hanger With Folded Shoulder For Ceiling Suspension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hangers for suspending construction elements in false ceiling construction are heavy, require excessive material, and have limitations in thickness reduction due to mechanical stress concerns, leading to increased weight and manufacturing costs without adequate mechanical support.

Innovation Solution

A hanger device with a reduced thickness plate body (0.4-1 mm) and a rounded end with perpendicular grooves and a foldable shoulder for improved clipping and mechanical support, allowing for lighter construction while maintaining mechanical strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If the thickness of the hanger plate is reduced to decrease weight, then the mass of the hanger is reduced, but the mechanical strength decreases causing the hanger to twist under load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemass of hangerVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from a flat two-dimensional plate to a three-dimensional structured form by folding the plate into an accordion-like configuration. This dimensional transformation creates multiple layers and air pockets that significantly increase the moment of inertia and bending resistance without adding material mass, thereby maintaining mechanical strength while minimizing weight.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes a thin plate (0.4-1 mm) that is folded into a rigid-appearing structure. The thin film material, when configured in a folded pattern, achieves high stiffness-to-weight ratio. The folded geometry creates a structure that behaves like a rigid shell despite being made from thin, flexible material, preventing twisting under load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Strength

If additional reinforcement ribs or rods are added to increase mechanical strength, then the breaking load increases, but the weight and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebreaking loadVSAvoidmass of hanger
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the continuous plate into multiple folded segments creating an accordion-like structure. This segmentation distributes the mechanical load across multiple sections and creates geometric reinforcement through the folding pattern itself, eliminating the need for additional reinforcement ribs or rods while maintaining high breaking load capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If a flat elongated hanger is used for simplicity, then the manufacturing is easy, but the hanger twists under the spacing force of furs during clipping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention takes a simple flat plate and transforms it into a three-dimensional folded structure. This dimensional change maintains manufacturing simplicity (still using a single plate forming operation) while fundamentally improving structural stability. The folded geometry inherently resists twisting forces that would affect a flat plate, as the multi-layer configuration distributes and counteracts applied forces.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2904171B1Thin hanger for suspending a construction element to a supporting structure
Publication Date: 2016.11.30 ETEX BUILDING PERFORMANCE INT SAS
  • EP2904171B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for suspending a construction element having a bearing structure including a body formed by an elongate plate one of the ends of which, intended for receiving a snap-on structural bearing element, is at least partially rounded and includes a shoulder formed by bending at least one portion of said rounded area. Another aspect of the invention relates to a framework for a drop ceiling including said runners.