Partition wall incorporating a ventilation and sound insulation system

Abstract

Partition (1) with a double wall (2, 3) that is partially translucent or transparent, forming a passage (4) for ventilation and sound attenuation. A privacy space, for example within a passenger railway carriage, delimited by such a partition. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Partition comprising a ventilation and sound insulation system. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the fields of ventilation and sound insulation, in particular for delimiting privacy spaces.

[0002] The invention has a specific, but not limiting, interest in the railway sector, in particular for partitioning compartments in passenger transport cars. State of the art

[0003] In the railway sector, it is known to ensure the ventilation of railway car compartments using dedicated ventilation systems, which are planned at the design stage.

[0004] Alternatively, perforated partitions can be used to delimit compartments, thus eliminating the need for dedicated ventilation systems. However, perforated partitions do not, in themselves, provide sound insulation between compartments.

[0005] There is a need to provide a solution enabling the creation of privacy spaces, particularly in passenger transport vehicles, without modifying the ventilation and / or air conditioning system of these vehicles, while allowing the crew to view these spaces to ensure the safety of the passengers inside. Description of the invention

[0006] For this purpose, the invention relates to a partition intended to separate two spaces, comprising two walls which form a chamber between them, the walls each comprising a translucent or transparent part to allow a person to see through the partition, each of the walls comprising an opening configured to be able to put the chamber in fluidic communication with one of the respective of said spaces, the partition comprising one or more acoustic absorption elements housed in the chamber, the opening of each of the walls and the chamber forming a ventilation passage configured to be able to convey a flow of a fluid such as air from one to the other of said spaces.

[0007] In this document, when it is stated that an object comprises or forms "a" CS1 structural feature - or more generally a number N of CS1 structural features - it shall be understood that this object comprises or form "at least one" CS1 structural characteristic - or more generally "at least N" CS1 structural characteristics. Thus, in a non-exhaustive manner: - the partition of the invention may comprise more than two walls, and / or - the walls of the partition may form several chambers, and / or - one or each of the walls may comprise several translucent or transparent parts, and / or - one or each of the walls may include several openings, and / or - the partition can form several ventilation passages.

[0008] The partition of the invention thus forms a ventilation and sound insulation system between the spaces it separates, while allowing people to look through the partition.

[0009] The invention thus makes it possible to delimit a space of confidentiality without it being necessary to implement a ventilation system specifically dedicated to this space of confidentiality, while contributing to the safety of persons located in this space.

[0010] Furthermore, the invention makes it possible to ensure these different functions of ventilation, sound insulation and security using a partition which can have a limited footprint and whose design and manufacture can be relatively simple.

[0011] The invention also provides a modular solution, compatible with many spaces to be partitioned.

[0012] The sound absorption element(s) may comprise different materials and / or structures.

[0013] In particular, one or more of the sound-absorbing elements of the partition may comprise an open-cell porous material, for example of the wool, foam or granular type.

[0014] Without limitation, the material of one or more of the acoustic absorption elements of the partition may have an intrinsic resistivity to the passage of air between 200 Pa.s / m2 and 200000 Pa.s / m2.

[0015] For example, one or more of the sound-absorbing elements of the partition can be chosen from a non-limiting list including a porous material, mineral wool, natural wool of plant or animal origin, polyurethane foam, melamine foam, a polyhedral or honeycomb structure, and combinations thereof.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, one or more of said sound-absorbing elements comprise a melamine foam.

[0017] The partition preferably extends along a fictitious plane, called the "main plane".

[0018] In one embodiment, the ventilation passage extends along a direction parallel to the main plane of the partition.

[0019] In one embodiment, the opening of one of the walls and the opening of the other of said walls are offset from one another in a direction in which the partition extends.

[0020] Different materials can be used to form the translucent or transparent part of the walls.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the translucent or transparent part of one or both of said walls comprises glass.

[0022] In a non-limiting variant, the translucent or transparent part of one or both of said walls comprises polycarbonate.

[0023] In one embodiment, the sound reduction index Rw of the translucent or transparent part of one or both of said walls is greater than or equal to 15 dB, for example equal to 20 dB.

[0024] In one embodiment, each of the walls comprises an opaque part.

[0025] Different materials can be used to form the opaque part of the walls.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, each of the walls comprises an aluminum honeycomb structure forming the opaque part.

[0027] For other examples, the opaque part of the walls may include polyester, metal or wood.

[0028] In one embodiment, the opaque part of the walls may comprise a folded sheet metal, for example made of aluminum.

[0029] Preferably, the translucent or transparent part of one or both of said walls has a sound reduction index similar to that of the opaque part. For example, the sound reduction index Rw of the translucent or transparent part and the sound reduction index Rw of the opaque part may both be greater than or equal to 19 dB and less than or equal to 25 dB.

[0030] Many arrangements of the translucent / transparent and opaque parts of the walls can be envisaged.

[0031] For example, one or each of the walls may include a central transparent or translucent part and a peripheral opaque part which extends around the transparent or translucent part.

[0032] Alternatively, one or each of the walls may comprise an alternation of opaque parts and transparent or translucent parts, for example two transparent or translucent parts spaced apart and each surrounded by an opaque part.

[0033] Preferably, the transparent or translucent part of each of the walls has a total surface area greater than or equal to 1 cm2, more preferably greater than or equal to 10 cm2, even more preferably greater than or equal to 100 cm2.

[0034] Preferably, the ratio between the total surface area of ​​the transparent or translucent part of each of the walls and the total surface area of ​​the opaque part of the corresponding wall can be greater than or equal to 1 / 4, preferably greater than or equal to 1 / 2, even more preferably greater than or equal to 7 / 10.

[0035] In one embodiment, the sound-absorbing element(s) are arranged opposite the opaque part of the walls, so as not to obstruct visibility through the translucent or transparent part of the walls.

[0036] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a partition as defined above.

[0037] Without limitation, the vehicle may be a railway, aeronautical, motor vehicle or maritime vehicle.

[0038] The invention also covers other uses of a partition according to the invention, in particular to form a privacy booth in a company workspace, or to isolate a noisy machine by forming an acoustic enclosure.

[0039] Thus, the invention also relates to a building comprising a partition as defined above.

[0040] Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed, non-limiting description. Brief description of the figures

[0041] The following detailed description refers to the attached drawings on which: - Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of a partition according to the invention; - [Fig.2] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the partition of [Fig.1]; - [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view of part of a partition similar to that of [Fig.1]; - [Fig.4] is a partial schematic view of a passenger railway car, the car comprising a compartment delimited by partitions according to the invention.

[0042] Common references are used on the different figures to designate identical or analogous elements. Detailed description of implementation methods

[0043] The invention relates to a partition 1 as shown in Figures 1 to 3.

[0044] Figures 1 to 3 include a reference frame defining directions D1, D2 and D3 which indicate a relative arrangement of partition 1 in three-dimensional space.

[0045] Without limitation, the direction D3 is considered vertical in the following description.

[0046] The partition 1 comprises two walls 2 and 3, each of which has an internal surface and an external surface.

[0047] In this example, each of the internal and external surfaces of each of the walls 2 and 3 is parallel to the directions Dl and D3.

[0048] The walls 2 and 3 are spaced apart from each other along the direction D2 and thus extend parallel to each other, so that the internal surface of wall 2 is opposite the internal surface of wall 3.

[0049] More specifically, the internal surface of wall 2 is spaced along the direction D2 from the internal surface of wall 3 by a distance XI (see [Fig.2]).

[0050] The walls 2 and 3 thus form, between them, a space constituting a chamber 4 of the partition 1.

[0051] With reference to [Fig.2], the partition 1 thus extends globally along a fictitious plane PI, also called the main plane, which is parallel to the directions D1 and D3.

[0052] In this example, the PI plane is represented at an equidistance from the internal surface of wall 2 and the internal surface of wall 3.

[0053] In the embodiment of figures 1 to 3, each of the walls 2 and 3 comprises a first part 2A or 3A, respectively, and a second part 2B or 3B, respectively.

[0054] For each of these walls 2 and 3, the first part 2A / 3A is translucent or transparent, while the second part 2B / 3B is opaque.

[0055] From a geometric point of view, for each of the walls 2 and 3, the first part 2A / 3A is in this example a central part and the second part 2B / 3B is a peripheral part, in the sense that the second part 2B / 3B extends around the perimeter of the first part 2A / 3A (see figures 1 and 3).

[0056] By way of non-limitation, the first part 2A / 3A of each of the walls 2 and 3 has a rectangular shape having a dimension X2 - also called width - along the direction Dl and a dimension X3 - also called height - along the direction D3 (see [Fig.l]).

[0057] With reference to figures 2 and 3, part 2A of wall 2 and part 3A of wall 3 are arranged opposite each other.

[0058] More precisely, in this particular example, a first edge 2A1 of part 2A of wall 2 extends to the same coordinate along D3 as a first edge 3A1 of part 3A of wall 3 (see [Fig. 2]), a second edge 2A2 of part 2A of wall 2 extends to the same coordinate along D3 as a second edge 3A2 of part 3A of wall 3 (see [Fig. 2]), a third edge 2A3 of part 2A of wall 2 extends to the same coordinate along DI as a third edge of part 3A of wall 3 (see [Fig. 3]), and a fourth edge 2A4 of part 2A of wall 2 extends to the same coordinate along DI as a fourth edge 3A4 of part 3A of wall 3.

[0059] In this example, the first part 2A / 3A of each of walls 2 and 3 comprises glass with a sound reduction index of 34 dB.

[0060] In this example, the second part 2B / 3B of each of the walls 2 and 3 comprises an aluminum honeycomb structure.

[0061] In the embodiment of figures 1 to 3, each of the walls 2 and 3 has an opening 5 or 6, respectively, which passes through the corresponding wall 2 / 3 in the direction D2.

[0062] Openings 5 ​​and 6 thus allow fluid communication to be established between the inside of partition 1 - in particular between room 4 - and the outside of partition 1.

[0063] Openings 5 ​​and 6 are here made in the second part 2B / 3B of walls 2 and 3, respectively.

[0064] In this example, the openings 5 ​​and 6 are offset from each other along the direction D3.

[0065] More specifically, the opening 5 extends in this example from a first side of parts 2A and 3A of walls 2 and 3 in the direction D3, in this case vertically below parts 2A and 3A, while the opening 6 extends from a second side of parts 2A and 3A of walls 2 and 3 in the direction D3, in this case vertically above parts 2A and 3A.

[0066] In other words, the walls 2 and 3, which in this embodiment have a substantially similar geometry, are arranged head-to-tail.

[0067] With reference to figures 1 to 3, the partition 1 further comprises parts 10 and 11 configured to connect the walls 2 and 3 to each other.

[0068] In this example, the connecting parts 10 delimit chamber 4 on both sides along the direction D3, while the connecting parts 11 delimit chamber 4 on both sides along the direction DI.

[0069] The connecting parts 10 thus form vertical edges of the partition 1 and the connecting parts 11 form lateral edges of the partition 1.

[0070] In this example, the connecting parts 10 and 11 are assembled with the walls 2 and 3 by screwing. Other assembly methods can be used, such as clipping or interlocking. Of course, additional parts can be used to assemble the partition, for example, aluminum profile-type uprights.

[0071] Partition 1 in Figures 1 to 3 thus has an overall parallelepiped geometry, having a width that corresponds to its dimension X4 along DI (see [Fig.1]), a thickness which corresponds to its dimension X5 along D2 (see [Fig.2]) and a height which corresponds to its dimension X6 along D3 (see [Fig.1]).

[0072] By way of example and independently of the relative dimensions illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, partition 1 can be dimensioned so that, in a particular embodiment: - the thickness of wall 2, that is to say the distance along D2 between its internal surface and its external surface measured on part 2B, is equal to 1.8 cm, - the thickness of wall 3, i.e. the distance along D2 between its internal surface and its external surface measured on part 3B, is equal to 1.8 cm, - the gap XI between walls 2 and 3 is equal to 16.4 cm, - the thickness X5 of partition 1 is equal to 20 cm, - the width X4 of partition 1 is equal to 155 cm, - the height X6 of partition 1 is equal to 200 cm, - the width X2 of parts 2A and 3A of walls 2 and 3 is equal to 153 cm, - the height X3 of parts 2A and 3A of walls 2 and 3 is equal to 80 cm, - the width X7 of each of the openings 5 ​​and 6 is equal to 153 cm (see [Fig.l]), - the height X8 of each of the openings 5 ​​and 6 is equal to 11.4 cm (see [Fig.l]).

[0073] In one embodiment, part 2A may have a different thickness from the thickness of part 2B of wall 2. Similarly, part 3A may have a different thickness from the thickness of part 3B of wall 2. By way of example, particularly in the context of the example described in the preceding paragraph, the thickness of parts 2B and 3B of walls 2 and 3 may be 1.8 cm while the thickness of parts 2A and 3A of walls 2 and 3 may be 6 mm and 8 mm, respectively.

[0074] When part 2A / 3A has a different thickness from part 2B / 3B, it is preferred to arrange the different parts of the same wall 2 / 3 so that the external surface of part 2A / 3A and the external surface of part 2B / 3B are coplanar, so that walls 2 and 3 each have an overall smooth external surface.

[0075] With reference to [Fig.2], the partition 1 in this example comprises a melamine foam 15 forming sound-absorbing elements which line the chamber 4.

[0076] In this example, the foam 15 is arranged - and preferably fixed, for example by gluing with adhesive tape - on the internal surface of each of the parts 2B and 3B of the walls 2 and 3 as well as on the connecting parts 10 and 11 of the partition 1.

[0077] Parts 2A and 3A of walls 2 and 3, as well as openings 5 ​​and 6, are devoid of foam 15.

[0078] As an indication, the foam 15 can have a thickness of approximately 2.5 cm.

[0079] With reference to [Fig.2], the partition 1 of the invention forms a so-called ventilation passage which in this example is constituted by the chamber 4 and which fluidly connects the openings 5 ​​and 6 to each other.

[0080] The acoustic absorption foam 15 thus delimits the ventilation passage, which extends globally along the direction D3, allowing a flow of a fluid, such as air, to be conveyed from one of the openings 5 ​​and 6 to the other through the chamber 4.

[0081] The ventilation passage in this example has a staggered structure, resulting from the offset of the openings 5 ​​and 6 along the direction D3.

[0082] Such a geometry of the ventilation passage has the consequence that an airflow entering chamber 4 through one of the openings 5 ​​and 6 is made to change direction in order to be able to cross chamber 4 from one to the other of the said vertical ends of the partition 1, then to change direction again in order to be able to exit chamber 4 through the other of the said openings 5 ​​and 6, thus constituting a sound aerodynamic baffle.

[0083] Such an embodiment makes it possible on the one hand to obtain an average attenuation index R - in particular averaged in the octave bands of center frequency 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz and 4000 Hz - of about 43 dB, which makes it possible to guarantee good acoustic attenuation of human conversations.

[0084] On the other hand, such an embodiment makes it possible to ensure a ventilation flow rate of the order of 1500 m3 / h.

[0085] Fig. 4 schematically shows, in top view, part of a passenger car 20 of a railway vehicle, comprising a room-type area 21 intended to accommodate passengers, a corridor-type circulation area 22, and a compartment 23 intended to ensure the confidentiality of passenger conversations.

[0086] In this non-limiting example, the car 20 includes a conventional partition 25 and door 26 which are configured to provide a sound insulation function, as well as two partitions 1 which are each in accordance with the invention, for example such as that described above with reference to figures 1 to 3.

[0087] In this example, partitions 1, partition 25 and door 26 delimit compartment 23.

[0088] In this example, the partitions 1 of the car 20 allow the space of compartment 23 and the space of zone 22 to be separated, while simultaneously ensuring a ventilation function through said ventilation passage and a sound insulation function through the acoustic absorption elements 15 and the geometry of the ventilation passage of the partitions 1.

[0089] The partitions 1 of the invention make it possible, in particular, to avoid using a forced ventilation system dedicated to compartment 23, the ventilation of the compartment that can be supplied by the car's general ventilation system 20.

[0090] In addition, the partitions 1 of the invention allow persons moving in the area 22, for example cabin crew, to see through the partitions 1, via the translucent or transparent parts 2A and 3A of the walls 2 and 3, thus ensuring a safety function for the passengers in the compartment 23.

[0091] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0092] In particular, the invention can be implemented outside the railway sector, for example to partition a space within a land, aeronautical or maritime vehicle, to delimit a workspace in a company, or to create an acoustic enclosure in industry.

[0093] Figures 1 to 3 show a partition which, among other advantages, has a relatively simple structure. The partition of the invention may, of course, have a different and / or more complex structure.

[0094] For example, the partition may include one or more deflectors arranged within the partition chamber to form a ventilation passage that induces several changes in the direction of the airflow it carries. Without limitation, one or more of these deflectors may be formed by one or more additional walls or parts of walls. Naturally, such deflectors may be equipped with one or more sound-absorbing elements such as foam or other materials.

[0095] The sound-absorbing element(s) of the partition of the invention are not limited to foam, nor to melamine foam. Thus, one or more sound-absorbing elements of the partition may be chosen from a non-limiting list including mineral wool, natural wool of plant or animal origin, polyurethane foam, a polyhedral or honeycomb structure, and combinations thereof.

[0096] The partition of the invention may comprise one or more openings arranged in various ways and having a geometry and dimensions that can be adapted, in particular according to the desired ventilation flow rate. Furthermore, the openings in the partition may be equipped with grilles and / or filters.

[0097] More generally, the partition may form several ventilation passages and / or may include one or more ventilation passages, each comprising one or more branches. When a ventilation passage comprises several branches, such branches may be fluidly connected to respective openings in the walls or be connected to one or more common openings.

[0098] In the example in Figures 1 to 3, the transparent or translucent parts comprise glass and the opaque parts comprise aluminum. Other Various materials can be used to construct the walls, and these different parts can be arranged and sized differently. For example, each wall can include several transparent or translucent sections spaced apart.

[0099] The partition of the invention may of course include additional elements or components, for example wall connection flanges.

Claims

Demands

1. Partition (1) intended to separate two spaces (22, 23), comprising two walls (2, 3) which together form a chamber (4), the walls (2, 3) each comprising a translucent or transparent part (2A, 3A) to allow a person to see through the partition (1), each of the walls (2, 3) comprising an opening (5, 6) configured to be able to put the chamber (4) into fluidic communication with one of the respective of said spaces (22, 23), the partition (1) comprising one or more acoustic absorption elements (15) housed in the chamber (4), the opening (5, 6) of each of the walls (2, 3) and the chamber (4) forming a ventilation passage configured to be able to convey a flow of a fluid such as air from one to the other of said spaces (22, 23).

2. Partition (1) according to claim 1, wherein one or more of said sound-absorbing elements (15) comprise a melamine foam.

3. Partition (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ventilation passage extends along a direction (D3) parallel to a principal plane (PI) of the partition (1).

4. Partition (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the opening (5) of one of the walls (2) and the opening (6) of the other of said walls (3) are offset from one another along a direction (D3) in which the partition (1) extends.

5. Partition (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the translucent or transparent part (2A, 3A) of one of said walls (2, 3), or of both walls (2, 3), comprises glass.

6. Partition (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of the walls (2, 3) comprises an opaque part (2B, 3B), each of the walls (2, 3) comprising for example an aluminium honeycomb structure forming said opaque part (2B, 3B).

7. Partition (1) according to claim 6, in which one or more of said sound-absorbing elements (15) are arranged opposite the opaque part (2B, 3B) of the walls (2, 3), so as not to obstruct visibility through the translucent or transparent part (2A, 3A) of the walls (2, 3).

8. Partition (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the transparent or translucent part of each of the walls has a total surface area greater than or equal to 1 cm2, more preferably greater than or equal to 10 cm2, even more preferably greater than or equal to 100 cm2.

9. Vehicle (20), for example railway, aeronautical, motor or marine, comprising a partition (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Building comprising a partition (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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