Acoustic Panel Elastic Support for Low-Frequency Noise Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current noise reduction technologies, such as noise barriers and acoustic panels, are ineffective in attenuating low-frequency sounds and often increase noise pollution on the side where the barrier is located, while existing solutions for low-frequency sound attenuation require high stiffness elastic members that hinder satisfactory sound wave absorption.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising an acoustic panel supported by an elastic member with a tab and spring part, allowing perpendicular movement and torsional deformation, which reduces the stiffness requirement based on acoustic considerations rather than load-bearing capacity, enabling effective low-frequency sound absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If high stiffness elastic members are used to support acoustic panels, then the panels can be correctly supported vertically, but the panels cannot vibrate horizontally to effectively absorb low-frequency sound waves

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupporting capacityVSAvoidsound absorption effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support member is segmented into distinct functional zones: a rigid mounting portion for vertical support and a flexible tab portion with spring element for horizontal vibration. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the support member have different mechanical properties: the mounting means are rigid to provide stable vertical support, while the tab and spring part are flexible to enable horizontal vibration. This local differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between support strength and vibration capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Weight of stationary object

If the elastic member is dimensioned to support the weight of the acoustic panel, then the panel is correctly supported vertically, but the stiffness is too high to allow satisfactory attenuation of low-frequency sound waves

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanel supportVSAvoidsound wave attenuation
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support member utilizes different spatial dimensions for different functions: the vertical dimension is optimized for load-bearing through rigid mounting means, while the horizontal dimension is optimized for vibration through the flexible tab and spring mechanism. This dimensional separation allows independent optimization of support and sound absorption functions.

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

3Object-affected harmful factors

If noise barriers primarily reflect sound waves, then noise pollution is reduced on one side of the barrier, but noise pollution increases on the side where the barrier is located

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise pollution on protected sideVSAvoidnoise pollution near barrier
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The acoustic panel converts the harmful reflected sound waves into beneficial absorbed energy. By using resonant absorption through horizontally vibrating panels, the system transforms sound energy that would otherwise be reflected and cause pollution into absorbed energy that reduces overall noise levels on both sides of the barrier.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 device effectively reduces noise pollution across a wide frequency range, including low frequencies, by allowing the acoustic panel to vibrate horizontally while being correctly supported vertically, resulting in improved acoustic comfort and reduced reverberation times.

Implementation Method 1

a movement of the acoustic panel perpendicular to its main faces is authorized by elastic deformation of the spring part in the direction of tilting of the tab relative to the second mounting means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the spring part can be dimensioned taking into account mainly acoustic considerations... this stiffness can be sufficiently low so that the acoustic panel can easily vibrate horizontally

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorsion: Torsion Spring

Implementation Method 3

During horizontal vibrations of the acoustic panel, the tab of the support member or of each support member acts in the manner of a lever arm causing the spring part of this support member to work in torsion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLever arm: Lever

Implementation Method 4

The device effectively reduces noise pollution across a wide frequency range, including low frequencies, by allowing the acoustic panel to vibrate horizontally

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP2198096B1Device for reducing noise pollution and equipment including such device
Publication Date: 2011.10.12 AE2S
  • EP2198096B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2198096B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2198096B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5B

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for reducing noise pollution that comprises an acoustic panel (1) and at least one member (3) for elastically holding said panel (1). The holding member (3) includes: first and second mounting means (8) for installing the same between a holder (2) and the panel (1), a spring portion (6) provided between the first and second mounting means, a tab (7) having one end connected to the second mounting means (5) and bearing, at a distance from said end, the first mounting means (8) so that a movement (D) of the panel (1) perpendicularly to the main faces (14A, 14B) thereof is permitted by an elastic deformation of the spring portion (6) in the tilting direction (B) of the tab (7) relative to the second mounting means (5).