Air Pump Noise Reduction via Segmented Suction Passage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing noise reduction devices for air pumps rely on housings, which do not effectively address noise transmission through the suction passage, leading to residual noise emission.

Innovation Solution

An air pump design incorporating a casing with a noise reduction wall and chamber, featuring a suction port, noise reduction passage, and a lid member to extend the air path and reduce noise leakage, utilizing a combination of wide-space noise reduction chamber and narrow suction port for enhanced noise suppression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a housing with noise reduction means is used, then noise transmission is suppressed, but the suction passage cannot be sufficiently lengthened to achieve effective noise reduction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise transmissionVSAvoidsuction passage length
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The suction passage is segmented into two distinct parts: a suction port extending through the casing wall and a noise reduction passage extending through the noise reduction wall. This segmentation allows each passage to be optimized independently for its specific function while collectively achieving the overall goal of noise reduction through extended path length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The noise reduction wall is positioned to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the casing wall, creating a three-dimensional spatial arrangement. This dimensional change allows the air path to extend further from the external environment through both the suction port and noise reduction passage before entering the pump unit, effectively lengthening the suction path without increasing the footprint of the pump housing.

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

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the suction passage is lengthened to reduce noise, then noise reduction effect is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise reduction effectVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The noise reduction wall is integrated with the casing to form a unified structure. The lid member is provided to close an opening defined by the top of the noise reduction wall, creating a sealed noise reduction chamber. This merging approach allows the noise reduction functionality to be incorporated into the existing casing structure rather than adding separate, complex noise reduction components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The noise reduction wall serves multiple functions: it forms the boundary of the noise reduction chamber, provides the noise reduction passage for air flow, and integrates with the lid member to seal the chamber. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while achieving effective noise reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a housing-based noise reduction device is used, then noise is suppressed, but the suction passage path is not sufficiently extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise suppressionVSAvoidair path length
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Air is drawn through the noise reduction passage before entering the pump unit through the suction port. This preliminary action of forcing air through the extended noise reduction passage prior to pump intake effectively lengthens the air path and allows noise reduction to occur before the air enters the pump, rather than attempting to suppress noise after it has been generated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 design significantly reduces noise leakage by lengthening the air path through the suction port and noise reduction passage, achieving improved noise reduction effects compared to traditional housing-based solutions.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnetic drive unit for reciprocating the piston

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

the path extending from the casing to the outside through the suction port and the noise reduction chamber and further through the noise reduction passage is long so that it is possible to achieve a noise reduction effect to reduce noise leaking out of the casing through the path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNoise reduction through path extension: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP2392824B1Air pump
Publication Date: 2016.11.23 NITTO KOHKI CO LTD
  • EP2392824B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2392824B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2392824B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided an air pump in which vibration noise generated in a drive unit of the pump is suppressed from being transmitted to the outside through a suction passage. A casing (17) of the air pump has a suction port (26-12) extending from an outer peripheral surface to inner peripheral surface of the casing, a noise reduction wall (26-9) annularly formed on the outer peripheral surface of the casing such that the suction port opens in a region of the outer peripheral surface of the casing surrounded by the noise reduction wall, and a lid member closing the opening of the top of the noise reduction wall and cooperating with the noise reduction wall and the outer peripheral surface of the casing to define a noise reduction chamber (26-14) communicating with the suction port. The noise reduction wall has an elongated noise reduction passage (26-11) extending circumferentially in the noise reduction wall. One end of the noise reduction passage opens on the outer surface of the noise reduction wall. The other end of the noise reduction passage opens on the inner surface of the noise reduction wall.