Sound-absorbing Panel With Asymmetric Double-Wave Corrugated Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional corrugated cardboard lacks sound-absorption function, particularly for aural or speech perception, due to its intrinsic structure, resulting in negligible sound absorption.

Innovation Solution

A sound-absorbing panel composed of multiple layers of double-wave corrugated cardboard with a minimum height of 8.5 mm, made from flexing-resistant paper containing 30% recycled paper and 70% virgin cellulose, featuring non-aligned sinusoidal waves with an inclination of 15-45°, which dissipates sound energy through friction and vibration, enhancing absorption across a broader frequency range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional corrugated cardboard structure is used, then manufacturing cost is low and ease of manufacture is high, but sound absorption capability is negligible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound absorption capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the wave angle parameter from the conventional 0 degrees to between 15-45 degrees, and modifies the wave profile from standard sinusoidal to asymmetric sinusoidal. These parameter changes enable the cardboard structure to absorb sound effectively while maintaining the simple corrugated cardboard manufacturing process, thus improving sound absorption without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces asymmetric sinusoidal wave profiles with non-aligned upper and lower waves, creating an asymmetric structure that disrupts sound wave propagation more effectively than symmetric conventional corrugated cardboard. This asymmetry enhances sound absorption by creating more varied paths for sound energy dissipation through friction and vibration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If double-wave corrugated cardboard with 8.5 mm height is used, then sound absorption is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound absorption capabilityVSAvoidpanel weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the wave height parameter to a minimum of 8.5 mm, which provides sufficient sound absorption performance. By setting this as a minimum rather than increasing it further, the patent achieves effective sound absorption while minimizing the weight increase that would result from taller waves

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If non-aligned sinusoidal waves with 15-45° inclination are used, then sound absorption across broader frequency range is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound absorption effectivenessVSAvoidwave alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies a wave angle range of 15-45 degrees rather than a single precise angle, and requires non-aligned but not necessarily perfectly alternating waves. This range-based specification maintains sound absorption effectiveness while providing manufacturing tolerance, reducing the precision requirements compared to specifying exact angular measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 panel achieves effective sound absorption by converting sound energy into kinetic energy, improving clarity and intelligibility of oral messages without the need for fibrous materials, offering a cost-effective, versatile, and easily implementable solution for reducing reverberation.

Implementation Method 1

by virtue of its roughness and its elasticity, makes it possible to also take advantage of dissipation deriving from friction and from vibration of the vertical walls of the waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

dissipation deriving from friction and from vibration of the vertical walls of the waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

the panel according to the invention has an acoustic absorption distributed over the whole spectrum of interest of aural perception

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 4

dissipation of the sound wave occurs via conversion of the sound to kinetic energy when it passes through the material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Data Source

PatentEP4095332B1Sound-absorbing panel
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 POLYMAXITALIA SRL
  • EP4095332B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4095332B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4095332B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A sound-absorbing panel (1), composed of a series of layers (2) of double-wave corrugated cardboard, each one formed by an upper liner (3), an upper wave (6), an intermediate liner (5), a lower wave (7) and a lower liner (4). Each one of the layers (2) of double-wave corrugated cardboard, of the CC type with a minimum height of 8.5 mm, is made of paper that is resistant to flexing and with recycled paper containing virgin cellulose. Each one of the upper and lower waves (6, 7) has a mutually non-aligned sinusoidal wave shape (8a, 8b) and has an inclination of 15 - 45°.