Elastomer Acoustic Protective Member Under High Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protective members for acoustic components, such as microporous membranes and PTFE films, suffer from irreversible deformation under high pressure, leading to significant reductions in sound transmissivity, especially in harsh environments like submerged conditions.

Innovation Solution

A protective member composed of a sound-transmissive sheet made from an elastomer with a rubber-like elastic body, having a type A hardness of 20 to 80, and an adhesive layer on its edge region, which maintains stability and sound transmissivity even under high pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If microporous membranes like PTFE film are used as protective members, then waterproof function and sound transmitting function are achieved, but the protective member is easily deformed under external stress and irreversibly deformed under high pressure, reducing sound transmissivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproof functionVSAvoidshape stability under pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from rigid microporous membranes to elastomeric materials with specific hardness (20-80 on JIS A scale), enabling the protective member to maintain shape stability through elastic deformation and recovery under pressure while preserving waterproof and sound transmitting functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite structures including elastomeric layers, adhesive layers, and optionally porous polymer foam layers, combining materials with different properties to achieve both waterproof protection and shape stability under pressure while maintaining sound transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If microporous membranes like PTFE film are used as protective members, then waterproof function is achieved, but sound transmissivity is significantly reduced after exposure to high water pressure due to irreversible deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproof functionVSAvoidsound transmissivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using rigid structures that resist deformation, the patent inverts the approach by using flexible elastomeric materials that can deform elastically and recover, achieving both waterproof protection and maintained sound transmission after pressure exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Stability of the object's composition

If elastomer with type A hardness of 20 to 80 is used for the sound-transmissive sheet, then resistance to irreversible deformation under high pressure is achieved, but the material must be selected within a specific hardness range to maintain sound transmissivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape stability under pressureVSAvoidmaterial selection flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent defines a specific parameter range for elastomer hardness (20-80 on JIS A scale) that optimizes both shape stability under pressure and sound transmission properties, constraining material selection to this range to achieve the desired balance of performance characteristics

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 elastomer-based protective member prevents irreversible deformation and maintains high sound transmissivity in harsh environments, ensuring reliable performance even under submerged conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a sound-transmissive sheet composed of an elastomer wherein the elastomer is a rubber-like elastic body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2869590B1Protective member for acoustic component and waterproof case

Publication Date: 2020.02.26 NITTO DENKO CORP

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

A protective member (1) of the present invention for an acoustic component includes a sound-transmissive sheet (11) composed of an elastomer. The protective member (1) for an acoustic component may further include an adhesive layer (12) disposed on an edge region of the sound-transmissive sheet (11).