Flexible Acoustic Absorption Element with Dynamic Resonance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sound absorption elements are complex to produce and limited in adaptability to different room acoustics, making them inflexible for varying sound absorption properties and room geometries.

Innovation Solution

A sound absorption element with flexible, open gaps arranged transversely and longitudinally, allowing elastic stretching, compression, bending, and twisting, and made from materials like wood and/or plastic, enabling optimal alignment and frequency spectrum absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sound absorption elements are designed with fixed resonance frequencies for specific room acoustics, then sound absorption properties are optimized for that room, but the element cannot be adapted to other rooms with different acoustic conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound absorption propertiesVSAvoidadaptability to different room acoustics
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the resonance frequency of the sound absorption element adjustable rather than fixed. The rear edge of the recesses is designed to be movable along the plate surface, allowing the resonance frequency to be dynamically changed according to different room acoustic conditions. This enables the same element to be adapted to various rooms while maintaining optimal sound absorption performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If sound absorption elements have complex geometries to achieve desired acoustic properties, then sound absorption performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the sound absorption element into a plate with multiple recesses, where each recess has a specific geometry contributing to the overall acoustic performance. The recesses are structured with front portions extending from the front surface and rear edges that can be independently adjusted, allowing complex acoustic functionality to be achieved through modular geometric segments rather than a single complex structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by allowing the rear edges of the recesses to be positioned at different distances from the front surface, thereby changing the depth parameter of the recesses. This parameter adjustment enables tuning of the resonance frequency and sound absorption characteristics without requiring completely different geometric structures, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining performance flexibility.

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 flexible design allows for broad frequency absorption and adaptability to various room acoustics, improving sound absorption, reflection, and scattering properties while maintaining structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

allowing the sound incident on the sound absorption element to set the air in the respective gap into vibration, according to the principle of a perforated plate resonator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPerforated panel resonator principle: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

The panel features transverse sound absorption gaps that are continuous in the thickness direction but not continuous in the transverse direction, and whose width is limited by two spaced-apart gap faces. The sound absorption gaps are thus open, allowing the sound incident on the sound absorption element to set the air in the respective gap into vibration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2575127B1Acoustic absorption element
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 DUKTA
  • EP2575127B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2575127B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2575127B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The element has plate (2) that is provided with a first plate surface (4) which is intended to face a noise source. The first plate surface is arranged opposing the second plate surface (6). The plate is provided with sound absorption columns (12) which are continuous in thickness direction and not continuous in the transverse direction (Q). The sound absorption columns are arranged successively in the longitudinal direction (L) to limit the width of each of two spaced-apart slit side surfaces (14,16). An independent claim is included for manufacturing method of sound absorption element.