Micro-perforated Soundproof Structure with Controlled Porosity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional soundproof materials, such as urethane and glass wool, are ineffective in small spaces due to size limitations, lack durability, and can contaminate environments, failing to provide sufficient soundproofing performance across wide frequency bands and being unsuitable for clean rooms or precision equipment areas.

Innovation Solution

A soundproof structure featuring a sheet member with through-holes of specific dimensions and a sound absorbing body, where the average opening diameter of the through-holes is between 0.1 µm and 100 µm, and a parameter A (σ × φ²) is less than 92, combined with a surface roughness of 0.1 µm to 10.0 µm, enhancing sound absorption through friction and reducing visual recognition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional soundproof materials (urethane, glass wool) are used to achieve soundproofing, then sound absorption is improved, but the volume required increases and sufficient soundproofing performance cannot be obtained in limited spaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoundproofing performanceVSAvoidvolume of soundproof material
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a porous sound absorbing body with specific flow resistance (500-5000 N·s/m³) combined with a micro-perforated sheet having through-holes of 0.1-100 μm diameter. This porous material configuration achieves high sound absorption coefficients across broad frequency bands while requiring minimal thickness, thus providing effective soundproofing in limited spaces without increasing volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention optimizes specific parameters including the flow resistance of the sound absorbing body (500-5000 N·s/m³), the diameter of through-holes (0.1-100 μm), and the thickness ratio of the micro-perforated sheet. By precisely controlling these parameters, the structure achieves superior soundproofing performance in a compact form factor, resolving the contradiction between performance and volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional soundproof materials (fibers like glass wool) are used, then sound absorption is achieved, but fiber dust contaminates the environment and affects precision equipment in clean rooms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound absorption capabilityVSAvoidfiber dust contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs a porous sound absorbing body made of non-fibrous materials such as foam materials or sintered materials, which do not generate fiber dust. This eliminates contamination issues in clean rooms and environments with precision equipment while maintaining effective sound absorption capability across broad frequency bands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The micro-perforated sheet serves as a protective barrier that prevents any potential dust generation from the sound absorbing body, creating a sealed system that eliminates contamination risks to the environment and precision equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If through-holes with large opening diameter are used in sheet member, then soundproofing performance is improved, but visual recognition of through-holes increases and designability is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoundproofing performanceVSAvoidvisual appearance and texture
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention precisely controls the diameter of through-holes to be within 0.1-100 μm, a parameter range that maintains effective sound absorption performance while being below the visual resolution threshold of the human eye. This allows the sheet to provide excellent soundproofing while appearing visually uniform and aesthetically pleasing, preserving designability and texture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The micro-perforated sheet provides localized sound absorption functionality at the micro-scale level while maintaining a uniform, hole-free appearance at the macro-scale visual level. This separation of functional and aesthetic scales resolves the contradiction between soundproofing performance and visual appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

This configuration achieves high soundproofing performance across a wide frequency band while minimizing visual recognition of the through-holes, improving designability and texture, and reducing environmental contamination risks.

Implementation Method 1

enhancing sound absorption through friction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3605525B1Soundproof structure
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP3605525B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3605525B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7
  • EP3605525B1 patent drawingFigure 8~11

AI summary

There are provided a soundproof structure, which can have high soundproofing performance in a wide frequency band and in which visual recognition of through-hole can be suppressed, and a sound absorbing panel and a sound adjusting panel using the soundproof structure. A sheet member having a plurality of through-holes passing therethrough in a thickness direction and a sound absorbing body disposed in contact with one main surface of the sheet member are provided. An average opening diameter of the through-holes is 0.1 µm or more and less than 100 µm. Assuming that the average opening diameter of the through-holes is φ (µm) and an average opening ratio is σ a parameter A expressed by A = σ × φ2 is 92 or less.