Microperforated Membrane Mineral Wool Assembly for Acoustic Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermal and acoustic insulation systems for ships degrade sound absorption when using airtight membranes, leading to increased noise levels in insulated rooms.

Innovation Solution

A thermal and acoustic insulation system comprising a micro-perforated membrane on a mineral wool product, with carefully controlled perforations and airflow resistance, to enhance sound absorption without significantly reducing sound insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid insulation materials are used to provide thermal and acoustic insulation, then insulation performance is improved, but the product becomes heavy and difficult to handle and install

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation performanceVSAvoidproduct weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid insulation materials with flexible porous foam material that can be conformably wrapped around irregular surfaces. This flexible foam material provides equivalent thermal and acoustic insulation performance while being significantly lighter and easier to handle and install, directly resolving the contradiction between insulation performance and weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If rigid insulation materials are used to provide thermal and acoustic insulation, then insulation performance is improved, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation performanceVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible porous foam material can be easily cut, shaped, and installed without requiring specialized tools or complex procedures. Its flexibility allows it to conform to irregular surfaces and be quickly secured with simple fastening methods, dramatically reducing installation time and labor requirements while maintaining insulation performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The insulation product is designed as a modular assembly consisting of the flexible foam material, membrane, and optional fastening components that can be independently handled and installed. This segmentation allows for easier transportation, storage, and installation, reducing the time and effort required compared to installing large rigid insulation panels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If rigid insulation materials are used, then structural strength is provided, but the product lacks adaptability to irregular surfaces and complex geometries

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidadaptability to surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible porous foam material can be conformably wrapped around surfaces of any shape or size, including irregular and complex geometries. The material's flexibility allows it to adapt to contours and irregularities that rigid materials cannot accommodate, providing both structural support and insulation where needed while maintaining full adaptability to various surface geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Temperature

If thermal insulation layers are added to improve thermal insulation, then thermal performance is improved, but the overall product thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulationVSAvoidproduct thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure combining flexible porous foam material with a membrane layer. This composite design provides effective thermal insulation in a thin profile, as the porous foam material has high insulation efficiency per unit thickness. The membrane layer adds minimal thickness while contributing to the overall insulation performance, allowing improved thermal performance without significant increase in product thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 system significantly improves sound absorption while maintaining sound insulation, achieving a balance through optimized perforation dimensions and airflow resistance, with minimal degradation.

Implementation Method 1

the porous foam material being acoustically transparent to at least some external acoustic waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 2

the membrane being acoustically reflective to external acoustic waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

a thermal insulation layer arranged between the membrane and the acoustic sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4082004B1Thermal and acoustic insulation assembly comprising a thermal and acoustic insulation product and a membrane at the front face
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 SAINT GOBAIN ISOVER
  • EP4082004B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a thermal and acoustic insulation assembly comprising: - a thermal and acoustic insulation product (1) made of mineral wool and comprising a first face, referred to as the front face (1a), intended to be directed towards the interior of a part, and a second face, referred to as the rear face (1b), intended to be directed towards a wall (2), - a microperforated membrane (3) arranged on the front face (1a) of the thermal and acoustic insulation product (1). The invention makes it possible to significantly improve the acoustic absorption while not degrading the acoustic insulation.