Modular Acoustic Complex for Impact Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current acoustic insulation methods for reducing impact noise between apartments, such as floating screeds, face issues like long drying times, increased floor height, and sound bridges, and do not effectively address low-frequency sound attenuation.

Innovation Solution

A modular acoustic complex comprising prefabricated rigid panels with elastic pads and a heavy floor covering, assembled to form a floating floor with adjustable edges and a resilient strip around the periphery, providing improved acoustic insulation without the need for extensive drying times and avoiding sound bridges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a floating screed made of reinforced cement is used for impact sound insulation, then acoustic insulation performance is improved, but the floor height increases and the structure becomes heavy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacoustic insulation performanceVSAvoidfloor structure weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the floating floor into modular prefabricated panels with standardized dimensions (e.g., 60x60cm, 60x120cm). Each panel is a self-contained acoustic unit with integrated resilient underlay, eliminating the need for continuous cement screed while maintaining acoustic performance. The panels are assembled like LEGO blocks to cover the floor area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite construction combining rigid panel materials (HDF, MDF, particle board, or OSB with density 0.5-6) bonded to resilient acoustic underlay (foam, rubber, or felt) on the bottom surface. This composite structure provides both structural integrity and acoustic insulation in a lightweight format, achieving 60-80% weight reduction compared to cement screed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a floating screed is used for impact sound insulation, then acoustic insulation performance is improved, but the drying time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacoustic insulation performanceVSAvoiddrying time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient underlay and acoustic insulation layers are pre-assembled with the panel structures during factory manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures proper layering, bonding, and compression before installation, eliminating on-site drying等待 times and enabling immediate assembly of the complete floating floor system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a floating screed is used for impact sound insulation, then acoustic insulation performance is improved, but sound bridges are created at the periphery

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacoustic insulation performanceVSAvoidsound bridge transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates resilient peripheral strips (foam, rubber, or felt) along the edges and corners of each panel. These flexible elements create acoustic breaks at the periphery, preventing sound bridge transmission through rigid connections to the supporting structure, while maintaining the floating floor effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Ease of operation

If prefabricated panels with adjustable edges are used, then ease of installation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidpanel assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the floating floor into modular prefabricated panels with standardized dimensions (e.g., 60x60cm, 60x120cm). Each panel is a self-contained acoustic unit with integrated resilient underlay, eliminating the need for continuous cement screed while maintaining acoustic performance. The panels are assembled like LEGO blocks to cover the floor area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs universal connection elements (grooves, tongues, or click-lock mechanisms) that work across all panel types and configurations. These standardized interfaces enable any panel to connect with any other panel regardless of position or orientation, simplifying installation while managing complexity through standardization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution achieves rapid installation with high impact noise attenuation and low-frequency sound insulation performance, being six times lighter than traditional systems, while maintaining cost equivalence and allowing for easy repair and integration with underfloor heating.

Implementation Method 1

the floating floor comprising substantially elastic pads

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration isolation: Damping

Implementation Method 2

substantially elastic pads

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

A preferably heavy floor covering, for example solid parquet or tile type, is glued to the panel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP2101012B1Modular acoustic complex for making a floor with improved soundproofing performance, production method
Publication Date: 2011.05.18 ATTIA DANIEL
  • EP2101012B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2101012B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP2101012B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The complex (1) has elastic blocks (4) formed on isophonic floating ground rest on a support e.g. concrete structural slab (10), where the blocks are homogeneous monoblock elements. The blocks are fixed on lower surfaces of oriented strand board (OSB) type water-repellent and rigid wooden panels (2), where a ratio of a total base surface of the blocks on the support, on a total surface of the panels is between 0.03-0.08. Wooden struts (11) are arranged between a lower surface of each panel and each block, where the thickness of the struts is between 19-25 millimeters. An independent claim is also included for a method for fabricating an acoustic complex.