Multiwall Sheet Acoustic Resonator for Lightweight Sound Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for multiwall sheets that provide increased sound insulation without significant weight increase, while maintaining transparency and without additional manufacturing steps or cost, particularly for applications requiring structural and thermal insulation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating acoustic resonators within the cavities of multiwall sheets, which enhance sound transmission loss by resonating and dissipating sound energy, thereby improving sound insulation without increasing weight or manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the weight of the multiwall sheet is increased to improve sound insulation, then sound transmission loss is improved, but weight increases which counteracts the advantage of using polymer sheeting over glass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates acoustic resonators with porous or hollow structures within the multiwall sheet cavities. These resonators utilize air-filled chambers and porous materials to absorb sound energy through viscous dissipation and thermal conduction, achieving effective sound insulation without requiring solid dense materials that would increase weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by integrating acoustic resonators made of polymer materials within the multiwall sheet framework. This composite design combines the lightweight properties of polymer sheeting with the sound-absorbing characteristics of resonator structures, achieving both weight reduction and improved acoustic performance simultaneously.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If acoustic resonators are added to improve sound insulation, then sound transmission loss is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the acoustic resonator structure with the existing multiwall sheet framework by positioning resonators within the cavities formed by the walls and ribs. This integration approach combines sound insulation functionality with the structural framework, achieving dual purposes without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic resonators serve multiple functions: they provide sound insulation through acoustic resonance, maintain structural integrity within the multiwall sheet, and can be manufactured using the same polymer materials and processes as the sheet itself. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall system.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If acoustic resonators are incorporated to improve sound insulation, then sound transmission loss is improved, but manufacturing steps and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic resonators are pre-formed as separate components before being integrated into the multiwall sheet. This preliminary preparation allows for standardized manufacturing of resonators using injection molding or extrusion processes, enabling efficient production and reducing assembly complexity during sheet fabrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The resonators are designed to be self-contained units that require minimal assembly steps. They can be inserted into pre-formed cavities or integrated during the extrusion process itself, allowing the manufacturing system to automatically position and secure resonators without requiring additional manual operations or complex tooling.
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 multiwall sheets exhibit a greater than 125% improvement in sound transmission loss, maintaining transparency and structural integrity, while reducing sound pollution effectively across a broad frequency range.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating acoustic resonators within the cavities of multiwall sheets, which enhance sound transmission loss by resonating and dissipating sound energy
Data Source
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AI summary
A multiwall sheet, comprising: walls extending along a z-axis and extending along an x-axis, wherein the x-axis is orthogonal to the z-axis, wherein the walls comprise plastic, and wherein the walls comprise an upper wall (2), and a lower wall (4), wherein the lower wall (4) is spaced apart from the upper wall (2) along a y-axis, and wherein the y-axis is orthogonal to the z-axis and the x-axis; ribs extending along the z-axis and extending along the y-axis between the upper wall (2) and the lower wall (4), wherein the ribs comprise plastic, and wherein the ribs comprise a first rib (6), and a second rib (8), wherein the second rib (8) is spaced apart from the first rib (6) along the x-axis, and wherein the upper wall (2), the lower wall (4), the first rib (6), and the second rib (8) define a cavity (10) having a width Xcavity and a height Ycavity; and an acoustic resonator (100) in the cavity (10), wherein the acoustic resonator (100) extends along the z-axis, comprises plastic, and comprises a first portion (110) extending in a negative y-axis direction from the upper wall (2) into the cavity (10), a second portion (120) extending in a positive x-axis direction from the first portion (110), and a third portion (130) extending in a positive y-axis direction from the second portion (120).