Perforated Acoustic Drywall Panel With High-Mass Sound Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drywall constructions face challenges in combining sound absorption through perforations with increased mass for improved sound insulation, as perforations reduce the mass per unit area, negatively affecting sound insulating properties.

Innovation Solution

The development of an acoustic drywall panel with a higher mass per unit area, incorporating perforations that maintain structural integrity and flexibility, achieved by adding lime or BaSO4 during gypsum plasterboard production, allowing for improved sound absorption and insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If perforations are formed in drywall panels to enable sound absorption, then sound absorption capability is improved, but mass per unit area is reduced which deteriorates sound insulation properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound absorptionVSAvoidmass per unit area
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies porous materials (acoustic insulating material) in the cavity behind the perforated panel to enhance sound absorption. The porous structure allows sound waves to penetrate through the perforations and be absorbed by the insulating material, achieving effective sound absorption without requiring high perforation density that would compromise structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite construction combining the rigid drywall panel with acoustic insulating material in the cavity. This composite structure allows the panel to maintain its mass for sound insulation while the cavity filled with porous material provides sound absorption, resolving the contradiction between these two acoustic requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Weight of stationary object

If mass per unit area is increased to improve sound insulation, then sound insulation capability is improved, but flexibility is reduced which deteriorates frequency of coincidence performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemass per unit areaVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the gypsum plasterboard by adding specific additives during production. These parameter changes enable the board to achieve both high mass per unit area and appropriate flexibility, optimizing both sound insulation and frequency of coincidence characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different properties to different parts of the system: the drywall panel itself has high mass for sound insulation, while the acoustic insulating material in the cavity provides flexibility and damping. This local differentiation allows each component to optimize its function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If perforations are formed in high mass drywall panels, then sound absorption is enabled, but structural integrity is reduced causing breakage of bridging sections and edge portions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound absorptionVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The perforations are formed during the manufacturing process of the drywall panel, before installation. This preliminary action ensures that the panel structure is properly designed and reinforced to accommodate perforations without compromising strength, allowing subsequent sound absorption functionality without structural failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The use of porous acoustic insulating material in the cavity compensates for the reduced structural integrity caused by perforations. The insulating material fills and supports the cavity space, preventing bridging section breakage while enabling sound absorption through the perforations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous 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 solution provides enhanced sound absorption and insulation capabilities, with increased mass per unit area, maintaining perforation integrity and flexibility, resulting in improved sound reduction across relevant frequency ranges.

Implementation Method 1

sound propagating in the medium air can penetrate in the space behind the perforated drywall panel. A sound wave propagating in the room can enter the space behind the attached drywall panel to be attenuated in the space between the drywall panel and the raw ceiling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 2

An improvement in the sound insulation is achieved by increasing the mass per unit area what lowers the resonance frequency f res in a manner so as to be out of the range which is relevant for room acoustics

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance frequency reduction: Resonance

Implementation Method 3

A further improvement in the sound insulation results from increasing the flexibility of the gypsum plasterboard which allows for increasing the frequency of coincidence f gr

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFrequency of coincidence: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP3394360B1Acoustic drywall panel
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 KNAUF GIPS KG
  • EP3394360B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3394360B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3394360B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Acoustic drywall panel 1 for being applied in a drywall construction 11, 12, 13, 14, the acoustic drywall panel 1 having a mass per surface area of more than 12 kg/m2 per 12 mm thickness as unperforated panel, wherein the acoustic drywall panel 1 comprises a plurality of perforations 2 shaped therein, each perforation 2 extending through the acoustic drywall panel 1 to allow for the penetration of air.