Phase Transition Sound Absorbing Material

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sound absorption materials are often bulky and inefficient, failing to provide effective soundproofing over a wide frequency range while maintaining a compact size.

Innovation Solution

A sound absorption system utilizing a material that undergoes a phase transition at a change-of-phase temperature (CPT), where the material's temperature is maintained at the CPT to absorb acoustic energy, allowing for efficient sound absorption with minimal material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If relatively thick layers of different materials are interleaved to obtain desired soundproofing over a large frequency range, then sound absorption performance is improved, but the system size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound absorption performanceVSAvoidsystem size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transition materials that undergo a phase change at a specific temperature (CPT). During this phase transition, the material absorbs acoustic energy efficiently across a wide frequency range. By maintaining the material at its CPT, the system achieves high sound absorption performance without requiring thick layers or complex multi-material structures, thus resolving the contradiction between performance and size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

2Reliability

If relatively thick layers of different materials are interleaved to obtain desired soundproofing, then sound absorption performance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound absorption performanceVSAvoidmaterial structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using multiple different materials in complex patterns, the patent employs a single phase transition material that can absorb sound across a broad frequency spectrum when maintained at its CPT. This simplifies the material structure from complex multi-layer compositions to a single functional material, reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving sound absorption performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameter of the material by maintaining it at a specific temperature (CPT) where phase transition occurs. This parameter change enables the material to exhibit enhanced sound absorption properties across a wide frequency range, eliminating the need for complex material compositions and simplifying the overall system design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 achieves significant sound absorption with a compact size, providing effective soundproofing across various frequency ranges by leveraging phase transitions to dissipate sound wave energy, reducing reflections and reverberation.

Implementation Method 1

the material is such that it exhibits a phase transition at a change-of-phase-temperature (CPT). In addition, the material is configured to absorb acoustic energy during said phase transition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase transition: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

the material is configured to absorb acoustic energy during said phase transition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic energy absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP3408850B1System and method for absorbing sound waves
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 DOLBY INTERNATIONAL AB
  • EP3408850B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3408850B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4b
  • EP3408850B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A sound absorption system (200) comprising a layer of material (205) is described. The material (205) exhibits a phase transition at a change-of-phase-temperature (104), referred to as CPT, and the material (205) is configured to absorb acoustic energy during said phase transition. Furthermore, the material (205) is at the CPT (104).