Rocking Piston Pump Sound Chambers for Medical Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rocking piston vacuum pumps and compressors generate excessive noise, which can interfere with communication and cause discomfort in medical and dental applications, particularly when multiple devices are used in close proximity.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of sound attenuation chambers with baffles and silencers in series, combined with sloping heads and flexible intake and exhaust configurations, to reduce noise levels by expanding and compressing air/gas, thereby attenuating sound.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rocking piston vacuum pumps and compressors are used in medical and dental applications, then functional performance is achieved, but noise levels increase to distracting and uncomfortable levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional performanceVSAvoidnoise levels

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust system is segmented into multiple chambers (first exhaust chamber, second exhaust chamber, third exhaust chamber) with distinct functions. The first chamber handles initial exhaust, the second chamber provides sound attenuation, and the third chamber provides additional sound attenuation. This segmentation allows the system to maintain functional performance while progressively reducing noise at different stages of the exhaust process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Sound attenuation chambers are introduced as intermediary elements between the exhaust source and the external environment. These chambers contain baffles and silencers that act as mediators to absorb and attenuate sound waves generated by the rocking piston mechanism, thereby reducing noise transmission to the surrounding environment while maintaining exhaust functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pieces of equipment are used in the same proximate location, then comprehensive functionality is achieved, but cumulative noise levels increase and become distracting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive functionalityVSAvoidcumulative noise levels

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful noise generated by the rocking piston mechanism into a manageable acoustic field within the sound attenuation chambers. By containing and treating the sound waves within these chambers using baffles and silencers, the system transforms the harmful noise into a controlled acoustic environment that can be effectively attenuated, allowing multiple devices to operate in proximity without cumulative noise becoming distracting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If sound attenuation chambers with baffles and silencers are added to reduce noise, then noise levels decrease significantly, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise levelsVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sound attenuation system uses a nested structure where the first silencer is disposed within the sound attenuation chamber, and the second silencer is disposed in series externally. This nested arrangement allows multiple sound attenuation components to be integrated in a compact manner, reducing the overall space required and simplifying the structural configuration while maintaining effective noise reduction across multiple frequency ranges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent addresses noise reduction by adding spatial dimensions through the sound attenuation chamber and series-connected silencers, rather than attempting to modify the core rocking piston mechanism. This dimensional approach allows noise control to be implemented as a separate, modular system that can be added without fundamentally altering the primary functional components, thereby managing complexity while achieving significant noise reduction from 69 dB(A) to 54 dB(A).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Significant reduction in sound levels from approximately 69 dB(A) to 54 dB(A), providing a quieter operation and improved acoustic environment.

Implementation Method 1

a sound attenuation chamber. The chamber may have a first silencer disposed therein. A second silencer may be disposed in series relative to the first silencer and may be disposed externally of the sound attenuation chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound attenuation: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP3963207B1Sound reduction device for rocking piston pumps and compressors

Publication Date: 2025.09.03 GAST MANUFACTURING INC

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Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

A rocking piston vacuum pump or compressor may have a sound attenuation assembly. The sound attenuation assembly may comprise a sound attenuation chamber. The chamber may have a first silencer disposed therein with sound dampening foam disposed therein. A second silencer may be disposed in series relative to the first silencer and may be disposed externally of the sound attenuation chamber.