Sound Absorbing Structure With Segmented Acoustic Zones

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sound absorbing structures, such as triangular prism-shaped absorbers, face challenges in enhancing sound absorption performance without increasing space consumption or compromising design, and require complex structures like Helmholtz resonators.

Innovation Solution

A sound absorbing structure with a rear surface member and a front surface member, where the sound absorbing material is placed in front of the rear member, with an opening between them, allowing for separate regions to absorb high and low frequency sounds, and optionally featuring a variable mechanism to adjust sound absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the dimensions of the sound absorber are increased to enhance sound absorption performance, then sound absorption performance is improved, but the space in the room is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound absorption performanceVSAvoidspace in the room

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sound absorber is divided into two distinct regions: a first region containing sound absorbing material for high frequency absorption, and a second region containing sound absorbing material for low frequency absorption. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific frequency range, achieving comprehensive sound absorption performance without requiring a single large-volume structure. The partition wall separates these regions, enabling independent optimization of each zone's dimensions and material properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the sound absorber are assigned different properties: the first region uses sound absorbing material with characteristics optimized for high frequency sounds, while the second region uses material optimized for low frequency sounds. The partition wall creates local differentiation, allowing each zone to have tailored acoustic properties. This local quality approach enables effective sound absorption across the frequency spectrum without uniformly increasing the overall dimensions of the sound absorber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a special structure like Helmholtz resonators is used to improve sound absorption, then sound absorption performance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound absorption performanceVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sound absorber is divided into two distinct regions: a first region containing sound absorbing material for high frequency absorption, and a second region containing sound absorbing material for low frequency absorption. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific frequency range, achieving comprehensive sound absorption performance without requiring a single large-volume structure. The partition wall separates these regions, enabling independent optimization of each zone's dimensions and material properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the sound absorber are assigned different properties: the first region uses sound absorbing material with characteristics optimized for high frequency sounds, while the second region uses material optimized for low frequency sounds. The partition wall creates local differentiation, allowing each zone to have tailored acoustic properties. This local quality approach enables effective sound absorption across the frequency spectrum without uniformly increasing the overall dimensions of the sound absorber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the thickness of the sound absorbing material is increased to improve sound absorption, then sound absorption performance is improved, but the space consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound absorption performanceVSAvoidmaterial thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sound absorber is divided into two distinct regions: a first region containing sound absorbing material for high frequency absorption, and a second region containing sound absorbing material for low frequency absorption. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific frequency range, achieving comprehensive sound absorption performance without requiring a single large-volume structure. The partition wall separates these regions, enabling independent optimization of each zone's dimensions and material properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the sound absorber are assigned different properties: the first region uses sound absorbing material with characteristics optimized for high frequency sounds, while the second region uses material optimized for low frequency sounds. The partition wall creates local differentiation, allowing each zone to have tailored acoustic properties. This local quality approach enables effective sound absorption across the frequency spectrum without uniformly increasing the overall dimensions of the sound absorber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This configuration improves sound absorption performance with a simple structure, maintaining practicality and design integrity by allowing balanced absorption of low to high frequency sounds without increasing material thickness, and can adjust acoustics as needed.

Implementation Method 1

a sound absorbing structure that absorbs sound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 2

a first region located behind the opening and a second region sandwiched between the front surface member and the rear surface member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHelmholtz resonance: Helmholtz Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS10280614B2Sound absorbing structure and acoustic room

Publication Date: 2019.05.07 DAIWA HOUSE INDUSTRY CO LTD

AI summary

A sound absorbing structure (1) includes: a rear surface member (21) having a length in a predetermined direction; a front surface member (22) that is shorter in the predetermined direction than the rear surface member (21); and a sound absorbing material (3) that is placed in front of the rear surface member (21). The front surface member (22) is parallel to the rear surface member (21) and is separated forward from the rear surface member (21). An opening (23) is formed at a position adjoining the front surface member (22) in the predetermined direction. The sound absorbing material (3) is provided in both a first region (24) located behind the opening (23) and a second region (25) sandwiched between the front surface member (22) and the rear surface member (21).