Sound Absorbing Sheet Material for Portable Enclosures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing structures fail to effectively limit unwanted sound entry and exit while maintaining a desired quietude level, especially in portable and temporary settings, as they often rely on non-portable and aesthetically unappealing solutions.

Innovation Solution

A flexible sheet material incorporating a sound-absorbing layer, which can be integrated with a barrier layer, is used to form structures that minimize sound transmission by absorbing sound energy rather than reflecting it, allowing for portable and aesthetically pleasing soundproofing solutions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional soundproofing materials are used, then sound transmission is reduced, but the structure becomes non-portable and aesthetically unappealing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound transmissionVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The soundproofing system is divided into separate functional layers: a flexible sheet material base layer and a distinct sound-absorbing layer that can be attached or detached. This segmentation allows the sound-absorbing layer to be optimized for acoustic performance while the sheet material maintains portability and aesthetic qualities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexible sheet material and thin film structures instead of rigid traditional soundproofing materials. The sheet material can be draped, folded, and reconfigured easily, providing portability while the integrated sound-absorbing layer delivers effective noise reduction through its porous structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Object-affected harmful factors

If sound-absorbing material is added to sheet material, then sound energy is absorbed effectively, but the material complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound energy absorptionVSAvoidmaterial structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a composite material structure by combining a flexible sheet material base with a sound-absorbing layer. This composite approach integrates two distinct functional properties (flexibility and sound absorption) into a single system, achieving effective noise reduction without requiring multiple separate components or complex assembly mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If sound absorbing layer is integrated with barrier layer, then sound transmission is limited effectively, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound transmission limitationVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sound-absorbing layer and barrier layer are merged into a single integrated assembly where the sound-absorbing material is positioned between the sheet material and the external environment. This merging combines sound absorption and sound blocking functions in one manufacturable unit, simplifying the overall manufacturing process compared to installing separate soundproofing systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively reduces noise levels both within and outside the enclosed environment, providing a quantifiable level of quietude and allowing for the creation of modular sound environments that can be easily set up and disassembled, suitable for various applications from tents to enclosures.

Implementation Method 1

The sound absorbing material may be configured to absorb sound energy when sound waves collide with it

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 2

absorb sound energy when sound waves collide with it

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS9714508B2Structures formed with sheet material configured with at least one sound absorbing layer

Publication Date: 2017.07.25 ISRAEL TARA A

AI summary

A structure configured with an inner, sound limited or reduced volume is formed with a frame and a sheet material arranged about the frame to form and enclose the sound limited or reduced volume. The sheet material includes a base layer and a layer of sound-absorbing material provided on or integral with the base layer and the sound limited or reduced volume includes a form of egress that in an open state allows for the sound entry to and exit from the sound limited or reduced volume and in a closed state limits sound entry to and exit from the sound limited or reduced volume.