Thin Sound Absorbing Panel with Spiral Micropores

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sound absorption technologies, such as porous structures, resonators, and micro-perforated panels, face challenges in achieving effective sound absorption across a wide range of frequencies while being compact and easy to manufacture.

Innovation Solution

A sound absorption device featuring a thin sound absorbing panel with spiral-shaped micropores, manufactured by arranging elements with specific orientation angles and shapes, achieving a thickness of 2 mm or less and a high transparency of 80% or greater.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the thickness of sound absorbing material is increased to 20 mm or more, then sound absorption performance is improved, but the device becomes bulky and difficult to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound absorption performanceVSAvoidthickness of material
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a porous polymer foam material with specific porosity (50-90%) to achieve effective sound absorption. The porous structure allows sound waves to penetrate and dissipate energy through friction and viscosity effects within the pores, enabling high sound absorption performance in a thin profile without requiring 20 mm or more thickness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite sound absorption device by combining the porous polymer foam with a rigid support structure (such as a rigid body or another foam layer). This composite structure allows the thin foam layer to provide sound absorption while the rigid support maintains structural integrity, achieving both thinness and effective sound absorption performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If resonators with complex inner structures are used to achieve high sound absorption at certain frequencies, then sound absorption property is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound absorption propertyVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex resonator structures with a simpler porous foam material that can be manufactured using standard foam extrusion or molding processes. The porous structure naturally provides sound absorption across multiple frequencies without requiring complex internal geometries, significantly easing manufacturing while maintaining effective sound absorption performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Length of stationary object

If MPPs are used to achieve thin sound absorption panels, then thickness is reduced, but sound absorption performance is limited to certain frequencies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethickness of panelVSAvoidsound absorption performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a porous foam structure with optimized pore size distribution and porosity (50-90%) to broaden the sound absorption frequency range compared to MPPs. The varying pore sizes and interconnected porous network enable effective sound absorption across multiple frequencies, not just at 1 kHz or less, while maintaining a thin profile

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes key parameters of the porous foam including porosity (50-90%), pore size distribution, and thickness to achieve broad-spectrum sound absorption. By carefully controlling these parameters, the thin panel achieves effective sound absorption across a wider frequency range compared to conventional MPPs

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 device effectively absorbs sound waves across a frequency range of 1000 Hz to 4000 Hz with a sound absorption coefficient of at least 0.5, offering improved sound absorption performance compared to traditional materials while being thin and transparent.

Implementation Method 1

sound absorption performance and a frequency domain are controlled using a porous structure, such as sponge or polymer felt

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous friction: Viscometer

Implementation Method 2

sound absorption performance and a frequency domain are controlled using a porous structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

using a porous structure, such as sponge or polymer felt, having a porosity of at least 90%

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Data Source

PatentEP3779080B1Sound absorption device and method of manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 KOREA INST OF SCI & TECH
  • EP3779080B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3779080B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3779080B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A sound absorption device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The sound absorption device includes a sound absorbing panel including first elements, second elements, third elements, and fourth elements arranged in different directions, wherein a cross-section of at least one of the first through fourth elements has a distorted circular shape, a distorted polygonal shape, or a distorted elliptical shape.