Aircraft Trim Panel Porous Inner Layer Acoustic Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft interior trim panels fail to effectively dissipate acoustic energy inside the cabin, as they fully reflect soundwaves on the inward-facing side, preventing noise reduction.

Innovation Solution

A multilayer trim panel design featuring an outer air-impermeable layer, a honeycomb structural layer with partially filled cells containing acoustic energy dissipating material, and an inner porous layer, allowing airflow and soundwave propagation for improved noise absorption without increasing panel thickness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a traditional multilayer trim panel with closed-cell foam is used, then structural integrity and air impermeability are maintained, but acoustic energy is fully reflected and cannot be dissipated inside the cabin

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise level inside cabinVSAvoidacoustic energy dissipation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces closed-cell foam with open-cell foam material that allows sound waves to propagate through the panel structure. The open-cell structure enables acoustic energy to travel through the material and be dissipated, while the panel maintains its structural integrity and air impermeability functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite panel structure combining outer air-impermeable layer, honeycomb structural layer, and inner porous acoustic layer. This multi-material composite approach allows the panel to simultaneously provide structural support, air tightness, and acoustic energy dissipation without compromising any single function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If acoustic energy dissipating material is added to improve noise absorption, then noise reduction capability increases, but panel complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacoustic energy reflectionVSAvoidpanel structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The honeycomb structural layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, enables acoustic energy propagation pathways, and works in conjunction with the porous material for noise dissipation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent nests the porous acoustic energy dissipating material within the honeycomb cell structures. The inner material is positioned within the structural framework, creating a compact integrated design where the acoustic function is embedded within the structural geometry rather than adding separate external layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If panel thickness is increased to improve noise absorption, then acoustic energy dissipation improves, but aircraft interior space is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise absorption capacityVSAvoidpanel thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies acoustic energy dissipating material selectively within specific regions of the panel structure, particularly within the honeycomb cells. This localized approach provides effective noise absorption without requiring uniform thickness increase across the entire panel, preserving interior space while achieving acoustic goals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the three-dimensional honeycomb cell structure to create acoustic propagation pathways through the panel thickness. By designing the internal cellular geometry, the panel achieves noise dissipation functionality without increasing external dimensions, effectively using internal spatial arrangement rather than external thickness expansion.

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

The design significantly enhances noise absorption capacity by allowing soundwaves to propagate and dissipate, improving noise reduction inside the aircraft cabin while maintaining the same thickness as existing panels.

Implementation Method 1

a layer (17) made of acoustic energy dissipating material and interposed between structural layer (14) and inner layer (13)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 2

an inner layer (13) made of trim material and defining in use the interior of cabin (11)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Data Source

PatentUS9604714B2Aircraft interior trim panel, and aircraft fitted with such panels

Publication Date: 2017.03.28 LEONARDO FINMECCANICA SPA

AI summary

A trim panel for the interior of an aircraft, the panel having a multilayer structure and including an outer layer made of material impervious to air, and which is positioned in use facing the fuselage of the aircraft; an inner layer made of trim material, and which in use defines the interior; a structural layer interposed between the inner and outer layer; and acoustic energy dissipating material, also interposed between the inner and outer layer; the inner layer being made of porous material allowing airflow towards the acoustic energy dissipating material.