Patent ID: 12217731

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the present invention may be embodied in different ways and is not limited to the following embodiments. In the drawings, portions irrelevant to the description will be omitted for clarity. Like components will be denoted by like reference numerals throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when an element or layer is referred to as being “connected to (or on)” another element or layer, it may be directly connected to (or on) the other element or layer, or may be indirectly connected to (or on) the other element with a different element interposed therebetween. In addition, unless stated otherwise, the term “includes” should be interpreted as not excluding the presence of other components than those listed herein.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms, “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Moreover, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

FIG.1is a perspective view of a sound insulation panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention,FIG.2is a plan view ofFIG.1,FIG.3is a sectional view taken along line A-A′ ofFIG.2, andFIG.4is a schematic view illustrating the principle of the sound insulation panel according to the first embodiment.

Referring toFIG.1toFIG.4, the sound insulation panel100may include a patterned plate110and an elastic plate120.

The patterned plate110may include an edge plate111, a separation plate112, and a protruding plate113.

The edge plate111may extend in horizontal and vertical directions to define multiple cells114. The edge plate111may form an edge of each cell114. Here, the cell114may be the smallest functional unit of the sound insulation panel.

The separation plate112may extend into an inner region of the edge plate111to divide the inner region of the edge plate111. Specifically, the separation plate112may divide the inner region of the edge plate111into a first elastic region115and a second elastic region116. The edge plate111and the separation plate112may be on the same plane.

The edge plate111may extend in the horizontal and vertical directions to define a lattice structure consisting of multiple cells114. The edge plate111and the separation plate112may be connected to each other.

In this embodiment, the separation plate112may be formed in a rhombic shape inside the edge plate111.

The first elastic region115may include a center of an inner region of the cell114. The first elastic region115may have a square shape.

The second elastic region116may be separated from the first elastic region115. The second elastic region116may include multiple second elastic regions116disposed around the first elastic region115. Specifically, the multiple second elastic regions116may have a triangular shape to correspond to sides of the first elastic region115, respectively.

The first elastic region115and the second elastic region116may be open in an air flow direction.

The protruding plate113may protrude from the edge plate111or the separation plate112with one end thereof connected to the edge plate111or the separation plate112.

The elastic plate120may include a first elastic plate121and a second elastic plate122.

The first elastic plate121and the second elastic plate122may be disposed at the other end of the protruding plate113.

In this embodiment, the protruding plate113may be formed perpendicular to the edge plate111and the separation plate112. Accordingly, the first elastic plate121may have substantially the same shape and area as the first elastic region115. In addition, the second elastic plate122may have substantially the same shape and area as the second elastic region116.

The first elastic plate121and the second elastic plate122may have a different height than the edge plate111and the separation plate112, that is, may be stepped with respect to the edge plate111and the separation plate112.

In addition, the first elastic plate121and the second elastic plate122may be flush with each other.

In each cell114, the sum of areas of portions of the patterned plate110having a plane perpendicular to the air flow direction may be smaller than the sum of areas of portions of the elastic plate120having a plane perpendicular to the air flow direction. In other words, the sum of areas of the edge plate111and the separation plate112may be smaller than the sum of areas of the first elastic plate121and the second elastic plate122. More preferably, the edge plate111and the separation plate112have a smaller width than the first elastic plate121and the second elastic plate122.

Since the edge plate111and the separation plate112are relatively narrow and the first elastic plate121the second elastic plate122are relatively wide, there may be a difference in stiffness therebetween. Accordingly, the edge plate111and the separation plate112, which are relatively narrow, may function as a frame, and the first elastic plate121and the second elastic plate122, which are relatively wide, may function as a membrane. That is, the first elastic plate121and the second elastic plate122may function as a membrane blocking an air flow path and converting airborne sound waves into elastic waves.

Referring toFIG.4, the first elastic plate121and the second elastic plate122may be displaced in opposite directions at a resonant frequency of the sound insulation panel100. Here, the sound insulation panel100is designed to have a resonant frequency identical to a frequency of noise desired to be blocked.

For example, at one moment in time, the second elastic plate122may be displaced in the air flow direction A and the first elastic plate121may be displaced in an opposite direction with respect to the air flow direction A upon receiving sound waves having a frequency falling within the resonant frequency band of the sound insulation panel100. Then, at another moment in time, the second elastic plate122may be displaced in the opposite direction with respect to the air flow direction A and the first elastic plate121may be displaced in the air flow direction A.

As such, a resonance mode is repeated in which, when the first elastic plate121has a positive displacement with respect to the air flow direction A, the second elastic plate122has a negative displacement with respect to the air flow direction A and, when the first elastic plate121has a negative displacement with respect to the air flow direction A, the second elastic plate122has a positive displacement with respect to the air flow direction A.

Since displacement of the first elastic plate121and displacement of the second elastic plate122occur in opposite directions, an effective displacement of the elastic plate120approaches zero, wherein the effective displacement represents the average of local displacements of the elastic plate120.

When the effective displacement of the elastic membrane120has a value of zero, a phenomenon occurs in which almost no airborne sound energy is transmitted through the elastic plate120, whereby noise in a target frequency band can be blocked without being transmitted downstream of the elastic plate120.

The phenomenon that the effective displacement of the elastic plate120approaches zero is expressed as an effective density of air being maximized. When the effective density of air is maximized, sound waves will react as if the sound insulation panel100is a very heavy wall and thus will be reflected upon arriving at the sound insulation panel100, whereby transmission of the sound waves can be blocked.

Here, it is desirable that the area of the first elastic region115, that is, the area of the first elastic plate121, be substantially the same as the sum of areas of the multiple second elastic regions116, that is, the sum of areas of the multiple second elastic plates122since a region of the elastic plate120having a positive displacement needs to have substantially the same area as a region of the elastic plate120having a negative displacement in order to ensure that the effective displacement of the elastic plate120is zero.

The resonant frequency of the sound insulation panel100may be adjusted by changing the area of the patterned plate110, the area of the elastic plate120, and the like. In addition, the size of the patterned plate110may be adjusted depending on the frequency band of noise desired to be blocked.

The sound insulation panel100may be formed of a polymer material, and may be manufactured in a single piece by molding a polymer film by vacuum molding, press molding, or the like.

FIG.5shows exemplary sectional views of the sound insulation panel according to the first embodiment. Referring toFIG.5(a), the protruding plate113amay be corrugated. Accordingly, the protruding plate113amay be variable in height.

Since the protruding plate113ais corrugated, the volume of a space123adefined by the second elastic plate122and the protruding plate113ais increased when the protruding plate113ais unfolded. As a result, the mass of air received in the space123aincreases, thus causing reduction in fundamental resonance frequency of the sound insulation panel100.

Conversely, when the protruding plate113ais folded, the volume of the space123bdefined by the second elastic plate122and the protruding plate113ais reduced. As a result, the mass of air received in the space123bdecreases, thus causing increase in fundamental resonance frequency of the sound insulation panel100.

As will be described below, a sound insulation structure includes multiple sound insulation panels. Here, when the height of the protruding plate113ais tuned differently for each sound insulation panel, diffuse reflection capability of the sound insulation structure can be improved. This results in improvement in soundproofing effects as well as sound insulation effects, making it possible to apply the sound insulation structure to various structures, including walls.

In addition, since the thickness of the sound insulation panel can be reduced by folding the protruding plate113a, loading of the sound insulation panel can be facilitated during a production process thereof or the volume for transportation can be reduced, thereby improving transportation convenience.

Referring toFIG.5(b), the protruding plate113bmay obliquely protrude from the separation plate112. In this way, when the protruding plate113bis folded, the second elastic plate122can be coplanar with the separation plate112and thus the thickness of the sound insulation panel can be further reduced.

Although the description has been given using a protruding plate having the second elastic plate122as an example, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto and the same may be applied to a protruding plate having the first elastic plate121.

FIG.6is an exemplary view of the sound insulation panel according to the first embodiment, illustrating raised and recessed portions formed on the sound insulation panel.

Referring toFIG.6, the sound insulation panel100may further include multiple raised and recessed portions formed along an edge thereof. Accordingly, neighboring sound insulation panels100may be coupled to one another via the raised and recessed portions. That is, the raised and recessed portions130facilitate coupling between many sound insulation panels100, thereby allowing fabrication of a large area sound insulation structure.

FIG.7is a view illustrating different cell sizes of the sound insulation panel according to the first embodiment.

Referring toFIG.7(a), when frequencies of noise desired to be blocked are relatively low, each side of the cell114amay have a relatively long length d1, increasing the size of the cell114a. Conversely, referring toFIG.7(b), when frequencies of noise desired to be blocked are relatively high, each side of the cell114bmay have a relatively short length d2, reducing the size of the cell114b.

Here, it is desirable that the size of the first elastic plate121a;121band the size of the second elastic plate122a;122bbe varied in proportion to the size of the cell114a;114b.

FIG.8is an exemplary view of a sound insulation structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG.8(a), the sound insulation structure according to this embodiment includes multiple sound insulation panels100a,100b, wherein the sound insulation panels100a,100bmay be arranged in the air flow direction A. That is, the sound insulation panels100a,100bmay be arranged in a layered manner in the air flow direction A.

Although the sound insulation panel100amay have the same cell size as the sound insulation panel100b, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, each of the sound insulation panels100a,100bmay have a different cell size. In this way, each of the sound insulation panels100a,100bcan have a different resonant frequency and thus can block noise in a different frequency band.

In addition, referring toFIG.8(b), a sound insulation structure according to another embodiment may include multiple sound insulation panels100a,100b, wherein the sound insulation panels100a,100bmay be arranged in a direction crossing the air flow direction A.

In addition, each of the sound insulation panels100a,100bmay have a different cell size. In this way, each of the sound insulation panels100a,100bcan have a different resonant frequency and thus can block noise in a different frequency band.

In the embodiments shown inFIG.8(a)andFIG.8(b), it is desirable that the size of the first elastic region and the size of the second elastic region be varied in proportion to the cell size.

The sound insulation structure including sound insulation panels having different cell sizes allows broadening of a frequency band of noise desired to be blocked. Accordingly, the sound insulation structure can block noise at various frequencies and thus can provide noise blocking over a broad band of frequencies.

FIG.9is an exemplary view illustrating another example of the sound insulation panel according to the first embodiment.

Referring toFIG.9, the sound insulation panel may further include an extension portion140.

The extension portion140may be formed on a pair of protruding plates113facing each other.

The extension portion140may have a second width W2greater than a first width W1of the separation plate112. Although the extension portion140may have a circular shape, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto and the extension portion140may have a polygonal shape. When the extension portion140has a circular shape, the second width W2may be the diameter of the extension portion140.

The extension portion140may be formed at the boundary between the elastic plate120and the patterned plate110to impart stiffness to the elastic plate120. Accordingly, it is possible to increase energy loss of airborne sound waves through the first and second elastic plates121,122, thereby improving sound insulation capability.

Although the extension portion140is shown as being formed on one pair of protruding plates113in each cell114, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto and the extension140may also be formed on at least one of the other pairs of protruding plates113a,113b,113c.

FIG.10is a perspective view of a sound insulation panel according to a second embodiment of the present invention,FIG.11is a plan view ofFIG.10, andFIG.12is a sectional view taken along line B-B′ ofFIG.11. The sound insulation panel according to this embodiment is substantially the same as the sound insulation panel according to the first embodiment except that the shape of the elastic plate is different from that in the first embodiment and thus the shape of the patterned plate is different from that in the first embodiment.

Referring toFIG.10toFIG.12, the sound insulation panel according to this embodiment may include a first elastic region115cand a second elastic region116cformed in pairs symmetric with respect to imaginary perpendicular lines or diagonal lines passing through a center C of an inner region of each cell114.

Specifically, based on the imaginary diagonal lines VL1passing through the center C of the inner region of each cell114, the first elastic plate121and the second elastic plate122may be disposed opposite to each other.

In addition, the first elastic region115cand the second elastic region116cmay have the same shape and area, and thus the first elastic plate121and the second elastic plate122may also have the same shape and area.

In addition, the first elastic region115cand the second elastic region116cmay be alternately arranged at an equal angular interval about the center C of the inner region of the cell114. Accordingly, based on the imaginary perpendicular lines VL2passing through the center C of the inner region of the cell114, the first elastic plate121and the second elastic plate122may also disposed opposite to each other. Thus, when viewed as a whole, each cell has a structure in which the first elastic plate121and the second elastic plate122are alternately arranged at an equal angular interval about the center C. Here, the imaginary perpendicular lines VL2may refer to horizontal and vertical lines orthogonal to each other.

In this embodiment, displacement of the first elastic plate121and displacement of the second elastic plate122may occur in opposite directions, and thus the effective displacement of the elastic plate120may approach zero.

In addition, the sound insulation panel according to this embodiment may further include a central plate150formed at the center of the inner region of each cell114. The center plate150may be formed by intersection between multiple sections of the separation plate112.

FIG.13is a view of another example of the sound insulation panel according to the second embodiment, andFIG.14show sectional views taken along line C-C′ and line D-D′ ofFIG.13. Specifically,FIG.14(a)is a sectional view taken along line C-C′ ofFIG.13andFIG.14(b)is a sectional view taken along line D-D′ ofFIG.13.

Referring toFIG.13andFIG.14, the sound insulation panel according to this embodiment may further include a protruding pattern portion160;160a.

The protruding pattern portion160;160amay protrude from a central plate150a;150b. The protruding pattern portion160;160amay be connected at one end thereof to the central plate150a;150band may be closed at the other end thereof.

When a space123c;123dis formed by the protruding pattern portion160;160a, the mass of air received in the space123c;123dis increased, thus causing reduction in fundamental resonance frequency of the sound insulation panel.

Like the protruding plate, the protruding pattern portion160;160amay also be corrugated to be variable in height.

The resonant frequency of the sound insulation panel can be effectively regulated through adjustment of the size and shape of the protruding pattern portion160;160a, thereby ensuring easy and effective mode conversion and resonant frequency tuning of the sound insulation structure. Furthermore, an initial resonant frequency of the sound insulation panel can be set to higher or lower levels through appropriate design of the size of the protruding pattern portion160;160a.

Although some embodiments have been described herein, it should be understood that that various modifications, changes, alterations, and equivalent embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that these embodiments are provided for illustration only and are not to be construed in any way as limiting the present invention. For example, components described as implemented separately may also be implemented in combined form, and vice versa.

The scope of the present invention is indicated by the following claims and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and equivalents thereto should be construed as being within the scope of the present invention.

<List of Reference numerals>100: Sound insulation panel110: Patterned plate111: Edge plate112: Separation plate113: Protruding plate114: Cell115: First elastic region116: Second elastic region120: Elastic plate121: First elastic plate122: Second elastic plate140: Extension portion130: Raised and recessed portions150: Central plate160, 160a: Protruding pattern portion