SOUNDPROOFING ELEMENT AND MODULAR SOUNDPROOFING PANEL

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a soundproofing element, suitable for manufacturing modular soundproofing panels. The invention also relates to a soundproofing panel formed by the juxtaposition of at least two of these elements, which can be employed to form opaque and/or transparent soundproofing and sound-absorbing panelling to be installed in environments, for example, such as sound barriers for railway or road lines and separating elements for interior design.

PRIOR ART

[0002] As it is known, noise pollution is an increasingly felt problem in many environments, for example in private houses, in the industrial field for insulating offices and production areas, and finally in public environments, such as residential areas crossed by heavy-traffic roads or railways.

[0003] In order to avoid or at least reduce noise propagation in all these environments, many types of soundproofing and/or sound-absorbing panels are known, manufactured according to several structures and configurations. These panels are planar structures, i.e. with two lateral dimensions which are much greater than thickness, and they are generally made by overlapping in the thickness direction several layers of different materials, at least one of them being often made of discontinuous materials (fibrous, such as glass wool or rock wool or polymer felts, or polymer foams); it is also common that one of the internal layers is shaped as an air chamber.

[0004] Panels of this type are often relatively heavy if consisting of solid or fibrous layers, or otherwise not efficient enough from the point of view of noise absorption and insulation properties. For example, these panels can have good properties of noise insulation (i.e., attenuation on one side of the panel of the noise generated from the other side thereof) but not of noise absorption (i.e. attenuation in the same space where noise is generated), or vice versa.

[0005] Document FR1265291A relates to a sound insulating panel formed of two exterior walls between which is placed a sheet of metal forming an acoustic insulator. In embodiment, the sound insulating panel is composed of a wooden frame in two parts which block between them an insulating lead sheet whose thickness can range, for example, from 15/10 mm to 20 / 10 mm.

[0006] Document EP0050450A2 relates to an acoustical control media including an air impervious septum adjacent which there is positioned a layer of low-density fibrous filler material, on the outside of which there is provided a thin layer of medium-density material formed with perforations.

[0007] Document JPS55122942A relates to a soundproof sandwich panel comprising a plastic sheet having a large number of air chambers disposed in the middle of two sheets of plate materials, arranged in parallel with a predetermined interval, to form two empty volumes.

[0008] Document US2011048850A1 relates to an acoustic composite comprises a flow resistive substrate having a solid acoustic barrier material bonded to at least a portion of a major surface of the flow resistive substrate.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a soundproofing panel which overcomes prior art problems, being lightweight, with good noise insulation (soundproofing) and absorption features, prominently in the low-frequency field, and which has a modular construction, in order to be assembled at the operative site covering or occupying at best the available surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] This object and other objects are achieved by the present invention, which in a first aspect thereof relates to a soundproofing element comprising:

• a first peripheral structure made of a porous or fibrous material and having a central opening, said first peripheral structure defined by two frame surfaces and a thickness defined at least one lateral surface, said first peripheral structure providing sound-absorbing features for medium-high frequencies;
• connected to said first peripheral structure, at a first frame surface thereof or in proximity thereto and so as to occupy the central opening, a perforated sheet, providing sound-absorbing features for low frequencies;
• connected to the first peripheral structure, at a second frame surface thereof opposite said first frame surface, an impervious sheet which together with the perforated sheet provides sound-absorbing features for low frequencies, and periodically-arranged concentrated elements on the impervious sheet which provide the soundproofing element with soundproofing features;
• a second peripheral structure made of a porous or fibrous material and having a shape substantially corresponding to that of the first peripheral structure, connected by a third frame surface to the impervious sheet in a position substantially corresponding to the first peripheral structure;
• connected to said second peripheral structure, at a fourth frame surface thereof opposite said third frame surface, a continuous sheet or panel;
• a first air gap between said perforated sheet and said impervious sheet;
• a second air gap between said impervious sheet and said continuous sheet or panel.

[0011] The soundproofing element of the present invention relies on advantages and synergistic effects, to provide soundproofing and sound-absorption.

[0012] The first peripheral structure provides sound-absorption for medium-high frequencies. In particular, the first peripheral structure advantageously has an acoustic absorption coefficient greater than 0.5 in the range 800-5000 Hz.

[0013] The first peripheral structure and the second peripheral structure of the soundproofing element are advantageously juxtaposed to effectively constrain the impervious sheet, which is mechanically interposed.

[0014] The impervious sheet together with the perforated sheet defines an acoustic resonator within the first air gap, providing sound-absorbing features for low frequencies, especially in the range 100-500 Hz.

[0015] The impervious sheet provides soundproofing, as it is impervious to the acoustic wave that cannot directly pass through the panelling. In addition, the concentrated elements increase soundproofing by providing a resonant behaviour of the system formed by the impervious sheet, acting as resonating plate, and by the concentrated masses. This effect can be tuned appropriately for the desired application, by selecting dimensions, thickness, weight, and distribution of the concentrated elements and by selecting dimensions, thickness, and material of the impervious sheet.

[0016] The second peripheral structure further contributes to sound-absorption for medium-high frequencies. At the same time, the second peripheral structure allows the resonant motion within the second air gap of the impervious sheet and of concentrated elements.

[0017] The continuous sheet or panel, included or applied to the soundproofing element during installation, represents an element impervious to the acoustic wave, providing further soundproofing features.

[0018] In a second aspect thereof, the invention relates to a modular soundproofing panel, i.e. formed by juxtaposing several soundproofing elements of the above-described type along the lateral surfaces thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0019] The invention will be described hereafter with reference to the Figures, in which:

• Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a soundproofing element of the invention;
• Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of a part of the element of Fig. 1, formed by the juxtaposition of the first peripheral structure and of the perforated sheet connected thereto;
• Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view of the impervious sheet on which there are periodically-arranged concentrated elements;
• Fig. 4 shows in three different views a preferred embodiment of concentrated elements to be employed in the soundproofing elements of the invention;
• Fig. 5 shows in a perspective view a soundproofing element of the invention with a peripheral structure shaped as a square frame; the element is shown as a whole and in section respectively on the left side and on the right side of the figure;
• Fig. 6 shows in a perspective view a soundproofing element of the invention with a peripheral structure shaped as a hexagonal frame; the element is shown as a whole and in section respectively on the left side and on the right side of the figure;
• Fig. 7 shows in a perspective view a soundproofing panel obtained by the juxtaposition of several soundproofing elements with a peripheral structure shaped as a square frame;
• Fig. 8 shows in a perspective view a soundproofing panel obtained by the juxtaposition of several soundproofing elements with a peripheral structure shaped as a hexagonal frame;
• Fig. 9 shows the sound-absorption curve of a soundproofing panel of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] In the present description, the definition "medium-high frequencies" means frequencies in the range of 500-10000 Hz, while "low frequencies" means frequencies in the range of 50-500 Hz.

[0021] As shown in the figures, the soundproofing elements of the invention are preferably prism-shaped, in which the two bases can be shaped as an equilateral triangle, a square, a rhombus, a rectangle or a hexagon, while the lateral faces are rectangular.

[0022] In the following description, the definition "shape of the soundproofing element" (or of a part thereof) refers to the shape of the base; the definition "thickness", referred to the element or a part thereof refers to a dimension measured in the direction between the two prism bases.

[0023] Finally, in the rest of the description it is adopted the convention of regarding as the front part of the element the one comprising the perforated sheet and as the rear part of the element the one comprising the continuous sheet or panel; as a consequence of this conventional choice, the adjective "front", referred to a face or surface of the element or a part thereof, concerns a surface in which there is the perforated sheet or facing it, while the adjective "rear", referred to a face or surface of the element or a part thereof, concerns a surface in which there is the continuous sheet or panel or facing it.

[0024] In the figures, the dimensions of the various parts forming the elements or the panels of the invention are not drawn to scale: some parts or some details are shown with enlarged dimensions for clarity of depiction.

[0025] Figg. 1-3 schematically show the structure of a soundproofing element of the invention, 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the element 10 consists of a perforated sheet 12, an impervious sheet 13 on which there are periodically-arranged concentrated elements 14, 14', 14", ..., and a continuous sheet or panel 16.

[0026] In some embodiments, as exemplified in Figg. 1-3, the continuous sheet or panel 16 is part of the element 10. In other embodiments, not shown, the continuous sheet or panel is a preexisting planar surface of a structure to which the element 10 is applied; for example, the continuous sheet or panel could be a plaster wall, a drywall, a wooden or metal panel.

[0027] The perforated sheet 12 and the impervious sheet 13 are connected respectively to the front surface (or in proximity thereof) 11a and to the rear surface 11b of the first peripheral structure 11 and are parallel to each other, defining a first gap 17. The impervious sheet 13 is also fixed to the front surface 15a of the second peripheral structure 15; the continuous sheet or panel 16 is fixed to the rear surface 15b of the second peripheral structure 15, which is parallel to the impervious sheet 13 and defines therewith a second gap, 18.

[0028] The definition "periodical arrangement" (and definitions derived therefrom), in the present invention and in the claims means an orderly arrangement of the concentrated elements 14, 14', 14", ..., on one or both surfaces of the impervious sheet 13, which depends on the shape of the peripheral structure 11 (and/or 15): the concentrated elements are positioned on the nodes of a grid of lines which form therebetween angles corresponding to the geometry of the peripheral structure, i.e. for example a grid of lines with 90° angles (square or rectangular grid) if the peripheral structure is square or rectangular (also comprising the possibility of a square grid in a rectangular peripheral structure and vice versa), a hexagonal grid if the peripheral structure is hexagonal, etc. In this arrangement, it is not necessary that all the nodes of the grid are occupied by the concentrated elements, provided that the arrangement of the latter ones is symmetrical on the surface of the impervious sheet 13, for example with respect to the centre of the sheet surface. The exact positioning of the concentrated elements 14, 14', 14", ..., on the nodes of the above-described grid allows a tolerance which is equal to the typical dimension of the concentrated elements, and it is thus not necessary that the centre of the concentrated element exactly coincides with the node of the grid.

[0029] In Fig. 1 the concentrated elements 14, 14', 14", ... are shown as protrusions on the front surface of the sheet 13, but they could also be present on the rear surface of the impervious sheet 13, or even, they could protrude with respect to both surfaces.

[0030] The perforated sheet 12 and the gap 17, together with the peripheral structures 11 and 15, form the sound-absorbing sections of the soundproofing element 10, while the impervious sheet 13 and the continuous sheet or panel 16 give the soundproofing element 10 its soundproofing features.

[0031] Fig. 2 shows in a schematic plan view a peripheral structure having a square geometry, 11 to which the perforated sheet 12 is fixed.

[0032] Fig. 3 shows in a schematic plan view an impervious sheet 13, on which there are the concentrated elements 14, 14', 14", ... according to an orderly arrangement; the dotted line in Fig. 3 represents the print of the peripheral structure 11 when the two parts are connected; the portion of the sheet 13 enclosed within the area defined by the dotted line 100 is thus the part of this sheet which is free to vibrate in the finished element, to give the assembly the soundproofing effect.

[0033] In Figg. 1 and 3 the elements 14, 14', 14", ... are represented as elements differing from the impervious sheet 13 and adhering thereto; but the sheet 13 and the elements 14, 14', 14", ... could be formed as a single part, for example produced by moulding of a polymer material in a suitably shaped mould.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the elements 14, 14', 14", ..., are hollow bodies and have an opening on the front surface facing the sheet 12. Under this condition the elements 14, 14', 14", ..., besides being decisive to obtain the soundproofing effect at low frequencies, also contribute to the sound-absorbing effect, moving downwards the frequency of the maximum absorption efficiency.

[0035] In a still more preferred embodiment, the elements 14, 14', 14", ..., are hollow bodies and comprise internal walls which create a convolute path for the incoming sound wave, thereby maximizing the path thereof. Fig. 4 shows three different views of a possible element like 14 according to the last embodiment. On the left side of the figure a view of the front face of the element 14 (i.e. the one facing the sheet 12) is shown; in the central part of the figure a view of the element 14 in a section along the line A-A' of the left side of the figure is shown (the same section line A-A' is also reported on the right side of the figure); and on the right side of the figure a view of the element 14 in a section along the line B-B' of the central part of the figure is shown.

[0036] As shown by the different views in Fig. 4, the element 14 has a front surface 40 on which there is a hole 41 which puts the internal recess in communication with the outside (on the right side of the figure the position of the hole 41 is indicated by the dotted line); there are walls 42, 42', ..., within the recess of the element 14 having the same height as the recess (and thus connected both to the front surface 40 and to the rear surface 43 of the element 14) but a lower length than the side of the recess, and arranged in an alternating manner in the recess so as to form a tortuous path therein. An element 14 of this type can have other shapes: for example, the element 14 could have a circular shape, the through hole could be in the centre of the front surface thereof, and instead of a series of walls like 42, 42', ..., there could be a single wall with a spiral pattern in the recess. Other possible configurations of an element 14 of this type will become apparent to the skilled in the art.

[0037] Elements 14 of this type, if they are positioned on the front face of the sheet 13, can be produced by moulding the lateral walls thereof (including 42, 42', ...) together with the sheet 13, and then letting a perforated flat part, which will be the front surface 40, adhere to the end of these walls opposite the sheet 13; rather, if there are the elements 14 on the rear face of the sheet 13, the surface indicated in Fig. 4 as 40 is a portion of the sheet itself, the lateral walls of the element 14 can be produced by moulding together with the sheet 13, and the recess can then be closed by adherence of a closing wall 43. Alternatively, elements 14 of this type could be produced separately and let then adhere to the sheet 13.

[0038] The weight of the concentrated elements 14, 14', 14", ..., and the arrangement thereof on the surface of the impervious sheet 13, allow the soundproofing features of the element 10 to be modulated as a function of the incident audio-frequency. In particular, the weight of the single element 14 can vary between 0.1 and 50 g, the distance thereof can vary between 3 and 200 mm and, within these limits, the range of the maximum insulation efficiency moves towards low frequencies when the weight of the element 14, the distance therebetween and the dimensions of the single element 14 increase.

[0039] In the case of hollow elements like those shown in Fig. 4, which also contribute to sound absorption, the range of the maximum absorption efficiency moves towards low frequencies when the dimensions of the hole on the front surface, the recess volume and the length of the path defined by the internal walls of the element 14 increase.

[0040] Fig. 5 shows in a perspective view a soundproofing element of the invention, 10, with a peripheral structure shaped as a square frame. On the left side of the figure the element is shown as a whole: the first peripheral structure 11, the perforated sheet 12 supported by the latter, and the second peripheral structure 15 are visible; the impervious sheet 13, fixed between the parts 11 and 15, is not indicated for simplicity of depiction. On the right side of the figure the element 10 is shown in section; in this view, besides the already-mentioned structures 11 and 12, the impervious sheet 13 with the concentrated elements 14, 14', 14", ... arranged according to a periodical order and the continuous sheet or panel 16 are shown.

[0041] The peripheral structure 11, made of a porous or fibrous material, can be externally covered by a fabric or a perforated plate; the latter possibility is illustrated in Fig. 5, in which the perforated plate 19 partially surrounding the peripheral structure 11 is shown. Moreover, the peripheral structure 11 can contain therein structural reinforcement parts (tubes with a square or circular section, metal profiles with a planar, L-shaped, T-shaped, C-shaped, H-shaped, ... section) which give a geometric stability to the structure itself; this possibility is exemplified in Fig. 5, in which on the right side a frame structural element, 51 is shown, within the structural element 11; the element 51 is shown in this example as a solid rod. In the case of peripheral structures of reduced dimensions and weight, the geometric stability can also be ensured by the perforated plate 19.

[0042] Although the use of a covering of the structural element 11 (a fabric or a perforated plate, 19) and of the frame structural element within the latter 11 is exemplified only in Fig. 5, these further elements can naturally be present in any soundproofing element of the invention.

[0043] Fig. 6 shows in a perspective view a soundproofing element of the invention, 10, with a peripheral structure shaped as a hexagonal frame. In this case too on the left side of the figure the element is shown as a whole and on the right side in section; the details and parts which form the element 10 are the same, with the same reference number, as those described above with reference to Fig. 5.

[0044] Soundproofing elements having a square or hexagonal shape have been exemplified in Figg. 1-6, but they can have any shape, including circular or elliptical. In particular, it is advantageous that, by the union of several identical elements, it is possible to obtain a continuous planar surface. As it is known, the occupation of a planar surface without leaving voids is defined in a tiling geometry of the plane, and the shapes allowing to obtain it are the equilateral triangle, the square, the rhombus, the rectangle and the hexagon; the peripheral structures can thus preferably but not limiting have any one of these shapes. The choice of a particular geometry of the soundproofing element could not allow a planar surface to be completely covered at the edges thereof; for example, by employing hexagon-shaped soundproofing elements, it is not possible to manufacture a rectangular panel. In these cases, it is possible to provide suitably shaped elements, deriving from the main ones employed in the panel, for example half-hexagon-shaped in the case of hexagon-shaped main elements, as described hereafter with reference to Fig. 8. In these potential elements having a "partial" shape the arrangement of the concentrated elements 14, 14', 14", ... is still the same as that in the elements having a corresponding complete shape.

[0045] The materials which form the soundproofing element of the invention can be chosen among various possibilities.

[0046] The materials forming the peripheral structures have a density comprised between 100 kg/m3 and 10000 kg/m3 and a modulus of elasticity comprised between 10^4 and 10^12 Pa; these materials are typically porous or fibrous, for example stiff polymer foams. If necessary, these materials can also make up structural elements, and thus be of metal with holes.

[0047] The materials forming the perforated sheet 12, the impervious sheet 13, the concentrated elements 14, 14', 14", ... and the continuous sheet or panel 16 have a density comprised between 800 kg/m3 and 15000 kg/m3 and a modulus of elasticity comprised between 10^6 and 10^12 Pa; these materials can be chosen among plastic materials, metals or glass; if it is necessary to allow the visibility through the panelling made of the above-described soundproofing elements, these sheets 12, 13 and 16 (or panel 16) are made of glass or transparent plastic, for example polymethylmethacrylate.

[0048] The soundproofing elements of the invention can have lateral dimensions comprised between 10 and 100 cm, and an overall thickness comprised between 0.2 and 100 cm.

[0049] The thicknesses of the perforated sheet 12, of the impervious sheet 13 (without the concentrated elements 14, 14', 14", ...) and of the continuous sheet or panel 16 can vary between 0.01 and 10 mm, while the thicknesses of the two gaps 17 and 18 can vary between 0.1 and 50 cm.

[0050] Figures 7 and 8 show two possible embodiments of a soundproofing panel of the second aspect of the invention. The two panels 70 and 80 shown in these two figures are obtained by the juxtaposition along the lateral surfaces thereof of soundproofing elements 10 of the above-described type, in particular elements 10 being square-shaped in the case of the panel 70 and hexagon-shaped in the case of the panel 80. Moreover, the use of elements having a "partial" shape with respect to the main elements of the panel is shown in Fig. 8; the elements 81 and 81' shown in the figure allow a rectangular panel to be obtained by occupying spaces left by the "complete" elements at the panel edges.

[0051] The coupling of the peripheral structure 11 with the perforated sheet 12 gives the panelling an overall sound absorption curve which is close to or greater than one unit for both low and medium-high frequencies, as reported in Fig. 9. The value of the acoustic absorption coefficient alpha can be remarkably in excess of 0.8 due to the combination of soundproofing and/or sound absorption of the various elements above described, at the different frequency ranges.

[0052] The assembly of the above-described peripheral structures and sheets (or panel 16) gives the modular panel a high flexural stiffness and load bearing capacity with respect to the wind thrust loads or other horizontal loads such as those linked to the passage of high-speed trains.

[0053] Moreover, the lightness of the panel itself makes it particularly suitable for interior applications.

[0054] The soundproofing element 10 of the present invention provides effective features of sound absorption over a broad frequency band (100 - 5000 Hz) by synergistically combining effects of its components, in particular the highfrequency adsorption of the first peripheral structure 11 is combined with the low-frequency adsorption of the resonator provided by perforated sheet 12, the impervious sheet 13 and the first air gap 17.

[0055] The soundproofing element of the present invention also provides effective soundproofing features, due to the impervious layer 13 and the associated continuous sheet or panel 16.

[0056] The surface of the impervious sheet 13 can be designed and tuned for effective soundproofing in selected frequency ranges, thanks to the resonating features of the plate corresponding to the impervious sheet 13 and the concentrated elements 14.

Claims

1. Soundproofing element (10) comprising:

- a first peripheral structure (11) made of a porous or fibrous material and having a central opening, said first peripheral structure (11) defined by two frame surfaces (11a, 11b) and a thickness defined by at least one lateral surface, said first peripheral structure (11) providing sound-absorbing features for medium-high frequencies;

- connected to said first peripheral structure (11), at a first frame surface (11a) thereof or in proximity thereto and so as to occupy said central opening, a perforated sheet (12) providing sound-absorbing features for low frequencies;

- connected to the first peripheral structure (11), at a second frame surface (1 1b) thereof opposite said first frame surface (1 1a), an impervious sheet (13) which together with the perforated sheet (12) provides sound-absorbing features for low frequencies, and periodically-arranged concentrated elements (14, 14', 14", ...) on said impervious sheet (13) which provide the soundproofing element (10) with soundproofing features;

- a second peripheral structure (15) made of a porous or fibrous material and having a shape substantially corresponding to that of the first peripheral structure (11), connected by a third frame surface (15a) to the impervious sheet (13) in a position substantially corresponding to the first peripheral structure (11);

- connected to said second peripheral structure (15), at a fourth frame surface (15b) thereof opposite said third frame surface (15a), a continuous sheet or panel (16);

- a first air gap (17) between said perforated sheet (12) and said impervious sheet (13);

- a second air gap (18) between said impervious sheet (13) and said continuous sheet or panel (16).

2. Soundproofing element (10) according to claim 1, wherein said concentrated elements (14, 14', 14", ...) protrude with respect to the impervious sheet (13) from the part of said sheet facing the perforated sheet (12), or from the part of the impervious sheet (13) facing the continuous sheet or panel (16), or in an intermediate position.

3. Soundproofing element (10) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said concentrated elements (14, 14', 14", ...) are shaped as hollow bodies and have an opening (41) on the surface (40) thereof facing the perforated sheet (12).

4. Soundproofing element (10) according to claim 3, wherein said concentrated elements (14, 14', 14", ...) shaped as hollow bodies comprise internal walls (42, 42', ...) which create a convolute path.

5. Soundproofing element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first peripheral structure (11) is externally further covered by a fabric or a perforated plate (19).

6. Soundproofing element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the peripheral structure contains therein a structural reinforcement element (51) shaped as a tube with a square or circular section, or a profile with a planar, L-shaped, T-shaped, C-shaped or H-shaped section.

7. Soundproofing element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, having lateral dimensions comprised between 10 and 100 cm and an overall thickness comprised between 0.2 and 100 cm, and wherein the thickness of the perforated sheet (12), of the impervious sheet (13) without the concentrated elements (14, 14', 14", ...) and of the continuous sheet or panel (16) is comprised between 0.01 and 10 mm, while the thickness of said two air gaps (17 and 18) is comprised between 0.1 and 50 cm.

8. Soundproofing element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the weight of each of said concentrated elements (14, 14', 14", ...) is comprised between 0.1 and 50 g and the distance thereof on said impervious sheet (13) is in the range comprised between 3 and 200 mm.

9. Soundproofing element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said first peripheral structure (11) and second peripheral structure (15) are made of a material having a density comprised between 100 kg/m3 and 10000 kg/m3 and a modulus of elasticity comprised between 10^4 and 10^12 Pa, wherein said perforated sheet (12), said impervious sheet (13), said concentrated elements (14, 14', 14", ...) and said continuous sheet or panel (16) are made of a material having a density comprised between 800 kg/m3 and 15000 kg/m3 and a modulus of elasticity comprised between 10^6 and 10^12 Pa.

10. Soundproofing element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said two frame surfaces (11a, 11b) are shaped as an equilateral triangle, square, rhomboid, rectangular or hexagonal frame, and wherein the thickness is respectively defined by three, four or six rectangular lateral surfaces.

11. Soundproofing element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said concentrated elements (14, 14', 14", ...) are positioned on at least some nodes of a grid of lines which form therebetween angles corresponding to a geometry of said first peripheral structure (11).

12. Modular soundproofing panel (70; 80) formed by the juxtaposition along the lateral surface of two or more soundproofing elements (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

Ansprüche

1. Schalldämmelement (10), aufweisend:

- eine erste periphere Struktur (11), die aus einem porösen oder faserigen Material hergestellt ist und eine zentrale Öffnung aufweist, wobei die erste periphere Struktur (11) durch zwei Rahmenoberflächen (11a, 11b) und eine Dicke definiert ist, die durch mindestens eine Seitenfläche definiert ist, wobei die erste periphere Struktur (11) schallabsorbierende Eigenschaften für mittelhohe Frequenzen aufweist;

- einen perforierten Flächenkörper (12), der mit der ersten peripheren Struktur (11) an einer ersten Rahmenoberfläche (11a) derselben oder in der Nähe derselben verbunden ist und die zentrale Öffnung einnimmt und der schallabsorbierende Eigenschaften für niedrige Frequenzen aufweist;

- einen undurchlässigen Flächenkörper (13), der mit der ersten peripheren Struktur (11) an einer zweiten Rahmenoberfläche (11b) derselben gegenüber der ersten Rahmenoberfläche (11a) verbunden ist und der zusammen mit dem perforierten Flächenkörper (12) schallabsorbierende Eigenschaften für niedrige Frequenzen aufweist, und periodisch angeordnete konzentrierte Elemente (14, 14', 14", ...) auf dem undurchlässigen Flächenkörper (13), die dem Schalldämmelement (10) schalldämmende Eigenschaften verleihen;

- eine zweite periphere Struktur (15), die aus einem porösen oder faserigen Material hergestellt ist und eine Form aufweist, die im Wesentlichen der der ersten peripheren Struktur (11) entspricht, und die durch eine dritte Rahmenoberfläche (15a) mit dem undurchlässigen Flächenkörper (13) an einer Position verbunden ist, die im Wesentlichen der ersten peripheren Struktur (11) entspricht;

- einen durchgehenden Flächenkörper oder Plattenkörper (16), der mit der zweiten peripheren Struktur (15) an einer vierten Rahmenoberfläche (15b) derselben gegenüber der dritten Rahmenoberfläche (15a) verbunden ist;

- einen ersten Luftspalt (17) zwischen dem perforierten Flächenkörper (12) und dem undurchlässigen Flächenkörper (13);

- einen zweiten Luftspalt (18) zwischen dem undurchlässigen Flächenkörper (13) und dem durchgehenden Flächenkörper oder Plattenkörper (16).

2. Schalldämmelement (10) nach Anspruch 1,
wobei die konzentrierten Elemente (14, 14', 14", ...) in Bezug auf den undurchlässigen Flächenkörper (13) von dem Teil des Flächenkörpers hervorstehen, der dem perforierten Flächenkörper zugewandt ist, oder von dem Teil des undurchlässigen Flächenkörpers (13), der dem durchgehenden Flächenkörper oder Plattenkörper (16) zugewandt ist, oder an einer Zwischenposition.

3. Schalldämmelement (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 oder 2,
wobei die konzentrierten Elemente (14, 14', 14", ...) als Hohlkörper ausgebildet sind und an ihrer dem perforierten Flächenkörper (12) zugewandten Oberfläche (40) eine Öffnung (41) aufweisen.

4. Schalldämmelement (10) nach Anspruch 3,
wobei die als Hohlkörper ausgebildeten konzentrierten Elemente (14, 14', 14", ...) Innenwände (42, 42', ...) aufweisen, die einen gewundenen Pfad bilden.

5. Schalldämmelement (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4,
wobei die erste periphere Struktur (11) außen zusätzlich mit einem Gewebe oder einer perforierten Platte (19) abgedeckt ist.

6. Schalldämmelement (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5,
wobei die periphere Struktur ein Strukturverstärkungselement (51) enthält, das die Form eines Rohrs mit quadratischem oder kreisförmigem Querschnitt oder eines Profils mit ebenem, L-förmigem, T-förmigem, C-förmigem oder H-förmigem Querschnitt hat.

7. Schalldämmelement (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6,
das seitliche Abmessungen zwischen 10 und 100 cm und eine Gesamtdicke zwischen 0,2 und 100 cm aufweist, und wobei die Dicke des perforierten Flächenkörpers (12), des undurchlässigen Flächenkörpers (13) ohne die konzentrierten Elemente (14, 14', 14", ...) und des durchgehenden Flächenkörpers oder Plattenkörpers (16) zwischen 0,01 und 10 mm beträgt, während die Dicke der beiden Luftspalte (17 und 18) zwischen 0,1 und 50 cm beträgt.

8. Schalldämmelement (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7,
wobei das Gewicht jedes der konzentrierten Elemente (14, 14', 14", ...) zwischen 0,1 und 50 g liegt und der Abstand derselben auf dem undurchlässigen Flächenkörper (13) im Bereich zwischen 3 und 200 mm liegt.

9. Schalldämmelement (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8,
wobei die erste periphere Struktur (11) und die zweite periphere Struktur (15) aus einem Material mit einer Dichte zwischen 100 kg/m³ und 10000 kg/m³ und einem Elastizitätsmodul zwischen 10⁴ und 10¹² Pa bestehen, wobei der perforierte Flächenkörper (12), der undurchlässige Flächenkörper (13), die konzentrierten Elemente (14, 14', 14", ...) und der durchgehende Flächenkörper oder Plattenkörper (16) aus einem Material mit einer Dichte zwischen 800 kg/m³ und 15000 kg/m³ und einem Elastizitätsmodul zwischen 10⁶ und 10¹² Pa bestehen.

10. Schalldämmelement (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9,
wobei die beiden Rahmenoberflächen (11a, 11b) die Form eines gleichseitigen Dreiecks, Quadrats, Rauten-, Rechteck- oder Sechseckrahmens aufweisen und wobei die Dicke jeweils durch drei, vier oder sechs Rechteckseitenflächen definiert ist.

11. Schalldämmelement (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10,
wobei die konzentrierten Elemente (14, 14', 14", ...) an zumindest einigen Knotenpunkten eines Linienrasters angeordnet sind, die zwischen sich Winkel bilden, die einer Geometrie der ersten peripheren Struktur (11) entsprechen.

12. Modulare Schalldämmplatte (70; 80), gebildet durch die Aneinanderreihung von zwei oder mehreren Schalldämmelementen (10) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11 entlang der Seitenfläche.

Revendications

1. Élément d'insonorisation (10) comportant :

- une première structure périphérique (11) constituée d'un matériau poreux ou fibreux et ayant une ouverture centrale, ladite première structure périphérique (11) étant définie par deux surfaces de cadre (11a, 11b) et une épaisseur étant définie par au moins une surface latérale, ladite première structure périphérique (11) conférant des caractéristiques d'absorption du son pour les fréquences moyennes à hautes,

- reliée à ladite première structure périphérique (11), sur une première surface de cadre (11a) de celle-ci ou à proximité de celle-ci et de manière à occuper ladite ouverture centrale, une feuille perforée (12) conférant des caractéristiques d'absorption du son pour les basses fréquences,

- reliée à la première structure périphérique (11), sur une deuxième surface de cadre (11b) de celle-ci opposée à ladite première surface de cadre (11a), une feuille imperméable (13) qui, en association avec la feuille perforée (12), confère des caractéristiques d'absorption du son pour les basses fréquences, et des éléments concentrés (14, 14', 14", ...) agencés périodiquement sur ladite feuille imperméable (13) qui confèrent à l'élément d'insonorisation (10) des caractéristiques d'insonorisation,

- une seconde structure périphérique (15) constituée d'un matériau poreux ou fibreux et ayant une forme correspondant sensiblement à celle de la première structure périphérique (11), reliée par une troisième surface de cadre (15a) à la feuille imperméable (13) dans une position correspondant sensiblement à la première structure périphérique (11),

- reliée à ladite seconde structure périphérique (15), sur une quatrième surface de cadre (15b) de celle-ci opposée à ladite troisième surface de cadre (15a), une feuille ou un panneau continu (16),

- un premier espace d'air (17) entre ladite feuille perforée (12) et ladite feuille imperméable (13),

- un second espace d'air (18) entre ladite feuille imperméable (13) et ladite feuille ou ledit panneau continu (16).

2. Élément d'insonorisation (10) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel lesdits éléments concentrés (14, 14', 14", ...) font saillie par rapport à la feuille imperméable (13) à partir de la partie de ladite feuille dirigée vers la feuille perforée (12), ou à partir de la partie de la feuille imperméable (13) faisant face à la feuille ou au panneau continu (16), ou dans une position intermédiaire.

3. Élément d'insonorisation (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 ou 2, dans lequel lesdits éléments concentrés (14, 14', 14", ...) sont formés comme des corps creux et ont une ouverture (41) sur la surface (40) de ceux-ci dirigée vers la feuille perforée (12).

4. Élément d'insonorisation (10) selon la revendication 3, dans lequel lesdits éléments concentrés (14, 14', 14", ...) formés comme des corps creux comportent des parois internes (42, 42', ...) qui créent un trajet en spirale.

5. Élément d'insonorisation (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel la première structure périphérique (11) est en outre recouverte extérieurement par un tissu ou une plaque perforée (19).

6. Élément d'insonorisation (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel la structure périphérique contient dans celle-ci un élément de renfort structurel (51) formé comme un tube avec une section carrée ou circulaire, ou un profilé avec une section plane, en forme de I, en forme de T, en forme de C ou en forme de H.

7. Élément d'insonorisation (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, ayant des dimensions latérales comprises entre 10 et 100 cm et une épaisseur totale comprise entre 0,2 et 100 cm, et dans lequel l'épaisseur de la feuille perforée (12), de la feuille imperméable (13) sans les éléments concentrés (14, 14', 14", ...) et de la feuille ou du panneau continu (16) est comprise entre 0,01 et 10 mm, tandis que l'épaisseur desdits deux espaces d'air (17 et 18) est comprise entre 0,1 et 50 cm.

8. Élément d'insonorisation (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, dans lequel le poids de chacun desdits éléments concentrés (14, 14', 14", ...) est compris entre 0,1 et 50 g et la distance de ceux-ci sur ladite feuille imperméable (13) est dans la plage comprise entre 3 et 200 mm.

9. Élément d'insonorisation (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, dans lequel ladite première structure périphérique (11) et ladite seconde structure périphérique (15) sont constituées d'un matériau ayant une masse volumique comprise entre 100 kg/m³ et 1 0000 kg/m³ et un module d'élasticité compris entre 10^4 et 10^12 Pa, dans lequel ladite feuille perforée (12), ladite feuille imperméable (13), lesdits éléments concentrés (14, 14', 14", ...) et ladite feuille ou ledit panneau continu (16) sont constitués d'un matériau ayant une masse volumique comprise entre 800 kg/m³ et 15 000 kg/m³ et un module d'élasticité compris entre 10^6 et 10^12 Pa.

10. Élément d'insonorisation (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, dans lequel lesdites deux surfaces de cadre (11a, 11b) sont formées comme un cadre triangulaire équilatéral, carré, rhomboïdal, rectangulaire ou hexagonal, et dans lequel l'épaisseur est respectivement définie par trois, quatre ou six surfaces latérales rectangulaires.

11. Élément d'insonorisation (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, dans lequel lesdits éléments concentrés (14, 14', 14", ...) sont positionnés sur au moins certains noeuds d'une grille de lignes qui forment entre eux des angles correspondant à une géométrie de ladite première structure périphérique (11).

12. Panneau d'insonorisation modulaire (70 ; 80) formé par la juxtaposition le long de la surface latérale de deux éléments d'insonorisation (10) ou plus selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 11.

Drawing