Abstract
Modules with variable acoustic properties configured for covering boundaries, such as walls or ceilings of a room, for instance a multi-purpose room, in which it must be possible to change the acoustical properties of the room, such as the reverberation time, according to each specific use, where the module has a front face provided with one or more through-openings through which sound energy can enter an inner region of the module, and where the module in the inner region comprises a sound absorbing device in acoustic communication with the through-openings in the front face such that sound energy can pass from an exterior region or space outside the module to said sound absorbing device, where the through-openings can be closed, such that sound energy cannot enter the sound absorbing device and opened, such that sound energy can enter the sound absorbing device.
Claims
1. A module with variable acoustic properties configured for covering boundaries, such as walls or ceilings of a room, for instance a multi-purpose room, in which it must be possible to change the acoustical properties of the room, such as the reverberation time, according to each specific use, where the module has a front face provided with one or more through-openings through which sound energy can enter an inner region of the module, and where the module in the inner region comprises a sound absorbing device in acoustic communication with the through-openings in the front face such that sound energy can pass from an exterior region or space outside the module to said sound absorbing device, where the through-openings can be closed, such that sound energy cannot enter the sound absorbing device via the through-openings and opened, such that sound energy can enter the sound absorbing device via the through-openings, where the front face is provided with an opening/closing mechanism comprising a closing member and a retaining mechanism, which retaining mechanism is configured such that it maintains the closing member in contact with substantively the entire circumference of the through-openings, when the module is in a closed state, characterized in that said opening/closing mechanism is configured such that it maintains the exterior or front surface of the front face, that faces said exterior region or space unaltered, in all states of the opening/closing mechanism, whereby it becomes possible to attach a covering sheet on the outer surface of the front face or in the vicinity to the outer surface of the front face without the opening/closing mechanism interfering with the covering sheet in any state of the opening/closing mechanism; said opening/closing mechanism is configured to obtain a substantially acoustically tight closing of said through-openings, where the mechanism comprises a first and a second closing region, where the first closing region is provided on the front face and the second closing region is provided on the closing member, where the mechanism is configured such that it closes the through openings, when the first and second closing regions are in contact with each other and opens the through openings, when the first and second contact regions are not in contact with each other, where said substantially acoustically tight closing of said through-openings is obtained by the retaining means preventing the closing member from undergoing movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the front face.
2. A module according to claim 1, where said opening/closing mechanism is configured such that the exterior or front surface of the front face is un-broken.
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. A module according to claim 1, where the exterior or front surface of the front face facing said exterior region or space is covered by a covering sheet that is configured such that it is possible for sound energy to enter the sound absorbing device through the sheet and through the through-openings, when the through openings are in the open state.
9. A module according to claim 8, wherein said covering sheet is made of veneer or foil provided with perforations at least in those regions of the covering sheet that cover said through-openings in the front face.
10. (canceled)
11. (canceled)
12. A module according to claim 1, wherein the opening/closing mechanism is configured to obtain a substantially acoustically tight closing of said through-openings, where the mechanism comprises a first and a second closing face, where the mechanism is configured such that it closes the through openings, when the first and second closing faces are in contact with each other and opens the through openings, when the first and second contact faces are not in contact with each other.
13. A module according to claim 12, where at least one of the first or the second closing faces is provided with magnetic means configured to urge the first closing face against the second closing face, when the mechanism is brought into the closed state.
14. A module according to claim 13, where said first closing face comprises a permanent magnetic material and the second closing face is made of a material that can be attracted by the magnetic material of the first closing face.
15. (canceled)
16. (canceled)
17. A module according to claim 12, where the opening/closing mechanism comprises a pivotally mounted plate member that is configured to pivot about a pivot axle in fixed relationship with the front face, such that the plate member can pivot between a closed state, where the plate member closes the through-opening in the front face and an open state, where the plate member does not close the through-opening, where the plate member is provided with said first closing face and the front plate on a corresponding portion is provided with said second closing face.
18. (canceled)
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. A module according to claim 12, where the opening/closing mechanism comprises a sliding plate member mounted for a sliding movement substantially in parallel with the front face, such that the sliding plate member can move between a closed state, in which it closes the through opening in the front face and on open state, in which it does not close the through opening in the front face, where the sliding plate member at opposing edge portions in the direction of movement is provided with leg portions, such that the sliding plate member has a general U-shape, and where the front face is provided with corresponding leg portions at the edges of the through opening extending perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the sliding plate member, such that one leg portion of the sliding plate member corresponds to one leg portion of the front plate and the other leg portion of the sliding plate member corresponds to the other leg portion of the front face, where the first leg portion of the sliding plate member in the closed state of the opening/closing mechanism is substantially in contact with the corresponding leg portion of the front face and the other leg portion of the sliding plate member is substantially in contact with the corresponding leg portion of the front face, whereby the through opening in the fornt face is substantially closed.
22. (canceled)
23. (canceled)
24. A module according to claim 12, where the opening/closing mechanism comprises an opening/closing plate member extending substantially perpendicular to the front face and covering the through opening in the front face, such that an overlapping closing face is formed between the edge portions of the plate member and the corresponding edge regions of the front face adjacent to the through opening, where the opening/closing mechanism comprises actuator means connected to the plate member configured to move the plate member in a direction substantively perpendicular to the front face between a closed state, in which the plate member closes the through opening and an open state, in which the plate member does not close the through opening.
25. (canceled)
26. (canceled)
27. (canceled)
28. (canceled)
29. (canceled)
30. (canceled)
31. (canceled)
32. (canceled)
33. (canceled)
34. (canceled)
35. (canceled)
36. (canceled)
37. (canceled)
38. (canceled)
39. A front face comprising a plurality of through-openings through which sound energy can pass, when the through-openings are in an open state, where the front face is provided with an opening/closing mechanism configured for opening and closing said through-openings, where the opening/closing mechanism comprises a closing member and a retaining mechanism, which retaining mechanism is configured such that it maintains the closing member in contact with substantively the entire circumference of the through-openings, when the module is in a closed state, characterized in that said opening/closing mechanism is configured such that it maintains the exterior or front surface of the front face, that faces said exterior region or space unaltered, in all states of the opening/closing mechanism, whereby it becomes possible to attach a covering sheet on the outer surface of the front face or in the vicinity to the outer surface of the front face without the opening/closing mechanism interfering with the covering sheet in any state of the opening/closing mechanism; said opening/closing mechanism is configured to obtain a substantially acoustically tight closing of said through-openings, where the mechanism comprises a first and a second closing region, where the first closing region is provided on the front face and the second closing region is provided on the closing member, where the mechanism is configured such that it closes the through openings, when the first and second closing regions are in contact with each other and opens the through openings, when the first and second contact regions are not in contact with each other. where said substantially acoustically tight closing of said through-openings is obtained by the retaining means preventing the closing member from undergoing movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the front face.
40. A front face according to claim 39, where said opening/closing mechanism is configured such that it opens in an inward direction away from the exterior or front surface of the front face, such that it maintains an un-broken exterior surface of the front face facing.
41. (canceled)
42. (canceled)
43. (canceled)
44. (canceled)
45. (canceled)
46. A front face according to claim 39, wherein said opening/closing mechanism is configured to obtain a substantially acoustically tight closing of said through-openings, where the mechanism comprises a first and a second closing face, where the mechanism is configured such that it closes the through openings, when the first and second closing faces are in contact with each other and opens the through openings, when the first and second contact faces are not in contact with each other, wherein at least one of the first or the second closing faces is provided with magnetic means configured to urge the first closing face against the second closing face, when the mechanism is brought into the closed state, wherein said first closing face comprises a permanent magnetic material and the second closing face is made of a material that can be attracted by the magnetic material of the first closing face.
47. (canceled)
48. (canceled)
49. (canceled)
50. (canceled)
51. A front face according to claim 46, where the opening/closing mechanism comprises a pivotally mounted plate member that is configured to pivot about a pivot axle in fixed relationship with the front face, such that the plate member can pivot between a closed state, where the plate member closes the through-opening in the front face and an open state, where the plate member does not close the through-opening, where the plate member is provided with said first closing face and the front plate on a corresponding portion is provided with said second closing face.
52. (canceled)
53. A front face according to claim 51, wherein one of the closing faces are provided with a permanent magnetic material, such as a magnetic ribbon, and the other closing face is made of a material that can be attracted by a magnetic force from the magnetic material provided on the opposing closing face.
54. (canceled)
55. A front face according to claim 39, where the opening/closing mechanism comprises a sliding plate member mounted for a sliding movement substantially in parallel with the front face, such that the sliding plate member can move between a closed state, in which it closes the through opening in the front face and on open state, in which it does not close the through opening in the front face, wherein the sliding plate member at opposing edge portions in the direction of movement is provided with leg portions, such that the sliding plate member has a general U-shape, and where the front face is provided with corresponding leg portions at the edges of the through opening extending perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the sliding plate member, such that one leg portion of the sliding plate member corresponds to one leg portion of the front plate and the other leg portion of the sliding plate member corresponds to the other leg portion of the front face, where the first leg portion of the sliding plate member in the closed state of the opening/closing mechanism is substantially in contact with the corresponding leg portion of the front face and the other leg portion of the sliding plate member is substantially in contact with the corresponding leg portion of the front face, whereby the through opening in the fornt face is substantially closed.
56. (canceled)
57. (canceled)
58. A front face according to claim 39, where the opening/closing mechanism comprises an opening/closing plate member extending substantially in perpendicular the front face and covering the through opening in the front face, such that an overlapping closing face is formed between the edge portions of the plate member and the corresponding edge regions of the front face adjacent to the through opening, where said closing face at an edge portion thereof is provided with resilient retaining means configured to maintain said closing face in a fixed relationship to the front face, where the opening/closing mechanism comprises actuator means connected to the plate member configured to move the plate member in a direction substantively perpendicular to the front face between a closed state, in which the plate member closes the through opening and an open state, in which the plate member does not close the through opening.
59. (canceled)
60. (canceled)
61. (canceled)
62. A system with variable acoustic properties configured for covering boundaries, such as walls or ceilings of a room, for instance a multi-purpose room, in which it must be possible to change the acoustical properties of the room, such as the reverberation time, according to each specific use, where the system comprises a plurality of modules according to claim 1, where the individual modules are in communication with a control unit, such that the control unit can control the opening/closing of the through-openings in each individual module by controlling the corresponding opening/closing mechanisms of the individual modules.
63. A system according to claim 62, where the system comprises a user interface functionally in communication with the control unit, whereby the reverberation time of the room in which the modules are provided can be controlled by a user by opening/closing each individual of the modules.
64. A system according to claim 62, where the system comprises an electronic memory in which corresponding settings (open/close state) of each individual module can be stored for instance together with a description of the kind of performance for which the obtained reverberation time is regarded as optimal.
65. (canceled)
66. (canceled)
67. (canceled)
68. (canceled)
69. (canceled)
70. (canceled)
71. (canceled)
72. (canceled)
73. (canceled)
74. (canceled)
75. (canceled)
76. (canceled)
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82. (canceled)
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0159] Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after reading the detailed description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein
[0160] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a system according to an embodiment of the invention as well as a covering sheet;
[0161] FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of a module according to an embodiment of the invention attached to a wall or ceiling portion of a room, where the module is provided with a sound absorbing device consisting of a bat of for instance mineral wool;
[0162] FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) show an embodiment of an open/close mechanism for the modules according to the present invention;
[0163] FIG. 4 shows a schematic detailed view of the module according to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) in the closed state;
[0164] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of a system according to an embodiment of the invention, which system is provided with a user-operable control unit,
[0165] FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a system according to an embodiment of the invention seen from the side of the system opposite to the front face, i.e. the side of the system that faces the boundary on which it will be mounted;
[0166] FIG. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a system according to an embodiment of the invention seen from a direction towards the front face, i.e. the side of the system that faces away from the boundary on which it will be mounted;
[0167] FIGS. 8(a) and (b) shows an example of a sound absorption coefficient measured in ⅓-octave bands obtained with an embodiment of a module according to the invention in the open and closed state, respectively;
[0168] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a system with covering sheets according to the invention covering portions of two boundaries of a room;
[0169] FIG. 10 shows examples of two alternative shapes of the modules according to the invention;
[0170] FIG. 11 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of an opening/closing mechanism according to the invention;
[0171] FIGS. 12(a) and (b) show a schematic representation of a second embodiment of an opening/closing mechanism according to the invention;
[0172] FIG. 13 shows a schematic representation of a third embodiment of an opening/closing mechanism according to the invention;
[0173] FIG. 14 shows a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of an opening/closing mechanism according to the invention;
[0174] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an example of a practical implementation of a module according to the invention showing an embodiment of an opening/closing mechanism on the rear side of the front face according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0175] FIG. 16 is a plane view of an example of a practical implementation of the front face of a module according to an embodiment of the invention showing a pattern of through-openings provided in the front face;
[0176] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an example of a practical implementation of a portion of an embodiment of a module according to the invention and an attachment structure for attaching the module to a boundary, such as a ceiling, of a room;
[0177] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an example of a practical implementation of an embodiment of a module according to the invention and an attachment structure for attaching the module to a boundary, such as a ceiling, of a room, where the module is provided with sound absorbing bats placed behind the through-openings in the front face of the module;
[0178] FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective partly exploded view of an embodiment of a module according to the invention in which the side faces of the module are closed by plate elements;
[0179] FIG. 20 is a photo showing a practical implementation of an opening/closing mechanism according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 11 seen from the rear side of the front face;
[0180] FIG. 21 is a photo of a module according to an embodiment of the invention seen from the rear side of the front face showing one practical implementation in which the edge portions of the through-openings in the front face are all provided with a magnetic ribbon;
[0181] FIG. 22 is an illustrative representation of an opening/closing mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0182] FIG. 23 is a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of an opening/closing mechanism according to the invention;
[0183] FIG. 24(b) is a schematic illustration of two adjacent modules of the type shown in FIG. 24(a) functionally connected such that they can be operated by a single actuator as for instance shown in FIG. 21(a);
[0184] FIG. 25 shows an alternative embodiment of magnetic means used to provide an acoustically tight closing of the opening/closing mechanism of the front faces of the invention; and
[0185] FIG. 26 is a plot of the sound reduction index of a 2 mm thick steel plate with a mass per unit area of 16 kg/m.sup.2 that as an example can be used to form the front face and the closing plates used the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0186] The principles of the invention will be illustrated by various embodiments hereof. It is however understood that a person skilled in the art may conceive other embodiments than those actually shown and described in the detailed description of the invention and that the scope of the invention is defined by the independent claims.
[0187] In order to clarify the terminology used in the following, a “module” is an entity that comprises a front face (with associated opening/closing mechanism) and a sound absorbing device or means, as for instance a sound absorbing bat. A module may in some embodiments further comprise a frame structure, that can be used for instance to attach the sound absorbing device or means to the other parts of the module or that may as an option be used to attach the module to a boundary. The frame structure may also be used to provide the module with side faces and a rear face supported by the frame structure, which side and rear faces largely prevent sound energy from reaching the sound absorbing device or means through these faces. An exemplary embodiment of a module is shown in FIG. 18 and the above-mentioned side and rear faces are illustrated in FIG. 19.
[0188] With reference to FIG. 1 there is illustrated the basic concept of the invention by means of a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a system according to the second aspect of the invention.
[0189] The system shown in FIG. 1, generally designated by reference numeral 1, comprises 10 modules according to the first aspect of the invention. These modules are in use mounted on one or more boundaries of a room by suitable attachment means 2. The modules comprise a front face generally designated by reference numeral 4, which front face in the shown embodiment comprises a number of longitudinally extending slats 5, where an opening 6 is provided longitudinally between adjacent slats 5. These through-openings 6 provide access from the exterior region 7 outside the modules to an interior region 3 inside the modules. The through-openings 6 allow sound energy to pass from the exterior region 7 to the interior region 3, when the through-openings are in an open state. Inside each module there is provided means configured to close the through-openings 6, such that sound energy cannot pass from the exterior region 7 to the interior region 3. These opening/closing means will be described by way of non-limiting examples in the following.
[0190] According to the invention, a covering sheet 8 of a material and construction that makes it possible for sound energy to enter the interior region 3 via the region 7 through the covering sheet 8 and the through-openings 6, when the through-openings 6 are in an open state, can be attached to the front faces 4 of modules that form a system (in the shown example the ten modules). Thus, a seemingly unbroken surface 8 can be brought to cover the modules of the system, such that the individual modules cannot be seen by persons in the room in which the modules are installed.
[0191] More than a single sheet may be used according to the invention. Thus, a sheet may consist of a number of individual sheets or portions. Thus, for instance in a practical installation, a sheet may be dimensioned to cover five single modules in a row (i.e. the sheet has one dimension corresponding to the height of a module). A sheet may also comprise elongated panels extending longitudinally over all or some of the slats of individual modules.
[0192] The sheet 8 is in an embodiment of the invention made of veneer that is provided with perforations, at least in the regions of the veneer that cover the through-openings 6 in the front faces 4 of the modules. The veneer can, if necessary, be attached to an intermediate sheet or panel of for instance gypsum board material or fiber cement board material that is provided between the front faces 4 and the veneer 6. In order for the system to function acoustically optimal, the airflow resistance of the perforation and the intermediate sheet must be as low as possible.
[0193] The modules and the manner in which the modules and system according to the invention can alter the reverberation time of the room in which the modules or system is provided will be described in the following.
[0194] With reference to FIG. 2 there is shown a schematic cross-sectional representation of a module according to an embodiment of the invention. The module is mounted on a boundary 11 of a room, such as a wall or a ceiling. The module comprises a front face 4 comprising slats 5 and through-openings 6 provided between adjacent slats (it is understood that the portions of the front face here referred to as slats could alternatively be portions of the front face itself with through-openings provided between these portions as for instance shown in FIG. 16). The through-openings 6 can be closed by means of plates 9 or other suitable closing/opening members that are pivotally attached by hinges 13 as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 4. Since the plates 9 open inwards, the sheet 8 (see FIG. 1) can be mounted flush to the front face 4.
[0195] As it also appears from FIG. 1, the modules according to this embodiment comprises a frame structure (shown by reference numerals 10 and 14 in FIG. 2) that comprises side posts 10 and lateral posts 14. In FIG. 2, the module is attached to a wall portion 11 via the lateral posts 14. The frame structure of the module creates an inner space 3. In this inner space 3 there is provided a sound absorbing device, which in the shown embodiment consists of a sound absorbing material 12. In the shown embodiment, the sound absorbing material consists of a plate or slab or bat that extends laterally and longitudinally (i.e. in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the figure) over the entire width w of the module, but the sound absorbing material could alternatively fill the entire inner space 3 up to the lateral posts 14. The sound absorbing material can for instance consist of a combination of mineral wool, for instance a slab of a thickness of 10 cm, and a region of air, with a thickness d1 of a suitable value, such as for instance 25 cm. It is also possible to include a membrane absorber in the interior space 3 in order in increase absorption at low frequencies with a smaller distance d.sub.1 to save space. The slab 12 of mineral wool must be provided at a distance from the wall 11 that yield maximum sound absorption, i.e. in a region in the interior space 3 in which the particle velocity of the sound field created in the interior space 3 is as large as possible.
[0196] It is important that sound energy from the surroundings can only enter the inner space 3 via the through-openings 6 such that sound absorption is only achieved, when the through-openings are in an open state. This can be achieved (as shown schematically in FIG. 19) by providing the frame structure 10 with panels (reference numerals 96, 97, 98 and 99 in FIG. 19) that acoustically shield off the inner space 3 from the surroundings. Such panels can be applied to the single modules or to groups comprising a plurality of modules as desired. The frame structure 14 may also be provided with a covering panel, if this is deemed necessary to ensure that sound energy cannot reach the inner region 3 via the frame structure that is attached to the boundary 11.
[0197] In case a mineral wool is used, it is mandatory to wrap this in a bag or hose that prevents the mineral wool fibers to spread. The material of the hose must, like all other elements in the modules and system according to the invention comply with the B,S1-d0 fire standard (or other fire standards depending on the country in which they are used) and still be porous for air flow.
[0198] It is recommended that the distance from the wall portion 11 to the sound absorbing material be at least 10 cm in order to obtain a large absorption coefficient at low frequencies.
[0199] When mounted on a boundary (such as a wall or a ceiling), the modules must define an outer surface towards the room in which the modules are mounted that is substantially acoustically tight when the modules are in the closed state. Hence, it is essential that the opening/closing mechanism provides as close a seal to the adjacent portions of the slats as absolutely possible. Likewise, the connection between adjacent modules must be as acoustically tight as possible. Otherwise, sound energy will pass through small slits or openings between adjacent modules even though the through-openings 6 are acoustically tightly closed.
[0200] The slats 5 are preferably made of a material that ensures a surface weight of not less than 15 kg/m.sup.2 in order to obtain a low absorption value even at low frequencies in the closed state of the through-openings 6, i.e. a high degree of sound reflection even at low frequencies in the closed state. Preferably, a sound absorption coefficient of less than 0.2 should be obtained at 125 Hz octave band.
[0201] With reference to FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) there is shown an embodiment of an opening/closing mechanism for the rear of the front face of the modules according to the present invention.
[0202] Thus, FIG. 3(a) shows a schematic view of the rear of the front face 4 of the module. In the front face 4 there are provided the through-openings 6 as described above. The plates 9 are pivotally connected to the front face frame 3 of the module such that the plates 9 can pivot between an open state (as shown in FIG. 3(a)) and a closed state (as shown in FIG. 3(b)). To each of the plates 9 there is attached a connecting member 15 that connects the rear surface of the plates 9 with a bar 16 that is pivotally connected to each respective of the connecting members 15. The actuator arm 18 of a linear actuator 19 is pivotally connected to the bar 16. When the actuator arm 18 is in the extended state as shown in FIG. 3(a), the plates 9 are in the open state, whereas, when the actuator arm 18 retracts into the position shown in FIG. 3(b) the plates 9 are pivoted about their respective hinge means and brought to the closed state, in which the plates 9 close the respective through-openings 6 in the front face 4. A substantially acoustically tight closing can be obtained for instance by providing a magnetic tape on the rear portions of the slats in the contact regions between the closing plates 9 and the rear portion of the slats. The application of a magnetic material to ensure a substantively acoustically tight closing will be described in more detail in the following. The actuator could for instance be an electric actuator or solenoid that can be controlled by providing it with electric current from a control unit under the control of for instance an operator.
[0203] On the surface of the plates 9 there can be provided insulating strips 20 of for instance a soft plastic material. The size of these strips 20 may correspond to the size of the corresponding through-openings 6 and have a thickness such that they extend at least entirely through the through-openings 6 in the closed state of the mechanism. By these means, the unwanted, permanent absorption from the perforated sheet 8 in front of the through-openings 6 can be significantly reduced when the mechanism is in the closed state.
[0204] With reference to FIG. 4 there is shown a schematic detailed view of the module according to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3 in the closed state. FIG. 4 shows the wall portion 11 to which the module is attached and a slab 12 of sound absorbing material provided in the interior space 3 of the module. Three of the slats 5 in the front face of the module are shown and the through-openings 6 (c.f. FIG. 3) between adjacent slats 5 are closed by the plates 9 as shown. On the outer surface (facing towards the outer region 7) there is provided soft plastic or similar strips 20 that substantially fill the opening 6 between the respective slats 5. On the front face of the module, the perforated sheet 8 is provided (or a sheet with perforations at least in the regions corresponding the through-openings 6 in the front face. In the shown embodiment, the strips 20 extend from the outer surface of the plates 9 to the inner surface of the perforated sheet, thus minimizing absorption from the perforated sheet in the regions hereof overlying the through-openings 6.
[0205] As an alternative to the opening/closing mechanism shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) a number of alternative mechanisms may be used. In one such alternative embodiment, the opening/closing plates 9 is mounted such that they can undergo a sliding movement on the inner surface of the front face between an open and a closed state. This will also enable for a covering sheet to be placed flush to the outer surface of the front face. This opening/closing mechanism can also be operated by means of an actuator arrangement substantially similar to the one shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b). Some examples of alternative opening/closing mechanisms are shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 and will be described in more detail in the following.
[0206] With reference to FIG. 5 there is shown a schematic representation of a system according to an embodiment of the invention, which system is provided with a user-operable control unit.
[0207] The system 1 shown in FIG. 5 comprises modules M1 through M10 according to the first aspect of the invention in a setup similar to the one shown in FIG. 1. Each individual module M1 through M10 is connected to a central control unit 31 via lines 21 through 30, such that the central control unit can control the opening/closing of the through-openings 6 in each individual module as explained above. A user can communicate with the control unit 31 via a suitable user interface 32 that is functionally connected to the control unit 31 via a line 34, and thereby control the reverberation time of the room in which the modules M1 through M10 are provided. When a suitable reverberation time has been obtained, the corresponding settings (open/close state) of each individual module can be stored in an electronic memory 37 together with a description of the kind of performance for which the obtained reverberation is regarded as optimal. The electronic memory 37 can cooperate with the control unit 31 and user interface 32 via lines 35 and 36, respectively.
[0208] Using the modules according to the first aspect of the present invention to form a system comprising a plurality of such controllable modules (as exemplified by the system in FIG. 5) makes it possible to vary the reverberation time RT of a room in which the system is installed within wide limits. Thus, embedding the plurality of modules forming a system in which the sound absorption coefficient α of the individual modules can be varied between a very high a value (up to close to unity at low frequencies) and a very low a value (down to below 0.2 through the entire audible frequency range of interest for live performances) gives the possibility to reach enough acoustic variability to achieve optimum acoustic conditions for a wide span of musical genres. As an example, a hall of 8000 m3 needs RT variability from 1.2 seconds (for pop and rock music) at low frequencies to 2.4 seconds for choir or small acoustic groups such as chamber music ensembles. Using Sabines formula for RT, this variability factor of 2 requires a large sound absorption area as well as a large variability of sound absorption coefficient α at mid and low frequencies (in the present context the difference between a in the open and closed state of the modules). Reference is made to NS 8178 (Norwegian Standard, “Acoustic criteria for rooms and spaces for music rehearsal and performance”). For other types of live performances—as well as for the use of the room as an auditorium, a theater hall or a cinema), reverberation times between the 1.2 and 2.4 seconds may be optimal. Such intermediate reverberation times can be obtained according to the invention by closing some of the modules forming the system and opening the other modules of the system. Using the system according to the invention, it hence becomes possible for an operator to choose the opening/closing state of the individual modules or groupings of modules forming the system to obtain the optimum reverberation time for a specific type of application of the room. It further becomes possible, once an optimal choice of open and closed modules has been found to store information regarding this optimal choice (for instance a record comprising the specific application situation and the opening/closing state of each individual module in the system) in the memory 37 for later use in similar cases.
[0209] With reference to FIG. 6 there is shown a schematic perspective view of a system generally indicated by reference numeral 38 according to an embodiment of the invention as seen from the side of the system opposite to the front face 4 of the modules in the system, i.e. the side of the system 38 that faces the boundary of the room or hall on which it will be mounted. Each module is indicated by reference numeral 2. The system shown in FIG. 6 comprises 10 modules and corresponds to that shown in FIG. 1, except for the omission of the sheet 8 shown in FIG. 1. For clarity of the description, the terms “longitudinal” and “transversal” are defined by their corresponding axes in the figure. The depth or thickness of the system/modules are their extension in the direction of the z-axis.
[0210] With reference to FIG. 7 there is shown a schematic perspective view of a system according to an embodiment of the invention seen from a direction towards the front face, i.e. the side of the system that faces away from the boundary on which it will be mounted. The system comprises in this example embodiment (as in FIGS. 1 and 6) 10 modules with the front faces comprising elongated slats 5 provided with elongated through-openings 6 between adjacent slats 5 of each individual module. For each module, the frame structure comprises opposite end portion 39 and opposite side portion 40 that together with the front face and the boundary upon which the modules are mounted defines an inner region of the module in which a sound absorbing device, such as a slab of sound absorbing material, is provided. As mentioned above, the end portions and side portions 39, 40 that describe the circumference of a grouping of modules must be provided with panels preventing sound access from the surroundings to the sound absorbing material in the inner space of the modules through the end and side portions 39, 40.
[0211] With the embodiment of modules shown in FIG. 7, the adjacent lateral slats of two adjacent modules appear visually as a single slat of the double width as indicated at 41 in FIG. 7. When the system is not covered by a covering sheet 8 (as shown in FIG. 1), the total surface formed by the front faces of the individual slats 5 is hence not visually uniform. A visually uniform surface of the system can be obtained by means of the covering sheet 8, but it is also possible as an alternative to provide a visually uniform outer surface by providing each module with a pattern of slats and through-openings in which a slat extends along one longitudinal edge portion of a module and an opening extends along the opposite longitudinal edge portion of the module.
[0212] With reference to FIGS. 8(a) and (b) there is shown an example of a sound absorption coefficient as a function of frequency obtained with an embodiment of a module according to the invention. FIG. 8(a) shows ⅓-octave measurements of sound absorption coefficient in the open state of the module and FIG. 8(b) shows ⅓-octave measurements of sound absorption coefficient in the closed state of the module. It clearly appears that a very high sound absorption coefficient can be obtained with the modules/system according to the invention in the open state in the mid and low frequency range. Also, it appears that the sound absorption coefficient can be kept at a desired lower level at higher frequencies.
[0213] The measurements shown in FIGS. 8(a) and (b) were carried out in a reverberation room according to the test method EN ISO 354:2003. The certified report is available.
[0214] A low sound absorption coefficient value in the closed state of the modules results from a combination of a sufficiently heavy front face/closing plates and a sufficiently acoustically tight closing of the closing means as obtained according to the invention with the application of the described retaining means, such as the magnetic strips provided along substantively the entire circumference of the through-openings in the front face. The shown measurements relate to a module with a front face and closing plates made of steel with a thickness of 2 mm together with a magnetic tape (practically without resiliency) applied along substantially the entire circumference of the through openings. The mass per unit area of a 2 mm thick steel plate is approximately 16 kg/m.sup.2.
[0215] The sound absorbing device is in this case a bat of 10 cm thick mineral wool placed as close to the rear side of the front face as possible in a construction that is 40 cm deep in total from front face to boundary. The sound absorption coefficient in the open state of the module can be increased from the 125 Hz octave and downwards by increasing the distance from the bat to the boundary (such as a wall or ceiling) behind/above the module.
[0216] A variation Δα of the sound absorption coefficient at 125 Hz and 250 Hz must be at least 0.5 between to open state of the module and the closed state of the module in order to be able to obtain the required variation of the reverberation time of the room.
[0217] With reference to FIG. 9 there is shown an embodiment of a system according to the invention covering portions of two boundaries 44 and 45 of a room wherein a third boundary 46 is not provided with modules. The system of modules presents uniform surfaces 47 and 48 to a viewer located in the room. As seen, the front faces of the modules have been covered by sheets of a veneer type finish.
[0218] With reference to FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) there are shown examples of two alternative shapes of the modules according to the invention.
[0219] FIG. 10(a) shows six modules 2 where a first 50 and a second 51 edge portion of a side portion 49 of a module have different length, such that the front sheet 8 of a module is inclined relative to a boundary on which the module is mounted. By using such modules, the design shown in FIG. 10(a) can be obtained in which the front sheets 8 of different modules incline in different directions. By using this design, a sound diffusion effect of a system of modules can be obtained, if desired, when the modules are in their closed state, in which they do not absorb sound energy. An alternative to the design shown in FIG. 10(a) is shown in FIG. 10(b) in which the modules have different depths such that the front sheets 8 of different modules are located at different distances from the boundary on which the modules are mounted. This design will also have a sound diffusing effect when the modules are in their closed states. Each of the individual modules forming the configurations shown in FIGS. 10(a) and (b) are provided with sound impermeable panels on the side, top and bottom faces (and possibly on the rear face opposite the front face in order to ensure that sound energy from the surroundings can only enter the interior space of the respective modules via the through-openings in the front face, when the respective module is in its open state.
[0220] As mentioned above it is very important that the opening/closing mechanism of the through-openings 6 in the front face leading from the surroundings to the sound absorbing device in the module can provide a substantially acoustically tight closing of the through-openings when the module is in the closed state. According to the invention, this can be accomplished by means of a magnetic closing mechanism, of which exemplary and non-limiting embodiments will be described in the following.
[0221] With reference to FIG. 11 there is shown a schematic representation of a first embodiment of an opening/closing mechanism according to the invention. A portion of a front face 55 is in the closed state closed by a plate member 56 that is provided on a pivot arm 57 that can pivot about an axle 59 of an attachment member 58 secured to one of the portions of the front face. The pivotal movement is indicated by arrow A in FIG. 11. Either on the plate member 56 or on the corresponding edge portions of the front face facing the plate member 56 there is provided a magnetic material 60, for instance by applying a magnetic ribbon on these portions.
[0222] An example of this is shown in the photo shown in FIG. 20. In this manner, the entire contact region between the edge portions of the through-openings in the front face and the corresponding portions of the plate member 56 is in the closed state held firmly and acoustically tight together by the magnetic force provided by the magnetic material. The required pivotal movement of the pivot arm 57 and the plate member 56 is obtained by means of an actuator suitably coupled to the pivot arm 57. An example of a practical implementation of the actuating mechanism will described in connection with FIG. 14.
[0223] The inertia moment and the rigidity of the closing plate members (for instance 9 in FIGS. 2 and 3(a), 56 in FIG. 11, 63 in FIGS. 12(a) and (b), 71 in FIGS. 13 and 86 in FIG. 14) can be enhanced by mounting a L-profile or a U-profile on the closing plate members (or forming these as an L-profile or a U-profile). This will have the advantageous effect of minimizing the number of hinges (such as the pivot axle 59 in FIG. 11 or the hinge 13 in FIG. 2) necessary to make the closing plate members sufficiently rigid. Similarly, the front face can be given more stiffness by mounting L-profiles or U-profiles on the rear side of the front face.
[0224] With reference to FIG. 12(a) there is shown a schematic representation of a second embodiment of an opening/closing mechanism according to the invention. In this embodiment, the closing of the through-opening 6 in the front face 61, 62 is accomplished by means of a sliding plate member 63, 63′, 63″ of a general U-shape. In the closed state, the legs 63′ and 63″, respectively are brought in contact with corresponding L-shaped edge portions 61′, 62′, respectively of the adjacent portions of the front face 61 and 62, respectively. Magnetic material 64, 65, for instance a magnetic ribbon, is inserted in the respective contact regions between the leg portions of the sliding plate member 63 and the corresponding L-shaped edge portions 61′, 62′ of the front face 61, 62. The required sliding movement as indicated by arrow B can be accomplished be means of a linear actuator 68, the actuator arm 67 of which is attached to the sliding plate member 63 by a suitable bracket 66. This embodiment of an opening/closing mechanism facilitates a very slim configuration of the front face and opening/closing mechanism as indicated by s1 in the figure.
[0225] With reference to FIG. 12(b) the opening/closing mechanism according to the second embodiment is shown as seen from above, i.e. from the side of the module that comprises the actuator means shown in FIG. 12(a). As the opening/closing mechanism must provide a substantially acoustically tight closing of the through-openings 6 in the front face when the module is in the closed state, the sliding plate member 63 can be extended laterally by extensions 103 that fit closely in corresponding longitudinal grooves 104 in longitudinally extending side panels 96 and 97 that will be described more detailed in connection with FIG. 18. A small clearance d may be provided between the lateral edge portions of the extensions 103 and the grooves 104, if necessary, but it is important that the extensions fit as closely as possible in the grooves to provide a substantially acoustically tight closing of the module in its closed state.
[0226] With reference to FIG. 13 there is shown a schematic representation of a third embodiment of an opening/closing mechanism according to the invention. The opening and closing of the through-opening 6 in the front face 70 is similar to that shown in FIG. 12 comprising a plate member 71 configured to close the through-opening 6 in the front face 70. A magnetic material 72, such as a magnetic ribbon is provided in the contact region between the corresponding edge portions of the plate member 72 and the front face 70. The actuator shaft 73 of a linear actuator 74 is attached to the plate member 73, such that the actuator 74 can move the plate member 71 between a closed position as shown in FIG. 13 and an open position, the movement being indicated by arrow C. This embodiment of an opening/closing mechanism is advantageous due to its simplicity, but requires a larger fitting depth s2 than the one shown in FIG. 12 and would be an advantageous solution in cases where the fitting depth of the opening/closing mechanism (and of the entire module) is not a critical issue.
[0227] With reference to FIG. 14 there is shown a schematic illustration of another embodiment of opening/closing means according to the invention. A closing plate 71 is pivotally attached to the front face 70 such that it can pivot about an axle 71′ in close proximity to the front face 70. An appropriate actuator or motor drives the rod 131 in the direction indicated by arrow F, whereby the closing plate 71 closes the through-opening 6 in the front face 70. In order to increase rigidity of the closing plate 71 along the edge portion hereof opposite the pivot axle 71′, the closing plate 71 is provided with an L-profile 129 along the edge portion as shown. Alternatively, the closing plate 71 itself can be designed with an integrated L-shaped (or other appropriately shaped) edge portion. In the closed state, the rod 131 presses the edge portion of the closing plate opposite the pivot axle 71′ firmly against the corresponding edge portion of the through-opening as indicated by arrow F, whereby this edge portion—and hence the entire closing plate 71 is effectively prevented from vibrating in unison with the sound field existing at the through-opening. The edge portions of the front face adjacent the through-opening can furthermore be provided with tightening means 130 for instance felt or rubber ribbons.
[0228] With reference to FIG. 15 there is shown a perspective view of an example of a practical implementation of a front face with a front or exterior surface 75′, (not visible in the figure) with actuator of a module according to the embodiment of the invention showing an embodiment of an opening/closing mechanism according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11. The front face comprises a frame structure 75 comprising inwardly (i.e. facing the interior of the module in which interior the sound absorbing device or material is located) bended edge portions 76, 77 and an L-profile 78 mounted on the rear side of the front face 78 that add rigidity to the structure. An actuator 79 is pivotally attached at 80′ to a support structure 80 that is firmly attached to the frame structure of the front face. During operation, the actuator 79 can hence pivot about the attachment 80′. The actuator shaft 81 is pivotally attached via a pivot axle 83 to a bar 82 that can move substantially in parallel with the front face. The figure shows a number of pivot arms 85, one longitudinal end of which is attached to the opening/closing plate member 86 and the other longitudinal end of which is attached pivotally (by a hinge) to the frame structure/front face as indicated by reference numeral 87. At the longitudinal end portions of the pivot arm 85, the pivot arm is pivotally attached to the longitudinally extending bar 82. When the actuator shaft 81 is in its extended position as shown in FIG. 14, the opening/closing plate members 86 closes the through-openings 6 in the front face substantively acoustically tight (due to the presence of the magnetic closure means described above) and when the actuator shaft retracts, the pivot arms 85 rotates about the pivot axles 87 and the opening/closing plate members 86 open the respective through-openings 6 provided in the front face.
[0229] With reference to FIG. 16 there is shown a plane view of an example of a practical implementation of a front face as seen towards the front surface 75′ (c.f. FIG. 15) of the front face of a module according to an embodiment of the invention, where the front face 88 of the module is provided with a pattern of through-openings 88′. This implementation is an alternative embodiment of the module according to the invention than those described previously in connection with FIGS. 2 and 4, wherein slats 5 of thickness t (c.f. FIG. 4) are assembled to form the front face 4. In those embodiments, the thickness t could be chosen comparatively large, wherefore soft plastic strips 20 could be used to close the unwanted channels formed by the slats. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the through-openings 88′ are simply cut out (or provided otherwise) in the plate forming the front face and the front face (and hence the through-openings) can be very thin. This manner of providing the front face will be advantageous from a manufacturing point of view. Further, in the closed state of the module according to the invention, the front face may present a planar front surface to which a sheet can be mounted.
[0230] With reference to FIG. 17 there is shown a perspective view of an example of a practical implementation of the front face portion of an embodiment of a module according to the invention as described above and an embodiment of an attachment structure for attaching the module to a boundary of a room. The shown embodiment is particularly (although not necessarily exclusively) suited for modules that are hung from a ceiling. The front face together with the opening/closing mechanism is generally indicated by reference numeral 75 in FIGS. 17 and 18 and is attached to the ceiling by means of a plurality of thin bars or wires 89, of which only four are shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. In practice, a larger number of such bars or wires may be used depending among others on the actual dimensions of the module. The bars or wires 89 terminates in attachment members 90, 91 configured for attachment of the front face to the bars or wires. An upper portion (i.e. a portion above the front face as seen in FIG. 16) of the attachment means 90 is configured to provide a support/attachment for a structure 92, 93, 94 configured to support the sound absorbing device/means on this structure as exemplified in FIG. 17.
[0231] With reference to FIG. 18 there is shown a perspective view of an example of a practical implementation of an embodiment of a module according to the invention and an attachment structure for attaching the module to a boundary, such as a ceiling, of a room, where the module is provided with sound absorbing bats 95 above the through-openings 6 through the front face of the module placed on the support structure 92, 93, 94 described above. It is, however understood that other kinds of sound absorbing means than the bats 95 could be used as an alternative or in combination with the bats 95. For instance, one or more sound absorbers of the Helmholz resonator type could be placed above the front face in acoustic communication with one or more through-openings in the front face in order to supplement the LF sound absorption obtained with the module according to the invention with the narrow band sound absorption that can be attained with a suitable tuned Helmholz resonator sound absorber.
[0232] As mentioned repeatedly above, it is very important that the modules in the closed state are indeed substantively acoustically tight closed to the surroundings, such that sound energy cannot reach the sound absorbing device in the modules through unintentional openings or slits in the modules (or in a system comprising a plurality of modules according to the invention).
[0233] With reference to FIG. 19 there is shown a schematic perspective partly exploded view of an embodiment of a module according to the invention in which the side portions of the module are closed by plate elements 96, 97, 98 and 99 to prevent acoustic energy in the surroundings from reaching the interior space of the module containing the sound absorbing device (such as the sound absorbing bats in the shown embodiment).
[0234] With reference to FIG. 20 there is shown a photo showing an example of a practical implementation of an opening/closing mechanism according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 11. In the photo, the front face is in an open state.
[0235] With reference to FIG. 21 there is shown a photo of a module according to an embodiment of the invention seen from the rear side of the front face showing one practical implementation in which the edge portions of the through-openings 88 in the front face are all provided with a magnetic tape or ribbon 100, 101 and 102.
[0236] With reference to FIG. 22 there is shown a highly schematic illustration of a closing means according to the invention. A front face 103 is provided with a through-opening 104 and along the entire circumference 105 there is provided a first closing region 106. A closing plated 107 is pivotally mounted on a hinge 108, such that it can close the through opening when moved as indicated by arrow D. The closing plate 107 comprises a region 109 that substantively covers the through-opening in the closed state as well as a second closing region 110 corresponding substantially to the first closing region 106. In order to obtain the required acoustically substantively tight closing of the through-opening, the respective closing regions must according to the invention be maintained in contact with each other in the closed state of the through-openings, such that the closing plate 107 is effectively prevented from undergoing movement in a direction substantially perpendicularly to the front face. Examples of means that can ensure this is the magnetic material shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 as well as the mechanical means shown in FIG. 23. These means—as well as other means obtaining a similar effect—are collectively referred to as retaining means.
[0237] With reference to FIG. 23 there is illustrated an opening/closing mechanism that is to a large extend similar to the one shown in FIG. 11 except for the magnetic means shown in FIG. 11 being in the embodiment shown in FIG. 23 replaced by mechanical retaining means in the form of a resilient profile 118 formed to accommodate the edge portion 117 of the closing plate 111, when this is in the closed state. Moving the edge portion 117 into engagement and out of engagement with the resilient profile 118 requires a force that is applied by means of an actuator or motor that is not shown in figured 23. If desired, tightening means 115 and 116 (for instance soft plastic) can be provided in the edge regions of the through-opening 114.
[0238] Although the opening/closing mechanism of the modules described above have been driven by a separate actuator or motor for each module, it is according to the invention possible to drive the opening/closing mechanisms of a number of modules by means of a single actuator or motor. An example embodiment of this is shown schematically in FIG. 24(b) where two adjacent front faces 127 and 128, respectively, of the type shown in FIG. 24(a), although with six openings in each front face and not four as in FIG. 24(a), are functionally connected by a rod member 129. For instance, front face 127 can be provided with an actuator or motor in the manner shown in FIG. 24(a) pivotally attached to the bar 122 and thereby being able to pivot the closing plates 119 about respective pivot axles 120 in the manner described above. Due to the connection provided by the rod member 129, the closing plates 126 of the second front face 128 are forced to pivot about their respective pivot axles 130 in unison with the closing plates 119 of the first front face 127.
[0239] When modules in a system are installed adjacent to each other, it is important to ensure an acoustically tight connection between the corresponding side portions of the adjacent modules. In FIG. 24, the module shown at the top of the figure is provided with screw holes s by means of which adjacent modules can be screwed together. Tightening means such as a rubber profile possibly supplemented by a sealant can further be introduced between the side surfaces of adjacent modules before these are screwed together to improve the tightening between adjacent modules.
[0240] With reference to FIG. 25 there is shown an alternative embodiment of magnetic means used to provide an acoustically tight closing of the opening/closing mechanism of the front faces of the invention. In this embodiment, a plurality of magnets 130 are provided in a strip 131 of for instance soft plastic. The magnets can be either permanent magnets or electro magnets.
[0241] With reference to FIG. 26 there is shown a plot of the sound reduction index of a 2 mm thick steel plate with a mass per unit area of 16 kg/m.sup.2 that as an example can be used to form the front face and the closing plates used the present invention.
[0242] Although the invention has been explained in relation to the embodiments described above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, for instance, different kinds of materials can be used for the covering sheet 8 according to specific requirements of a given room or hall and/or different sizes and densities of perforations of the perforations used in the covering sheet can also be used. It is also possible to provide wooden profiles as slats. A gap may be provided on adjacent slats of two neighboring modules, which will make the modules appear as one visually continuous unit. It would also be possible to replace one or more of the modules according to the first aspect of the invention with modules of the same physical dimensions but instead of the described sound absorbing means comprising for instance sound generating means, such as loudspeakers or sound signal providing means (alarms etc.). Thus, for instance, each individual module can be provided with sound emitting means that emits a notification signal in case the module becomes defective.
[0243] Furthermore, although the modules and the corresponding front faces according to the invention have generally been described as having a plane surface facing the exterior region or space of the room, this is not a limitation, as the modules and corresponding front faces could alternatively have a curved surface facing the exterior region or space and such curved shapes are also within the scope of the present invention. Similarly, the systems according to the third and fourth aspect of the invention could present curved surfaces facing the exterior region or space. For instance, a system could comprise a plurality of modules or front faces, each having a plane surface facing the exterior region or space, where the individual modules or front faces are tilted relative to each other. Also, the system could comprise modules or front faces with curved surfaces facing the exterior region or space or any combination hereof.
REFERENCES
[0244] [1] Niels Werner Adelman-Larsen et al.: Suitable reverberation times for halls for rock and pop music, JASA, 2010, Vol. 127 and No. 1 [0245] [2] Niels Werner Adelman-Larsen et al.: Investigation on acceptable reverberation times at various octave bands in halls that present amplified music; Elsevier, Allied Acoustics, Vol. 129, 2018. [0246] [3] Leo L. Beranek, book: “Acoustics”, 1954. [0247] [4] V. O. Knudsen; Cyril M. Harris, book: “Acoustical Design In Architecture”, 1958. [0248] [5] M. D. Egan, book: “Architectural Acoustics”, 1988. [0249] [6] L. I. Makrinenko, book: “Acoustics of Auditoriums in Public Buildings”, 1994. [0250] [7] Marshall Long, book: “Architectural Acoustics”, 2006. [0251] [8] N. W. Adelman-Larsen, book: Rock and pop venues, Acoustic and architectural design, Springer Verlag, 2014.
