Seventeenth International Conference on Design Principles & Practices

Abstract

The present work proposes the design of an acoustic system for noise control and attenuation. This system was thought, developed and patented, focusing on the acoustic panel industry. More specifically, it is a product built by modular hexagonal modules, each module when tensioned forms an independent acoustic funnel that allows controlling the reflection and absorption of sound in an indoor environment. This module comprises a core and a mechanical plunger connected to a microphone, which in turn is associated with an Arduino; an electric motor is associated with a mechanism that provides the back-and-forth movement in the lining. This movement deforms the outer surface of the module and creates an acoustic funnel (positive/extended; negative/retracted; neutral/normal), promoting through dynamic control the reduction of reflection and the increase of sound absorption. In a preferential situation, this acoustic control system can detect sounds/noises with frequencies between 20 Hz and 20 kHz, volume that on a human scales range between the threshold of hearing 0 dB and the maximum audible volume before causing pain 140 dB. When the sound value is higher than 100 dB, the human auditory system becomes more sensitive to high and low frequencies. In this sense, an incorporation of this acoustic control system in private or public spaces will allow us to interact with the deformation of sound production and thus minimise the impact of noise, creating acoustically pleasant spaces. Finally, potential challenges and future works are identified.

Presenters

Daniel Vieira
Researcher / Professor, Centre for Textile Science and Technology / Landscapes, Heritage and Territory Laboratory, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal

Bernardo Providência
Assistant Professor, School of Architecture, Art and Design of the University of Minho, Professor, Design, Escola de Arquitetura, Aveiro, Portugal