ACOUSTICALLY ABSORPTIVE MODULAR PARTITION ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments discussed in the present disclosure are generally related to a method and an apparatus for flexible interiors or moveable walls. In particular, the embodiments discussed are related to a high acoustical performance modular partition for flexible interiors or moveable walls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In every workplace or organization, acoustic performance is considered, which, when appropriately managed, may increase productivity by reducing distractions, increasing privacy, and improving comfort for employees and clients. It is imperative that every workplace or organization has an acoustic system to treat the inside of its workspace or the organization. For acoustic treatment of workspaces that have flexible interiors or moveable walls, it is important that the acoustic system is lightweight. However, the lightweight aspect of flexible systems frequently stands in contrast to acoustic performance requirements. Typical flexible interiors or moveable partition systems solve or improve acoustic performance by adding mass to the acoustic system, which is conflicting to the goal of flexibility.

In many architectural spaces, for example conference rooms, maintaining good speech intelligibility is important for in-person and video conferencing communication. However, it is a challenge to preserve in-room intelligibility while at the same time preventing transmission beyond the intended audience. Though enclosed rooms in office settings are often designed to reduce sound transmission from one room to the next, speech transmissions still do go beyond the enclosed rooms and can be perceived by the listener as either “audible” or “intelligible.” Speech privacy expectations are also highly dependent on space use. Therefore, there exists a need for a metric for understanding speech privacy in context, as well as efficient management of acoustic performance in enclosed rooms to minimize speech transmissions beyond the intended audience.

The problem is exacerbated in an office setting, where office acoustics can have a significant impact on employee comfort and productivity. The human ear and brain are highly tuned for distinguishing speech from ambient sounds, and office employees complain frequently about distracting conversations and a lack of privacy when speaking. There are no flexible wall systems available in the market that deliver on their promises of removing distracting sounds from spaces. In addition, they are not easily demountable, and do not satisfy the structural requirements necessary for installation across a wide variety of jurisdictions.

Throughout the present application, the embodiments described herein provide technical solutions that address at least the needs described above, as well as other deficiencies of the state of the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a basic understanding of various aspects of the disclosed herein. This summary is not an extensive overview of the present disclosure. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the present disclosure or to delineate the scope of the present disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the present disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented below.

A method and apparatus to provide an expandable, fully demountable, acoustically high performing wall partition system is disclosed. The method tunes a room for decreasing transmission of distracting sounds and increasing overall acoustic performance. The method defines an ACC (Acoustic Comfort Coefficient) metric, which is a combination of speech privacy noise isolation class (NIC′) and a noise criterion indicating the average background noise level (NC′). The method provides sound masking by raising a level of NIC′ above the level of an offending sound (within the band of a human voice) to narrow the acoustic performance of a partition to speech privacy. The method provides expandability of the wall partition by building a partition using layers of panels to make the overall assembly thicker or thinner to customize or tune performance of a particular partition relative to an adjacent space. The method provides decoupling of layers of a wall from an interior of one space to the interior of another space. The method further provides a partition wall that includes a partition wall panel (e.g., a miniaturized Helmholtz resonator having spheres/cylindrical hollow spaces) to absorb or mask sound by trapping sound in the hollow regions. ACC indicates the average background noise level (NC′) (ACC=NIC′+NC′). ACC metric may be used for increasing transmission performance while considering existing background noise or introducing it as necessary.

In an aspect, a partition assembly for creating a partitioned space is disclosed. The partition assembly includes a first partition wall panel and a second partition wall panel. The second partition wall panel is spaced apart from the first partition wall panel by an adjustable distance to form a cavity therebetween, whereby the partition assembly is tuned to mask sounds transmissible between the first and second partition wall panels within a selectable acoustical range.

In the above-described embodiments, the first partition wall panel has a first thickness, and the second partition wall panel has a second thickness. Further, the cavity is adjustable using at least one speech privacy parameter. Furthermore, the partition assembly has a first connector device having a rear portion that couples the first partition wall panel and the second partition wall panel. The first connector device further has a front portion that couples to a second connector device and at least one mending plate using at least one acoustic decoupler. In addition, the first partition wall panel and/or the second partition wall panel use lightweight panels that are made from an acoustically absorptive solid volume material. Further, in the above-described embodiments, the at least one mending plate is a front side mending plate and it couples the first connector device to the second connector device using at least one acoustic decoupler. Further, in some embodiments, the partition assembly is tuned based on one or more of the adjustable distance and the thicknesses of the first and second partition wall panels.

In some embodiments, the partition assembly includes one or more sound-masking elements in the cavity. Further, the partition assembly is further adjustable based on at least one of a number of the one or more sound-masking elements and a composition of the sound-masking elements. Furthermore, the one or more sound-masking elements include mass loaded fabric curtains coupled to the first and second partition wall panels. In addition, the first and second partition wall panels, the mass loaded fabric curtains, or both include Helmholtz resonators. In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second partition wall panels includes a ratio of a number of Helmholtz resonators to mass in a predetermined range. Further, one or more bases supporting the first and second partition wall panels along a surface at adjustable distances from each other. In addition, the partition assembly has at least one cavity mending plate that is a top or bottom side mending plate and it couples the first connector device to a third connector device using at least one acoustic decoupler.

In some embodiments, the partition assembly has a group of connector devices of a plurality of connector devices that couples to a group of partition wall panels of a plurality of partition wall panels for creating the partitioned space, the partitioned space being adjustable using one of the at least speech privacy parameter.

In some embodiments, the partition assembly has a stable-levelling track. The stable-levelling track has an upper part and a lower part. The upper part connects to a section of the first partition wall panel (e.g., to the first thickness), where the stable-levelling track provides movement along a sagittal axis of a horizontal plane to the first partition wall panel. The upper part further connects to a section of the second partition wall panel (e.g., to the second thickness), where the stable-levelling track provides movement along the sagittal axis of the horizontal plane to the second partition wall panel. The stable-levelling track further provides movement along a frontal axis of the horizontal plane between the first partition wall panel and the second partition wall panel, and this movement is associated with the at least one speech privacy parameter. In some embodiments, the lower part couples the stable-levelling track to a floor of the partitioned space. Further, in some embodiments, the stable-levelling track includes discontinuous fins such that one or more of the first partition wall panel and the second partition wall panel are configured to traverse adjacent fins along a length of the stable-levelling track.

In another aspect, a partition assembly, for creating a partitioned space, is disclosed. The partition assembly includes a partition wall panel having a thickness, the thickness of the partition wall panel being based at least in part on at least one speech privacy parameter. The partition assembly further includes a stable-levelling track coupled to a lower part of the partition wall panel, where the stable-levelling track provides movement along a sagittal axis of a horizontal plane to the partition wall panel. The partition assembly furthermore includes a header coupled to an upper part of the partition wall panel and couples the partition wall panel to a beam of a structure in which the partition assembly is installed.

In yet another aspect, a partition assembly, for creating a partitioned space, is disclosed. The partition assembly includes a Helmholtz cavity panel assembly including a layer of material having a mass and a Helmholtz cavity panel having a thickness. The layer is positioned adjacent to the panel, and the mass of the layer and characteristics of the panel are tuned to suppress transmission of sound in a predetermined frequency range.

In some embodiments, the Helmholtz cavity panel includes one or more miniaturized Helmholtz resonators, each of the one or more miniaturized Helmholtz resonators including one or more of spheres and cylindrical hollow spaces to absorb or mask sound by trapping sound in the hollow spaces.

In yet another aspect, a partition assembly, for creating a partitioned space, is disclosed. The partition assembly includes a first beam coupled with a first partition wall panel having a first thickness, a second beam coupled to a second partition wall panel having a second thickness, and a column configured for load-bearing or stabilizing function for the partition assembly including the first and second beams. In some embodiments, the first and second are configured to be fixed at two sides of the column, and where a universal corner is formed at an intersection point of the beams with the column.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages of the disclosure will become apparent by reference to the detailed description of preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

FIGS. 1a and 1b illustrate views of partition assemblies, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts a view of a connector, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3a and 3b depict exploded sectional views of partition assemblies, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4a and 4b depict perspective views of partially assembled partition assemblies, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts a modular sectional view of a partition assembly, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts a view of a stable-levelling track in a perspective view of a partition assembly, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7a and 7b depict other views of partition assemblies, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 8a and 8b depict other views of partition assemblies, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 depicts a planar view of a partition assembly, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 10a and 10b depict assembled and exploded views of a partition assembly, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the systems and methods of the present disclosure. For purposes of explanation, specific details are set forth to provide an understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required to practice the embodiments of the present disclosure. Descriptions of specific applications are provided only as representative examples. Various modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown but is to be accorded the widest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

In example embodiments, a partition assembly apparatus for creating a partitioned space provides a structurally sound, stable, expandable, fully demountable, acoustically better performing, and stable-levelled partition wall to tune a room for increasing transmission and acoustic performance and to meet spatial site and layout conditions. In some embodiments, increased transmission performance may indicate that the transmission of sound within a certain frequency range is decreased.

In example embodiments, a partition assembly apparatus provides a better acoustic performance, depending on the adjacent space and activity, with the partition walls built using layers of wall panels to make the overall assembly thicker or thinner to customize or “tune” the performance of a particular partition relative to the adjacent space. The better acoustic performance is dependent on an in-field acoustic performance defined in terms of ACC metric.

In example embodiments, a partition assembly apparatus provides a better acoustic performance using an ACC (Acoustic Comfort Coefficient) metric that directs the acoustic performance of the partition assembly to speech privacy within the band of human voice. ACC is a combination of a speech privacy noise isolation class (NIC′) and a noise criterion indicting the average background noise level (NC′) (ACC=NIC′+NC′). This would be achieved through some of the strategies discussed below for increasing transmission performance while considering existing background noise or introducing it as necessary. In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a combination of passive and active strategies as described herein may be used to raise the level of NIC′ above the level of the offending sound, which is known as sound masking. So, the level of NIC′ may be raised above the level of the offending sound by sound masking the background noise. In other words, one or more partition assemblies (described throughout this disclosure) provide sound masking by raising a level of NIC′ above the level of an offending sound (e.g., filtering sound that falls within the frequency range of a human voice) to tailor the acoustic performance of a partition wall to improve speech privacy. In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, NIC′ is a field-measured metric rather than a theoretical one such as STC. Further, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, ACC is specifically the offending sound in the speech frequency range and is an ultimate metric to know if a wall partition is used to address known speech distractions.

In some embodiments, ACC is used to determine partition wall spacing and/or thickness and/or materials (used to build the partition wall panels), etc. In some embodiments, ACC may correspond to one or more measured values (e.g., a matric of values) that indicate a level of transmitted intelligible speech, a level of background noise, etc. If one or more these values fall within an acceptable range of values, then the partition wall panel meets the sound suppression criteria and may be indicated to be a good partition wall panel. The properties of partition wall panels (e.g., spacing, materials, thickness) have corresponding ACCs. In other words, in some embodiments, a partition wall panel having a distance of X, a material Y, and a spacing Z may correspond (mapped) to an ACC matrix (A,B,C), which falls within the target range. In some embodiments, the mapping of (X,Y,Z) matrix to (A,B,C) matrix may be pre-stored (by a user) or may be determined experimentally using one or more techniques known in the art.

In example embodiments, the strategy for improving acoustic performance includes but is not limited to identifying the offending frequencies and addressing them directly. In some example embodiments, the partition walls/panel systems (or make up of the wall as the case may be) include a layer of mass and one or more Helmholtz resonators (included in the Helmholtz cavity panels) at the right ratio, thickness, and distance to target the frequencies of intelligible human speech.

In example embodiments, the strategy for improving acoustic performance includes but is not limited to decoupling where an interior layer of one space is decoupled from an interior layer of another space. The partition wall uses a double wall/layer system where each room is independent of the others acoustically (there is no acoustic bridging through the system so each room, though part of the same system, acts acoustically independent of the rest of the rooms).

In example embodiments, the strategy for improving acoustic performance includes but is not limited to sound masking that uses a combination of passive and active strategies to raise the level of NC above the level of the offending sound.

In example embodiments, the speech privacy parameters (in some examples, ACC), as referred, covers, but is not limited to, speech privacy noise isolation class (NIC′), average background noise level (NC′), room effects, and other speech parameters. The noise isolation (NIC′) parameters include, but is not limited to, panel density, panel spacing, cavity absorption with porous absorbers (mineral wool, etc.) and/or Helmholtz resonators, and decoupling/resilient attachments parameters. The average background noise level (NC′) includes, but is not limited to, occupant noise, HVAC, and sound masking parameters. The room effects include, but is not limited to, sound absorption (finishes, furniture, people, Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (“FF&E”), etc.) and source-receiver distance parameters.

In example embodiment, acoustic decouplers are devices or means for mechanically separating any two sides of a wall or a partition assembly to make it harder for sound to pass through the wall or the partition assembly. As such, acoustic decouplers are well known in the art and so further description on decouplers may not be required for the brevity of this disclosure.

The embodiments of the methods and systems are described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1-11.

A partition assembly has one or more structure(s) or one or more wall(s) dividing a space into two parts. A connector may be a device for keeping parts of the partition assembly together. For example, a connector may keep together at least the one or more structure(s) or the one or more wall(s) or the one or more side(s) or the one or more part(s) of the partition assembly. As such, the partition assembly may comprise one or more structure(s) or one or more wall(s) connected by one or more connector(s). One or more of the partition assemblies can create a partition in a workspace or user preferred environment and known as partitioned space.

Further, the terms “partition wall” or “partition structure” or “partition” or “wall” or “part” are interchangeably used in this disclosure and refer to any type of interior wall dividing an interior space into two or more parts or creating the interior space by merging two or more parts. Also, the terms “connector” or “connector device” are interchangeably used in this disclosure and refer to a device for keeping the partition assembly together.

FIGS. 1a and 1b depict partition assemblies in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1a depicts two views of a same partition assembly 100 with two partition wall panels 102a and 102b, together represented as a partition wall 102 having a space between them. The two views depict one or more elements of the partition assembly 100. Some elements of one view (although present) may not be depicted in the other view. However, this does not limit the presence of one or more elements (described below) to any of the views. One or more elements present in one view may also be present (but not shown) in the other view, and vice versa is also possible. The first partition wall panel 102a has a first thickness, and the second partition wall panel 102b has a second thickness. In some embodiments, the second partition wall panel 102b may be spaced apart from the first partition wall panel 102a by an adjustable distance to form a cavity (e.g., a space) therebetween, whereby the partition assembly 100 is tuned to mask sounds transmissible between the first and second partition wall panels 102a and 102b within a selectable acoustical range. Further, the partition assembly 100 is tuned based on one or more of the adjustable distance and thicknesses of the first and second partition wall panels 102a and 102b. Further, in some embodiments, one or more sound-masking elements may be included in the cavity. In some embodiments, the partition assembly 100 may further be adjustable based on at least one of a number of the one or more sound-masking elements and a composition of the sound-masking elements. Further, in some embodiments, the one or more sound-masking elements may include mass loaded fabric curtains coupled to the first and second partition wall panels 102a and 102b. Further, in some embodiments, the first and second partition wall panels, the mass loaded fabric curtains, or both may include Helmholtz resonators. Further, in some embodiments, at least one of the first and second partition wall panels may include a ratio of a number of Helmholtz resonators to mass in a predetermined range. Further, in some embodiments, the partition assembly 100 may include one or more bases supporting the first and second partition wall panels 102a and 102b along a surface at adjustable distances from each other. In some embodiments, the bases may be included in a stable-levelling track 106 discussed below.

In some embodiments, one or more properties of the partition wall panels 102a and 102b may be varied to meet one or more acoustical requirements of a structure in which the partition assembly 100 is installed or is to be installed. In some embodiments, the one or more properties may include one or more of the first thickness and the second thickness. In some embodiments, the one or more properties may be based at least in part on a distance between the two partition wall panels 102a and 102b. Further, in some embodiments, the one or more properties may be based at least in part on the materials forming the two partition wall panels 102a and 102b.

Further, the partition assembly 100 may include headers 104a and 104b, together represented as 104. The headers 104a and 104b may be coupled to respective upper parts of respective partition wall panels 102a and 102b. The headers 104a and 104b may couple the partition wall panels 102a and 102b to two beams of a structure in which the partition assembly is installed.

In some embodiments, the partition assembly 100 may further include a stable-levelling track 106. The stable-levelling track 106 includes an upper part and a lower part. The upper part of the stable-levelling track 106 may be connected to a section of the first partition wall panel 102a (e.g., to the first thickness). In some embodiments, the stable-levelling track 106 may provide movement along a sagittal axis of a horizontal plane to the first partition wall panel 102a. The upper part of the stable-levelling track 106 may further connect to a section of the second partition wall panel 102b (e.g., to the second thickness). In some embodiments, the stable-levelling track 106 may further provide movement along the sagittal axis of the horizontal plane to the second partition wall panel 102b. The stable-levelling track 106 may further provide a movement along a frontal axis of the horizontal plane between the first partition wall panel 102a and the second partition wall panel 102b. The movement along the frontal axis of the horizontal plane between the first partition wall panel 102a and the second partition wall panel 102b may be associated with the at least one speech privacy parameter. In some embodiments, the at least one speech privacy parameter may include ACC. In some embodiments, the stable-levelling track 106 may include discontinuous fins such that one or more of the first partition wall panel 102a and the second partition wall panel 102b can traverse adjacent along a length of the stable-levelling track 106. In some embodiments, the stable-levelling track 106 couples the partition wall panels 102a and 102b to a floor of the structure in which the partition assembly 100 is installed or is to be installed. In some embodiments, the stable-levelling track 106 may include two stable-levelling tracks 106a and 106b. The first stable-levelling track 106a may be connected to the section of the first thickness (i.e., connected to the first partition wall panel 102a) and the second stable-levelling track 106b may be connected to the section of the second thickness (i.e., connected to the second partition wall panel 102b). In some embodiments, the first stable-levelling track 106a and the second stable-levelling track 106b are together represented as the stable-levelling track 106.

Further, in some embodiments, the partition assembly 100 may also have a connector device 108 for keeping together the two partition wall panels 102 of the partition assembly 100. In some examples, the connector device 108 may be a “T” shaped connector device 108 that connects the two partition wall panels 102 of the partition assembly 100. In some embodiments, the connector device 108 may include a front portion and rear portion. The rear portion may couple the first partition wall panel 102a and the second partition wall panel 102b. Further, the front portion may couple to other connector device (not shown in FIG. 1a) and one or more mending plates (not shown in FIG. 1a) using one or more acoustic decouplers (not shown in FIG. 1a). In some embodiments, the one or more mending plates may include a front side mending plate and may couple the connector device 108 to the other connector device using the one or more acoustic decouplers. In some embodiments, the partition assembly 100 may further include one or more cavity mending plates (not shown in FIG. 1a). The one or more cavity mending plates may include a top or bottom side mending plate and may couple the connector device 108 to a connector device different from the other connector device using one or more other acoustic decouplers.

The connector device 108 may be adjustable between the sides 102a and 102b of the partition wall 102, and thus the partition assembly 100 may be flexible in shape, size, and usage. As such, the thickness of the partition wall 102 and the distance between the two partition wall panels 102a and 102b may be adjusted or modified as per an identified offending frequency. In some embodiments, one or more of the partition wall panels 102a and 102b may use a lightweight panel that is made from an acoustically absorptive solid volume material. In some alternative or additional embodiments, one or more of the partition wall panels 102a and 102b may be manufactured of a layer of mass and one or more Helmholtz resonators, in a predefined ratio to address any offending frequency or disturbing ambient noises. In some embodiments, the layer of mass may be varied so that the mass and Helmholtz resonators together have acoustical properties for tuning a room.

The partition wall panels 102a and 102b may be used to directly control ambient noises by adjusting the connector device 108, based on particular scenarios. For example, the properties of the partition wall panels 102a and 102b may be modified to address the offending sounds and for an appropriate acoustic performance. In some embodiments, a distance between the partition wall panels 102a and 102b may be increased or decreased depending on the required acoustic performance demands and the ambient noises. Further, the number of partition wall panels (such as 102a and 102b) to form the partition assembly 100 may be increased or decreased depending upon the identified offending frequency noises. In some embodiments, the thickness of the partition wall 102 may be adjusted. In some alternative or additional embodiments, the make-up of the partition wall 102 (that may be comprised of a layer of mass and Helmholtz resonators at the right ratio) may be adjusted to target the frequencies of intelligible human speech using the connector device 108.

A person skilled in the art would understand that more than one connector device 108 may be used to connect the partition wall panels 102a and 102b in the partition assembly 100. Also, a skilled person in the art would understand that the connector device 108 in this disclosure may not necessarily be a “T’ shaped connector device. Any suitable shape and form of the connector device that fulfills the requirements of adjusting or modifying the partition assembly depending on the required acoustic performance demands and the ambient noises identified as offending frequency noises may be regarded as suitable for the purposes of this disclosure.

Further, the partition assembly 100 may include a cavity 110 formed by the first partition wall panel 102a and the second partition wall panel 102b. The cavity 110 may be adjustable using at least one speech privacy parameter. In some embodiments, the at least one speech privacy parameter includes ACC. In some embodiments, a predefined relationship may exist between the parameters (target sound suppression/noise level) and the adjustable components, e.g., a noise level of X corresponds to different combinations of distances between partition wall panels, materials of wall panels, thicknesses of wall panels, etc. Further, in some embodiments, the relationship may not be limited to a predefined relationship and may include any relationship known in the art.

Further, the partition assembly 100 may include a plurality of connector devices (including the connector devices described above) that couples to a plurality of partition walls panels (including the partition wall panels described above) for creating the partitioned space. In such embodiments, the partitioned space may be adjustable using one or more speech privacy parameters. The speech privacy parameters may include ACC.

As described above, the partition assembly 100 (described by means of FIG. 1a) may be made thicker or thinner to customize or “tune” the performance of a particular partition relative to the adjacent space. In particular, the partition assembly 100 may be made thicker or thinner depending on the space between the partition wall panels 102a and 102b (thus facilitating in a fully decoupled demising wall structure).

FIG. 1B depicts a partition assembly 105 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 1B depicts a partition assembly 105 with a single partition wall panel 112. The partition wall panel 112 has a thickness, the thickness of the partition wall panel 112 being based at least in part on at least one speech privacy parameter. In some embodiments, the at least one speech privacy parameter may include ACC. In some embodiments, the partition wall panel 112 may use a lightweight panel that is made from an acoustically absorptive solid volume material. In addition, in some embodiments, one or more properties of the partition wall panel 112 may be selected to meet one or more acoustical requirements of the structure in which the partition assembly 105 is installed or is to be installed.

In some embodiments, the partition assembly 105 may include a stable-levelling track 114 coupled to a lower part of the partition wall panel 112. The stable-levelling track 114 may provide movement along a sagittal axis of a horizontal plane to the partition wall panel 112. In some embodiments, the stable-levelling track 114 may include discontinuous fins such that the partition wall panel 112 can traverse adjacent fins along a length of the stable-levelling track 114. In some embodiments, the stable-levelling track 114 may couple the partition wall panel 112 to a floor of the structure in which the partition assembly 105 is installed or is to be installed.

Further, in some embodiments, the partition assembly 105 may include a header 116 coupled to an upper part of the partition wall panel 112. The header 116 may be configured to couple the partition wall panel 112 to a beam (not shown in the figures) of a structure in which the partition assembly 105 is installed or is to be installed. The beam is configured to disperse a load of the structural. In some embodiments, the header may support a lateral load of a non-load bearing wall panel and provide a facility to connect multiple wall panels together.

In addition, in some embodiments, the partition assembly 105 may include a resilient channel (not shown in FIG. 1B) coupled at least to the inner surface of the partition wall panel 112 for improving acoustic performance of a wall made up of the partition wall panel 112.

Further, the partition assembly 105 described by means of FIG. 1B includes single and easy to install partition wall panel.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view 200 of the connector device 108 comprising a mending plate 202, a first connector device 108a, and a second connector device 108b, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. A connector device 108a connects with the mending plate 202 for easy assembly and disassembly to another connector device 108b. The mending plate 202 is a slip-on plate that provides an easy, quick, and spontaneous assembly or disassembly of the partition assembly 100 to address the offending sounds and for maintaining an appropriate acoustic performance. Further, the mending plate 202 also provides structural continuity for shear forces without creating acoustic bridging in the partition assembly 100.

Further, FIG. 2 depicts the two sides or two plates 204a and 204b of the connector devices 108a and 108b. The thickness of the partition wall 102 (formed by the partition wall panels 102a and 102b), or the distance between the partition wall panels 102a and 102b may be increased or decreased by moving or adjusting the connector device 108 over the sides or plates 204a and 204b of the connector devices 108a and 108b respectively to appropriately target the frequencies of intelligible human speech thereby mitigating all ambient noises.

FIG. 2 depicts the connector device 108, but a skilled person in the art would understand that two or more connector devices 108a and 108b may be used in the partition assembly 100, and that the number of connector devices would be dependent on the number of partition wall panels in the partition assembly 100. In some embodiments, the connector device 108 may be used in the design of the partition assembly 100 to appropriately target the frequencies of intelligible human speech thereby mitigating all ambient noises.

FIGS. 3a and 3b depict exploded sectional views of partition assemblies 300 and 305, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIGS. 3a and 3b will be explained in conjunction with the description of FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 2.

FIG. 3a depicts an exploded view of a partition assembly 300 with two partition wall panels 302a and 302b having a cavity (e.g., a space) between them. The first partition wall panel 302a has a first thickness, and the second partition wall panel 302b has a second thickness. Further, the partition assembly 300 may include headers 304a and 304b. The headers 304a and 304b may be coupled to respective upper parts of respective partition wall panels 302a and 302b. The headers 304a and 304b may be configured to couple the partition wall panels 302a and 302b to respective beams of a structure in which the partition assembly 300 is installed or is to be installed.

In some embodiments, the partition assembly 300 may further include stable-levelling tracks 306a and 306b. Each of the stable-levelling tracks 306a and 306b may include an upper part and a lower part. The upper part of the stable-levelling track 306a may be connected to a section of the first thickness. In some embodiments, the stable-levelling track 306a may provide movement along a sagittal axis of a horizontal plane to the first partition wall panel 302a. The upper part of the stable-levelling track 306b may connect to a section of the second thickness. In some embodiments, the stable-levelling track 306b may further provide movement along a sagittal axis of the horizontal plane to the second partition wall panel 302b. The combination of stable-levelling tracks 306a and 306b may provide a movement along a frontal axis of the horizontal plane between the first partition wall panel 302a and the second partition wall panel 302b. The movement in the frontal axis of the horizontal plane between the first partition wall panel 302a and the second partition wall panel 302b may be associated with the at least one speech privacy parameter. In some embodiments, the at least one speech privacy parameter may include ACC. In some embodiments, one or more of the stable-levelling tracks 306a and 306b may include discontinuous fins such that one or more of the first partition wall panel 302a and the second partition wall panel 302b may traverse adjacent fins along lengths of the stable-levelling tracks 306a and 306b. In some embodiments, the stable-levelling tracks 306a and 306b couple respective partition wall panels 302a and 302b to a floor of the structure in which the partition assembly 300 is installed or is to be installed. In some embodiments, the first stable-levelling track 306a and the second stable-levelling track 306b are together represented as the stable-levelling track 306 (not shown in FIG. 3a).

In some embodiments, the partition assembly 300 may be flexible in shape, size, and usage. As such, the thickness of the partition wall formed by the partition wall panels 302a and 302b, and the distance between the partition wall panels 302a and 302b may be adjusted or modified as per an identified offending frequency. In some embodiments, one or more of the partition wall panels 302a and 302b may use a lightweight panel that is made from an acoustically absorptive solid volume material. In some alternative or additional embodiments, one or more of the partition wall panels 302a and 302b may be manufactured of a layer of mass and one or more Helmholtz resonators, in a predefined ratio to address any offending frequency or disturbing ambient noises.

In some embodiments, the properties of the partition wall panels 302a and 302b may be modified to address the offending sounds and for an appropriate acoustic performance. In some embodiments, a distance between the partition wall panels 302a and 302b may be increased or decreased depending on the required acoustic performance demands and the ambient noises. Further, the number of partition wall panels (such as 302a and 302b) to form the partition assembly 300 may be increased or decreased depending upon the identified frequencies of the offending noises. In some embodiments, the thickness of the partition wall (corresponding to the thicknesses of the partition wall panels 302a and 302b and the distance between them) may be adjusted.

FIG. 3a depicts structures 307a and 307b that are used to form the partition assembly 300. In some embodiments, the structures 307a and 307b are configured to hold the partition wall (formed by the partition wall panels 302a and 302b) in place without the need of fasteners.

Further, the partition assembly 300 may include a plurality of connector devices (including the connector devices described above) that couples to a plurality of partition wall panels (including the partition wall panels described above) for creating the partitioned space. In such embodiments, the partitioned space may be adjustable using one or more speech privacy parameters. The speech privacy parameters may include ACC. In some embodiments, the partitioned space (created using the partitioned assembly 300) may be adjustable to reduce or prevent the transmission of sounds between the partition wall panels 302a and 302b.

In some embodiments, a set of connector devices (not shown in FIG. 3a) may be used to form the partition assembly 300. Each of the connector devices may include one or more acoustic decouplers in a particular arrangement. Further, one or more cavity mending plates (not shown in FIG. 3a) may work in tandem with the connector devices. The cavity mending plates may be connected to the acoustic decouplers.

FIG. 3a refers to a “plurality of acoustic decouplers” and depicts an exploded axonometric view of a partition assembly 300. In particular, FIG. 3a highlights the individual parts that make up the decoupled acoustical wall panels 302a and 302b. Mass layers/finishes of the partition wall panels 302a and 302b may be decoupled from the frame (making up the partition wall) through a resilient clip (not shown in FIG. 3a). The partition wall panels 302a and 302b may be decoupled from respective stable-levelling tracks 306a and 306b and respective headers 304a and 304b through respective gaskets (not shown in FIG. 3a). This process of decoupling the partition wall panels 302a and 302b may be used in both single and split wall conditions (depicted in FIGS. 1a and 1b).

In some embodiments, the cavity mending plates of appropriate thickness are used to form the partition assembly 300. The partition assembly 300 may have multiple decouplers for separating the spaces (between the partition wall panels 302a and 302b) so that the “intelligible” voice or speech does not pass to any unintended audience through the decouplers of the partition assembly 300 thereby maintaining the required privacy and avoiding any disturbances to the unintended audience.

In some embodiments, the acoustic decouplers (also called resilient channels) between the connector devices and the cavity mending plates may be used to control ambient noises, movement, and wear and tear. The thickness of the cavity mending plates and the partition wall panels 302a and 302b may be adjusted to target the frequencies of intelligible human speech using the acoustic decouplers on the connector devices based on speech privacy parameters (in an example, based on ACC).

FIG. 3b depicts an exploded view of a partition assembly 305 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 3b depicts a partition assembly 305 with a single partition wall panel 308. The partition wall panel 308 may have a thickness. In some embodiments, the thickness of the partition wall panel 308 may be based at least in part on at least one speech privacy parameter. In some embodiments, the at least one speech privacy parameter may include ACC. In some embodiments, the partition wall panel 308 may use a lightweight panel that is made from an acoustically absorptive solid volume material. In addition, in some embodiments, one or more properties of the partition wall panel 308 may be selected to meet one or more acoustical requirements of the structure in which the partition assembly 305 is installed or is to be installed.

In some embodiments, the partition assembly 305 may include a stable-levelling track 310 coupled to a lower part of the partition wall panel 308. The stable-levelling track 310 provides movement along a sagittal axis of a horizontal plane to the partition wall panel 308. In some embodiments, the stable-levelling track 310 may include discontinuous fins such that the partition wall panel 308 may traverse adjacent fins along a length of the stable-levelling track 310. In some embodiments, the stable-levelling track 310 couples the partition wall panel 308 to a floor of the structure in which the partition assembly 305 is installed or is to be installed.

Further, in some embodiments, the partition assembly 305 may include a header 312 coupled to an upper part of the partition wall panel 308. The header 312 may be configured to couple the partition wall panel 308 in the partitioned space to a beam of a structure in which the partition assembly 305 is installed or is to be installed.

In addition, in some embodiments, the partition assembly 305 may include a resilient channel (not shown in FIG. 3b) for improving acoustic performance of a wall made up of the partition wall panel 308.

FIG. 3b further depicts a structure 309 that is used to form the partition assembly 305. In some embodiments, the structure 309 is configured to hold the partition wall (formed by the partition wall panel 308) in place without the need of fasteners.

FIGS. 4a and 4b depict perspective views of partially assembled partition assemblies 400 and 405, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIGS. 4a and 4b will be explained in conjunction with the description of FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2, 3a, and 3b. FIGS. 4a and 4b depict the partition assemblies 400 and 405 as next steps of the assembling of the partial assembly parts, in the manner described above in FIGS. 3a and 3b.

The parts of FIGS. 4a and 4b are similar to the analogous elements shown in corresponding FIGS. 3a and 3b and described in the description of FIGS. 3a and 3b. Therefore, further description on these elements depicted in FIGS. 4a and 4b may not be required for the brevity of this disclosure.

The partition assemblies of FIGS. 3a and 4a are used for creating a double-walled system where each room or partition or area is acoustically independent of the other areas or partitions or rooms. As such, there is no acoustic bridging through the double-walled system, so each room or partition or area, though part of the same double-walled system, acts acoustically independently of the rest of the rooms or partitions or areas.

The present disclosure relates to offending frequencies that are audible to human ears. However, a skilled person in the art would understand that the partition assembly described in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure may also be tuned for other offending frequencies.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the make-up of the sandwich (of the partition wall panels) may be used to directly control ambient noises based on requirements of a space. As such, cavity mending plates in the present disclosure are made by reversing a direction of resonators in the cavity mending plates to face the interior of the partition wall panels. This reversing of the direction of resonators in the cavity mending plates to face the interior of the partition wall panels or the partition plates helps better manage acoustic performance.

FIG. 5 depicts a modular sectional view of a partition assembly 500, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 will be explained in conjunction with the description of FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2, 3a, 3b, 4a, and 4b. The partition assembly 500 has the partition wall panels 102a and 102b. A thickness or frame size of the partition wall panels 102a and 102b is shown as 502a and 502b. Further, a cavity 504 is a space between the two partition walls 102a and 102b.

Further, FIG. 5 also shows the acoustically decoupled header and track (not shown in FIG. 5) which connect multiple wall panels.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the partition assembly 500 is an expandable partition assembly or is a part of an expandable system. As such, the thickness of the cavity 504 can be increased or decreased depending upon the acoustic conditions of a space and specific acoustic performance requirements.

In accordance with some alternative or additional embodiments of the present disclosure, the partition wall panels 102a and 102b may include a layer of mass and a miniaturized Helmholtz Resonator Panel (having spheres/cylindrical hollow spaces) to absorb/mask sound by trapping sound in the hollow regions. In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, it is to be noted that a Helmholtz resonator is a tool that may be incorporated into many materials and the present disclosure describes an overall partition assembly that uses strategies such as partition wall panels 102a and 102b with Helmholtz resonators in it. So, the use of the Helmholtz resonator within the design of the partition wall panels 102a and 102b increases the acoustic performance using the speech privacy parameters.

FIG. 6 depicts a stable-levelling track in a perspective view of a partition assembly 500, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The stable-levelling track 606 (shown in parts 602 and 604) comprises an upper part 602 and a lower part 604 that couples together to form the base or the substrate of the stable-levelling track 606. The stable-levelling track 606 provides structural stability while creating a level substrate or a base on any floor condition. The stable-levelling track 606 is fully demountable, flexible, and structurally stable. The partition wall panels 102 (also depicted as 102a and 102b in FIG. 5) have a thickness 502a and 502b and are mounted on the base or the substrate of the stable-levelling track 606.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, an expandable, fully demountable, stable-levelling wall partition system to tune a room for decreasing transmission of distracting sounds and increasing overall acoustic performance is provided using the stable-levelling track 602.

FIGS. 7a and 7b depict views of partition assemblies 700 and 705, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIGS. 7a and 7b will be explained in conjunction with the description of FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5, and 6. Components or parts of the partition assembly 700 and/or 705, such as the partition wall panel 102a with the frame thickness of 502a rests on the stable-levelling track 106a and works in the manner described above. Further, the partition wall panel 102b with the frame thickness of 502b rests on the stable-levelling track 106b and works in the manner described above. Some of the parts of FIGS. 7a and 7b are similar to the analogous elements shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5, and 6 and described in the description of said figures. Therefore, further description on these elements depicted in FIGS. 7a and 7b may not be required for the brevity of this disclosure.

FIG. 7b shows a partition wall panel including opposing first and second surfaces, each formed from multiple adjacent partition wall panels, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, a first side of the partition wall includes partition wall panels 102a, 102a′, and 102a″, and a second side of the partition wall includes partition wall panels 102b (not shown in FIG. 7b), 102b′ (not shown in FIGS. 7b), and 102b″. The partition wall panels 102a, 102a′, and 102a″ have respective thickness 502a, 502a′, and 502a″, and the partition wall panels 102b, 102b′, and 102b″ have respective thickness 502b, 502b′, and 502b″. Further, the partition wall panels 102a, 102a′, and 102a″ are connected to header 104a at their one end, and are connected to stable-levelling track 106a at the other end. Further, the partition wall panels 102b, 102b′, and 102b″ are connected to header 104b at their one end, and are connected to stable-levelling track 106b at the other end.

The partition assembly 705 of FIG. 7b offers more flexibility when tuning a room for decreasing transmission of distracting sounds and increasing overall acoustic performance when compared to the partition assembly 700 of FIG. 7a.

FIGS. 8a and 8b depict other views of partition assemblies 800 and 805, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIGS. 8a and 8b will be explained in conjunction with the description of FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5, 6, 7a, and 7b. Components or parts of the partition assembly 800 and/or 805, such as the partition wall panel 102a with the frame thickness of 502a rests on a stable-levelling track 106a and works in the manner described above. The partition wall panel 102b with the frame thickness of 502b rests on a stable-levelling track 106b and works in the manner described above. The cavity 504 is present between the partition wall panel 102a and the partition wall panel 102b. The parts of FIGS. 8a and 8b are similar to the analogous elements shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5, 6, 7a, and 7b and described in the description of said figures. Therefore, further description on these elements depicted in FIGS. 8a and 8b may not be required for the brevity of this disclosure. The apparatuses of FIGS. 8a and 8b tunes a room for decreasing transmission of distracting sounds and increasing overall acoustic performance.

In FIGS. 8a and 8b, the acoustically decoupled partition wall panels rest on respective acoustically decoupled base stable-levelling tracks and are secured by respective acoustically decoupled headers.

FIG. 9 depicts a planar view of a partition assembly 900, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 will be explained in conjunction with the description of FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5, 6, 7a, 7b, 8a, and 8b. Components or parts of the partition assembly 900, such as the partition wall panel 902a and the partition wall panel 902b, may be connected via one or more connector devices. The connector devices may further be connected by cavity mending plates. The partition walls 902a and 902b may rest on respective stable-levelling tracks (not shown in FIG. 9) and work in the manner described above. The apparatus of FIG. 9 tunes a room for decreasing transmission of distracting sounds and increasing overall acoustic performance.

The partition assembly 900 of FIG. 9 is used for creating a partitioned space. The partition assembly 900 may comprise a Helmholtz cavity panel assembly 900 including a layer of material having mass (not shown in FIG. 9) and a Helmholtz cavity panel 902 having a thickness. In some embodiments, the layer may be positioned adjacent to the Helmholtz cavity panel 902, and the mass of the layer and characteristics of the Helmholtz cavity panel 902 may be tuned to suppress transmission of sound in a predetermined frequency range. Further, in some embodiments, the layer and the Helmholtz cavity panel 902 may be configured to filter target frequencies corresponding to intelligible human speech such that the human speech is limited to the partitioned space created by the partition assembly 900.

In some embodiments, the Helmholtz cavity panel 902 may include one or more miniaturized Helmholtz resonators. Each of the one or more miniaturized Helmholtz resonators may include one or more of spheres and cylindrical hollow spaces to absorb or mask sound by trapping sound in the hollow spaces. In some embodiments, design parameters of the one or more miniaturized Helmholtz resonators may be selected to target frequencies of intelligible human speech such that the human speech is limited to the partitioned space. In some embodiments, the Helmholtz cavity panel 902 may be supported by the same frame as all the other partition assemblies described throughout this disclosure. In some embodiments, the Helmholtz cavity panel 902 may replace the finish wall panels of the other partition assemblies discussed in this disclosure.

FIGS. 10a and 10b depict assembled and exploded views of a partition assembly 1000, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIGS. 10a and 10b will be explained in conjunction with the description of FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5, 6, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, and 9. Components or parts of the partition assembly 1000 of FIGS. 10a and 10b include the following. The partition assembly 1000 includes a first beam 1002a coupled with a first partition wall panel (not shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b) having a first thickness, a second beam 1002b coupled with a second partition wall panel (not shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b) having a second thickness, a third beam 1002c coupled with a third partition wall panel (not shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b) having a third thickness, and a fourth beam 1002d coupled with a fourth partition wall panel (not shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b) having a fourth thickness. The partition assembly 1000 further includes a column 1004 configured for load-bearing or stabilizing function for the partition assembly 1000 including the first 1002a, second 1002b, third 1002c, and fourth 1002d beams. The first 1002a, second 1002b, third 1002c, and fourth 1002d beams are configured to be fixed at respective sides of the column 1004, where a universal corner formed at the intersection point of the beams 1002a, 1002b, 1002c, and 1002d with the column 1004.

Furter, the partition assembly 1000 may further include a group of connector devices of a plurality of connector devices that couples to a group of partition walls panels of a plurality of partition walls panels including the first, second, third, and fourth partition wall panels for creating the partitioned space. The partitioned space is adjustable using one of at least one speech privacy parameter.

Further, in some embodiments, one or more properties of the first, second, third, and fourth partition wall panels may be varied to meet one or more acoustical requirements of a structure in which the partition assembly 1000 is installed or is to be installed. In some embodiments, the one or more properties may include thicknesses of the first, second, third, and fourth partition wall panels.

FIGS. 10a and 10b show a view of the corner connection at the post and beam structure (i.e., a room in room structure). In some embodiments, the corner connection provides the structure in which the partition assembly 1000 (is installed or is to be installed) for a room in room solution.

The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” as used in the claim and specification herein, shall be considered as indicating an open group that may include other elements not specified. The terms “a,” “an,” and the singular forms of words shall be taken to include the plural form of the same words, such that the terms mean that one or more of something is provided. The term “one” or “single” may be used to indicate that one and only one of something is intended. Similarly, other specific integer values, such as “two,” may be used when a specific number of things is intended. The terms “preferably,” “preferred,” “prefer,” “optionally,” “may,” and similar terms are used to indicate that an item, condition, or step being referred to is an optional (not required) feature of the invention. The term “connects” includes “couples,” either directly or though intermediate elements. The term “may,” among other definitions, includes “is able to” or “can.”

The invention has been described with reference to various specific and preferred embodiments and techniques. However, many variations and modifications may be made while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that methods, devices, device elements, materials, procedures, and techniques other than those specifically described herein can be applied to the practice of the invention as broadly disclosed herein without resort to undue experimentation. All art-known functional equivalents of methods, devices, device elements, materials, procedures, and techniques described herein are intended to be encompassed by this invention. Whenever a range is disclosed, all subranges and individual values are intended to be encompassed. This invention is not to be limited by the embodiments disclosed, including any shown in the drawings or exemplified in the specification, which are given by way of example and not of limitation. Additionally, it should be understood that the various embodiments of the networks, devices, and/or modules described herein contain optional features that can be individually or together applied to any other embodiment shown or contemplated here to be mixed and matched with the features of such networks, devices, and/or modules.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein.

ACOUSTICALLY ABSORPTIVE MODULAR PARTITION ASSEMBLY

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