The present disclosure generally relates to office pods or similar.
This section illustrates useful background information without admission of any technique described herein representative of the state of the art.
Office pods, such as soundproof meeting, working or phone booths, are increasingly used in modern furnishing of workplaces as well as public spaces. Such pods are often used for working, meetings, telephone calls and video conferencing.
A conventional office pod comprises opposite wall modules connected to each other by a floor module at the bottom and a ceiling module at the top. These modules form a rigid chassis to which window and/or door frames are attached at sides. The wall modules comprise alternating sound stopping and sound absorbing layers, and an exterior cover (skin layer) at an outermost layer.
In recent times, these kinds of office pods are increasingly more expensive to manufacture.
It is an object of certain embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a novel and inventive office pod of new design.
According to a first example aspect of the present disclosure there is provided an office pod enclosing a soundproof workspace inside of the pod, comprising:
A soundproof workspace in this context means that the office pod that encloses a soundproof workspace is purposely configured to prevent sound from propagating to the outside of the office pod, especially at the human speech frequency region. In preferable embodiments, the soundproofing is at a level at which spoken words inside the office pod can no longer be recognized on the outside of the pod, i.e. said soundproofing renders the speech inside the pod unintelligible on the outside of the pod.
Cross-dimensional in this context means dimensions that are not in the plane nor in parallel with the plane of the load-bearing frame(s) in question. Further, providing cross-dimensional rigidity (or support) is this context means providing (adequate) lateral bracing for the front and rear load-bearing frames. Accordingly, the skin layer providing cross-dimensional rigidity maintains the rectangular shape of the volume between the frames (i.e. provides the effect that the shape of the volume between the frames does not change).
In this context, a “load bearing” frame refers to a frame structure which provides point(s) of attachment and structural support for the other parts of the pod. That is, a “load bearing” frame is a part which takes structural force load from other above-floor parts of the pod and transfers it to the ground on which the pod stands.
In certain embodiments, the skin layer is in between the load-bearing frames substantially (generally) in the form of a planar, uniform (non-perforated) surface. The planarity and uniformity of the skin layer contribute to a desired acoustic behaviour. Here, the desired acoustic behaviour means a drumhead-like vibrating behaviour of the skin layer (as a metaphor). That is, in certain embodiments, the planarity of the skin layer, particularly outside its peripheral regions, enables advantageously minimizing its natural frequency, whereby any non-planar forms, especially angular ones such as corrugations, would detrimentally increase the natural frequency of the skin layer.
It is to be understood that any holes for means of fixing such as screws, bolts and the like are not to be construed as deviations from uniformity of (i.e. are not to be understood as perforations in) the skin layer, as such holes do not remain open for sound to freely pass through in the assembled pod comprising the skin layer.
In certain embodiments, the skin layer is (generally) in the form of a plane (i.e., without e.g. corrugations). This means in certain embodiments that elsewhere than in peripheral regions the skin layer is planar (in peripheral regions the skin layer may have non-planar shapes for stiffening and/or for attachment). In certain embodiments, of the total area of the skin layer, at least 80%, more preferably at least 90% is in the form of a plane (i.e. without corrugations or other angular forms), with the non-planar forms, if any, residing at the peripheral regions of the skin layer.
In certain embodiments, the skin layer in between the load-bearing frames is formed of two or more generally planar sub-pieces, especially 2, 3, or 4 sub-pieces, positioned adjacent to each other.
Each of the sub-pieces are generally in the form of a planar, uniform surface. The planarity and uniformity of the sub-pieces of the skin layer contribute to said desired acoustic behaviour. The above-mentioned planarity requirements apply also in such case(s).
In certain embodiments the office pod is provided with stiffening arrangement(s) at joining point(s) or region(s) at which adjacent sub-pieces are joined together. Accordingly, similarly as in a one-piece implementation in which the otherwise planar skin layer may be bent or curved at regions of the front and rear load-bearing frames (at which they are attached to said frame(s)), the sub-pieces are also generally planar except that they may be bent or curved at regions at which they are joined together with the frame(s) and/or adjacent sub-piece(s).
Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the office pod comprises a stiffening arrangement at a joining region at which one sub-piece is joined together with an adjacent sub-piece.
In certain embodiments, the stiffening arrangement is arranged by bending the sub-pieces against each other (and attaching an end portion of one sub-piece to an end portion of an adjacent sub-piece).
In certain embodiments, the office pod comprises the skin layer of sound stopping material forming an exterior surface (exterior cover) of the pod. In certain embodiments, the skin layer is of sheet metal. In certain embodiments, the skin layer is of sheet metal made of steel.
Sound stopping material, sometimes also known as soundproofing material, refers to material which predominantly blocks sound waves from travelling through that material, typically by reflection. Such materials are typically hard and dense. Examples of such materials are steel and concrete.
In certain embodiments, the office pod comprises a sidewall structure comprising said skin layer followed by a sound absorbing material layer. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the sidewall structure is a layered structure. In certain embodiments, the sidewall structure comprises or consists of superimposed layers. In certain embodiments, the sound absorbing material layer is superimposed on the skin layer.
In certain embodiments, the sidewall structure is implemented without a further sound stopping layer. That is, in such cases, the skin layer is the only sound stopping layer in the sidewall (structure).
In certain embodiments, the sidewall structure comprises a sound absorbing element comprising a plurality of sound absorbing material layers. In certain embodiments, the sidewall structure comprises a sound absorbing element comprising an air layer. In certain embodiments, the sidewall structure comprises the sound absorbing element or a sound absorbing material layer spaced at a distance from the skin layer leaving an air layer therebetween. In certain embodiments, the sound absorbing element is formed of or comprises a sound absorbing material layer and an air layer.
In certain embodiments, the air layer is positioned (sandwiched) in between the sound absorbing material layer and the skin layer. In certain embodiments, the sound absorbing element comprises an inner liner layer facing the pod interior. In certain embodiments, the inner liner has a higher flow resistivity than the sound absorbing material layer. In certain embodiments, the inner liner layer forms a second sound absorbing material layer (whereas the first-mentioned sound absorbing material layer forms a first sound absorbing material layer). In certain embodiments, the order of different layers in the sidewall structure are as follows: skin layer (outermost layer), air layer, first sound absorbing material layer, and inner liner layer (innermost layer). In certain other embodiments, the order of different layers in the sidewall structure are as follows: skin layer (outermost layer), first sound absorbing material layer, air layer, and inner liner layer (innermost layer). In certain yet other embodiments, the air layer resides in the middle of the first sound absorbing material layer. In certain yet other embodiments, there are a plurality of air layers within the sidewall structure.
In certain embodiments, the layers of the sidewall structure are non-overlapping in a direction perpendicular to the layers (i.e. in the direction that is perpendicular to largest-area surfaces of all layers).
Sound absorbing material refers to material which predominantly allows sound waves to propagate through the material, but while doing so absorbs sound waves so that they do not create echo. Such materials are typically light and airy. Examples of such materials are open-cell foams and textile fabrics.
It is to be understood, as a person skilled in the art readily does, that all materials possess to a degree both sound stopping and sound absorbing properties, but that for example in the case of concrete or steel, the sound stopping property vastly predominates the sound absorbing property, whereby such materials are understood to be sound stopping materials. And correspondingly, in the case of, say, glass wool, open cell foam, fibrous felt and textile fabric, the sound absorbing property vastly predominates the sound stopping property, whereby such materials are understood to be sound absorbing materials.
In certain embodiments, a total mass of the sidewall structure is at most half, or preferably at most one third, of a total mass of any of a front wall comprising the front load-bearing frame and a rear wall comprising the rear load-bearing frame.
In certain embodiments, the total thickness of the sidewall structure is less than 200 mm, more preferably less than 100 mm.
In certain embodiments, the sidewall structure is a non-modular structure. “Non-modular” in this context means that the skin layer and the sound absorbing element form separate layers not forming an integrated whole.
In certain embodiments, the office pod comprises the skin layer being less stiff than any of the load-bearing frames.
In certain embodiments, the skin layer is directly attached to the front and rear load-bearing frames.
In certain embodiments, the skin layer is indirectly attached to the front and rear load-bearing frames.
In certain embodiments, the office pod comprises a connector (which may be a rigid connector) connecting the front load-bearing frame and the rear load-bearing frame, and the skin layer being attached to the connector. In certain embodiments, the connector is in the form of a bar or beam. In certain embodiments, the connector is hollow. In certain embodiments, the hollow connector is to house wirings and/or electrical components. In certain embodiments, the hollow connector provides a fire enclosure for mains voltage electric components of the pod thereby eliminating a need for a separate fire enclosure for mains voltage electric components. When serving as such a fire enclosure, the hollow connector is made of incombustible material such as of metal, preferably steel, or flame-retardant plastic, preferably 5VA plastic.
In certain embodiments, the connector is a non-vertical connector. In certain embodiments, the connector is a horizontal or substantially horizontal connector.
In certain embodiments, the office pod comprises said skin layer at both a left-hand side and a right-hand side of the pod, wherein a chassis with cross-dimensional support is formed of said skin layers and said load-bearing frames.
In certain embodiments, the functional layers concerned with soundproofing in a sidewall of the office pod consist of said skin layer, and said sound absorbing element, said sound absorbing element consisting of said sound absorbing material layer with or without one or more air layers, and an optional inner liner (or interior panel) comprising sound absorbing material (superimposed on said sound absorbing material layer).
In certain elements, the rigidity of the pod is enhanced by a ceiling structure attached to the front load-bearing frame and to the rear load-bearing frame. In certain embodiments, the ceiling structure is preferably configured to implement a ventilation function.
In certain embodiments, the rigidity of the pod is further enhanced by a floor structure attached to the front load-bearing frame and to the rear load-bearing frame. In certain embodiments, said rigid connector is integrated into the floor structure.
In certain embodiments, the front load-bearing frame and/or the rear load-bearing frame comprises a door.
In certain embodiments, the front load-bearing frame and/or the rear load-bearing frame surrounds or at least partly surrounds a door or a door frame.
In certain embodiments, the front load-bearing frame constitutes an outermost encircling element of the front wall. In certain embodiments, the rear load-bearing frame constitutes an outermost encircling element of the rear wall.
According to a second example aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a method of assembling the office pod of the first aspect or any of its embodiments, comprising:
Different non-binding example aspects and embodiments have been illustrated in the foregoing. The embodiments in the foregoing are used merely to explain selected aspects or steps that may be utilized in different implementations. Some embodiments and features may be presented only with reference to certain example aspects. It should be appreciated that corresponding embodiments and features apply to other example aspects as well. Any appropriate combinations of the embodiments may be formed. Any apparatus and/or methods in the description and/or figures not covered by the claims are examples useful for understanding the present disclosure.
Some example embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
In the following description, like reference signs denote like elements or steps. Reference is made to the
Embodiments of an office pod in accordance with the present disclosure comprise a front load-bearing frame, a rear load-bearing frame, and a skin layer attached in between the front and rear load-bearing frames, wherein the skin layer provides the front and rear load-bearing frames with cross-dimensional rigidity. Accordingly, e.g., in certain embodiments, the office pod comprises said skin layer at both a left-hand side and a right-hand side of the pod, wherein a chassis of the pod with cross-dimensional rigidity (or support) is formed of said skin layers and said load-bearing frames. In certain embodiments, cross-dimensional rigidity of said frames means a structural property of resisting the frames becoming and/or being tilted from an upright position. In other words, cross-dimensional rigidity of said frames means resistance against forces trying to alter the mutual position of said frames once erected, especially in a tilting manner.
Said attaching “in between” the load-bearing frames in this context and further in the following description means that the skin layers reside in between the load-bearing frames but need not reside in between the load-bearing frames in their absolute entirety. For example, edge portions of the skin layer in certain embodiments are overlapping with respect to the respective load-bearing frames e.g. for an attachment purpose. Thus, a skin layer attached in between the front and rear load-bearing frames is to be understood so that the skin layer may, at its peripheral regions, gain attachment from the load-bearing frames in such a manner that the skin layer may, at said peripheral regions, overlap with the frames but is otherwise between the load-bearing frames.
The skin layer(s) 130, 140 provide the front and rear load-bearing frames 110, 120 with cross-dimensional rigidity (lateral bracing).
The left-hand side skin layer 130 comprises an attachment point 131-134 at each corner (or corner region) of the layer 130. Similarly, the right-hand side skin layer 140 comprises an attachment point 141-144 at each corner (or corner region) of the layer 140. The skin layers 130, 140 are attached to the front and rear load-bearing frames 110, 120 at the attachment points 131-134 and 141-144 (preferably in an immovable manner) so as to provide the front and rear load-bearing frames 110, 120 with cross-dimensional rigidity. Further, in certain embodiments, the skin layers 130, 140 in between the frames 110, 120 generally are in the form of a planar, uniform surface (forming a sound stopping layer).
The left-hand side skin layer 230 comprises an attachment point 231-234 at each corner (or corner region) of the layer 230. Similarly, the right-hand side skin layer 240 comprises an attachment point 241-244 at each corner (or corner region) of the layer 240. In contrast to the embodiments shown in
In the embodiments shown in
The right-hand side skin layer 240 is attached at its top corners (or corner regions) at attachment points 241 and 242 to a third (upper) connector 261 attached in between the frames 210, 220 at the upper right-hand side of the pod 200. And, similarly, the right-hand side skin layer 240 is attached at its lower corners (or corner regions) at attachment points 243 and 244 to a fourth (lower) connector 262 attached in between the frames 210, 220 at the lower right-hand side of the pod 200.
The connectors 251, 252, 261, 262 themselves in certain embodiments are as such substantially non-participating as to functionally providing the front and rear load-bearing frames 210, 220 with cross-dimensional rigidity, but the skin layers 230 and 240 provide the front and rear load-bearing frames 210, 220 with cross-dimensional rigidity (as a combined effect together with the connectors 251, 252, 261, 262 in certain embodiments).
Put more generally, the connectors 251, 252, 261262 need not provide the front and rear load-bearing frames 210, 220 with cross-dimensional rigidity due to skin layers 230, 240 providing this functionality, though the connectors 251, 252, 261, 262 doing so is not detrimental to the rigidity of the pod chassis. Consequentially, the connectors 251, 252, 261, 262 may be attached to the front and rear load-bearing frames 210, 220 in a simple and economical manner.
Further, the embodiments shown in
Put more generally, the ceiling structure 270 and the floor structure 280 need not provide the front and rear load-bearing frames 210, 220 with cross-dimensional rigidity due to skin layers 230, 240 providing this functionality, though the ceiling structure 270 and the floor structure 280 doing so is not detrimental to the rigidity of the pod chassis. Consequentially, the ceiling structure 270 and the floor structure 280 may be attached to the front and rear load-bearing frames 210, 220 in a simple and economical manner.
In certain embodiments, the ceiling structure 270 is configured to implement a ventilation function. For this purpose, in certain embodiments, the ceiling structure comprises an integrated ventilation system 271.
The skin layer 240 formed of the sub-pieces 240a, 240b is followed by a sound absorbing layer 245 when moving towards an interior of the office pod 200. The sound absorbing layer may be attached to the front and rear load-bearing frames 210, 220 by respective attachment elements 214, 224.
The central regions of the sub-pieces 240a and 240b (and respective regions of the sound absorbing layer 245) have not been drawn in
The central regions of the sub-pieces 240a and 240b (and respective regions of the sound absorbing layer 245) have not been drawn in
Generally, the wall structure comprises the skin layer 240 followed by the sound absorbing element 255. The sound absorbing element 255 comprises at least one sound absorbing layer 245 (or sound absorbing material layer 245a). In addition, the sound absorbing element 255 optionally comprises the inner liner layer 246 as the innermost layer. Instead or in addition, the sound absorbing element 255 optionally comprises one or more air (gap) layers 245b which may reside anywhere in between the skin layer 240 and the innermost material layer facing the pod user. In certain embodiments, the sound absorbing (material) layer is of fluffy material (such as Ewona fiber mat) compared to a more robust or dense material of the optional inner liner layer 246. In certain embodiments, the sound absorbing element 255 is of dustproof material(s).
In the office pod 1300, the left-hand side skin layer 1230 is attached in between the front load-bearing frame 1210 and the rear load-bearing frame 1220 at the left-hand side of the pod 1300, and the right-hand side skin layer 1240 is attached in between the front load-bearing frame 1210 and the rear load-bearing frame 1220 at the right-hand side of the pod 1300.
The left-hand side skin layer 1230 comprises an attachment point at each corner (or corner region) of the layer 1230. Similarly, the right-hand side skin layer 1240 comprises an attachment point at each corner (or corner region) of the layer 1240. The skin layers 1230, 1240 are not directly attached to the frames 1210, 1220, but there are connectors 1251, 1352, 1261, 1362 connecting the frames 1210, 1220, and the skin layers 1230, 1240 are attached to the frames 1210, 1220 via respective connectors.
In certain embodiments, the connectors 1251, 1352, 1261, and 1362 are non-vertical connectors. In certain embodiments, the connectors 1251, 1352, 1261, and 1362 are horizontal or substantially horizontal connectors. The above likewise applies to the connectors 251, 252, 261, 262, 351, 352, 361, and 362 described in the foregoing.
In the embodiments shown in
The right-hand side skin layer 1240 is attached at its top corners (or corner regions) at attachment points to a third (upper) connector 1261 attached in between the frames 1210, 1220 at the upper right-hand side of the pod 1300. And, similarly, the right-hand side skin layer 1240 is attached at its lower corners (or corner regions) at attachment points to a fourth (lower) connector 1362 attached in between the frames 1210, 1220 at the lower right-hand side of the pod 1300.
The office pod 1300 further comprises a ceiling structure 1370 and a floor structure 1380 attached to the front load-bearing frame 1210 and to the rear load-bearing frame 1220.
In certain embodiments, the ceiling structure 1370 is configured to implement a ventilation function. For this purpose, in certain embodiments, the ceiling structure 1370 comprises an integrated ventilation system 1271.
In certain embodiments, as shown in
Yet further,
The skin layer(s) 1230, 1240 formed of a plurality of sub-pieces (here: two sub-pieces) provide the front and rear load-bearing frames 1210, 1220 with cross-dimensional rigidity (lateral bracing). Further, in certain embodiments, the separate and connected sub-pieces 1230a and 1230b (1240a and 1240b, respectively) of the skin layers 1230, 1240 in between the frames 1210, 1220 generally are in the form of a planar, uniform surface (forming a sound stopping layer) to provide desired acoustic behaviour. By the desired acoustic behaviour is meant a drumhead-like vibrating behaviour of the sidewall (as a metaphor).
In certain embodiment, instead of three attachment points, four or more attachment points are implemented.
Various embodiments have been presented. It should be appreciated that in this document, words “comprise”, “include”, and “contain” are each used as open-ended expressions with no intended exclusivity.
Without limiting the scope and interpretation of the patent claims, certain technical effects of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein are listed in the following. A technical effect is a lighter office pod structure compared to conventional pods formed of heavy modular sidewall structures and yet achieving good soundproofing properties, particularly at human speech frequency range. Another technical effect is easier and more simple pod assembly due to simplified structure containing fewer parts and/or material layers. Another technical effect is more economical pod manufacturing due to savings in raw material. Another technical effect is a enabling a thin wall structure, suitable for office pod use, which provides as good soundproofing properties, particularly at human speech frequency range, as previously known thicker wall structures. Another technical effect is more environmentally friendly yet well soundproofing office pod and/or wall structure due to decreased material consumption as well as decreased energy consumption in logistics due to smaller and less heavy shipments. Another technical effect is to provide a wall structure or an office pod with a wall structure with minimal health hazards during construction, assembly and/or use. Another technical effect is to provide an office pod without corner posts or pillars for ease of assembly and/or enhanced rigidity. Another technical effect is achieving two or more of the above-mentioned effects simultaneously.
The foregoing description has provided by way of non-limiting examples of particular implementations and embodiments a full and informative description of the best mode presently contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the present disclosure. It is however clear to a person skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not restricted to details of the embodiments presented in the foregoing, but that it can be implemented in other embodiments using equivalent means or in different combinations of embodiments without deviating from the characteristics of the present disclosure.
Furthermore, some of the features of the afore-disclosed example embodiments may be used to advantage without the corresponding use of other features. As such, the foregoing description shall be considered as merely illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure, and not in limitation thereof. Hence, the scope of the present disclosure is only restricted by the appended patent claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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22209631.5 | Nov 2022 | EP | regional |
20226053 | Nov 2022 | FI | national |