Silencing system

Abstract

An object is to provide a silencing system that includes a silencer disposed in a ventilation sleeve, can suppress the generation of negative pressure in the interior, and can prevent a door or the like of an interior entrance from being difficult to open. The silencing system includes one or more silencers that are disposed in a ventilation sleeve provided to penetrate a wall separating two spaces, and “αA>10C−(0.1/P)×TL” is satisfied in a case where a gap equivalent area of the ventilation sleeve in which the silencer is installed is denoted by αA and a normalized sound transmission loss in an octave band in which a first resonant frequency of the ventilation sleeve is present is denoted by TL.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a silencing system.

2. Description of the Related Art

With regard to ventilation sleeves, such as a ventilation port and an air-conditioning duct, which are provided in a wall separating the interior and the exterior and penetrate the interior and the exterior, sound-absorbing materials, such as urethane and polyethylene, are installed in the ventilation sleeves to suppress the transmission of noise from the exterior to the interior or to suppress the transmission of noise from the interior to the exterior.

However, since an absorption coefficient for sound having a low frequency of 800 Hz or less is extremely reduced in a case where sound-absorbing materials, such as urethane and polyethylene, are used, a volume needs to be increased to increase the absorption coefficient. However, since the ventilation performance of the ventilation port, the air-conditioning duct, and the like needs to be ensured, there is a limit to the size of the sound-absorbing material. For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult to achieve both high ventilation performance and high soundproof performance.

Further, the resonant sound of the ventilation sleeves may be critical as the noise of the ventilation sleeves, such as the ventilation port and the air-conditioning duct.

It is proposed that a resonance type silencer for silencing sound having a specific frequency is used to silence the resonant sound of such a ventilation sleeve.

For example, JP4820163B (JP2007-169959A) discloses ventilation hole structure where a ventilation sleeve for ventilation between a first space and a second space is provided so as to penetrate a partition part partitioning the first space and the second space, a resonance type silencing mechanism for silencing sound passing through the ventilation sleeve is provided in the ventilation sleeve, and the resonance type silencing mechanism is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the ventilation sleeve at a position outside the partition part in the direction of an axis of the ventilation sleeve and at a position between the partition part and a decorative plate that is provided so as to be away from the surface of the partition part along the partition part. Further, a side-branch type silencer and a Helmholtz resonator are disclosed as the resonance type silencing mechanism.

JP2016-095070A discloses a silencing tubular body which is used in a state where the silencing tubular body is installed in a sleeve tube of a natural ventilation port. At least one end portion of the silencing tubular body is closed and an opening portion is provided near the other end portion thereof, the length of the silencing tubular body from one end portion to the center of the opening portion is about the half of the total length of the sleeve tube, and a porous material is disposed in the silencing tubular body.

Further, JP2016-095070A discloses that the thickness of the outer wall of a house, a mansion, or the like is in the range of about 200 to 400 mm and sound-insulation performance is lowered in a frequency band of a first resonant frequency (400 to 700 Hz) generated in the sleeve tube provided in the outer wall (see FIG. 11).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, according to the inventors' examination, in a case where a resonance type silencer in the related art or a sound-absorbing material is disposed in a ventilation sleeve provided in a wall separating the interior and the exterior, it is found that a problem that it is difficult to open a door of an interior entrance, or the like occurs.

As a result of further examination of this, since a volume needs to be increased to exhibit high soundproof performance in a case where the resonance type silencer in the related art or the sound-absorbing material is used, the opening ratio of the ventilation sleeve needs to be reduced. However, ventilation performance deteriorates in a case where the opening ratio is reduced. Accordingly, since air does not sufficiently enter from the ventilation sleeve in the case of a highly airtight interior and/or during the rotation or the like of a ventilation fan, negative pressure is generated in the interior. For this reason, it is found that it is difficult to open a door, or the like.

An object of the invention is to solve the problems in the related art and to provide a silencing system that includes a silencer disposed in a ventilation sleeve, can suppress the generation of negative pressure in the interior, and can prevent a door or the like of an interior entrance from being difficult to open.

In order to achieve the object, the invention has the following configuration.

[1] A silencing system comprising:

one or more silencers that are disposed in a ventilation sleeve provided to penetrate a wall separating two spaces,

in which Equation (1) is satisfied in a case where a gap equivalent area of the ventilation sleeve in which the silencer is installed is denoted by αA and a normalized transmission loss in an octave band in which a first resonant frequency of the ventilation sleeve is present is denoted by TL,αA>10^{C−(0.1/P)×TL}  Equation (1)

where C denotes a constant determined by a measurement system in a case where there is no silencer and P denotes a transmission efficiency coefficient.

[2] The silencing system according to [1],

in which a cross-sectional area of a space at a position where the silencer is disposed is larger than a cross-sectional area of a space of the ventilation sleeve alone in a cross section perpendicular to a central axis of the ventilation sleeve.

[3] The silencing system according to [1] or [2],

in which the silencer includes a cavity portion that communicates with an interior space of the ventilation sleeve, and

a total volume of the interior space of the ventilation sleeve and the cavity portion of the silencer is larger than a volume of the interior space of the ventilation sleeve alone.

[4] The silencing system according to [3],

in which a total volume of the interior space of the ventilation sleeve is 18000 cm³ or less.

[5] The silencing system according to any one of [1] to [4],

in which the silencer includes a conversion mechanism for converting sound energy into thermal energy.

[6] The silencing system according to [5],

in which the conversion mechanism is a porous sound-absorbing material.

[7] The silencing system according to any one of [1] to [6],

in which the silencer has a structure having a wavelength shorter than a wavelength at the first resonant frequency of the ventilation sleeve.

[8] The silencing system according to any one of [1] to [7],

in which a shortest distance between one space side and the other space side in the ventilation sleeve in which the silencer is disposed is 1.9 times or less a thickness of the wall.

[9] The silencing system according to any one of [1] to [8],

in which a cross section of the ventilation sleeve parallel to the wall is 900 cm² or less.

[10] The silencing system according to any one of [1] to [9],

in which one space side is capable of being visually recognized from the other space side through the ventilation sleeve in a state where the silencer is disposed in the ventilation sleeve.

[ 11] The silencing system according to any one of [1] to [10],

in which the silencer is disposed at an end portion of the ventilation sleeve between the wall and a decorative plate that is disposed so as to be spaced from the wall.

[12] The silencing system according to any one of [1] to [11],

in which the silencer does not have a structure resonating at the first resonant frequency of the ventilation sleeve.

[13] The silencing system according to any one of [1] to [12],

in which one space is an interior space.

[14] The silencing system according to [13], further comprising:

a fan that ventilates the interior space.

According to the invention, it is possible to provide a silencing system that includes a silencer disposed in a ventilation sleeve, can suppress the generation of negative pressure in the interior, and can prevent a door or the like of an interior entrance from being difficult to open.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of measuring air volume.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of measuring air volume.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of measuring air volume.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of measuring a normalized transmission loss.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a simulation model.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing a relationship between an opening area S and average transmittance in a 500 Hz band.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing a relationship between an opening area S and a transmission efficiency coefficient P.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a silencing system according to a preferred first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the silencing system according to the preferred first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the depth L_d and the width L_w of a cavity portion of a silencer.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a sound field space.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a model of a silencing system used in a simulation.

FIG. 17 is a graph showing a relationship among flow resistance, opening width/cylinder length, and a standardized transmission loss.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of a silencing device.

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing device.

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 35 is a diagram of the silencing system of FIG. 34 viewed from an air volume-adjusting member side.

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 38 is a schematic diagram of a simulation model.

FIG. 39 is a graph showing a relationship between transmission-sound-pressure intensity and a frequency.

FIG. 40 is a graph showing a transmission loss in a 500 Hz band.

FIG. 41 is a schematic diagram illustrating a simulation model.

FIG. 42 is a graph showing a transmission loss in a 500 Hz band.

FIG. 43 is a schematic diagram illustrating a simulation model.

FIG. 44 is a graph showing a transmission loss in a 500 Hz band.

FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 47 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 46.

FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E of FIG. 48.

FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 51 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a bent portion of a tubular member in which a sound transmission wall is disposed.

FIG. 53 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the bent portion of the tubular member in which the sound transmission wall is disposed.

FIG. 54 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing an example of a silencing system according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 55 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 54.

FIG. 56 is a schematic diagram illustrating a simulation model.

FIG. 57 is a graph showing a relationship among L₁/λ, L₂/λ, and a transmission loss in a 500 Hz band.

FIG. 58 is a graph showing a relationship between L₁/λ and a transmission loss in a 500 Hz band.

FIG. 59 is a graph showing a relationship between L₂/λ and a transmission loss in a 500 Hz band.

FIG. 60 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing an example of a silencing system according to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 61 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 60.

FIG. 62 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of Example.

FIG. 63 is a graph showing a relationship between a transmission loss TL and a gap equivalent area αA.

FIG. 64 is a diagram illustrating a method of evaluating Example and Comparative Example.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention will be described in detail below.

The descriptions of components to be made below will be based on a representative embodiment of the invention, but the invention is not limited to the embodiment.

Further, in this specification, a numerical range described using “to” means a range that includes numerical values written in the front and rear of “to” as a lower limit and an upper limit.

Furthermore, in this specification, “orthogonal” and “parallel” include the range of an error to be allowed in a technical field to which the invention pertains. For example, “orthogonal” and “parallel” mean that an angle is in a range including an error smaller than ±10° from exact orthogonal or exact parallel, and an error from exact orthogonal or exact parallel is preferably 5° or less and more preferably 3° or less.

In this specification, “the same” and “equal” include the range of an error to be generally allowed in a technical field. Further, in this specification, “the entire”, “all”, “the entire surface”, or the like includes the range of an error to be generally allowed in a technical field, and include the case of 99% or more, 95% or more, or 90% or more in addition to the case of 100%.

[Silencing System]

A silencing system according to an aspect of the invention includes one or more silencers that are disposed in a ventilation sleeve provided to penetrate a wall separating two spaces, and

Equation (1) is satisfied in a case where a gap equivalent area of the ventilation sleeve in which the silencer is installed is denoted by αA and a normalized sound transmission loss in an octave band in which a first resonant frequency of the ventilation sleeve is present is denoted by TL.αA>10^{C−(0.1/P)×TL}  Equation (1)

C denotes a constant determined by a measurement system in a case where there is no silencer and P denotes a transmission efficiency coefficient.

Further, a certain frequency-octave band is the band of a frequency that has the width of one octave including the frequency. It is preferable that Equation (1) is satisfied in an octave band including the frequency as a center frequency. The center frequency of an octave band is not the median of a frequency band and is a frequency that satisfies “upper limit frequency=center frequency×√2” and “lower limit frequency=center frequency×√2”.

The specific configuration of the silencer will be described in detail later.

A gap equivalent area αA is obtained as follows.

First, the measurement of air volume corresponding to JIS C9603:1998 is performed.

As a reference, a ventilation sleeve 92 (made of polyvinyl chloride and having an inner diameter of 10 cm and a length 20 cm) is connected to a chamber 90 as shown in FIG. 1. The flow rate of air passing through the ventilation sleeve 92 is measured while pressure in the chamber 90 is changed. As a result, a relationship between air volume and static pressure is obtained.

Next, a silencer is installed in the ventilation sleeve 92 as shown in FIG. 2, and air volume Q [m³/s] at which a difference between the pressure of air and the pressure of the reference obtained above is 9.8 Pa is obtained while the pressure in the chamber is changed to various values.

The obtained air volume Q is multiplied by 0.7, so that the gap equivalent area αA is calculated.αA=0.7×Q

In a case where the silencing system includes a cover member, such as a louver, or an air volume-adjusting member, such as a register, the gap equivalent area αA may be obtained in a state where the silencing system includes these.

With regard to the gap equivalent area αA in a case where the silencing system includes the cover member, such as a louver, or the air volume-adjusting member, such as a register, a gap equivalent area αA₁ in a case where only the louver is installed and a gap equivalent area αA₂ in a case where only the silencer is installed are obtained and the gap equivalent area αA in a case where the louver and the silencer are installed can be obtained from Equation of “αA=(1/(αA₁)²+1/ (αA₂)²)^−0.5”. In a case where the gap equivalent area αA₁ of a member to be installed on the exterior side, such as a louver, is to be obtained, air volume Q may be obtained in a state where a louver is installed on the open surface of the ventilation sleeve 92 opposite to the chamber 90 as shown in FIG. 3 and pressure in the chamber 90 is set to negative pressure to allow wind to enter the chamber 90 from the ventilation sleeve 92.

The cover member, such as a louver, or the air volume-adjusting member, such as a register, will be described in detail later.

A normalized transmission loss TL (hereinafter, also referred to as a transmission loss TL) is measured in two reverberation chambers shown in FIG. 4 by a measurement method corresponding to “Laboratory measurement of airborne sound insulation of small building elements” of JIS A1428:2006 in a state where a reference area is set to 1 m².

As shown in FIG. 4, two reverberation chambers 98 and 99 are separated from each other by a wall 94 having a thickness of 30 cm. The wall 94 includes a ventilation sleeve 96 that penetrates the wall to allow the two reverberation chambers 98 and 99 to communicate with each other. Five microphones MP are installed in each of the two reverberation chambers 98 and 99. Further, a speaker SP serving as a sound source is disposed in one reverberation chamber 98. A silencer (not shown) is installed in the ventilation sleeve 96, sound is generated from the speaker SP, sound pressure is measured by each of the ten microphones MP disposed in the two reverberation chambers 98 and 99, and a normalized transmission loss TL is calculated from the sound pressure of the reverberation chamber 98 in which the speaker SP is disposed and the sound pressure of the other reverberation chamber 99.

In a case where the silencing system includes the cover member, such as a louver, or the air volume-adjusting member, such as a register, the normalized transmission loss TL may be obtained in a state where the silencing system includes these.

Next, Equation (1) representing a relationship between the gap equivalent area αA and the normalized transmission loss TL will be described.

Generally, ventilation performance and soundproof performance are in a trade-off relationship. The relationship will be formulated.

First, a relationship between an acoustic average transmittance T in a 500 Hz-octave band (355 Hz to 710 Hz) and an opening area S is investigated. A calculation model shown in FIG. 5 is made, and an acoustic average transmittance T is calculated through numerical calculation using a finite element method while the opening area S is changed to various values. The calculation model is a model where a through-hole (ventilation sleeve 12) having a diameter D is formed in a wall 16 having a thickness of 300 mm as shown in FIG. 5, and an acoustic wave-generation surface (a radius of 500 mm) is set on one space side separated by the wall 16, and an acoustic wave-detection surface is set on the other space side. Sound pressure, which is detected by the acoustic wave-detection surface in a case where plane waves (a frequency in the range of 355 Hz to 710 Hz) are generated from the acoustic wave-generation surface, is calculated for a plurality of diameters D, and the acoustic average transmittance T is obtained. The amplitude of an acoustic wave, which is to be incident, per unit volume is obtained is set to 1.

The opening area S of the ventilation sleeve 12 is calculated from the diameter D and a relationship between the opening area S and the acoustic average transmittance T is obtained. Results are shown in FIG. 6.

Fitting is performed from the results of FIG. 6 to obtain an approximate expression. As a result, it is found that Equation (2) can be used for good fitting.T=A₁×S^P  Equation (2)

A₁ is a proportional constant. P is defined as a transmission efficiency coefficient. The transmission efficiency coefficient P has dependence on an opening area, and the practical range thereof is the range of 0.65 to 1. A relationship between the opening area S and the transmission efficiency coefficient P is shown in FIG. 7.

As described above, the gap equivalent area αA is represented by “αA=0.7×Q” using air volume Q [m³/s].

Since the air volume Q is represented by the product of the wind speed v[m/s] and the opening area S [m²], “αA=0.7×v×S” is obtained.

Here, in a case where “S=(T/A₁)^1/P” obtained from Equation (2) is substituted into this equation, Equation (3) is obtained as follows.

$\begin{array}{cc}\begin{array}{c}\alpha A=0.7\times v\times {\left(T\text{/}{A}_1\right)}^{1\text{/}P}\\ =0.7\times {\left(1\text{/}{A}_1\right)}^{1\text{/}P}\times v\times {\left(T\right)}^{1\text{/}P}\\ =A_2\times {\left(T\right)}^{1\text{/}P}\end{array}& \mathrm{Equation}\left(3\right)\end{array}$

A₂ is a proportional constant. (A₂=0.7×(1/A₁)^1/P×v)

The transmittance T and the transmission loss TL are represented by a relationship of “TL=10×log₁₀(1/T)” from the definition thereof. In a case where this equation is transformed, “T=10^−0.1×TL” is obtained.

In a case where this equation is substituted into Equation (3), “αA=A₂×10^−0.1×TL/P” is obtained. In a case where the logarithm of both sides is taken, “log₁₀(αA)=log₁₀(A₂)+(−0.1×TL/P)” is obtained.

In a case where log₁₀(A₂) is replaced with a proportional constant C, Equation (4) is obtained.log₁₀(αA)=C−0.1/P×TL  Equation (4)

Equation (4) corresponds to a straight line that has a gradient of −0.1/P and an intercept C with respect to a graph of log₁₀(αA) and TL. The gradient of −0.1/P is a value obtained from FIG. 7. The intercept C is a value that depends on a measurement system and is experimentally determined, and is set so that αA and TL in a case where a silencing system is not installed (reference) are measured and a straight line passes through a point of this αA and this TL.

In a case where Equation (4) is transformed, Equation (5) is obtained.αA=10^C−(0.1/P)×TL  Equation (5)

Equation (4) (Equation (5)) is an equation representing a trade-off relationship between the gap equivalent area αA relating to ventilation performance and the transmission loss TL relating to soundproof performance (see FIG. 63). In a case where a silencer in the related art is disposed in a ventilation sleeve, both ventilation performance and soundproof performance cannot be improved beyond the trade-off relationship even in an ideal case. For this reason, in a case where the silencer in the related art is used, the opening ratio of the ventilation sleeve needs to be reduced, that is, the gap equivalent area αA needs to be reduced to exhibit high soundproof performance, that is, to increase the transmission loss TL. In a case where the gap equivalent area αA is small, ventilation performance deteriorates. Accordingly, since air does not sufficiently enter from the ventilation sleeve in the case of a highly airtight interior and/or during the rotation or the like of a ventilation fan, negative pressure is generated in the interior. For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult to open a door, or the like.

In contrast, the invention provides a silencing system of which a gap equivalent area αA and a normalized transmission loss TL satisfy Equation (1), that is, Equation (6).αA>10^{C−(0.1/P)×TL}  Equation (1)

That is, Equation (6) is satisfied.log₁₀(αA)>C−0.1/P×TL  Equation (6)

Equation (6) means that both ventilation performance and soundproof performance are high beyond an equation representing the trade-off relationship. That is, for example, the transmission loss TL (soundproof performance) is the same and the gap equivalent area αA (ventilation performance) is larger than a gap equivalent area αA determined from the trade-off relationship. Since the Equation (1) is satisfied as described above, that is, the transmission loss TL and the gap equivalent area αA exceed the trade-off relationship, ventilation performance can be improved while high soundproof performance is exhibited. Accordingly, since air sufficiently enters from the ventilation sleeve during the rotation or the like of the ventilation fan, the generation of negative pressure in the interior can be suppressed. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a problem that it is difficult to open a door, or the like.

Since the silencing system according to an embodiment of the invention can suppress the generation of negative pressure in the interior as described above, the silencing system can be suitably used in a case where at least one space separated by the wall is an interior space. However, the silencing system is not limited thereto and may be used in a case where both spaces are open spaces. The interior space is a substantially closed space, may include a ventilation port (ventilation sleeve), and may include opening portions, such as a door and a window. Further, the silencing system can be suitably used in a case where a fan for ventilating an interior space is provided. It is preferable that the fan ventilates an interior space through a ventilation port separate from the ventilation sleeve in which the silencer is disposed.

Here, in terms of the suppression of the generation of negative pressure in the interior, and the like, the gap equivalent area αA and the transmission loss TL preferably satisfy “αA>1.05×10^{C−(0.1/P)×TL}”, more preferably satisfy “αA>1.10×10^{C−(0.1/P)×TL}”, and still more preferably satisfy “αA>1.15×10^{C−(0.1/P)×TL}”.

Further, in order to allow the gap equivalent area αA and the transmission loss TL to satisfy Equation (1), it is preferable that the silencer has a structure having a wavelength shorter than a wavelength at the first resonant frequency of the ventilation sleeve and it is preferable that the silencer does not have a structure resonating at the first resonant frequency of the ventilation sleeve.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the cross-sectional area of a space at a position where the silencer is disposed is larger than the cross-sectional area of the space of the ventilation sleeve alone in a cross section perpendicular to the central axis of the ventilation sleeve. That is, it is preferable that the outer diameter of the silencer is larger than the outer diameter of the ventilation sleeve.

Further, in order to allow the gap equivalent area αA and the transmission loss TL to satisfy Equation (1), it is preferable that the silencer includes a cavity portion communicating with the interior space of the ventilation sleeve and the total volume of the interior space of the ventilation sleeve and the cavity portion of the silencer in a state where the silencer is disposed in the ventilation sleeve is larger than the volume of the interior space of the ventilation sleeve alone.

In a case where the ventilation sleeve is a ventilation sleeve provided in a house, a mansion, or the like, the cross-sectional shape of the ventilation sleeve corresponds to about 30 cm square at the maximum and the thickness of a wall is about 20 cm. Accordingly, the cross-sectional area of the ventilation sleeve is about 900 cm² at the maximum. That is, the cross-sectional area of the ventilation sleeve is 900 cm² or less in the case of the ventilation sleeve that is provided in a house, a mansion, or the like. Further, the volume of the interior space of the ventilation sleeve alone is about 18000 cm³ at the maximum. That is, the volume of the interior space of the ventilation sleeve alone is 18000 cm³ or less in the case of the ventilation sleeve that is provided in a house, a mansion, or the like.

Furthermore, in order to allow the gap equivalent area αA and the transmission loss TL to satisfy Equation (1), it is preferable that the silencer includes a conversion mechanism for converting sound energy into thermal energy.

Configuration where the gap equivalent area αA and the transmission loss TL satisfy Equation (1) will be specifically described below as embodiments.

First Embodiment

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a silencing system according to a preferred first embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 8, a silencing system 10z has configuration where silencers 21 are disposed on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical ventilation sleeve 12 provided to penetrate a wall 16 separating two spaces. The ventilation sleeve will also be referred to as a tubular member in the following description.

The ventilation sleeve 12 is, for example, a ventilation sleeve, such as a ventilation port and an air-conditioning duct, provided in the wall of a house, a mansion, or the like.

The silencers 21 are to silence sound having frequencies that include the frequency of first resonance occurring in the tubular member.

Each silencer 21 has the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped extending in the radial direction of the tubular member 12, and includes a cavity portion 30 that is formed therein so as to have the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. An opening portion 32, which allows the cavity portion 30 and the outside to communicate with each other, is formed on the end face of each cavity portion 30 facing the tubular member 12.

The opening portions 32 of the silencers 21 are connected to peripheral surface-opening portions 12a formed on the peripheral surface of the tubular member 12. Since the opening portions 32 are connected to the peripheral surface-opening portions 12a, the opening portions 32 are connected to a sound field space of first resonance occurring in the tubular member 12 of the silencing system 10z.

The tubular member 12 may be a general duct used as an intake port and/or an exhaust port in various devices without being limited to a ventilation port, an air-conditioning duct, and the like.

Further, in a case where the depth of the cavity portion 30 in the traveling direction of acoustic waves in the cavity portion 30 of the silencer 21 is denoted by L_d and the width of the opening portion 32 of the silencer 21 in the axial direction of the tubular member 12 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the axial direction) is denoted by L_o, the depth L_d of the cavity portion 30 is larger than the width L_o of the opening portion 32 as shown in FIG. 8.

Here, the traveling direction of acoustic waves in the cavity portion 30 can be obtained from a simulation. Since the cavity portion 30 extends in the radial direction in the example shown in FIG. 8, the traveling direction of acoustic waves in the cavity portion 30 is the radial direction (a vertical direction in FIG. 8). Accordingly, the depth L_d of the cavity portion 30 is a length from the opening portion 32 to the upper end of the cavity portion 30 in the radial direction. In a case where the depth of the cavity portion 30 varies depending on a position, the depth L_d of the cavity portion 30 is the average value of depths obtained at the respective positions.

Further, in a case where the width of the opening portion 32 varies depending on a position, the width L_o of the opening portion 32 is the average value of widths obtained at the respective positions.

Furthermore, in a case where the wavelength of the acoustic wave at the resonant frequency of first resonance occurring in the tubular member 12 of the silencing system is denoted by λ, it is preferable that the depth L_d of the cavity portion 30 of the silencer 21 is smaller than the wavelength λ and satisfies “0.02λ<L_d<0.25×λ”. That is, the depth L_d of the cavity portion 30 is smaller than λ/4 and the silencer 21 does not have a structure that resonates at a first resonant frequency of the tubular member.

The silencer 21 and the cavity portion 30 formed in the silencer 21 are formed in the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped in the example shown in FIG. 8, but may be formed in various shapes, such as a cylindrical shape, without being limited thereto. Further, the shape of the opening portion 32 can also be set to various shapes, such as a rectangular shape, a polygonal shape, a circular shape, and an elliptical shape, without being limited thereto.

Furthermore, in a case where the frequency of first resonance occurring in the tubular member 12 is denoted by F₀ and the resonant frequency of the silencer 21 is denoted by F₁, it is preferable that “1.15×F₀<F₁” is satisfied. In a case where a relationship between the frequency F₀ of first resonance, which occurs in the tubular member 12, and the resonant frequency F₁ of the silencer 21 satisfies the above-mentioned range, the transmission-sound-pressure intensity at first resonance occurring in the tubular member 12 at the resonant frequency F₁ of the silencer 21 becomes 25% or less of the peak value. Accordingly, an interaction between first resonance occurring in the tubular member 12 and the resonance of the silencer is reduced.

In terms of being capable of further reducing an interaction by further reducing the transmission-sound-pressure intensity at first resonance occurring in the tubular member 12 at the resonant frequency F₁ of the silencer 21, the frequency F₀ of first resonance occurring in the tubular member 12 and the resonant frequency F₁ of the silencer 21 preferably satisfy “1.17×F₀<F₁”, more preferably satisfy “1.22×F₀<F₁”, and still more preferably satisfy “1.34×F₀<F₁”. In cases where the above-mentioned conditions are satisfied, the transmission-sound-pressure intensity at first resonance occurring in the tubular member 12 at the resonant frequency F₁ of the silencer 21 becomes 20% or less, 15% or less, and 10% or less of the peak value.

This is the same in the other embodiments.

Further, the cavity portion 30 of the silencer 21 extends in the radial direction and the traveling direction of acoustic waves in the cavity portion 30 is the radial direction in the example shown in FIG. 8, but the cavity portion 30 and the traveling direction are not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the cavity portion 30 may extend in the axial direction and the traveling direction of acoustic waves in the cavity portion 30 may be the axial direction. In the following description, the silencer 21 shown in FIG. 8 will also be referred to as a vertical cylinder type silencer.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the silencing system according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. Furthermore, FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the depth L_d and the width L_w, of the cavity portion of the silencer. The wall 16 is not shown in FIG. 10. The wall 16 may not be shown even in subsequent drawings.

As shown in FIG. 9, a silencing system 10a has configuration where a silencer 22 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical tubular member 12 provided to penetrate a wall 16 separating two spaces.

The tubular member 12 is, for example, a ventilation sleeve, such as a ventilation port and an air-conditioning duct.

The silencer 22 has the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, which extends in an axial direction in a cross section parallel to the axial direction and is curved along the outer peripheral surface of the tubular member 12, and includes a cavity portion 30 that is formed therein so as to have the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped extending in the axial direction. Further, the silencer 22 includes an opening portion 32 that is positioned on the surface of the silencer 22 facing the tubular member 12 at one end portion of the silencer 22 in the axial direction and allows the cavity portion 30 and the outside to communicate with each other. That is, the silencer 22 includes an L-shaped space. The opening portion 32 is connected to a peripheral surface-opening portion 12a formed on the peripheral surface of the tubular member 12. Since the opening portion 32 is connected to the peripheral surface-opening portion 12a, the opening portion 32 is connected to a sound field space of first resonance occurring in the tubular member 12 of the silencing system 10a.

Here, since the cavity portion 30 extends in the axial direction in the example shown in FIG. 9, the traveling direction of acoustic waves in the cavity portion 30 is the axial direction (a horizontal direction in FIG. 9). Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 10, the depth L_d of the cavity portion 30 is a length from the center position of the opening portion 32 to the farther end face of the cavity portion 30 in the axial direction.

In the following description, the silencer 22 shown in FIG. 9 will also be referred to as an L-shaped silencer.

Each of the silencer 21 shown in FIG. 8 and the silencer 22 shown in FIG. 9 comprises a conversion mechanism for converting sound energy into thermal energy, such as the viscosity of fluid near the wall surface of the silencer and the unevenness (surface roughness) of the wall surface or a porous sound-absorbing material 24 to be described later disposed in the silencer.

As described above, the silencing system 10z in which the silencers 21 shown in FIG. 8 are disposed and the silencing system 10a in which the silencer 22 shown in FIG. 9 is disposed can have configuration where the gap equivalent area αA and the transmission loss TL satisfy Equation (1). Accordingly, since air sufficiently enters from the ventilation sleeve during the rotation or the like of the ventilation fan, the generation of negative pressure in the interior can be suppressed. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a problem that it is difficult to open a door, or the like.

Further, since the silencer 22 is formed in the shape including an L-shaped space, the effective outer diameter of the silencer 22, that is, the outer diameter of the silencing system can be further reduced. Accordingly, higher ventilation performance can be obtained while high soundproof performance is maintained. The effective outer diameter will be described in detail later.

Here, the silencers are disposed on the outer periphery of the tubular member 12 in the examples shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, but the disposition of the silencers is not limited thereto. The opening portions of the silencers only have to be connected to the sound field space of the first resonance of the tubular member 12.

The sound field space will be described with reference to FIG. 11.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the distribution of sound pressure in a first resonance mode of the tubular member 12 provided to penetrate the wall 16 separating two spaces that is obtained from a simulation. As found from FIG. 11, the sound field space of the first resonance of the tubular member 12 is a space in the tubular member 12 and within an open-end correction distance. As well known, the antinodes of the standing wave of the sound field protrude outside the tubular member 12 by an open-end correction distance. An open-end correction distance in the case of the cylindrical tubular member 12 is given as about 1.2×tube diameter.

The silencer 22 only has to be disposed at a position where the opening portion 32 is connected to the sound field space of the first resonance of the tubular member 12. Accordingly, the opening portion 32 of the silencer 22 may be disposed outside the open end face of the tubular member 12 as in a silencing system 10b shown in FIG. 12. Alternatively, the silencer 22 may be disposed in the tubular member 12 as in a silencing system 10c shown in FIG. 13.

In the silencing system 10b shown in FIG. 12 and the silencing system 10c shown in FIG. 13, the silencer 22 is disposed so that the opening portion 32 faces the central axis side of the tubular member 12. The central axis of the tubular member 12 is an axis passing through the centroid of the cross section of the tubular member 12.

Here, the position of the opening portion 32 of the silencer 22 in the axial direction is not limited. A frequency band where sound is more suitably silenced can be controlled depending on the position of the opening portion 32.

For example, in a case where the opening portion 32 of the silencer 22 is disposed at a position where the sound pressure of the acoustic waves having the first resonant frequency is high, that is, in the middle of the tubular member in the axial direction to silence acoustic waves having the first resonant frequency of the tubular member 12, higher soundproof performance can be achieved.

Further, in terms of soundproof performance and ventilation performance, the depth L_d of the cavity portion 30 of the silencer 22 preferably satisfies “0.041×λ<L_d<0.25×λ”, more preferably satisfies “0.044×λ<L_d<0.22×λ”, and still more preferably satisfies “0.047×λ<L_d<0.19×λ”, in a case where the flow resistance of a porous sound-absorbing material to be described later disposed in the silencer is 7000 [Pa·s/m²] or more.

Furthermore, the width L_w (see FIG. 10) of the cavity portion 30 in a direction orthogonal to the depth direction of the cavity portion 30 in a cross section parallel to the axial direction preferably satisfies “0.03×λ<L_w<0.15×λ”, preferably satisfies “0.035×λ<L_w<0.12×λ”, and still more preferably satisfies “0.04×λ<L_w<0.1×λ” in a case where the flow resistance of a porous sound-absorbing material to be described later disposed in the silencer is 7000 [Pa·s/m²] or more. In FIG. 8, the width of the cavity portion 30 is a length in a horizontal direction and coincides with the width L_w of the opening portion 32.

Further, the conversion mechanism, which converts sound energy into thermal energy, is the viscosity of fluid near the wall surface of the silencer and the unevenness (surface roughness) of the wall surface of the silencer, the porous sound-absorbing material disposed in the silencer, or the like as described above and it is preferable that the porous sound-absorbing material is used.

As in a silencing system 10d shown in FIG. 14, a porous sound-absorbing material 24 only has to be disposed in at least a part of the inside of the cavity portion 30 of the silencer 22. Alternatively, as in a silencing system 10e shown in FIG. 15, a porous sound-absorbing material 24 may be disposed so as to cover at least a part of the opening portion 32 of the silencer 22.

The flow resistance σ₁ [Pa·s/m²] per unit thickness of the porous sound-absorbing material 24 preferably satisfies “3.0<log(σ₁)<4.7”, more preferably satisfies “3.3<log(σ₁)<4.6”, and still more preferably satisfies “3.8<log(σ₁)<4.4”. In the expressions, the unit of L_d is [mm] and log is common logarithm. The normal incidence sound absorption coefficient of a sound-absorbing material having a thickness of 1 cm is measured and fitting is performed with Mikimodel (J. Acoust. Soc. Jpn., 11(1) pp.19-24 (1990)) to evaluate the flow resistance of the sound-absorbing material. Alternatively, the flow resistance of the sound-absorbing material may be evaluated according to “ISO 9053”.

Further, in a case where a ratio (opening width/cylinder length) of the width of the opening portion to the length of the cavity portion 30 in the depth direction of the cavity portion 30 (hereinafter, also referred to as a cylinder length) is denoted by K_rate (%), the flow resistance σ₁ [Pa·s/m²] per unit length of the porous sound-absorbing material 24 preferably satisfies “(0.014×K_rate+3.00)<log σ₁<(0.015×K_rate+3.9)” in the case of “5%<K_rate≤50%” and preferably satisfies “(0.004×K_rate+3.5)<log σ₁<(0.007×K_rate+4.3)” in the case of “50%<K_rate”. Furthermore, the flow resistance σ₁ [Pa·s/m²] per unit length of the porous sound-absorbing material 24 more preferably satisfies “(0.020×K_rate+3.05)<log σ₁<(0.015×K_rate+3.85)” in the case of “5%<K_rate≤50%” and more preferably satisfies “(0.004×K_rate+3.7)<log σ₁<(0.007×K_rate+4.25)” in the case of “50%<K_rate”. Moreover, the flow resistance σ₁ [Pa·s/m²] per unit length of the porous sound-absorbing material 24 still more preferably satisfies “0.020×K_rate+3.10)<log σ₁<(0.016×K_rate+3.8)” in the case of “5%<K_rate≤50%” and still more preferably satisfies “(0.004×K_rate+3.93)<log σ₁<(0.007×K_rate+4.15)” in the case of “50%<K_rate”. In the expressions, log is common logarithm.

The results of a simulation performed about a relationship between a ratio K_rate of an opening width to a cylinder length and the flow resistance σ₁ [Pa·s/m²] per unit length of the porous sound-absorbing material 24 will be described.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a model of a silencing system used in the simulation.

As shown in FIG. 16, the thickness of a wall 16 is set to 212.5 mm and the diameter of a tubular member 12 is set to 100 mm. A silencer 22 is disposed at a position that is spaced from a wall provided on the incident side (the left side in FIG. 16) by 100 mm. The silencer 22 is disposed in a tubular shape on the outer periphery of the tubular member 12 so that the axial direction of the silencer 22 is a depth direction. The length of a cavity portion 30 of the silencer 22 (cylinder length) is set to 42 mm. The width of the cavity portion 30 is set to 37 mm. The opening portion 32 is disposed in the shape of a slit in the peripheral direction of the tubular member 12. The opening portion 32 is formed on the incident side (the left side in FIG. 16) in the axial direction. A porous sound-absorbing material 24 is disposed over the entire region of the cavity portion 30 of the silencer 22.

Further, a louver (cover member) is disposed at an opening portion of the tubular member 12 on which acoustic waves are to be incident, and a register (air volume-adjusting member) is disposed at an opening portion of the tubular member 12 from which acoustic waves are to be emitted.

The louver and the register are modeled using a commercially available louver and a commercially available register as references.

Furthermore, a simulation is performed about acoustic waves transmitted through the tubular member while the flow resistance σ₁ of the porous sound-absorbing material 24 and the width of the opening portion are changed to various values. A transmission loss is calculated through the simulation from the sound pressure of acoustic waves that are transmitted through the tubular member and are propagated from one space (the left side in FIG. 16) to the other space (the right side in FIG. 16).

Results are shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 17 is a graph showing a relationship among flow resistance, opening width/cylinder length, and a standardized transmission loss. The standardized transmission loss is a value that is obtained in a case where a value where a transmission loss is maximum is standardized as 1.

It is found from FIG. 17 that flow resistance has an optimum range depending on opening width/cylinder length. A region inside dotted lines in FIG. 16 is a region where a standardized transmission loss is equal to or larger than about 0.8. In a case where this region is represented by an expression, it is preferable that “(0.014×K_rate+3.00)<log σ₁<(0.015×K_rate+3.9)” is satisfied in the case of “5%<K_rate≤50%” and it is preferable that “(0.004×K_rate+3.5)<log σ₁<(0.007×K_rate+4.3)” is satisfied in the case of “50%<K_rate”.

The porous sound-absorbing material 24 is not particularly limited, and a sound-absorbing material publicly known in the related art can be appropriately used. For example, foamed materials, such as urethane foam, flexible urethane foam, wood, a ceramic particle-sintered material, and phenolic foam, and a material containing fine air; fiber, such as glass wool, rock wool, microfiber (Thinsulate manufactured by 3M Company, and the like), a floor mat, carpet, melt-blown nonwoven fabric, metal nonwoven fabric, polyester nonwoven fabric, metal wool, felt, an insulation board, and glass nonwoven fabric, and nonwoven fabric materials; a wood wool cement board; nanofiber materials, such as silica nanofiber; a gypsum board; and various publicly known sound-absorbing materials can be used.

Further, in a case where the sound-absorbing material is to be disposed in the cavity portion of the silencer, it is preferable that the shape of the sound-absorbing material is formed according to the shape of the cavity portion. Since the cavity portion is easily and uniformly filled with the sound-absorbing material in a case where the shape of the sound-absorbing material is formed according to the shape of the cavity portion, cost can be reduced and maintenance can be easily performed.

Furthermore, the silencing system includes one silencer 22 in the example shown in FIG. 9, but is not limited thereto. The silencing system may include two or more silencers 22. For example, as in a silencing system 10f shown in FIG. 18, two silencers 22 may be disposed on the outer peripheral surface of a tubular member 12 and may be connected to peripheral surface-opening portions 12a formed on the peripheral surface of the tubular member 12. Alternatively, two silencers 22 may be disposed in the tubular member 12.

In a case where the silencing system includes two or more silencers 22, it is preferable that the two or more silencers 22 are disposed so as to be rotationally symmetric with respect to the central axis of the tubular member 12.

For example, as shown in FIG. 19, a silencing system may include three silencers 22 and the three silencers 22 may be disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular member 12 at regular intervals in the peripheral direction so as to be rotationally symmetric. The number of silencers 22 is not limited to three, and for example, two silencers 22 may be disposed so as to be rotationally symmetric and four or more silencers 22 may be disposed so as to be rotationally symmetric.

Even in a case where silencers 22 are to be disposed in the tubular member 12, it is preferable that two or more silencers 22 are disposed so as to be rotationally symmetric.

Further, in a case where a plurality of silencers 22 are to be arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular member 12 in the peripheral direction of the tubular member 12, the plurality of silencers 22 may be connected to each other. For example, as in an example shown in FIG. 20, eight silencers 22 may be connected to each other in the peripheral direction.

Even in a case where silencers 22 are to be disposed in the tubular member 12 and the plurality of silencers 22 are to be arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular member 12 in the peripheral direction, the plurality of silencers 22 may be connected to each other.

Furthermore, the silencer 22 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape along the outer peripheral surface of the tubular member 12 in the example shown in FIG. 8, but is not limited thereto. The silencer 22 only has to have various three-dimensional shapes including a cavity portion. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 21, the silencer 22 may have an annular shape along the entire outer peripheral surface of the tubular member 12 in the peripheral direction. In this case, the opening portion 32 is formed in the shape of a slit extending in the peripheral direction of the inner peripheral surface of the tubular member 12.

Even in a case where the silencer 22 is to be disposed in the tubular member 12, the silencer 22 may have an annular shape along the entire inner peripheral surface of the tubular member 12 in the peripheral direction.

Further, in a case where the silencer 22 is to be disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular member 12, the outer diameter (effective outer diameter) of the silencer 22 obtained in a case where it is assumed that the silencer 22 covers the entire outer peripheral surface of the tubular member 12 in the peripheral direction is denoted by D₁, and the outer diameter (effective outer diameter) of the tubular member 12 is denoted by D₀ (see FIG. 21), it is preferable that “D₁<D₀+2×(0.045×λ+5 mm)” is satisfied. The units of D₁, D₀, and λ of the expression are mm. In other words, it is preferable that a cross-sectional area at a position where the silencer is disposed is larger than the cross-sectional area of the tubular member alone in a cross section perpendicular to the central axis of the tubular member.

Therefore, the silencing system can have configuration where the gap equivalent area αA and the transmission loss TL satisfy Equation (1). Accordingly, since air sufficiently enters from the ventilation sleeve during the rotation or the like of the ventilation fan, the generation of negative pressure in the interior can be suppressed. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a problem that it is difficult to open a door, or the like.

The effective outer diameter is a circle equivalent diameter. In a case where the cross section of an element does not have a circular shape, the diameter of a circle having an area equal to the cross-sectional area of the element is defined as the effective outer diameter.

Furthermore, in a case where the silencer 22 is to be disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular member 12, the inner diameter of the silencer 22 obtained in a case where it is assumed that the silencer 22 covers the entire inner peripheral surface of the tubular member 12 in the peripheral direction is denoted by D₂, and the inner diameter of the tubular member 12 is denoted by D₀, it is preferable that “0.75 ×D₀<D₂” is satisfied.

Accordingly, high soundproof performance can be achieved while ventilation performance is ensured through the suppression of an increase in the size of the silencing system.

Further, the silencing system has configuration where the plurality of silencers 22 are arranged in the peripheral direction of the tubular member 12 in the examples shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, but is not limited thereto. The plurality of silencers 22 may be arranged in the axial direction of the tubular member 12. In other words, the opening portions 32 of the plurality of silencers 22 may be disposed on at least two or more positions in the axial direction of the tubular member 12.

For example, a silencing system 10h shown in FIG. 22 includes silencers 22a that are connected to peripheral surface-opening portions 12a of a tubular member 12 at the substantially middle portion of the tubular member 12 in an axial direction and silencers 22b that are connected to peripheral surface-opening portions 12a near one end portion of the tubular member 12.

Further, two silencers are disposed even in the peripheral direction so as to be rotationally symmetric in the example shown in FIG. 22. In this way, two or more silencers may be disposed in each of the peripheral direction and the axial direction.

The silencing system has configuration where the two silencers are disposed in the axial direction in the example shown in FIG. 22, but is not limited thereto. Three or more silencers may be disposed in the axial direction.

Furthermore, in a case where a plurality of silencers are to be disposed in the axial direction, it is preferable that silencers of which cavity portions have different depths L_d are disposed at the respective positions of opening portions.

For example, a silencing system 10i shown in FIG. 23 includes silencers 22a that are connected to peripheral surface-opening portions 12a of a tubular member 12 at the substantially middle portion of the tubular member 12 in an axial direction and silencers 22b that are connected to peripheral surface-opening portions 12a near one end portion of the tubular member 12. The depth L_d of a cavity portion 30a of each silencer 22a positioned at the middle portion and the depth L_d of a cavity portion 30b of each silencer 22b positioned near one end portion are different from each other.

Further, in a case where a plurality of silencers are to be disposed in the axial direction, it is preferable that sound-absorbing materials having different acoustic characteristics are disposed in cavity portions at the respective positions of opening portions.

For example, a silencing system 10j shown in FIG. 24 includes silencers 22a that are connected to peripheral surface-opening portions 12a of a tubular member 12 at the substantially middle portion of the tubular member 12 in an axial direction and silencers 22b that are connected to peripheral surface-opening portions 12a near one end portion of the tubular member 12. A porous sound-absorbing material 24a is disposed in a cavity portion 30a of each silencer 22a positioned at the middle portion, and a porous sound-absorbing material 24b is disposed in a cavity portion 30b of each silencer 22b positioned near one end portion. The sound absorption characteristics of the porous sound-absorbing material 24a and the sound absorption characteristics of the porous sound-absorbing material 24b are different from each other.

A wavelength at which sound can be suitably silenced is changed depending on a position where the silencer (opening portion) is disposed in the axial direction in the silencing system according to the embodiment of the invention. Accordingly, since sound in different wavelength ranges can be silenced in a case where a plurality of silencers are disposed in the axial direction, sound can be silenced in a wider band. Further, in a case where the depth L_d of the cavity portion and the sound absorption characteristics of the sound-absorbing material are adjusted according to a wavelength where sound can be suitably silenced at each of the positions of the opening portions in the axial direction, sound can be more suitably silenced.

Furthermore, the cavity portion 30 of each silencer 21 has a depth L_d from the opening portion in the radial direction in the example shown in FIG. 8 and the cavity portion 30 of the silencer 22 has a depth L_d from the opening portion 32 in the axial direction in the example shown in FIG. 9, but the cavity portion 30 is not limited thereto. The cavity portion 30 may have a depth from the opening portion 32 in the peripheral direction.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing another example of the silencing system according to the embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 25.

In a silencing system shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, two silencers 23 are disposed along the outer peripheral surface of a tubular member 12. A cavity portion 30 of each silencer 23 extends from an opening portion 32 in the peripheral direction of the tubular member 12. That is, each silencer 23 has a depth from the opening portion 32 in the peripheral direction.

According to this configuration, the length of the silencer in the axial direction can be shortened.

The silencing system includes the two silencers 23 in the example shown in FIG. 26, but is not limited thereto. The silencing system may include three or more silencers 23.

Further, the depth of the cavity portion 30 of the silencer 22 extends in one direction in the example shown in FIG. 9, but is not limited thereto. For example, the shape of a cavity portion 30 may be a substantially C shape where a depth direction is folded as shown in FIG. 27. After acoustic waves entering the cavity portion 30 shown in FIG. 27 travel from an opening portion 32 to the right side in FIG. 27, the acoustic waves are then folded and travel to the left side in FIG. 27. Since the depth L_d of the cavity portion 30 is a length in the traveling direction of acoustic waves, the depth L_d of the cavity portion 30 shown in FIG. 27 is a length corresponding to a folded shape.

Here, the silencing system according to the embodiment of the invention may have configuration where a part of a silencing device including a silencer and an insertion part is inserted into and disposed in a tubular member (ventilation sleeve).

FIG. 28 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the silencing system according to the embodiment of the invention.

A silencing system 10k shown in FIG. 28 has configuration where a silencing device 14 silencing sound passing through a tubular member 12 is installed on one end face side of the tubular member 12.

The silencing device 14 includes an insertion part 26 and a silencer 22. The insertion part 26 is a cylindrical member of which both ends are open, and the silencer 22 is connected to one end face of the insertion part 26. Further, since the outer diameter of the insertion part 26 is smaller than the inner diameter of the tubular member 12, the insertion part 26 can be inserted into the tubular member 12.

The silencer 22 has the same configuration as the above-mentioned L-shaped silencer 22 except that the silencer 22 is disposed at the end face of the insertion part 26. Further, the silencer 22 is disposed along the peripheral surface of the insertion part 26 so as not to close the inner hole of the insertion part 26. Furthermore, the silencer 22 is disposed so that an opening portion 32 of the silencer 22 faces the central axis of the insertion part 26 (the central axis of the tubular member 12). The central axis of the insertion part 26 is an axis passing through the centroid of the cross section of the insertion part 26.

The end face of the insertion part 26 where the silencer 22 is not disposed is inserted into the tubular member 12, so that the silencing device 14 is installed. Since the effective outer diameter of the silencer 22 is larger than the inner diameter of the tubular member 12, the insertion part 26 is inserted into the tubular member 12 up to a position where the silencer 22 is in contact with the end face of the tubular member 12. Accordingly, the silencer 22 is disposed near the open end face of the tubular member 12. That is, the opening portion 32 of the silencer 22 is disposed in a space within the open-end correction distance of the tubular member 12. Accordingly, the opening portion 32 of the silencer 22 is connected to the sound field space of the first resonance of the tubular member 12.

Since the silencing device including the silencer and the insertion part is adapted to be inserted into and installed on the tubular member in this way, the silencing device can be easily installed on an existing ventilation port, an existing air-conditioning duct, and the like without large-scale work or the like. Accordingly, the replacement of the silencer can be easily performed in a case where the silencer deteriorates or is damaged. Further, since the diameter of a through-hole of a concrete wall does not need to be changed in a case where the silencing device is to be used for a ventilation sleeve of a house or the like, the silencing device is easily mounted. Furthermore, the silencing device is easily additionally installed in a case where a renovation is to be made.

Further, the wall of a house, such as a mansion, includes, for example, a concrete wall, a gypsum board, a heat insulating material, a decorative plate, wallpaper, and the like, and a ventilation sleeve is provided so as to penetrate these. In a case where the silencing device 14 shown in FIG. 28 is to be installed on the ventilation sleeve of this wall, it is preferable that the wall 16 of the invention corresponds to the concrete wall and the silencer 22 of the silencing device 14 is installed on the outside of the concrete wall and installed between the concrete wall and the decorative plate (see FIG. 33).

In the example shown in FIG. 28, the silencing system 10k has configuration where the insertion part 26 of the silencing device 14 is inserted into the tubular member 12, so that the silencing device 14 is disposed at the opening portion of the tubular member 12. However, the silencing system 10k is not limited thereto.

For example, a silencing device 14 may be adapted to be attached to the wall 16 by an adhesive or the like without including an insertion part.

Alternatively, as in a silencing system 10p shown in FIG. 29, the inner diameter of an insertion part 26 of a silencing device 14 may be set to a diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of a tubular member 12 disposed in the wall 16 and the tubular member 12 may be inserted into the insertion part 26 of the silencing device 14 so that the silencing device 14 is installed. The insertion part 26 is disposed between the tubular member 12 and the wall 16.

Alternatively, the inner diameter of an insertion part 26 of a silencing device 14 may be set to be larger than the outer diameter of a tubular member 12 and the insertion part 26 may be disposed in the wall 16.

According to the configuration shown in FIG. 29, a reduction in an opening ratio caused by the insertion of the insertion part 26 into the tubular member 12 can be suppressed. Accordingly, the ventilation performance of the tubular member 12 can be improved.

In a case where the insertion part 26 is disposed in the wall 16 as shown in FIG. 29, a groove in which the insertion part 26 is to be disposed may be formed in the wall 16 according to the size and shape of the insertion part 26. Alternatively, in a case where the wall 16 is to be produced, concrete may be poured to produce the wall 16 in a state where the silencing device 14 (and the tubular member 12) is installed in advance.

The silencing device 14 includes the L-shaped silencer 22 in the example shown in FIG. 28, but is not limited thereto. The silencing device 14 may include the vertical cylinder type silencer 21 or may include the silencer 23 having a depth in the peripheral direction.

Even in the silencing device 14 of the silencing system 10k shown in FIG. 28, it is preferable that a porous sound-absorbing material 24 is disposed in the cavity portion 30 or near the opening portion 32.

Further, it is preferable that the silencing device 14 includes a plurality of silencers 22.

In a case where the silencing device 14 includes a plurality of silencers 22, the silencers 22 may be disposed at regular intervals in the peripheral direction so as to be rotationally symmetric.

Alternatively, as in a silencing system 101 shown in FIG. 30, a silencing device 14 may include a plurality of silencer 22 in the axial direction and opening portions 32 of the plurality of silencers 22 may be disposed on at least two or more positions in the axial direction.

Furthermore, in a case where a plurality of silencers are to be disposed in the axial direction, it is preferable that silencers having different depths L_d of the cavity portions are disposed at the respective positions of the opening portions.

For example, a silencing device shown in FIG. 30 includes a silencer 22a and a silencer 22b in this order from an insertion part 26 in an axial direction. The depth L_d of a cavity portion 30a of the silencer 22a and the depth L_d of a cavity portion 30b of the silencer 22b are different from each other.

Further, in a case where a plurality of silencers are to be disposed in the axial direction, it is preferable that sound-absorbing materials having different acoustic characteristics are disposed in cavity portions at the respective positions of opening portions.

For example, a silencing device shown in FIG. 30 includes a silencer 22a and a silencer 22b in this order from an insertion part 26 in an axial direction. A porous sound-absorbing material 24a is disposed in a cavity portion 30a of the silencer 22a, and a porous sound-absorbing material 24b is disposed in a cavity portion 30b of the silencer 22b. The sound absorption characteristics of the porous sound-absorbing material 24a and the sound absorption characteristics of the porous sound-absorbing material 24b are different from each other.

Furthermore, in a case where a sound-absorbing material is to be disposed in a cavity portion of a silencer, a plurality of sound-absorbing materials may be disposed in one cavity portion.

A silencing device shown in FIG. 31 includes a silencer 22a and a silencer 22b in this order from an insertion part 26 in an axial direction. Three porous sound-absorbing materials 24c, 24d, and 24e are disposed in each of a cavity portion 30a of the silencer 22a and a cavity portion 30b of the silencer 22b. In each cavity portion, the porous sound-absorbing materials 24c to 24e are laminated in the depth direction of the cavity portion.

Since the plurality of sound-absorbing materials are disposed in the cavity portion, the cavity portion is easily filled with the sound-absorbing materials from the opening portion in a case where the silencing device is to be manufactured and the sound-absorbing materials are easily replaced in a case where maintenance is to be performed.

Further, it is more preferable that a sound-absorbing material molded according to the shape of the cavity portion is divided into a plurality of pieces.

The plurality of porous sound-absorbing materials 24c to 24e disposed in the same cavity portion may be the same kind of sound-absorbing material, or at least one of the sound-absorbing materials may be a different kind of sound-absorbing material, that is, may be a sound-absorbing material having different sound absorption performance (flow resistance, a material, structure, or the like).

In a case where a plurality of different kinds of sound-absorbing materials are disposed in the cavity portion, silencing performed by the silencer is easily controlled to sound absorption performance suitable for the shape of the silencer (cavity portion), sound as an object to be absorbed, or the like.

For example, a silencing device may be adapted so that silencers can be separated as shown in FIG. 32. In a case where the silencers can be separated, silencers of which the sizes, the number, and the like are changed are easily produced. Furthermore, the installation of the sound-absorbing material in the cavity portion and the replacement of the sound-absorbing material are easily performed.

For example, a distance between a concrete wall and a decorative plate varies, and varies depending on a position even in the same mansion or varies depending on a construction company. In a case where a silencing device is designed and produced on each occasion depending on a distance between the concrete wall and the decorative plate, it takes cost. Further, in a case where a silencing device is designed thin to be capable of being applied to all distances, soundproof performance is lowered. Accordingly, since a plurality of separated silencers can be appropriately combined and installed depending on a distance between the concrete wall and the decorative plate in a case where a silencing device is to be installed between the concrete wall and the decorative plate, soundproof performance can be maximized at low cost.

Furthermore, it is preferable that a silencing device 14 is attachably and detachably installed on the tubular member 12. Accordingly, the replacement, reform, and the like of the silencing device 14 can be easily performed.

Further, the silencing device 14 may be installed on any of the interior-side end face and the exterior-side end face of the tubular member 12, and it is preferable that the silencing device 14 is installed on the interior-side end face.

Furthermore, the silencing system may include at least one of a cover member that is installed on one end face of the tubular member or an air volume-adjusting member that is installed on the other end portion thereof. The cover member is a louver or the like that is publicly known in the related art and is installed on a ventilation port, an air-conditioning duct, and the like. Further, the air volume-adjusting member is a register, which is publicly known in the related art, or the like.

Furthermore, the cover member and the air volume-adjusting member may be installed on the end face of the tubular member where the silencing device is installed, or may be installed on the end face of the tubular member where the silencing device is not installed.

For example, in a case where an air volume-adjusting member 20 is to be installed on the silencing device 14 as shown in FIG. 33, it is preferable that the air volume-adjusting member 20 is installed so as to cover the entire silencing device 14 as seen in the axial direction. The same applies to a case where the cover member is installed on the silencing device 14.

The fact that the silencing system may include a cover member and an air volume-adjusting member is the same even in other embodiments.

Here, in a general house, such as a mansion, a concrete wall and a decorative plate are installed so as to be spaced from each other and a heat insulating material and the like are disposed between the concrete wall and the decorative plate. It is preferable that the silencing device 14 is installed in a space between the concrete wall and the decorative plate. In this case, as shown in FIG. 33, the silencing device 14 may be adapted so that an end face of the silencing device 14 facing the decorative plate 40 is disposed closer to the wall 16 than the surface of the decorative plate 40 facing the tubular member 12. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 34, the silencing device 14 may be adapted so that an end face of the silencing device 14 facing the decorative plate 40 is disposed so as to be flush with the surface of the decorative plate 40 opposite to the tubular member 12. That is, the diameter of a through-hole formed in the decorative plate 40 may be set to be substantially equal to the outer diameter of the silencing device 14 and the silencing device 14 may be inserted into the through-hole of the decorative plate 40. The silencing device 14 is adapted in the example shown in FIG. 34 so that the end face of the silencing device 14 facing the decorative plate 40 and the surface of the decorative plate 40 opposite to the tubular member 12 are flush with each other, but is not limited thereto. A part of the silencing device 14 may be present on a plane where the decorative plate 40 is positioned.

In a case where the silencing device 14 is adapted to be inserted into the through-hole of the decorative plate 40, the installation, replacement, and the like of the silencing device are easy.

The silencing performance of the silencer 22 is higher as the size of the silencer 22 of the silencing device 14 is larger.

Here, in a case where the silencing device 14 is adapted so that the end face of the silencing device 14 facing the decorative plate 40 is disposed so as to be flush with the surface of the decorative plate 40 opposite to the tubular member 12 as shown in FIG. 34, there is a concern that the through-hole (a boundary between the silencing device 14 and the decorative plate 40) formed in the decorative plate 40 may be visually recognized from the interior even though the air volume-adjusting member 20, such as a register, is installed on the decorative plate 40 side in a case where the size of the silencer 22 is large. Therefore, it is preferable that a boundary cover 42 is installed between the air volume-adjusting member 20 and the decorative plate 40 and the silencing device 14 as shown in FIG. 34. Accordingly, since the through-hole of the decorative plate 40 is hidden by the boundary cover 42 as shown in FIG. 35 as seen from the interior side (the air volume-adjusting member 20 side), design can be enhanced.

The silencing device 14 and the boundary cover 42 are formed of separate members in the example shown in FIG. 34, but the silencing device 14 and the boundary cover 42 may be integrally formed. That is, the silencing device 14 may be provided with a flange.

Further, the inner diameter of the silencing device 14 is constant at a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the tubular member 12 in the examples shown in FIG. 33 and the like, but is not limited thereto. As in a silencing system 10r shown in FIG. 36, the inner diameter of a silencer 22 may be set to be larger than the inner diameter of an insertion part 26, that is, larger than the inner diameter of a tubular member 12.

In a case where the inner diameter of the silencer 22 is set to be larger than the inner diameter of the tubular member 12, a large air volume-adjusting member 20 for a tubular member having a diameter larger than the diameter of the tubular member 12 can be used. In a case where the large air volume-adjusting member 20 is used, the through-hole of the decorative plate 40 is hidden by the air volume-adjusting member 20. Accordingly, design can be enhanced.

Furthermore, the silencing device 14 and the air volume-adjusting member 20 may be integrated with each other.

As shown in FIG. 33 and the like, the air volume-adjusting member 20, such as a commercially available register, includes an insertion portion and is installed through the insertion of the insertion portion into the silencing device 14. However, since the length of the insertion portion of the commercially available register is set to about 5 cm for the ensuring of stiffness and sealability in a case where the register is to be connected, there is a concern that the design of the silencing device 14 may be limited. In contrast, in terms of an increase in the degree of freedom in the design of the silencing device 14 and the simplification of construction, it is preferable that the silencing device 14 and the air volume-adjusting member 20 are integrated with each other.

In a case where the silencing system includes the cover member and the air volume-adjusting member, first resonance occurring in the tubular member is the first resonance of the tubular member of the silencing system that includes the cover member, the air volume-adjusting member, and the silencing device. Accordingly, the depth L_d of the cavity portion of the silencer is shorter than ¼ of the wavelength λ of an acoustic wave at the resonant frequency of the first resonance of the tubular member of the silencing system that includes the cover member, the air volume-adjusting member, and the silencing device.

Further, in the examples shown in FIG. 33 and the like, the silencing device 14 is disposed so that the central axis of the silencing device 14 coincides with the central axis of the tubular member 12, that is, the silencing device 14 is formed in a shape rotationally symmetric with respect to the central axis of the tubular member 12. However, the silencing device 14 is not limited thereto.

As in a silencing system shown in FIG. 37, a silencing device 14 may be disposed so that the central axis of the silencing device 14 is shifted from the central axis of a tubular member 12 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis.

Configuration where the central axis of the silencing device 14 and the central axis of the tubular member 12 coincide with each other is preferable in terms of ventilation performance. On the other hand, in a case where the central axis of the silencing device 14 and the central axis of the tubular member 12 are shifted from each other, the reflection of sound is increased. For this reason, in terms of the improvement of soundproof performance, it is preferable that the central axis of the silencing device 14 and the central axis of the tubular member 12 are shifted from each other. Particularly, this is effective in a high-frequency region where straightness is high.

In a case where the silencing device is disposed so that the central axis of the silencing device 14 is shifted from the central axis of the tubular member 12 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis, it is preferable that the other space side can be visually recognized from one space side through the ventilation sleeve as seen in a direction perpendicular to the wall. That is, it is preferable that at least a part of a space which can be ventilated in a ventilation sleeve in which the silencer is disposed, that is, a ventilation flue is positioned on a straight line in a plane direction of the cross section perpendicular to the central axis of the ventilation sleeve. Accordingly, a pressure loss caused by the bending of the ventilation flue can be reduced.

Further, it is preferable that the shortest distance between one space side and the other space side in the ventilation sleeve in which the silencer is disposed is 1.9 times or less the thickness of the wall.

Here, the thickness of a wall for a house, that is, the total thickness of a concrete wall and a decorative plate including a space between the concrete wall and the decorative plate (hereinafter, also referred to as the total thickness of the wall and the decorative plate) is in the range of about 175 mm to 400 mm. Accordingly, the length of a ventilation sleeve (annular member) to be used for a house is in the range of 175 mm to 400 mm. The first resonant frequency of resonance occurring in a ventilation sleeve having a length in this range is in the range of about 355 Hz to 710 Hz.

Considering the soundproofing of a ventilation sleeve to be used for a wall for a house, the total thickness of the concrete wall and the decorative plate, that is, the length of the ventilation sleeve is in the range of 175 mm to 400 mm. Accordingly, considering a case where the wavelength of the first resonance of the ventilation sleeve is shortest (λ is 497 mm in a case where the length of the ventilation sleeve is 175 mm), in terms of obtaining sufficient soundproof performance, the width L_w of the cavity portion is preferably 5.5 mm or more, more preferably 15 mm or more, and still more preferably 25 mm or more.

The total thickness of the wall for a house (the total thickness of a concrete wall and a decorative plate) is 400 mm at the maximum and the thickness of the concrete wall is at least 100 mm. Accordingly, in terms of the fact that the cavity portion can be disposed in a space between the concrete wall and the decorative plate of a house, the width L_w of the cavity portion is preferably 300 mm or less. In terms of general-purpose properties in addition to this, the width L_w of the cavity portion is more preferably 200 mm or less and still more preferably 150 mm or less.

Likewise, considering a case where the wavelength of the first resonance of the ventilation sleeve is shortest (λ is 497 mm in a case where the length of the ventilation sleeve is 175 mm), in terms of obtaining sufficient soundproof performance, the depth L_d of the cavity portion is preferably 25.3 mm or more, more preferably 27.8 mm or more, and still more preferably 30.3 mm or more.

Meanwhile, the silencer is disposed between the columns of a house in a radial direction. A distance between the columns of a house is about 450 mm at the maximum, and the length of the ventilation sleeve is at least about 100 mm. Accordingly, in terms of the fact that the cavity portion can be disposed in a space between the columns of a house, the depth L_d of the cavity portion is preferably 175 mm or less (=(450 mm−100 mm)/2), more preferably 130 mm or less, and still more preferably 100 mm or less.

Further, in a case where a porous sound-absorbing material is to be disposed in a part of the cavity portion 30 of the silencer 22, it is preferable that the porous sound-absorbing material is disposed so as to cover the opening portion 32 or so as to narrow the opening portion 32. That is, it is preferable that the sound-absorbing material is disposed in the cavity portion 30 at a position close to the opening portion 32. Further, it is preferable that the sound-absorbing material is disposed at a position spaced from the end face of the cavity portion 30 far from the opening portion 32 in a depth direction.

A difference in soundproof performance, which is caused by a difference in the position of the sound-absorbing material in the cavity portion 30, is examined through the following simulation.

FIG. 38 is a schematic diagram illustrating a simulation model. As shown in FIG. 38, the length of a tubular member is set to 200 mm and the diameter of the tubular member is set to 100 mm in a simulation. A silencer 22 is installed in a tubular shape on the outer periphery of the tubular member 12. A distance between the silencer 22 and the end face of the tubular member 12 on which acoustic waves are to be incident in an axial direction is set to 100 mm. An opening portion 32 of the silencer 22 is disposed in the shape of a slit in the peripheral direction of the tubular member. The width of the opening portion 32 is set to 15 mm. The length of a cavity portion 30 in the axial direction is set to 60 mm, and the width of the cavity portion 30 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction is set to 33 mm.

A simulation is performed using a model where the inner region of the cavity portion 30 is divided into nine regions as seen in a certain cross section parallel to the axial direction and a porous sound-absorbing material 24 having a flow resistance of 13000 [Pa·s/m²] is disposed in each of the nine divided regions p1 to p9 as shown in FIG. 38. p1 denotes a region closest to the opening portion 32, p2 and p3 denote regions farther from the opening portion 32 than the region p1 in the radial direction. Further, p4 and p7 denote regions farther from the opening portion 32 than the region p1 in the axial direction. p5 and p8 denote regions farther from the opening portion 32 than the region p2 in the axial direction. p6 and p9 denote regions farther from the opening portion 32 than the region p3 in the axial direction.

FIG. 39 is a graph showing a relationship between transmission-sound-pressure intensity and a frequency in a case where a sound-absorbing material is disposed in each of the regions p1, p2, p3, p5, and p9. With regard to transmission-sound-pressure intensity, the peak of transmission sound pressure, which is obtained in a case where the silencer is not installed, (transmission sound pressure at the first resonant frequency) is standardized as 1. Since the first resonant frequency in a tubular member in which a silencer is not installed is 630 Hz, transmission sound pressure at 630 Hz is peak sound pressure.

Further, FIG. 40 is a graph showing a transmission loss in a 500 Hz band in a case where a sound-absorbing material is disposed in each of the regions p1 to p9. A transmission loss in a 500 Hz band is an average value of transmission losses obtained at a frequency in the range of 354 Hz to 707 Hz.

As shown in FIGS. 39 and 40, it is found that transmission-sound-pressure intensity is lowest, a transmission loss in a 500 Hz band is highest, and soundproof performance is highest in the case of configuration where a sound-absorbing material is disposed in the region p1 closest to the opening portion 32, that is, configuration where the opening portion 32 is covered. Further, it is found that transmission-sound-pressure intensity is low, a transmission loss in a 500 Hz band is high, and soundproof performance is high as compared to the case of configuration where a sound-absorbing material is disposed in each of the other regions except for the region p1 in the case of configuration where a sound-absorbing material is disposed in each of the regions p2 and p4 close to the opening portion 32.

Next, a simulation is performed using a model where the inner region of the cavity portion 30 is divided into three regions in the axial direction as seen in a certain cross section parallel to the axial direction and a porous sound-absorbing material 24 having a flow resistance of 13000 [Pa·s/m²] is disposed in each of the three divided regions pz1 to pz3 as shown in FIG. 41. pz1 denotes a region closest to the opening portion 32, and pz2 and pz3 denote regions farther from the opening portion 32 than the region pz1 in the axial direction.

FIG. 42 is a graph showing a transmission loss in a 500 Hz band in a case where the sound-absorbing material is disposed in each of the regions pz1 to pz3.

Further, a simulation is performed using a model where the inner region of the cavity portion 30 is divided into three regions in the radial direction as seen in a certain cross section parallel to the axial direction and a porous sound-absorbing material 24 having a flow resistance of 13000 [Pa·s/m²] is disposed in each of the three divided regions ph1 to ph3 as shown in FIG. 43. ph1 denotes a region closest to the opening portion 32, and ph2 and ph3 denote regions farther from the opening portion 32 than the region ph1 in the radial direction.

FIG. 44 is a graph showing a transmission loss in a 500 Hz band in a case where the sound-absorbing material is disposed in each of the regions ph1 to ph3.

As shown in FIGS. 42 and 44, it is found that a transmission loss in a 500 Hz band is higher and soundproof performance is higher as a region in which the sound-absorbing material is disposed is closer to the opening portion 32.

Furthermore, the silencer 22 may include second opening portions 38 that are formed at positions not connected to the sound field space of first resonance occurring in the tubular member 12 and communicate with the cavity portion 30.

FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing another example of the silencing system according to the embodiment of the invention.

In the silencing system shown in FIG. 45, surfaces facing the surfaces including opening portions 32 among wall surfaces, which form the cavity portion 30 of the silencer 22, include the second opening portions 38. Since the silencer 22 includes the second opening portions 38 that are formed at positions not connected to the sound field space of first resonance occurring in the tubular member 12 and communicate with the cavity portion 30, the silencing system can have configuration where the gap equivalent area αA and the transmission loss TL satisfy Equation (1).

Positions where the second opening portions 38 are formed are not limited as long as the positions of the second opening portions 38 are not connected to the sound field space of first resonance occurring in the tubular member 12. Furthermore, the size of the second opening portion 38 is not limited, but it is preferable that the size of the second opening portion 38 is large.

Here, there is a concern that water or moisture may permeate into a wall or water or moisture may enter the cavity portion from the wall in the case of configuration where the second opening portions 38 are formed at positions not connected to the sound field space of first resonance occurring in the tubular member 12. Accordingly, each second opening portion 38 of the silencing system shown in FIG. 45 may be covered with a membrane member. The membrane member is a membrane member that allows acoustic waves to easily pass and does not allow water to pass; and a thin resin film, such as Saran Wrap (registered trademark), nonwoven fabric subjected to water-repellent treatment, and the like can be used as the membrane member. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent water or moisture from entering. The same material as the material of a windproof film 44 to be described later can be used as the material of the membrane member.

Further, an entering prevention plate 34 may be provided in the tubular member 12 as in an example shown in FIGS. 46 and 47.

FIG. 46 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the silencing system according to the embodiment of the invention. Further, FIG. 47 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 46.

As shown in FIGS. 46 and 47, the entering prevention plate 34 is a plate-like member that is provided at a lower portion in the tubular member 12 in a vertical direction so as to stand in the radial direction of the tubular member 12.

Since a ventilation sleeve (tubular member) installed in a wall of a house communicates with the outside, there is a case where rainwater enters the ventilation sleeve through an external louver, an external hood, or the like in the case of strong wind, such as a typhoon. Since the silencer including the cavity portion is connected to the ventilation sleeve in the silencing system according to the embodiment of the invention, there is a concern that rainwater having entered the ventilation sleeve may enter the cavity portion and may be accumulated.

In contrast, since the entering prevention plate 34 is provided in the tubular member 12 as shown in FIGS. 46 and 47, it is possible to prevent rainwater, which has entered the tubular member 12 from the outside, from entering the cavity portion 30 of the silencer 22.

It is preferable that the height of the entering prevention plate 34 in the vertical direction is in the range of 5 mm to 40 mm.

Further, configuration where a region below the opening portion 32 of the silencer 22 in the vertical direction is closed by a lid portion 36 as shown in FIGS. 48 and 49 may be used as configuration that prevents rainwater from entering the cavity portion 30 of the silencer 22.

FIG. 48 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the silencing system according to the embodiment of the invention. Further, FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E of FIG. 48.

Since the region below the opening portion 32 of the silencer 22 in the vertical direction is closed by the lid portion 36 as shown in FIGS. 48 and 49, it is possible to prevent rainwater, which has entered the tubular member 12 from the outside, from entering the cavity portion 30 of the silencer 22.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 50, a member forming the surface of the silencer 22 where the opening portion 32 is formed may be formed of a separate member (partition member 54) and the partition member 54 may be adapted to be replaceable. Since the size of the opening portion 32 can be easily changed in a case where the partition member 54 is adapted to be replaceable, the resonant frequency of the silencer 22 can be appropriately set. Further, the porous sound-absorbing material 24 installed in the cavity portion 30 can be easily replaced.

Examples of the materials of the silencer 22 and the silencing device 14 can include a metal material, a resin material, a reinforced plastic material, carbon fiber, and the like. Examples of the metal material can include metal materials, such as aluminum, titanium, magnesium, tungsten, iron, steel, chromium, chromium molybdenum, nichrome molybdenum, and alloys thereof. Further, examples of the resin material can include resin materials, such as an acrylic resin, poly(methyl methacrylate), polycarbonate, polyamide-imide, polyarylate, polyetherimide, polyacetal, polyetheretherketone, polyphenylene sulfide, polysulfone, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyimide, and triacetyl cellulose. Furthermore, examples of the reinforced plastic material can include carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) and glass fiber reinforced plastics (GFRP).

Here, in terms of the fact that the silencer 22 and the silencing device 14 can be used for an exhaust port and the like, it is preferable that the silencer 22 and the silencing device 14 are made of a material having heat resistance higher than the heat resistance of a flame retardant material. For example, heat resistance can be defined by time that satisfies the items of Article 108(2) of the Order for Enforcement of the Building Standards Act. A case where the time satisfying the items of Article 108(2) of the Order for Enforcement of the Building Standards Act is equal to or longer than 5 minutes and shorter than 10 minutes corresponds to a flame retardant material, a case where the time satisfying the items of Article 108(2) of the Order for Enforcement of the Building Standards Act is equal to or longer than 10 minutes and shorter than 20 minutes corresponds to a quasi-noncombustible material, and a case where the time satisfying the items of Article 108(2) of the Order for Enforcement of the Building Standards Act is equal to or longer than 20 minutes corresponds to a non-combustible material. However, there are many definitions of heat resistance in the respective fields. For this reason, depending on a field where the silencing system is used, the silencer 22 and the silencing device 14 may be made of a material having heat resistance that is equal to or higher than flame retardance defined in the field.

Further, it is preferable that an opening portion 32 of each silencer 22 is covered with a windproof film 44 transmitting acoustic waves and blocking air (wind) as in a silencing system 10t shown in FIG. 51.

A pressure loss of the entire silencing system in the case of configuration where air can flow into the cavity portion 30 of the silencer 22 is larger than that in the case of a straight tube. For this reason, there is a concern that the amount of ventilation air may be reduced. In contrast, in a case where the opening portion 32 of each silencer 22 is covered with the windproof film 44, the effect of silencing performed by the silencer 22 is obtained since the windproof film 44 transmits acoustic waves. Further, since the windproof film 44 blocks air, the flow of air into the cavity portion 30 is suppressed, so that a pressure loss can be reduced.

The windproof film 44 may be a non-ventilation film or may be a film of which the ventilation performance is low.

Resin materials, such as an acrylic resin, such as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate, polyamide-imide, polyarylate, polyetherimide, polyacetal, polyetheretherketone, polyphenylene sulfide, polysulfone, polybutylene terephthalate, polyimide, and triacetyl cellulose, can be used as the material of the non-ventilation windproof film 44.

A porous film made of the resin, porous metal foil (porous aluminum foil, and the like), nonwoven fabric (resin-bonded nonwoven fabric, thermal bonded nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, spunlace nonwoven fabric, and nanofiber nonwoven fabric), woven fabric, paper, and the like can be used as the material of the windproof film 44 of which the ventilation performance is low.

In a case where a porous film, porous metal foil, nonwoven fabric, and woven fabric are used, a sound-absorbing effect can be obtained from through-hole portions of these. That is, these also function as a conversion mechanism for converting sound energy into thermal energy.

The thickness of the windproof film 44 also depends on a material, but is preferably in the range of 1 μm to 500 μm, more preferably in the range of 3 μm to 300 μm, and still more preferably in the range of 5 μm to 100 μm.

Further, the silencing system according to the embodiment of the invention may include another commercially available soundproof member.

For example, the silencing device 14 of the invention may be disposed at one end portion of a tubular member 12 and an insertion type silencer may be disposed in the tubular member 12.

Furthermore, the silencing device 14 of the invention is disposed at one end portion of a tubular member 12 and an outdoor installation type soundproof hood may be disposed at the other end portion of the tubular member 12.

Alternatively, the silencing device 14 of the invention is disposed at one end portion of a tubular member 12, the insertion type silencer is disposed in the tubular member 12, and the outdoor installation type soundproof hood may be disposed at the other end portion of the tubular member 12.

In this way, high soundproof performance is obtained in a wider band through a combination of other soundproof members.

This is the same in the other embodiments.

Various publicly known insertion type silencers can be used as the insertion type silencer. For example, a soundproof sleeve (SK-BO100 and the like) manufactured by Shinkyowa Co., Ltd., a soundproof sleeve (100NS2 and the like) manufactured by Daiken Plastics Corporation, a silencer for natural ventilation (SEIHO NPJ100 and the like) manufactured by Seiho Kogyo Co., Ltd., a silencer (UPS100SA and the like) manufactured by UNIX Co., Ltd., a silent sleeve P (HMS-K and the like) manufactured by Kenyu Co., Ltd., and the like can be used.

Various publicly known soundproof sleeves can be used as the outdoor installation type soundproof hood. For example, a soundproof hood (SSFW-A10M and the like) manufactured by UNIX Co., Ltd., a soundproof hood (BON-TS and the like) manufactured by SYLPHA Corporation, and the like can be used.

Here, the tubular member 12 is not limited to a straight tubular member, and may be a member having bending structure. In a case where the tubular member 12 has bending structure, not only wind (the flow of air) but also acoustic waves are also reflected to the upstream side at a bent portion. For this reason, it is difficult for not only wind but also acoustic waves to pass through the tubular member 12. A case where a bent portion is formed of a curved surface and makes a change in the angle of a wall be moderate to ensure ventilation performance or a case where a distributing plate is provided at a bent portion and changes the traveling direction of wind to ensure ventilation performance is considered.

However, in a case where a bent portion is formed of a curved surface or a distributing plate is provided at a bent portion, ventilation performance is improved but acoustic wave transmittance is also increased.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 52, a sound transmission wall 56, which does not allow wind to pass (makes it difficult for wind to pass) and transmits acoustic waves, is disposed at a bent portion of the tubular member 12. In FIG. 52, the tubular member 12 includes a bent portion that is bent at an angle of about 90°. The sound transmission wall 56 is disposed at the bent portion of the tubular member 12 so that the surface of the sound transmission wall 56 is inclined with respect to each of the longitudinal direction of the tubular member 12 on an incident side and the longitudinal direction of the tubular member 12 on an emission side at an angle of about 45°. In FIGS. 52 and 53, an upper side is the incident side and a right side is the emission side.

Since the sound transmission wall 56 transmits acoustic waves, acoustic waves incident from the upstream side are transmitted through the sound transmission wall 56 at the bent portion and are reflected to the upstream side by the wall of the tubular member 12 as shown in FIG. 52. That is, the characteristics of the original tubular member 12 are maintained. On the other hand, since the sound transmission wall 56 does not allow wind to pass, the traveling direction of wind entering from the upstream side is bent at the bent portion by the sound transmission wall 56 and the wind flows to the downstream side as shown in FIG. 53. In a case where the sound transmission wall 56 is disposed at the bent portion in this way, ventilation performance can be improved while low sound transmittance is maintained.

Nonwoven fabric having low density and a film having a small thickness and low density can be used as the sound transmission wall 56.

Examples of the nonwoven fabric having low density include a stainless steel fiber sheet (Tommyfilec SS) manufactured by Tomoegawa Paper Co., Ltd., usual tissue paper, and the like. Examples of the film having a small thickness and low density include various commercially available wrap films, a silicone rubber film, metal foil, and the like.

Second Embodiment

In order to make configuration where the gap equivalent area αA and the transmission loss TL satisfy Equation (1), a silencing system may have configuration shown in FIG. 54.

FIG. 54 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a silencing system according to a preferred second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 55 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 54.

As shown in FIG. 54, a silencing system 10u has configuration where a silencer 60 is disposed at the outer peripheral portion of a cylindrical ventilation sleeve 12 provided to penetrate a wall 16 separating two spaces.

In the example shown in FIG. 54, the silencing system 10u includes a wall 16, a decorative plate 40 that is spaced from the wall 16 by a predetermined distance and is provided in parallel to the wall 16, a ventilation sleeve 12 that penetrates the wall 16 and the decorative plate 40, and a silencer 60 that is disposed at the outer peripheral portion of the ventilation sleeve 12 in a space between the wall 16 and the decorative plate 40.

The ventilation sleeve 12, the wall 16, and the decorative plate 40 are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The silencer 60 includes a cavity portion 30 and an opening portion 32 that allows the cavity portion 30 and the inside of the ventilation sleeve 12 to communicate with each other.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 54 and 55, the silencer 60 includes the opening portion 32 and the cavity portion 30 over the entire outer peripheral portion of the ventilation sleeve 12 in a circumferential direction. That is, in the silencing system 10u, the silencer 60 has a diameter larger than the diameter of the ventilation sleeve 12 at the position of the silencer 60 in the axial direction of the ventilation sleeve 12.

Since the opening portion 32 of the silencer 60 communicates with the inside of the ventilation sleeve 12, the opening portion 32 is connected to a sound field space of first resonance occurring in the ventilation sleeve 12 of the silencing system 10u.

Here, in a case where the width of the cavity portion 30 of the silencer 60 in the axial direction of the ventilation sleeve 12 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the axial direction) is denoted by L₁ and the depth of the cavity portion 30 of the silencer 60 in the radial direction of the ventilation sleeve 12 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the radial direction) is denoted by L₂ as shown in FIG. 54 and the wavelength of an acoustic wave at the resonant frequency of first resonance occurring in the ventilation sleeve 12 of a silencing system 10 in which the silencer is not disposed is denoted by λ, the width L₁ of the cavity portion 30 of the silencer 60 satisfies “0.06×λ≤L₁<0.45×λ” and the depth L₂ of the cavity portion 30 of the silencer 60 satisfies “0.14×λ≤L₂<0.22×λ”.

That is, the width L₁ of the cavity portion 30 is smaller than λ/2 and the depth L₂ of the cavity portion 30 is smaller than λ/4. Accordingly, the silencer 60 does not silence sound using resonance.

In a case where the depth of the cavity portion 30 varies depending on a position, the depth L₂ of the cavity portion 30 is an average value of depths obtained at the respective positions.

Further, in a case where the width of the opening portion 32 varies depending on a position, the width L₁ of the opening portion 32 is an average value of widths obtained at the respective positions.

The width L₁ and the depth L₂ may be measured with a resolution of 1 mm. That is, in a case where the cavity portion has fine structures, such as unevenness smaller than 1 mm, the width L₁ and the depth L₂ may be obtained through the averaging of the fine structures.

In a case where the silencer includes the cavity portion formed at the outer peripheral portion of the ventilation sleeve and the opening portion allowing the cavity portion and the outside to communicate with each other, the opening portion of the silencer is connected to the sound field space of the ventilation sleeve in the silencing system, and the wavelength of an acoustic wave at which the first resonance of the ventilation sleeve in which the silencer is not disposed occurs is denoted by μ, the silencing system according to the second embodiment has configuration where the width L₁ of the cavity portion of the silencer in the axial direction of the ventilation sleeve satisfies “0.06×λ≤L₁<0.45×λ” and the depth L₂ of the cavity portion of the silencer in the radial direction of the ventilation sleeve satisfies “0.14×λ≤L₂<0.22×λ”. According to this configuration, the silencing system can have configuration where the gap equivalent area αA and the transmission loss TL satisfy Equation (1). Accordingly, since air sufficiently enters from the ventilation sleeve during the rotation or the like of the ventilation fan, the generation of negative pressure in the interior can be suppressed. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a problem that it is difficult to open a door, or the like.

Further, since the principle of this silencing does not use the resonance of the silencer, the dependence of an acoustic wave on a wavelength is low, soundproof performance can be achieved even in a case where the length, the shape, and the like of the ventilation sleeve 12 vary, and general-purpose properties are high since the silencer does not need to be designed according to the ventilation sleeve 12.

Furthermore, since the principle of this silencing does not use resonance, wind noise is not amplified.

Next, the ranges of the width L₁ and the depth L₂ of the cavity portion 30 of the silencer 60 in the silencing system according to the second embodiment will be described using a simulation.

Calculation is made using a model shown in FIG. 56 while the width L₁ and the depth L₂ of the cavity portion 30 of the silencer 60 are changed to various values.

Results of the simulation are shown in FIG. 57 as a graph showing a relationship among L₁/λ, L₂/λ, and a transmission loss in a 500 Hz band. The transmission loss in a 500 Hz band is obtained from an average value of transmission losses at a frequency in the range of 355 Hz to 710 Hz.

Further, FIG. 58 shows a graph showing a relationship between L₁/λ and a transmission loss in a 500 Hz band where the first resonant sound of the ventilation sleeve is present in a case where L₂/λ, is 0.15, and FIG. 59 shows a graph showing a relationship between L₂/λ, and a transmission loss in a 500 Hz band in a case where L₁/λ is 0.15.

A method of calculating a transmission loss TL₅₀₀ in a 500 Hz band is as follows.

In a case where transmission-sound-pressure intensity is calculated in a region of 355 Hz to 710 Hz at an interval of the frequency of a 1/24-octave band and the sum thereof is denoted by ΣL the transmission loss TL₅₀₀ in a 500 Hz band is obtained from “TL₅₀₀=10×log(ΣI_ref/ΣI)”. Σ_ref is ΣI of a straight tube.

In terms of obtaining sufficient soundproof performance of 20 dB or more where a silencing effect is generally felt by audibility in a 500 Hz band, it is found from FIGS. 57 and 59 that the width L₁ of the cavity portion needs to be 0.06×λ or more.

Further, in terms of obtaining higher soundproof performance in a 500 Hz band, the width L₁ of the cavity portion 30 is preferably in the range of 0.07×λ to 0.44×λ, more preferably in the range of 0.08×λ to 0.42×λ, and still more preferably in the range of 0.09×λ to 0.40×λ.

Furthermore, in terms of obtaining sufficient soundproof performance of 20 dB or more where a silencing effect is generally felt by audibility in a 500 Hz band, it is found from FIGS. 57 and 58 that the depth L₂ of the cavity portion needs to be 0.14×λ or more.

Further, in terms of obtaining higher soundproof performance in a 500 Hz band, the depth L₂ of the cavity portion 30 is preferably in the range of 0.145×λ to 0.215×λ, more preferably in the range of 0.15×λ to 0.21×λ, and still more preferably in the range of 0.155×λ to 0.205×λ.

Considering the soundproofing of a ventilation sleeve to be used for a wall for a house, the total thickness of a concrete wall and a decorative plate, that is, the length of the ventilation sleeve is in the range of 175 mm to 400 mm. Accordingly, considering a case where the wavelength of the first resonance of the ventilation sleeve is shortest (μ is 497 mm in a case where the length of the ventilation sleeve is 175 mm), in terms of obtaining sufficient soundproof performance of 3 dB or more in a 500 Hz band, the width L₁ of the cavity portion is preferably 30 mm (=0.06×λ) or more, more preferably 48 mm or more, and still more preferably 55 mm or more.

The total thickness of the wall for a house (the total thickness of the concrete wall and the decorative plate) is 400 mm at the maximum and the thickness of the concrete wall is at least 100 mm. Accordingly, in terms of the fact that the cavity portion can be disposed in a space between the concrete wall and the decorative plate of a house, the width L₁ of the cavity portion is preferably 300 mm or less. In terms of general-purpose properties in addition to this, the width L₁ of the cavity portion is more preferably 200 mm or less and still more preferably 150 mm or less.

Likewise, considering a case where the wavelength of the first resonance of the ventilation sleeve is shortest (λ is 497 mm in a case where the length of the ventilation sleeve is 175 mm), in terms of obtaining sufficient soundproof performance of 3 dB or more in a 500 Hz band, the depth L₂ of the cavity portion is preferably 69.6 mm (=0.14×λ) or more, more preferably 72.1 mm or more, and still more preferably 74.6 mm or more.

Meanwhile, the silencer is disposed between the columns of a house in a radial direction. A distance between the columns of a house is about 450 mm at the maximum, and the length of the ventilation sleeve is at least about 100 mm. Accordingly, in terms of the fact that the cavity portion can be disposed in a space between the columns of a house, the depth L₂ of the cavity portion is preferably 175 mm or less (=(450 mm−100 mm)/2), more preferably 130 mm or less, and still more preferably 100 mm or less.

Here, the silencer 60 is adapted in the example shown in FIG. 54 so that the length of the opening portion 32 in the axial direction (hereinafter, referred to as the width of the opening portion) is equal to the width L₁ of the cavity portion 30, but is not limited thereto. The width of the opening portion 32 may be smaller than the width L₂ of the cavity portion.

Further, in the silencing system according to the second embodiment, a conversion mechanism for converting sound energy into thermal energy may be disposed in at least a part of the cavity portion of the silencer or at a position where the conversion mechanism covers at least a part of the opening portion of the silencer.

The conversion mechanism is the same as that of the first embodiment. In a case where a sound-absorbing material is to be disposed in a cavity portion of a silencer, a plurality of sound-absorbing materials may be disposed in one cavity portion. Further, it is preferable that the sound-absorbing material is molded according to the shape of the cavity portion.

Here, the silencer 60 has a substantially annular shape along the entire outer peripheral surface of the ventilation sleeve 12 in the example shown in FIG. 55, but is not limited thereto. The silencer 60 only has to have various three-dimensional shapes including a cavity portion.

Further, the silencing system includes one silencer 22 in the example shown in FIG. 54, but is not limited thereto. The silencing system may have configuration where two or more silencers 22 are arranged in the axial direction of the ventilation sleeve 12. In other words, the opening portions 32 of the plurality of silencers 22 may be disposed on at least two or more positions in the axial direction of the ventilation sleeve 12.

Furthermore, in a case where a plurality of silencers are arranged in the axial direction, the dimensions of the opening portions, the cavity portions, and the like of the respective silencers may be different from each other.

Further, in a case where a plurality of silencers are arranged in the axial direction, porous sound-absorbing materials having different acoustic characteristics may be disposed in the cavity portions of the respective silencers.

Further, as in the first embodiment, the opening portion of the silencer may be covered with a windproof film that transmits acoustic waves and blocks air (wind).

Furthermore, the silencer is formed integrally with the ventilation sleeve in the example shown in FIG. 54, but is not limited thereto. The silencer may be formed of a member separate from the ventilation sleeve.

In a case where the silencer is formed of a member separate from the ventilation sleeve, the silencer may be fixed to an end face of the ventilation sleeve (wall) with a publicly known fixing method, such as an adhesive. In this case, it is preferable that the silencer is attachably and detachably installed on the ventilation sleeve. Accordingly, the replacement, reform, or the like of the silencer can be easily performed.

Further, the silencer may be installed on either the interior-side end face or the exterior-side end face of the ventilation sleeve (wall) as in the first embodiment, but it is preferable that the silencer is installed on the interior-side end face, that is, between the concrete wall and the decorative plate. Furthermore, the silencer may be adapted to be separable.

Further, an entering prevention plate may be provided in the ventilation sleeve as in the first embodiment. Alternatively, a lid portion 36 may be provided.

Furthermore, as in the first embodiment, a member forming the surface of the silencer 60 facing the opening portion 32 may be formed of a separate member (partition member) and the partition member may be adapted to be replaceable.

Third Embodiment

In order to make configuration where the gap equivalent area αA and the transmission loss TL satisfy Equation (1), a silencing system may have configuration shown in FIG. 60.

FIG. 60 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a silencing system according to a preferred third embodiment of the invention. FIG. 61 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 60.

As shown in FIG. 60, a silencing system 10v has configuration where a silencer 62 is disposed at the outer peripheral portion of a cylindrical ventilation sleeve 12 provided to penetrate a wall 16 separating two spaces.

In the example shown in FIG. 60, the silencing system 10v includes a wall 16, a decorative plate 40 that is spaced from the wall 16 by a predetermined distance and is provided in parallel to the wall 16, a ventilation sleeve 12 that penetrates the wall 16 and the decorative plate 40, and a silencer 62 that is disposed at the outer peripheral portion of the ventilation sleeve 12 in a space between the wall 16 and the decorative plate 40.

The ventilation sleeve 12, the wall 16, and the decorative plate 40 are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The silencer 62 includes a case part 28 that includes a cavity portion 30 and an opening portion 32 allowing the cavity portion 30 and the inside of the ventilation sleeve 12 to communicate with each other, and a porous sound-absorbing material 24 that is disposed in the cavity portion 30 of the case part 28.

As shown in FIGS. 60 and 61, the case part 28 includes the opening portion 32 and the cavity portion 30 over the entire outer peripheral portion of the ventilation sleeve 12 in a circumferential direction. That is, in the silencing system 10v, the case part 28 has a diameter larger than the diameter of the ventilation sleeve 12 at the position of the silencer 62 in the axial direction of the ventilation sleeve 12.

Since the opening portion 32 of the case part 28 communicates with the inside of the ventilation sleeve 12, the opening portion 32 is connected to a sound field space of first resonance occurring in the ventilation sleeve 12 of the silencing system 10v.

Here, the case part 28 (cavity portion 30) of the silencer 62 has a substantially annular shape along the entire outer peripheral surface of the ventilation sleeve 12 in the example shown in FIG. 61, but is not limited thereto. The case part 28 only has to have various three-dimensional shapes including a cavity portion. For example, the case part 28 may have a semi-ring shape or may have the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

The porous sound-absorbing material 24 is disposed over the entire inside of the cavity portion 30 of the case part 28. Accordingly, the porous sound-absorbing material 24 has an annular shape.

As well known, the porous sound-absorbing material is to absorb sound by converting the sound energy of sound, which passes therethrough, into thermal energy.

The porous sound-absorbing material 24 described in the first embodiment can be used as the porous sound-absorbing material 24.

The porous sound-absorbing material 24 is disposed over the entire inside of the cavity portion 30 of the case part 28 in the example shown in FIGS. 60 and 61, but is not limited thereto. The porous sound-absorbing material 24 may be disposed in at least a part of the cavity portion 30. Alternatively, the porous sound-absorbing material 24 may be disposed so as to cover at least a part of the opening portion 32 of the silencer 62.

Here, the silencing system according to the third embodiment depends on the shapes and volumes of the silencer and the porous sound-absorbing material and the frequency of an acoustic wave as an object to be silenced but satisfies “−1.0<log(α/λ)<0.3” in a case where the frequency of an acoustic wave at which the first resonance of the ventilation sleeve occurs is denoted by f₁, the wavelength thereof is denoted by λ, and an effective sound propagation length in the silencer at the frequency f₁ is denoted by α.

In the expressions, log is natural logarithm. Further, an effective sound propagation length in the silencer at the frequency f1 is an effective sound propagation length in a case where it is thought that sound having a frequency f₁ is propagated in the cavity portion in a state where a porous sound-absorbing material is disposed.

An effective sound propagation length α₀ in the porous sound-absorbing material is obtained from “α₀=1/ Re[γ]”. Here, γ denotes a propagation constant. Further, Re[γ] means the real part of the propagation constant.

The propagation constant of an acoustic material can be obtained from measurement that is performed by a transfer function method using an acoustic tube and two microphones. This method complies with the standards of JIS A1405-2, ISO 10534-2, and ASTM E 1050.

For example, an acoustic tube of which the measurement principle is the same as that of WinZac manufactured by Nittobo Acoustic Engineering Co., Ltd. can be used as the acoustic tube. A propagation constant in a wide spectral range can be measured by this method.

An effective sound propagation length α in the silencer coincides with the effective sound propagation length α₀ of the porous sound-absorbing material in a case where the cavity portion of the case part is filled with the porous sound-absorbing material. Further, in a case where a part of the cavity portion of the case part is filled with the porous sound-absorbing material, the sum of the effective sound propagation length α₀ of the porous sound-absorbing material and the length of a space in which the porous sound-absorbing material is not disposed is the effective sound propagation length α in the silencer. Configuration where the entire cavity portion of the case part is basically filled with the porous sound-absorbing material will be described in the following description. Accordingly, there is a case where the effective sound propagation length α₀ of the porous sound-absorbing material and the effective sound propagation length α in the silencer are described without being distinguished from each other.

In the silencing system according to the third embodiment, the silencer includes the case part that includes the cavity portion formed at the outer peripheral portion of the ventilation sleeve and the opening portion allowing the cavity portion and the ventilation sleeve to communicate with each other, and the porous sound-absorbing material that is disposed in at least a part of the cavity portion of the case part or at a position where the porous sound-absorbing material covers at least a part of the opening portion of the case part; the opening portion of the silencer is connected to the sound field space of the ventilation sleeve in the silencing system; and the silencing system according to the second embodiment has configuration satisfying “−1.0<log(α/λ)<0.3” in a case where the frequency of an acoustic wave at which the first resonance of the ventilation sleeve occurs is denoted by f₁, the wavelength thereof is denoted by λ, and an effective sound propagation length in the silencer at the frequency f₁ is denoted by α. According to this configuration, the silencing system can have configuration where the gap equivalent area αA and the transmission loss TL satisfy Equation (1). Accordingly, since air sufficiently enters from the ventilation sleeve during the rotation or the like of the ventilation fan, the generation of negative pressure in the interior can be suppressed. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a problem that it is difficult to open a door, or the like.

Further, since the principle of this silencing does not use the resonance of the silencer, the dependence of soundproof performance on a wavelength is low, soundproof performance can be achieved even in a case where the length, the shape, and the like of the ventilation sleeve 12 vary, and general-purpose properties are high since the silencer does not need to be designed according to the ventilation sleeve 12.

Furthermore, since the principle of this silencing does not use resonance, wind noise is not amplified.

In terms of soundproof performance, log(α/λ) also depends on the shapes or volumes of the silencer and the porous sound-absorbing material or the frequency of an acoustic wave as an object to be silenced, but “−0.7≤log(α/λ)≤0.25” is preferable, “−0.4≤log(α/λ)≤0.2” is more preferable, and “−0.2≤log(α/λ)≤0.15” is still more preferable.

The flow resistance σ₁ [Pa·s/m²] per unit thickness of the porous sound-absorbing material 24 also depends on the shapes or volumes of the silencer and the porous sound-absorbing material or the frequency of an acoustic wave as an object to be silenced, but preferably satisfies “3<log(σ₁)<4.6”, more preferably satisfies “3.1<log(σ₁)<4.5”, and still more preferably satisfies “3.3<log(σ₁)<4.3”.

Here, in terms of soundproof performance, it is preferable that the width L₁ of the cavity portion 30 of the case part 28 of the silencer 62 in the axial direction of the ventilation sleeve satisfies “0.02×λ≤L₁≤0.15×λ”. Further, it is preferable that the depth L₂ of the cavity portion 30 in the radial direction of the ventilation sleeve satisfies “0.03×λ≤L₂≤0.12×λ”.

In a case where the depth of the cavity portion 30 varies depending on a position, the depth L₂ of the cavity portion 30 is an average value of depths obtained at the respective positions.

Further, in a case where the width of the opening portion 32 varies depending on a position, the width L₁ of the opening portion 32 is an average value of widths obtained at the respective positions.

The width L₁ and the depth L₂ may be measured with a resolution of 1 mm. That is, in a case where the cavity portion has fine structures, such as unevenness smaller than 1 mm, the width L₁ and the depth L₂ may be obtained through the averaging of the fine structures.

In terms of obtaining sufficient soundproof performance of 3 dB or more in a 500 Hz band, it is preferable that the width L₁ and the depth L₂ of the cavity portion are set in the same ranges as those of the second embodiment.

Here, the silencer 62 is adapted in the example shown in FIG. 60 so that the length of the opening portion 32 in the axial direction (hereinafter, referred to as the width of the opening portion) is equal to the width L₁ of the cavity portion 30, but is not limited thereto. The width of the opening portion 32 may be smaller than the width L₂ of the cavity portion.

Further, the silencing system is adapted to include one silencer 62 in the example shown in FIG. 60, but is not limited thereto. The silencing system may be adapted so that two or more silencers 62 are arranged in the axial direction of the ventilation sleeve 12. In other words, the opening portions 32 of a plurality of silencers 62 may be arranged at least two or more positions in the axial direction of the ventilation sleeve 12.

Furthermore, in a case where a plurality of silencers are arranged in the axial direction, the dimensions of the opening portions, the cavity portions, and the like of the respective silencers may be different from each other.

Further, in a case where a plurality of silencers are arranged in the axial direction, porous sound-absorbing materials having different acoustic characteristics may be disposed in the cavity portions of the respective silencers.

Furthermore, a plurality of sound-absorbing materials may be disposed in one cavity portion.

Further, as in the first embodiment, the opening portion of the silencer may be covered with a windproof film that transmits acoustic waves and blocks air (wind).

Furthermore, the silencer is formed integrally with the ventilation sleeve in the example shown in FIG. 60, but is not limited thereto. The silencer may be formed of a member separate from the ventilation sleeve.

In a case where the silencer is formed of a member separate from the ventilation sleeve, the silencer may be fixed to an end face of the ventilation sleeve (wall) with a publicly known fixing method, such as an adhesive. In this case, it is preferable that the silencer is attachably and detachably installed on the ventilation sleeve. Accordingly, the replacement, reform, or the like of the silencer can be easily performed.

Further, the silencer may be installed on either the interior-side end face or the exterior-side end face of the ventilation sleeve (wall) as in the first embodiment, but it is preferable that the silencer is installed on the interior-side end face, that is, between the concrete wall and the decorative plate. Furthermore, the silencer may be adapted to be separable.

Further, an entering prevention plate may be provided in the ventilation sleeve as in the first embodiment. Alternatively, a lid portion 36 may be provided.

Furthermore, as in the first embodiment, a member forming the surface of the silencer 62 facing the opening portion 32 may be formed of a separate member (partition member) and the partition member may be adapted to be replaceable.

EXAMPLES

The invention will be described in more detail below on the basis of Examples. Materials, the amounts of used materials, ratios of the materials, the contents of treatment, the procedure of treatment, and the like described in the following examples can be appropriately changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be interpreted in a limited way by examples to be described below.

Example 1

A gap equivalent area αA and a transmission loss TL were measured by the above-mentioned method about configuration where a silencing device 14 was disposed on one open surface of a tubular member 12 (configuration of the first embodiment) as shown in FIG. 62 as Example 1. The transmission loss TL was measured in a 500 Hz-octave band.

The inner diameter of the tubular sleeve 12 was set to 100 mm.

The silencing device 14 is made of acrylic and includes two silencers 22 and an insertion part 26. The silencer 22 is an L-shaped silencer, has an annular shape along the entire outer peripheral surface of the tubular member 12 in a peripheral direction, and has a shape where an opening portion 32 is formed in the shape of a slit extending in the peripheral direction. Further, the two silencers were arranged in the axial direction. Furthermore, a porous sound-absorbing material 24 was disposed in each of the cavity portions of the two silencers 22. Further, a louver 18 was disposed on an open surface of the tubular member 12 opposite to a side of the tubular member 12 on which the silencing device 14 was installed.

The total length T₁ of the two silencers 22 in the axial direction was set to 90 mm, the outer diameter D₁ of the silencer was set to 165 mm, the inner diameter D₂ of the silencer was set to 96 mm, and the frame thickness of the silencer was set to 2 mm. The width of each cavity portion in the axial direction is 42 mm, and the depth thereof is 30 mm. Further, the width L₀₁ of one opening portion in the axial direction was set to 8 mm and the width L₀₂ of the other opening portion in the axial direction was set to 6 mm.

Furthermore, the entire cavity portion 30 was filled with the porous sound-absorbing material 24. Thinsulate (manufactured by 3M Company) was used as the porous sound-absorbing material 24. As long as not particularly described, it was assumed even in the following examples that the entire cavity portion 30 was filled with the porous sound-absorbing material 24.

A lateral louver AG100A-AL manufactured by UNIX Co., Ltd. was used as the louver.

As a result of measurement, a gap equivalent area αA was 96 cm² and a normalized transmission loss TL was 20.6 dB. A gap equivalent area αA₁ obtained in a case where only the louver was installed was 118 cm² and a gap equivalent area αA₂ obtained in a case where only the silencing device was installed was 165 cm².

Examples 2 and 3

A gap equivalent area αA and a transmission loss TL were obtained in the same manner as Example 1 except that the configuration of the silencing device 14 was changed as shown in Table 1.

WHITE QUEUE ON manufactured by Tokyo Bouon Co., Ltd. was used as a porous sound-absorbing material of Example 3.

Comparative Example 1

A gap equivalent area αA and a transmission loss TL were obtained in the same manner as Example 1 except that a commercially available silencer (a silencer USP100SA manufactured by UNIX Co., Ltd.) was disposed instead of the silencing device 14.

Reference 1

A gap equivalent area αA and a transmission loss TL were obtained in the same manner as Example 1 except that only the louver was installed to change configuration to configuration where the silencing device 14 was not installed.

The dimensions of the respective portions, configuration, the obtained gap equivalent areas αA, and the obtained transmission losses TL are shown in Table 1. Further, FIG. 63 shows a graph in which the gap equivalent areas αA and the transmission losses TL of the respective Examples, Comparative Example, and Reference are plotted.

TABLE 1
		Gap equivalent area	Configuration os silencing device
	Trans-	Only						Sound-
	mission	silencer	All	Outer	Inner	Width of	absorbing
	loss TL	αA2	αA	diameter	diameter	slit	material
	[dB]	[cm2]	[cm2]	[mm]	[mm]	[mm]	Kind
Example 1	20.6	165	96	165	96	8	6	Thinsulate
Example 2	23.7	209	103	190	96	8	6	Thinsulate
Example 3	30.5	40	38	230	70	8	6	White queue on
Comparative	22.4	21	21	—	—	—	—	—
Example 1
Reference 1	18.9	—	118	—	—	—	—	—

Since the diameter of the tubular sleeve was 100 mm, a transmission efficiency coefficient P was 0.91 in a case where the transmission efficiency coefficient P was obtained from FIG. 7. In a case where a line, which passed through the point of Reference 1 in FIG. 63 and had a gradient of −P/0.1 (=−0.091), (a line shown in FIG. 63 by a broken line) was drawn to obtain an intercept C, the intercept C was 4.15. Accordingly, “αA=10^{4.15−0.091×TL}” is an equation representing a trade-off relationship between the gap equivalent area αA and the transmission loss TL of this system.

As shown in FIG. 63, Examples 1 to 3 are positioned on the upper right side of a line of “αA=10^{4.15−0.091×TL}”. That is, Examples 1 to 3 satisfy “αA>10^{4.15−0.091×TL}”. On the other hand, Comparative Example 1 is positioned on the lower left side of the line of “αA=10^{4.15−0.091×TL}”. That is, Comparative Example 1 does not satisfy “αA>10^{4.15−0.091×TL}”.

[Evaluation]

Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Example 1 were evaluated.

A house including three rooms, a living/dining room, and a kitchen shown in FIG. 64, five natural intake ports (tubular sleeves), one natural intake port provided with an air supply electric shutter, and one forcible exhaust port (range hood) was assumed; and pressure (negative pressure) in the house in a case where the silencers of Examples and Comparative Example were disposed in the natural intake ports were evaluated.

The five natural intake ports (tubular sleeves) and the natural intake port provided with an air supply electric shutter correspond to a 24-hour ventilation system.

The inner diameter of the natural intake port (tubular sleeve) was set to 100 mm. The inner diameter of the natural intake port provided with an air supply electric shutter was set to 150 mm.

Each of the five natural intake ports was provided with a louver (a lateral louver AG100A-AL manufactured by UNIX Co., Ltd.) disposed on the exterior side thereof and a register (PRP100AWL manufactured by UNIX Co., Ltd.) disposed on the interior side thereof, in addition to the silencer. As described above, the gap equivalent area of the louver was 118 cm². The gap equivalent area of the register was 13.4 cm² from catalog values.

The natural intake port provided with an air supply electric shutter was provided with a louver (a lateral louver AG150A-AL manufactured by UNIX Co., Ltd.) disposed on the exterior side thereof and an air supply electric shutter (UKD150BFH manufactured by UNIX Co., Ltd.) disposed on the interior side thereof. The gap equivalent area of the louver was measured by the same method as described above and was 135.2 cm². The gap equivalent area of the air supply electric shutter in a case where the air supply electric shutter is open was 81.4 cm² from catalog values.

In a case where the gap equivalent area αA of one natural intake port of each of Examples and Comparative Example and the gap equivalent area αA of the natural intake port provided with an air supply electric shutter were calculated from these, the respective gap equivalent areas have values shown in Table 2.

The silencer of Example 1 has soundproof performance equivalent to T2 in sash grade. The silencer of Example 2 has soundproof performance equivalent to T1, the silencer of Example 3 has soundproof performance equivalent to T3, and the silencer of Comparative Example 1 has soundproof performance equivalent to T1.

TABLE 2
	Gap equivalent area of one natural
	intake port [cm2]
	Silencer	Louver	Register	All
Example 1	165	118	13.4	13.3
Example 2	209	118	13.4	13.3
Example 3	40	118	13.4	12.6
Comparative	21	118	13.4	11.2
Example 1
Natural intake	—	135.2	81.4	69.7
port provided
with air supply
electric shutter

Air pressure in the house (internal negative pressure) was obtained from an equation of “internal negative pressure=ρ/2×Q/3600×(10000/αA_a)²”.

ρ is the density of air and is about 1.2 kg/m³. αA_a denotes the gap equivalent area of the entire house that is the sum of the gap equivalent area of the five natural intake ports, the gap equivalent area of the natural intake port provided with an air supply electric shutter, and the gap area of a dwelling unit. Q denotes the total air volume of the air volume Q₃ of the range hood, the air volume Q₁ of the natural intake ports, and the air volume Q₂ of the natural intake port provided with an air supply electric shutter.

The gap area of a dwelling unit, the air volume Q₃ of the range hood, the air volume Q₁ of the natural intake ports, and the air volume Q₂ of the natural intake port provided with an air supply electric shutter were calculated using values generally used for calculation (Q₃=420 m³/h, Q₁=Q₂=20 m³/h).

The values of the gap equivalent areas, the air volumes, and the calculated internal negative pressure of each Example and Comparative Example are shown in Table 3.

TABLE 3
	Gap equivalent area [cm2]	Air volume [m3/h]
	(i)	(ii)			(iii)
	Five	Natural intake	Gap area		Forcible			Internal
	natural	port provided	of		exhaust	(i) + (ii)		negative
	intake	with air supply	dwelling		range	24-hour		pressure
	ports	electric shutter	unit	SUM	hood	ventilation	SUM	[Pa]
Example 1	66.4	69.7	35	171.1	420	120	540	46.1
Example 2	66.4	69.7	35	171.2	420	120	540	46.1
Example 3	63.2	69.7	35	167.9	420	120	540	47.9
Comparative	56.2	69.7	35	161.0	420	120	540	52.1
Example 1

As found from Table 3, the values of the internal negative pressure of Examples 1 to 3 are smaller than that of Comparative Example 1. Accordingly, it is found that it is possible to prevent the door or the like of an interior entrance from being difficult to open.

The effects of the invention are clear from the above-mentioned results.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES

10 a to 10w: silencing system

12, 92, 96: tubular member (ventilation sleeve)

14: silencing device

16, 94: wall

18: cover member

20: air volume-adjusting member

21, 22, 22a, 22b, 23, 60, 62: silencer

24, 24a to 24e: porous sound-absorbing material

26: insertion part

28: case part

30, 30a, 30b: cavity portion

32, 32a, 32b: opening portion

34: entering prevention plate

36: lid portion

38: second opening portion

40: decorative plate

42: boundary cover

44: windproof film

46: membrane member

54: partition member

56: sound transmission wall

90: chamber

Claims

1. A silencing system comprising: one or more silencers that are disposed in a ventilation sleeve provided to penetrate a wall separating two spaces,wherein Equation (1) is satisfied in a case where a gap equivalent area of the ventilation sleeve in which the silencer is installed is denoted by aA and a normalized transmission loss in an octave band in which a first resonant frequency of the ventilation sleeve is present is denoted by TL, αA>10C−(0.1/P)×TL  Equation (1)where C denotes a constant determined by a measurement system in a case where there is no silencer and P denotes a transmission efficiency coefficient andwherein the silencer does not have a structure resonating at the first resonant frequency of the ventilation sleeve.

2. The silencing system according to claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional area of a space at a position where the silencer is disposed is larger than a cross-sectional area of a space of the ventilation sleeve 00 in a cross section perpendicular to a central axis of the ventilation sleeve.

3. The silencing system according to claim 1, wherein the silencer includes a cavity portion that communicates with an interior space of the ventilation sleeve, anda total volume of the interior space of the ventilation sleeve and the cavity portion of the silencer is larger than a volume of the interior space of the ventilation sleeve alone.

4. The silencing system according to claim 3, wherein a total volume of the interior space of the ventilation sleeve is 18000 cm3 or less.

5. The silencing system according to claim 1, wherein the silencer includes a conversion mechanism for converting sound energy into thermal energy.

6. The silencing system according to claim 5, wherein the conversion mechanism is a porous sound-absorbing material.

7. The silencing system according to claim 1, wherein the silencer has a structure having a wavelength shorter than a wavelength at the first resonant frequency of the ventilation sleeve.

8. The silencing system according to claim 1, wherein a shortest distance between one space side and the other space side in the ventilation sleeve in which the silencer is disposed is 1.9 times or less a thickness of the wall.

9. The silencing system according to claim 1, wherein a cross section of the ventilation sleeve parallel to the wall is 900 cm2 or less.

10. The silencing system according to claim 1, wherein one space side is capable of being visually recognized from the other space side through the ventilation sleeve in a state where the silencer is disposed in the ventilation sleeve.

11. The silencing system according to claim 1, wherein the silencer is disposed at an end portion of the ventilation sleeve between the wall and a decorative plate that is disposed so as to be spaced from the wall.

12. The silencing system according to claim 1, wherein one space is an interior space.

13. The silencing system according to claim 12, further comprising: a fan that ventilates the interior space.

14. The silencing system according to claim 2, wherein the silencer includes a cavity portion that communicates with an interior space of the ventilation sleeve, anda total volume of the interior space of the ventilation sleeve and the cavity portion of the silencer is larger than a volume of the interior space of the ventilation sleeve alone.

15. The silencing system according to claim 14, wherein a total volume of the interior space of the ventilation sleeve is 18000 cm3 or less.

16. The silencing system according to claim 2, wherein the silencer includes a conversion mechanism for converting sound energy into thermal energy.

17. The silencing system according to claim 16, wherein the conversion mechanism is a porous sound-absorbing material.

18. The silencing system according to claim 2, wherein the silencer has a structure having a wavelength shorter than a wavelength at the first resonant frequency of the ventilation sleeve.

19. The silencing system according to claim 2, wherein a shortest distance between one space side and the other space side in the ventilation sleeve in which the silencer is disposed is 1.9 times or less a thickness of the wall.