Acoustic noise reduction apparatus for personal computers and electronics
An acoustic noise reduction accessory apparatus attachable or made integral to a personal computer or other electronics equipment. The apparatus reduces acoustic noise emitted from the rear of the computer and in particular reduces the acoustic noise from circulating fans. The apparatus comprises an acoustic barrier or shielding member. The barrier is shaped in various forms externally of the computer or integrally extending from the back of the computer around one or more fans of the computer; the acoustic barrier member allows for minimum airflow reduction. Acoustic absorbing material is layered upon the acoustic barrier and may be combined with vibration absorbing material. The barrier may be shaped from solid or flexible members to accommodate different sized electronics and formed to include baffles and structures to direct airflow while absorbing noise; and may be made adjustable by one or more slidable members. The apparatus is easily assembled and collapsible for storage.
This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Applications Nos. 60/650,431, filed Feb. 4, 2005, and 60/723,796, filed Oct. 5, 2005, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUD OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to acoustic noise reduction of electronic equipment. In particular, the present invention is related to acoustic noise reduction of fan noise emitted from personal computers and other electronic equipment with negligible air flow reduction from the fans.
2. Background Art
Computers and other electronic equipment which utilize air circulating or cooling fans and other devices are known to generate noise. The noise, in general, emitted from the rear of a personal computer and from such fans can be an annoying feature, bringing about a desire to minimize such noise. Previous solutions have attempted to create lower noise generating fans for installation on computers and other equipment. However, such lower noise replacement fans are inconvenient to attach, requiring tools and extra pieces such as screws or bolts. Disassembly of the computer or the equipment is also often needed for attachment of such replacement devices. Once installed, it would be inconvenient to remove as it requires further time and tools for removal. Other techniques include installing an external device, such as a “PC hood” made of a plastic part, onto the backs of PC's to cover the fans. However, such a system requires too much of a reduction in airflow rate and air pressure of the fans. In addition, such external devices require tools and do not lend themselves easily to disassembly or adaptability to different sized electronic equipment.
Therefore, there is a need for an acoustic noise reducing apparatus to reduce noise generated by fans without significantly minimizing the necessary airflow from the fans. There is also a need for a quick assembling apparatus to reduce fan acoustic noise which does not require tools or extra pieces to assemble; which can accommodate different sizes of electronic equipment and which can be easily transported.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGESIt is accordingly a principle object of one aspect of the present invention to reduce acoustic noise generated by fans associated with personal computers, PCs, and other electronic devices. A further object of the present invention is to provide for minimal to negligible airflow reduction along with reducing the temperature behind the electronic device. Another object of other aspects of the invention is to provide an acoustic reduction or silencer accessory apparatus that is attached to electronic equipment very quickly and easily, for instance in about 90 seconds or less; that attaches externally of the equipment in a very short amount of time without the need to power off or disassemble anything on the electronic equipment.
Other objects of other aspects of the present invention is to provide for an adjustable fitting apparatus to accommodate different widths and sizes of computers; to provide for a reusable apparatus that can accommodate different and upgraded PCs to avoid purchase of any new devices when a new PC is purchased; to provide for a apparatus that installs without other pieces or tools; to provide for a apparatus that is easily transported, and can be recyclable and environment friendly.
Still further objects will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to an embodiment of the present invention, there is an acoustic noise reduction accessory apparatus which is attachable or made integral to a personal computer or other electronic equipment. The apparatus can be attached along with a low acoustic noise fan, as the apparatus will further reduce the acoustic noise emitted from the fan. The apparatus reduces acoustic noise emitted from the rear of the computer in general and in particular reduces the acoustic noise from the circulating fans.
The apparatus allows for the airflow rate to be maintained, avoiding a 90-degree turn of airflow and therefore providing for virtually no reduced airflow rate. For some embodiments of the invention there are provided configurations of the apparatus where the airflow will need to be either turned or restricted to some minimal amount but resulting in only minimal airflow reduction. The apparatus installs in short amount of time, for example 90 seconds or less, without tools, bolts or screws and is adjustable to different sizes.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises an acoustic barrier or shield member. The barrier is shaped in various forms externally of the computer or integrally extending from the back portion of the computer around the one or more fans of the computer; the acoustic barrier member allows for minimum to negligible airflow reduction by leaving air pathways from the fans. In addition, in the present embodiment, there is acoustic absorbing material layered upon the acoustic barrier and may be combined with vibration absorbing material in various forms and shapes. The barrier may be shaped to accommodate different sized electronics and formed to include baffles and structures to direct airflow while absorbing noise. Temperatures in the back of the PC can also be reduced using baffles.
In further embodiments, the apparatus may be made adjustable by one or more slidable members. In yet another embodiment, the apparatus is adjustable by the material and shape used for the acoustic barrier. The apparatus is adjustable for different widths of the tower chassis of personal computers and/or the positioning of the fans.
The apparatus installs without the need for disassembly and reassembly of a PC system nor does it require disconnection of any equipment cables. The apparatus simply attaches to the external part of existing personal computer or electronics without tools or extra pieces. Furthermore, the apparatus may be removed from the equipment easily and minimized or collapsed for transporting or storing the apparatus, thus saving on space and costs. In addition, components of the apparatus may be manufactured from recyclable materials.
These and other embodiments of the present invention are further made apparent, in the remainder of the present document, to those of ordinary skill in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSIn order to more fully describe embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are not to be considered limitations in the scope of the invention, but are merely illustrative.
Figures
FIG. A1 shows an isometric view of the apparatus separate from a computer prior to attachment, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. A2 is an isometric view of FIG. A1 with the apparatus assembled to the back of the computer, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The description above and below and the drawings of the present document focus on one or more currently preferred embodiments of the present invention and also describe some exemplary optional features and/or alternative embodiments. The description and drawings are for the purpose of illustration and not limitation. Those of ordinary skill in the art would recognize variations, modifications, and alternatives. Such variations, modifications, and alternatives are also within the scope of the present invention. Section titles are terse and are for convenience only.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
- 5 acoustic noise reduction apparatus
- 10 acoustic barrier (shield)
- 20 acoustic absorbing material
- 30 vibration absorbing material
- 40 Velcro
- 50 double sided tape
- 60 acoustic absorbing material plates
- 70 hard base material
- 80 straps
- 90 high friction vibration absorption material
- 95 wall
- 100 PC or any electronic device
- 110 fans
- 120 door—barrier
- 130 hinges
- 140 slide or guide rails
- 160 side panel Velcro
- 200 solid cantilever piece
- 210 flexible composite piece
- 220 composite piece
There are different types of attachments which can be used in the various embodiments of the apparatus 5 for attachment to an electronic device or personal computer (PC) which comprise: double sided tape 50; Velcro 40, stretch straps or adjustable straps 80 which wrap around the PC; magnets; the weight of the apparatus 5 itself; and other appropriate attachment means.
In a preferred embodiment, the Acoustic Noise Reduction (ANR) apparatus 5 comprises acoustic reflecting material 10 having an inner surface upon which acoustic absorbing material 20 is placed. Acoustic reflecting material 10 will also be referred to as acoustic (noise) barrier, reflector or shielding interchangeably. Acoustic (sound) absorbing material 20 will also be referred to as acoustic noise reduction material interchangeably.
In addition, vibration absorbing material 30 may be placed on the inside surface of the acoustic reflecting material 10. The materials may be attached to each other by double sided adhesive tape 50 or bonding material. The sound or acoustic absorption material 20 may be attached to the apparatus by any known method such as sewing, adhesive, bonding, clipping or any other of several commonly known methods.
Reflecting material 10 or other parts of the apparatus which are positioned on the sides of the PC may include vibration absorbing materials 30 or acoustic absorbing materials 20. Acoustic absorbing materials 20 are placed on the back, fans side, of the PC. Where there are acoustic absorbing materials 20 there will be acoustic reflecting material 10 (also referred to as shielding). Such acoustic reflectors or shielding 10 may be commonly referred to as acoustic barriers 10. Naturally, the more the acoustic reflecting material 10 weighs per square unit area, the better a barrier it can be. Other possible acoustic reflecting (or shielding) materials 10 comprise: sheet metal or other metal types; plastics; rubber; copper or metal filled rubber; wood; processed wood; leather; vinyl; and any other acoustic reflecting (shielding) material or combination of the above mentioned materials.
The acoustic absorbing material 20, may be selected from materials comprising: foam, fiberglass, rubber, batting material, open-cell melamine foams, polyurethanes, urethanes, thermoplastics, and any other type of acoustic absorbing material or combination of the above mentioned materials. This absorbing material 20 may have a variety of surface textures and contours. The absorbing material 20 may have a shape other than a flat surface on the inside of the shielding 10 where the absorption takes place. Such surfaces may be in the form of triangular wedges (horizontal or vertical or a combination of this), pyramids, semi-dome and valley shapes; which may be in a repetitive geometric shape. Such a surface may also be in the shape of totally random hills and valleys such as those similar to landscape or iceberg hills and valleys.
Vibration absorbing material 30 is a material with high performance damping characteristics. The vibration absorbing material 30 may comprise polyurethanes, urethanes, thermoplastics and other damping materials such as damping foams and combinations thereof.
The acoustic absorbing material 20 reduces the acoustic noise by absorbing it as a sponge absorbs a liquid. It reduces the noise by transforming the air pressure waves of the noise into vibration energy and in turn transforming this energy into heat energy thus dissipating part of the sound (noise level). The acoustic reflector 10 functions to reflect the sound back to the acoustic absorbing materials 20 for further noise reduction by absorption in the acoustic absorption material 20. Some acoustic noise will escape this second absorption process, back into the atmosphere, and will be reflected to the wall on the other side of the acoustic reflector 10 and the same process will take place again. This acoustic noise energy will continue to be reflected back and forth, losing energy with each reflection, until it leaves the apparatus through the openings at a reduced acoustic noise level.
Acoustic noise is generated in all directions from the fans. Some of the embodiments of the present invention are structured to 1) encompass the fan(s) with noise absorption materials, but yet allowing enough air passage ways for minimal air flow loss; and 2) encompass the fan(s) in the form of a “cylinder”, “box”, or the like with both ends open to minimize air flow loss, with acoustic absorbing materials surrounding the air flow, thus minimizing the air flow loss. As the acoustic noise is generated from the fans 110 in all possible directions it will be absorbed by the acoustic absorbing materials 20 in its pathway to the sides of the airflow. This process is illustrated in FIG. A1 and FIG. A2. This acoustic absorption process occurs by first the noise penetrating the acoustic absorption material 20 and losing some of its energy. The remaining acoustic noise energy is reflected back to the acoustic noise absorption material 20 and more acoustic energy is lost. This acoustic noise energy will continue to be reflected back and forth, losing energy with each reflection, until it leaves the apparatus 5 through the openings at a more reduced acoustic noise level. The embodiments of the present invention are configured for assembly on the back of PCs, or other electronic devices, where the fans are located.
In
The apparatus of
- 1) adjusting for different widths of a personal computer chassis as the apparatus slides through slide or guide rails 140 as shown in
FIG. 14 b where the acoustic barriers 10 are adjustable for fitting atop a personal computer chassis; - 2) collapsible by the hinges 130 for compact storage and shipping;
- 3) comprising a door 120 providing further acoustic reduction and may be opened or closed during use as shown in
FIG. 14 c.
The apparatus 5 may be assembled using components made of plastic material, acrylic material, combinations thereof, or other suitable material along with an adhesive to attach the different components. These components include the hinges 130, the sides, the top, the rails 140, and the back door 120. The components may also be manufactured using injection molded or thermoformed plastic. The acoustic absorption materials 20 may be attached using a double sided tape 50, special adhesive, or the acoustic absorption material 20 may be manufactured with double sided adhesive already attached to it. As shown in the back view of the apparatus 5 of
Any one of the embodiments as described above may have small breather air release openings with baffles to reduce the acoustic noise escaping from the openings. In addition, such baffles may comprise a box baffle structure of small elongated, tube like shaped holes or other shaped openings for further noise absorption. As an example, the ratio of the length to diameter of these elongated holes is greater than three for better absorption.
Throughout the description and drawings, example embodiments are given with reference to specific configurations. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms. As discussed, many variations are possible. Those of ordinary skill in the art would be able to practice such other embodiments without undue experimentation. The scope of the present invention, for the purpose of the present patent document, is not limited merely to the specific example embodiments of the foregoing description, but rather is indicated by the appended claims. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents within the claims are intended to be considered as being embraced within the spirit and scope of the claims.
Claims
1. An apparatus for acoustic noise reduction of noise generated by one or more fans of an electronic device comprising:
- a removably adjustable acoustic barrier member externally attached to the electronic device around the one or more fans, the barrier member having an inner surface;
- acoustic absorbing material attached to the inner surface of the barrier member;
- a means for stabilizing the barrier member to the electronic device; wherein the barrier member is adjustable to a width of the device and attached to the device such that airflow loss from the one or more fans is negligible.
2. The apparatus according claim 1, wherein the barrier member is constructed from material selected from a group consisting of metals, plastics, composites, rubbers, ceramics, metal filled rubber, wood, processed wood, leather, vinyl, and combinations thereof.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic absorbing material is selected from a group consisting of foam, fiberglass, batting material, open-cell melamine foams, polyurethanes, urethanes, thermoplastics, and combinations thereof.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a vibration absorbing material attached to the inner surface of the barrier member, wherein the vibration absorbing material comprises high performance damping material.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the vibration absorbing material comprises a high performance damping material selected from a group consisting of polyurethanes, urethanes, thermoplastics, damping foams and combinations thereof.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stabilizing means is selected from a group consisting of adhesives, tapes, Velcro, adjustable straps, magnets, weight of the barrier member and combinations thereof.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a personal computer and the barrier is attached to a tower chassis of the personal computer.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the barrier member extends around the rear of the device and continues to extend substantially along one or more of the longest sides of the device in a horizontal direction and wherein the barrier does not extend completely to a base of the device.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the barrier member comprises two or more panels, wherein two of the panels overlap at a top surface of the device and continue to extend over a left and a right side of the device.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the barrier member further comprises one or more door members connected to one or more edges of the barrier member for further acoustic noise reduction.
11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the barrier member further comprises one or more horizontal or vertical baffling partitions, and wherein acoustic absorbing material is disposed on one or more surfaces of the partitions.
12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the barrier member further comprises a baffle spaced away from the one or more fans, the baffle having a box configuration comprising a plurality of openings throughout the baffle.
13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the barrier member comprises three integral sections for attaching to a top surface and two side surfaces of the device while extending out from the device, past the one or more fans;
- wherein a middle section of the barrier member rests on the top surface of the device and a left section and right section of the barrier member is attached to the side surfaces of the device;
- wherein the sections in contact with the surfaces of the device are disposed with vibration absorbing material and the sections extending out from the device are disposed with acoustic absorbing material; and
- wherein the barrier member is constructed of a flexible or solid acoustic material.
14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the barrier member comprises two or more adjustable and slidably connected sections for adjusting a width of the barrier member to a width of the device and for adjusting the barrier member to localize around the one or more fans.
15. An acoustic noise reduction apparatus for reducing noise generated by one or more fans of a computer tower comprising:
- a removably adjustable acoustic barrier member externally attached to a rear of a chassis of the computer tower around the one or more fans, the barrier member having an inner surface;
- acoustic absorbing material attached to the inner surface of the barrier member;
- a means for attaching the barrier member to the computer tower chassis; wherein the barrier member is adjustable to a width of the computer chassis and attached to the chassis such that airflow is substantially unobstructed and airflow loss from the one or more fans is negligible.
16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the barrier member comprises two or more adjustable and slidably connected sections for adjusting a width of the barrier member to a width of the device and for adjusting the barrier member to localize around the one or more fans.
17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the barrier member further comprises one or more horizontal or vertical baffling partitions, and wherein acoustic absorbing material is disposed on one or more surfaces of the partitions.
18. An acoustic noise reduction apparatus for reducing noise generated by one or more fans of a computer tower comprising:
- a removably adjustable acoustic barrier member externally attached to a rear of a chassis of the computer tower around the one or more fans, the barrier member further comprising a plurality of removable sections, including a firm cantilever section and one or more flexible side sections, wherein each section having an inner surface;
- at least one pair of guide rails disposed on the cantilever section for a side section to slide into for adjusting the positioning of a side section to a width of the computer chassis;
- acoustic absorbing material attached to the inner surface of the barrier member sections;
- a means for attaching the barrier member sections to the computer tower chassis;
- wherein the barrier member sections are attached to the chassis such that airflow from the one or more fans is redirected and airflow loss is negligible.
19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the barrier member sections are collapsible and stackable for transport.
20. The apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising a vibration absorbing material attached to the inner surface of one or more of the barrier member sections, wherein the vibration absorbing material comprises high performance damping material.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 2, 2006
Publication Date: Aug 24, 2006
Inventor: Maher Kawar (Mountain View, CA)
Application Number: 11/346,719
International Classification: H02K 5/24 (20060101); G10K 11/00 (20060101);