The Future of Soundproofing Structures

The term “soundproofing structure” refers to the design of soundproof layers and the sealing mechanisms of soundproof doors. Our company is continuously engaged in research and development in soundproofing technology, and we have identified several intriguing themes for the future of soundproofing structures. In simple terms, the main focus is on “eliminating unnecessary elements” and developing simpler structures.

Here are a few examples of what we currently consider to be unnecessary:

1. Excessive Weight

The basic principle for increasing sound insulation is the mass law, which suggests that heavier materials provide better soundproofing. However, this approach is overly simplistic. Excess weight can lead to problems with load-bearing capacity, making installation conditions unsuitable, and increasing the difficulty of transportation and handling.

2. Excessive Materials

This is related to the previous point. Using more materials impacts cost, so designing to minimize unnecessary materials is essential. Recently, the cost of steel materials has surged significantly, resulting in higher equipment costs for customers.

3. Unnecessary Labor

Complicating the structure increases the labor (both in terms of people and time) required for design, manufacturing, and assembly. These increased labor costs are ultimately reflected in the price.

4. Inefficient Sealing Methods

This includes methods for handling gaps, such as rubber gaskets on doors. For an anechoic chamber, triple-layer rubber gaskets are sometimes used. Simplifying this to two or even one layer can create a simpler design and reduce costs.

Our development goal is to connect simpler structures with cost reduction. Naturally, reducing soundproofing performance during this process is not acceptable.

The products resulting from these developments are our soundproof panels and doors. Currently, we have achieved a minimum thickness of 25mm for our soundproof panels and doors. While the thinnest for an anechoic chamber is currently 40mm, we believe there is still potential for further weight reduction. In other words, we are continuously researching and developing to achieve lighter, thinner, and simpler structures.