JP7798559B2 - Partition panel device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a partition panel device in which a glass panel is supported on a panel support.

Partition panel devices equipped with multiple glass panels extending from the ceiling to the floor are used to partition and divide spaces within a building.

For example, the partition panel device shown in Patent Document 1 is configured with glass panels attached parallel to and spaced apart from each other in the front and rear between an upper panel support fixed to the ceiling and a lower panel support fixed to the floor.

In some partition panel devices, among multiple glass panels arranged side by side in the left-right direction, the sides of a pair of front and rear glass panels located at the side edges are connected and supported by side panel supports.

JP 2014-88745 A (page 5, Figure 2)

Partition panel devices such as those described in Patent Document 1 use a pair of glass panels, which not only provides high visibility and an aesthetically pleasing appearance, but also offers excellent thermal insulation due to the air layer in the inter-panel space between the front and rear glass panels. However, when sound generated on one side of the partition panel device in the front-to-back direction causes one glass panel to vibrate, the vibration vibrates the air in the inter-panel space, which in turn vibrates the other glass panel, potentially causing the sound to reach the other side in the front-to-back direction. One method of preventing such sound leakage is to place various soundproofing materials, such as glass wool, in the inter-panel space. However, this method poses the problem of reducing visibility and impairing aesthetics, thereby negating the advantages of glass panels.

The present invention was developed to address these issues, and aims to provide a partition panel device with improved soundproofing performance.

In order to solve the above problems, the partition panel device of the present invention is
A partition panel device formed by connecting a pair of glass panels arranged opposite each other in the front and rear to each other in the left and right directions,
The glass panels arranged side by side are supported by a plurality of panel supports arranged to surround the glass panels,
At least one of the panel supports is provided with a closed space that communicates with an inter-panel space formed between the pair of glass panels through an opening facing the inter-panel space,
The panel support body is characterized in that a plurality of the closed spaces are formed inside the panel support body by being partitioned by partition members .
According to this feature, even if sound generated outside at least one of the glass panels vibrates the air in the space between the panels through the other glass panel, the enclosed space that functions as a Helmholtz resonator can absorb the sound in the corresponding frequency band, thereby improving soundproofing performance without damaging the aesthetic appearance.

The panel support body is characterized in that a plurality of the closed spaces are formed inside the panel support body by being partitioned by partition members.
According to this feature, sound can be appropriately absorbed at a plurality of locations by the enclosed spaces and the openings.

One of the panel supports is characterized in that it is a lower panel support fixed to the floor surface or an upper panel support fixed to the ceiling.
According to this feature, it is possible to provide a partition panel that has an inconspicuously thin vertical frame, secures a wide glass surface in the left-right direction, and has excellent aesthetics and sufficient soundproofing effect.

One of the panel supports is a lower panel support that is fixed to the floor surface.
This feature makes it possible to absorb noise from the floor side, which is closer to users and where there is a lot of work.

The plurality of closed spaces are characterized by being provided in a left-right direction.
This feature allows the sound absorption of small sounds occurring in either the left or right direction.

The plurality of closed spaces are characterized by being provided in a front-rear direction.
According to this feature, sound transmitted from one side of the pair of glass panels to the other side can be absorbed in multiple stages.

The opening is provided in the center of the enclosed space.
According to this feature, the closed space that functions as a Helmholtz resonator can efficiently exert the sound absorption effect of sounds in the frequency band.

1 is a front view of a partition panel device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of a partition panel device having glass panels attached to both sides thereof. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an enlarged view of a main part of the partition panel device. FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a main part of the partition panel device.

The following describes an embodiment of the partition panel device according to the present invention.

The partition panel device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. In the following description, the left side of the screen in Figure 3 will be referred to as the front side (front side) of the partition panel device, and the right side of the screen in Figure 3 will be referred to as the back side (rear side) of the partition panel device.

The partition panel device 1 is made up of multiple panels attached from the ceiling to the floor to partition and divide a room or space within a building, such as a school or office, into multiple sections. It uses transparent glass panels 4 (panel bodies) to create a sense of openness in the partitioned space, and has excellent strength and sound insulation properties.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the partition panel device 1 in this embodiment has a double-glass panel structure in which multiple glass panels 4, 4, ... are attached at a distance from each other between an upper panel support 2 fixed to the ceiling R and a lower panel support 3 fixed to the floor surface F. Furthermore, a left side panel support 5 and a right side panel support 6 are provided at the left and right ends of the pair of front and rear glass panels 4, 4 located at both the left and right ends, sealing off the intra-panel space S1 (see Figure 3) between the pair of front and rear glass panels 4, 4, ...

In this embodiment, the left side panel support 5 is fixed not only to the upper panel support 2 and the lower panel support 3 but also to the wall W. However, this is not limited to this, and like the right side panel support 6, it may be supported only by the upper panel support 2 and the lower panel support 3, and this may be modified as appropriate as long as the configuration is capable of closing off the intra-panel space S1. The same is true for the right side panel support 6, which is supported by the upper panel support 2 and the lower panel support 3. However, this is not limited to this, and like the left side panel support 5, it may be fixed not only to the upper panel support 2 and the lower panel support 3 but also to the wall W.

Furthermore, since the glass panels 4, 4 installed at a distance from each other at the front and rear have the same configuration, we will only explain the glass panel 4 installed at the front side of the partition panel device 1, and will omit an explanation of the glass panel 4 installed at the rear side. This also applies to the explanation of the glass panel 4 being supported upright by the upper panel support body 2, lower panel support body 3, left side panel support body 5, and right side panel support body 6.

The opposing ends of adjacent glass panels 4, 4, ... are filled with a highly transparent resin joint material (not shown), allowing them to be connected horizontally without the need for vertical frames.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, each glass panel 4 is made of laminated glass, which is made by strengthening two transparent glass plates by laminating them together. Note that the glass panel 4 is not limited to glass plates, and may be made of, for example, a transparent acrylic plate material.

Next, the lower panel support member 3 will be described in detail. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the lower panel support member 3 is mainly composed of a baseboard 30, a lower support member 31, a plate member 32, a partition member 33, and a cover 10b.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the baseboard 30 is formed by extruding aluminum alloy and has an upward U-shape when viewed from the side.

The baseboard 30 is fixed to the floor surface F by anchor bolts (not shown) along with multiple support brackets 37, 37, ... stacked vertically on its bottom plate 30a. The number of support brackets 37 stacked can be adjusted as needed. This makes it possible to adjust the height of the lower support member 31 placed on the support brackets 37.

The lower support member 31 is made of aluminum alloy by extrusion molding and is formed into an M-shape when viewed from the side.

The lower support member 31 is composed of a base 31a that fits over the baseboard 30 from above, and front and rear support portions 31b, 31b that are respectively positioned on the outer surfaces of the front and rear side panels 30b, 30b of the baseboard 30. Because the front and rear support portions 31b, 31b have the same structure, only the structure of the front support portion 31b will be described, and the structure of the rear support portion 31b will not be described here.

The base 31a comprises front and rear side panels 311, 311 extending along the front and rear side panels 30b, 30b of the baseboard 30; front and rear top panels 312, 312 extending toward the center in the front-to-rear direction, generally perpendicular to the upper ends of the side panels 311, 311; crank-shaped front and rear side walls 313, 313 extending downward from the center of the front and rear top panels 312, 312; a bottom plate 314 extending generally perpendicular to the lower sides of the front and rear side walls 313, 313; and front and rear legs 315, 315 formed at the lower ends of the front and rear side walls 313, 313. These side walls 313, 313 and bottom plate 314 give the base 31a a groove-like shape that opens upward.

Referring to the front side wall 313, the side wall 313 has an upper plate 313a that extends linearly downward and is approximately perpendicular to the front top plate 312, an inclined plate 313b that slopes toward the center from the lower end of the upper plate 313a and extends linearly downward, and a lower plate 313c that extends linearly downward from the lower end of the inclined plate 313b and is approximately parallel to the upper plate 313a.

The lower support member 31 has its front and rear side panels 311, 311 fitted over the front and rear side panels 30b, 30b of the baseboard 30, and its front and rear legs 315, 315 resting on the top support bracket 37.

The front support portion 31b extending from the front side panel 311 has a flat upper end surface on which the glass panel 4 is placed. With the glass panel 4 placed, the cover 10b engages with the front support portion 31b, allowing the glass panel 4 to be supported upright.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the plate member 32 is formed by extruding an aluminum alloy into a Pi shape when viewed from the side.

The plate member 32 comprises a flat plate-like portion 320 having multiple through holes 32a formed therethrough in the thickness direction, i.e., in the vertical direction, front and rear legs 321, 321 formed on the lower sides of the front and rear ends of the plate-like portion 320, and front and rear locking pieces 322, 322 protruding downward from the center of the left-right direction at the bottom end of the plate-like portion 320.

Regarding the multiple through holes 32a, two through holes 32a, 32a are formed at the center of the plate-shaped portion 320 in the front-rear direction, spaced apart in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, these two through holes 32a, 32a are formed at a predetermined distance in the left-right direction of the plate-shaped portion 320.

The plate member 32 is assembled to the lower support member 31 by placing the front and rear legs 321, 321 on the front and rear top plates 312, 312 of the lower support member 31, so that the front and rear locking pieces 322, 322 are locked to the front and rear top plates 312, 312 of the lower support member 31. As a result, the lower support member 31 and the plate member 32 form an internal space S2 of the support member.

The support internal space S2 is divided by dividers 33 into multiple compartments S3, which are closed spaces. Here, a closed space refers to a space surrounded by the lower support member 31, plate member 32, and dividers 33 that functions as a Helmholtz resonator. As described below, a closed space does not necessarily have to be strictly sealed, as long as it functions as a Helmholtz resonator. In other words, the support internal space S2 is formed by being surrounded by the lower support member 31 and plate member 32. Even if there are gaps between the dividers 33 that divide the support internal space S2 and between the dividers 33 and the lower support member 31 and plate member 32, and adjacent compartments S3, S3 are connected, there is little air flow between the compartments S3, S3. Therefore, the compartment S3 functions as a container surrounded by the lower support member 31, plate member 32, and divider 33, i.e., it can be a closed space that functions as a Helmholtz resonator.

As shown in Figure 4, the partition 33 is composed of a plate-shaped bottom plate 330, a longitudinal partition plate 331 supported upright on the bottom plate 330, and a transverse partition plate 332 supported by the bottom plate 330 and the longitudinal partition plate 331.

The bottom plate 330 is formed by die-cutting and molding resin, and extends longitudinally, i.e., left-right, along the bottom plate 314 of the lower support member 31. The width of the bottom plate 330, i.e., the dimension in the front-to-rear direction, is approximately the same as the dimension between the lower plates 313c, 313c of the lower support member 31. This allows the bottom plate 330 to be stably placed on the bottom plate 314.

The bottom plate 330 also has long holes 330a formed at predetermined intervals that penetrate vertically and are elongated in the left-right direction, with the center in the front-to-rear direction. The bottom plate 330 also has slits 330b formed at predetermined intervals that penetrate vertically and are open to the front or rear.

The longitudinal partition plate 331 is formed by die-cutting molding of resin and extends longitudinally, i.e., left-right, along the bottom plate 314 of the lower support member 31. Furthermore, the height of the longitudinal partition plate 331, i.e., the vertical dimension, is approximately the same as the vertical dimension of the support member internal space S2.

The longitudinal partition plate 331 has a locking piece 331a formed at its lower end that protrudes downward, and is erected by inserting the locking piece 331 into the elongated hole 330a in the bottom plate 330.

In addition, slits 331b that penetrate the longitudinal partition plate 331 in the front-to-rear direction and open upward are formed at predetermined intervals.

The short-side partition plate 332 is formed into a downward U-shape by die-cutting resin. The width dimension of the short-side partition plate 332 is approximately the same as the dimension between the lower plates 313c, 313c of the lower support member 31. The height dimension of the short-side partition plate 332 is approximately the same as the vertical dimension of the support member internal space S2. Here, the bottom plate 330, the long-side partition plate 331, and the short-side partition plate 332 may be formed from a material other than resin.

The short-side partition plate 332 has a slit 332a that penetrates from left to right and is open downward. The short-side partition plate 332 also has a locking piece 332b that protrudes downward from the front and rear lower ends.

To assemble these, first, the longitudinal partition plate 331 is erected on the bottom plate 330, and then,
The short-side partition plate 332 is inserted perpendicularly to the long-side partition plate 331, specifically, engaged with the long-side partition plate 331 through the respective slits 331b, 332a, and the front and rear locking pieces 322b are inserted into the front and rear slits 330b in the bottom plate 330. In this manner, the partition device 33 is composed of the plate-shaped bottom plate 330 and long-side partition plate 331 arranged along the longitudinal direction of the lower support member 31, and the short-side partition plate 332 arranged along the short direction of the lower support member 31, and can be made to stand on its own by itself. Furthermore, since the partition device 33 is separate from the lower support member 31, multiple compartments S3, which are closed spaces, can be formed simply by placing the partition device 33 on the bottom plate 314 of the lower support member 31. This simplifies the structure and also makes it easy to change the compartments of the compartments S3.

In this way, the support body internal space S2 is divided into approximately equal parts in the front-to-rear direction by the longitudinal partition plates 331, and further divided into approximately equal parts in the left-to-right direction by the transverse partition plates 332, forming a plurality of enclosed compartments S3. These compartments S3 are arranged approximately equally in both the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions. As shown in Figure 3, a gap G is formed between the transverse partition plates 332 that form the compartments S3 and the side walls 313 of the lower support member 31, allowing adjacent compartments S3, S3 on the left and right to communicate with each other. Thus, even if adjacent compartments S3, S3 are connected, there is not much air flow within the space between compartments S3, S3. Also, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the position near the short-side partition plate 332 where gap G is formed is far from the through-hole 32a. Therefore, there is little effect on compartment S3 functioning as a container surrounded by the lower support member 31, plate member 32, and partition 33, and compartment S3 can become a closed space that functions sufficiently as a Helmholtz resonator.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the through hole 32a of the plate member 32 is positioned approximately in the center in the front-to-rear direction between the longitudinal partition plate 331 and the lower plates 313c, 313c of the lower support member 31, and approximately in the center in the left-to-right direction between a pair of adjacent lateral partition plates 332, 332. In this way, the through hole 32a opening is provided in the center of the plate member 32 of each compartment S3, which is an enclosed space, so the sound absorption effect of the Helmholtz resonator for sounds in the frequency band can be efficiently exerted.

Next, we will explain the upper panel support member 2. As shown in Figure 2, the upper panel support member 2 is mainly composed of a coping 20, an upper support member 21, a plate member 22, and a cover 10b.

The capping board 20 has a downward U-shape when viewed from the side, and is fixed to the ceiling R with multiple bolts (not shown). Multiple hanging brackets 27 are fastened to the inside of the capping board 20 by bolts. An upper support member 21 is suspended from each hanging bracket using an adjuster bolt for height adjustment. A plate member 22 is also attached to the upper support member 21.

With the glass panel 4 positioned below the support portion 21b of the upper support member 21, the cover 10b engages with the support portion 21b, thereby supporting the glass panel 4 in an upright position.

Next, we will explain the left side panel support 5 and the right side panel support 6.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pillar 50 of the left side panel support 5 is fixed to the wall W, and its upper end is connected to the upper panel support 2 by a connecting metal fitting (not shown), and its lower end is connected to the lower panel support 3 by a connecting metal fitting (not shown). Furthermore, with the left end of the glass panel 4 positioned on a support portion (not shown) of the pillar 50, the cover 10a is engaged with this support portion, thereby supporting the glass panel 4 in an upright position.

Like the left side panel support body 5, the pillar 60 of the right side panel support body 6 is connected at its upper end to the upper panel support body 2 and at its lower end to the lower panel support body 3 by connecting metal fittings. Furthermore, with the right end of the glass panel 4 positioned on a support portion (not shown) of the pillar 60, the cover 10a is engaged with this support portion, thereby supporting the glass panel 4 in an upright position.

Although not shown directly in the figure, the pillar 60 is connected to an upper panel support 2, a lower panel support 3, and glass panels 4, 4 spaced apart in the left-right direction, all of which extend rearward in the drawing.

Here, we will explain the sound absorption performance that applies Heltzholm resonance. We will explain a Heltzholm resonator that uses multiple compartments S3, which are partitioned closed spaces, in the lower panel support body 3. However, Heltzholm resonators that use multiple compartments S3, which are partitioned closed spaces, can also be formed in the upper panel support body 2, left side panel support body 5, and right side panel support body 6. In particular, a Heltzholm resonator that uses multiple compartments S3, which are partitioned closed spaces, in the lower panel support body 3 can absorb sounds from the floor, which is close to users and where there is a lot of work, such as sounds from walking or moving carts, thereby enhancing the sound absorption effect for users.

A "Helmholtz resonator" is a device in which the air inside a container with an opening acts as a spring, and the air inside the container resonates, absorbing sound energy centered around the resonating frequency. The resonant frequency (natural frequency) (f) of a "Helmholtz resonator" is determined by the internal volume of the container (V), the area of the opening (S), the neck length of the opening (L), and other factors, and is expressed by the following formula:
f=(c/2π)√(S/VL)

In the embodiment, the plate member 32 that forms the support internal space S2 has multiple through holes 32a that penetrate in the thickness direction, i.e., the vertical direction, as described above. In the multiple compartments S3 that are partitioned closed spaces in the lower panel support 3, the area of the through holes 32a in each compartment S3 (or the sum of the areas of the through holes 32a if the compartment S3 has multiple through holes 32a) is the "area of the opening (S)," the thickness of the plate member 32 is the "neck length of the opening (L)," and the volume of each compartment S3 is the "internal volume of the container (V)." By appropriately selecting the area of the through holes 32a, the thickness of the plate member 32, and the volume of the closed chamber S3, sound energy in the desired frequency band (e.g., 500 Hz) can be absorbed in each compartment S3, improving soundproofing performance.

In these embodiments, even if sound generated outside one of the glass panels vibrates the air in the space between the panels through that glass panel, the Helmholtz resonator can absorb sound in the corresponding frequency band. This increases the sound absorption effect and improves soundproofing performance without compromising the aesthetic appearance.

Furthermore, if multiple partitioned chambers S3, which are partitioned closed spaces, are provided in the left and right directions, even small sounds generated in either the left or right direction can be absorbed.

Furthermore, if multiple compartments S3, which are partitioned closed spaces, are provided in the front-to-rear direction, sound transmitted from one side of a pair of glass panels to the other can be absorbed in multiple stages.

Furthermore, if the multiple compartments S3, which are partitioned closed spaces, have approximately the same volume and the sum of the opening areas of the through holes 32a that communicate with one of the multiple compartments S3 is approximately the same, the frequency band that can be absorbed in each compartment S3, which is a closed space that functions as a Helmholtz resonator, can be made approximately constant, thereby improving sound absorption efficiency.

Furthermore, one of the multiple compartments S3 may be connected to one through-hole 32a. This reduces the number of steps required to machine the through-hole 32a.

In addition, in this embodiment, the through-hole 32a is a through-hole formed in the plate member 32 that separates the support body internal space S2, which includes multiple compartments S3, which are partitioned closed spaces, from the inter-panel space S1, and allows the plate member 32 to function as a diaphragm. In other words, by having the plate member 32 function as a diaphragm, it can resonate with sound traveling from one side of the glass panel to the other, further enhancing the soundproofing effect. In order for the plate member 32 to function as a diaphragm, it is preferable that the underside of the plate member 32 be slightly spaced apart from the partitions 33, specifically the longitudinal partitions 331 and the lateral partitions 332.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and modifications and additions that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

For example, in the embodiment, the Helmholtz resonator is provided on the lower panel support 3, but it may also be provided on any of the upper panel support 2, left side panel support 5, or right side panel support 6, or on more than one or all of these panel supports.

In addition, in the examples, the Helmholtz resonator was described as one in which the volumes of the multiple compartments S3 are approximately the same and the resonator absorbs sound energy in a specific frequency band, but the volumes (V) of the multiple compartments S3 or the opening areas (S) of the through holes 32a may be different to absorb sound energy in multiple frequency bands.

In addition, in the embodiment, the panel supports that support the glass panel are described as being supported by an upper panel support 2, a lower panel support 3, a left panel support 5, and a right panel support 6 that surround the glass panel on all four sides. However, the panel supports may support the glass panel on two sides, such as top and bottom, or on three sides, such as top and left and right, or bottom and left and right.

In addition, in the embodiment, the multiple compartments S3, which are partitioned closed spaces in the lower panel support body 3, are described as consisting of multiple compartments in the front and rear and multiple compartments on the left and right, but the multiple compartments S3 may also consist of one compartment in the front and rear (multiple compartments on the left and right) or one compartment in the left and right (multiple compartments in the front and rear).

In addition, in the embodiment, the separator 33 is described as being separate from the lower support member 31, but the separator 33 does not have to be separate from the lower panel support member 31 or the plate member 32; the separator 33 may be formed of a partition plate on the lower panel support member 31 or the plate member 32.

In addition, in the embodiment, the "neck length (L) of the opening," which is related to the value of the resonant frequency (natural frequency) (f) of the "Helmholtz resonator" in the compartment S3, which is a closed space, was described as being the "thickness of the plate member 32." However, this is not limited to this. A cylindrical portion extending vertically from the through-hole 32a may be provided, and the "neck length (L) of the opening" may be set to "the thickness of the plate member 32 + the vertical length of the cylindrical portion." In this way, even if the closed space of the compartment S3 is narrowed, i.e., the "internal volume (V) of the container" is reduced, the same resonance effect can be achieved by adjusting the vertical length of the cylindrical portion, i.e., the "neck length (L) of the opening." In particular, if the cylindrical portion is provided within the closed space of the compartment S3, the cylindrical portion cannot be seen from the outside, thereby improving soundproofing without detracting from the aesthetic appearance.

In addition, in the embodiment, the closed space functioning as a Helmholtz resonator has been described as being a plurality of compartments S3 formed by dividing the support internal space S2 with dividers 33, but the entire support internal space S2 formed by the lower support member 31 and plate member 32 without dividers 33 may also be used as the closed space.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, it was explained that the multiple compartments S3, which are closed spaces that function as Helmholtz resonators, do not have to be sealed spaces, but of course the multiple compartments S3 may also be configured as sealed spaces.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, an example was described in which one through-hole is provided in each closed space, but the number of through-holes provided in each closed space is not limited to one and may be multiple.

1 Partition panel device 2 Upper panel support 3 Lower panel support 4 Glass panel 5 Left side panel support 6 Right side panel support 10a, 10b Cover 30 Baseboard 31 Lower support member 32 Plate member 32a Through hole 33 Partition 330 Bottom plate 331 Longitudinal partition plate 332 Shortitudinal partition plate S1 Panel internal space S2 Support internal space S3 Partitioned chamber (closed space)

Claims (5)

A partition panel device formed by connecting a pair of glass panels arranged opposite each other in the front and rear to each other in the left and right directions,
The glass panels arranged side by side are supported by a plurality of panel supports arranged to surround the glass panels,
At least one of the panel supports is provided with a closed space that communicates with an inter-panel space formed between the pair of glass panels through an opening facing the inter-panel space,
A partition panel device characterized in that a plurality of the enclosed spaces are formed inside the panel support body by being partitioned by partition members . 2. The partition panel device according to claim 1 , wherein one of the panel supports is a lower panel support fixed to a floor surface or an upper panel support fixed to a ceiling. 3. The partition panel device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of enclosed spaces are provided in a left-right direction. 4. The partition panel device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of enclosed spaces are provided in a front-rear direction. 5. The partition panel device according to claim 1, wherein the opening is provided in the center of the enclosed space.