Vacuum Cleaner Acoustics
More and more consumers want quieter vacuums...
Vacuum cleaner acoustics is an important study whereby manufacturers ascertain the noise emission levels of their product and undertake measures to reduce the same to tolerable levels.
It is a recent development in the industry and shows a trend towards labeling of sound emission norms.
Until recently, ours has been a country where bigger is better. We like all things big and powerful.
Of course the more power we have, the more noise we make.
This is true not only for muscle cars and choppers, but also for humble household appliances like the vacuum cleaner.
Over the years, consumers have maintained that noisier vacuum cleaners are more powerful. However, recent studies show an increasing demand for noise reduction and movement towards the classification of allowable noise emission levels. This is why vacuum cleaner acoustics is a two-pronged issue.
Among the current range of vacuum cleaners available in the market, most have sound emissions levels from 72 to 77 decibels. Most consumers consider such levels of sound loud and bothersome. This is why, today, a manufacturer who offers a quieter and more efficient vacuum stands to gain an edge over his competitors.
A common technique used by manufacturers to reduce noise emission is the application of acoustic foam to the inside of the cover of its canister type vacuum cleaners. The acoustic foam absorbs sound. It dissipates air-transmitted noise in the form of heat. This is achieved by diminishing reflected vibrations, thereby reducing energy levels.
A tried and tested method for evaluating the absorbing properties of different materials is ASTM E1050. Also, called the “Impedance Tube” method, it is a standard test method that requires the use of two microphones, digital frequency analysis system and of course a tube.
This method is an easy-to-run, economical and popular technique for measuring sound absorption. It is a relatively easy job and does not require a noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) expert to set up or run. So, it isn’t necessary for vacuum cleaner acoustic studies to always be carried out by external expert testing agencies.
The manufacturer’s own research and development department can easily perform this method of testing right in the plant. It is not only more economical for the manufacturer to do the testing but also saves time. There is no waiting for results to get back from the testing facility.
The end results; lower noise emissions, lower development costs and higher sales volumes. All thanks to a simple and cost-effective vacuum cleaner acoustics procedure known as the “Impedance tube” method.
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