Study on the Noise Reduction Mechanism and Application of the Noise Simulation Analysis of Care Robots

Abstract

Currently, robots on the market have varying operational requirements due to their different functions. The care robots are primarily used to serve people under care. Therefore, reducing the amount of noise they make while moving is important. This study measured their noise in an anechoic room. This study found that the most noise is produced when they move forward and backward at full speed. The robot’s vibration signal was measured and compared with the noise source to propose the most effective way to reduce the noise. Due to the robot's small internal space, methods for noise reduction are limited. The care robot’s development must adopt quick customizable 3D printing technologies, produce sound absorption/insulation materials independently, determine the best sound absorption/insulation material and structural configuration, use impedance tubes to measure the sound absorption coefficient and sound insulation performance, and select the appropriate materials and implement them into the robot for actual tests. These results indicate that the noise value of the main contributing frequency can be reduced by 15dB at most. Furthermore, this study also used an acoustic simulation analysis to calculate and simulate the vibration and noise of the care robot. The vibration and noise signals during the robot's operation were measured and compared to provide a reference for manufacturers in design. Finally, experimental materials were added to the simulation and compared with the noise reduction results. The results show similar trends. Therefore, the model developed in this study may provide a fast, low-cost, and feasible method for the noise reduction of care robots.