Accessory support device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions fail to provide an accessory support device that optimally combines privacy screens and flat panel monitor arms, accommodating different user sizes and maintaining optimal viewing distances, while also being cost-effective and easy to configure, due to form factor impracticalities and material inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

An accessory support device with a support structure featuring a flat base plane, an inclined portion, and an upright portion, where the upright portion is angularly adjustable relative to the inclined portion via a first hinge construction, and the inclined portion is adjustable relative to the base via a second hinge construction, coupled by an angle compensation device, such as a parallelogram mechanism, to maintain consistent upright portion angles during adjustments, allowing for versatile user height accommodation and optimal viewing distances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If privacy screens are made thicker to absorb ambient noise and monitor arms are made larger to include more functionality, then privacy and functionality are improved, but desktop depth is reduced and material usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoiddesktop depth
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the privacy screen and monitor arm into a single integrated device. The privacy screen is positioned behind the monitor and supported by the same arm mechanism, eliminating the need for separate mounting structures. This integration reduces the overall desktop footprint while maintaining both privacy screening and monitor positioning functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated device serves multiple functions: it positions the monitor at optimal viewing angles and heights, provides privacy screening by blocking rearward view, and reduces desktop space requirements. The single structure performs what previously required separate privacy screens and monitor arms, achieving versatility without increasing material usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If separate privacy screens and monitor arms are designed and mounted independently, then each component can be optimized individually, but assembly complexity and configuration effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent optimizationVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the privacy screen and monitor arm into one device, the patent eliminates the need for separate mounting and configuration processes. The privacy screen is pre-positioned relative to the monitor, and both are controlled by the same arm mechanism, significantly reducing assembly steps and configuration effort compared to independent mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If fixed-angle privacy screens and monitor arms are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but adaptability to different user sizes and viewing preferences is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiduser accommodation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated device incorporates an adjustable arm mechanism that allows the privacy screen and monitor to be positioned at various angles and heights. This dynamic adjustment capability enables different users to customize the setup to their ergonomic preferences and body sizes, while the underlying integrated structure maintains manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4157040B1Accessory support device
Publication Date: 2024.06.19 VLAAR INNOVATIONS
  • EP4157040B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4157040B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4157040B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The disclosure relates to an accessory support device, comprising a support structure that defines a flat base plane. And comprising an inclined portion that is supported on the support structure that extends in an inclined plane upward relative to the base plane from a front of the accessory support device to a rear of the accessory support device. The accessory support device further comprises an upright portion that is supported on the support structure or on the inclined portion that extends in a mainly upright plane relative to the base plane from the rear of the accessory support device, so as to form a privacy panel that shields the user from being seen from the rear of the accessory support, device.