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, leading to inadequate viewing distances and insufficient accommodation for different-sized users, often requiring complex configurations and excessive materials.
Innovation Solution
A sleek accessory support device with a flat base plane, an inclined portion, and an upright portion, connected via hinge constructions and an angle compensation mechanism, allowing adjustable height and angle to accommodate various users while elevating devices in line with optimal viewing distances, made from sustainable aluminum with a single piece construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If privacy screens are made thicker to absorb ambient noise, then noise absorption improves, but desktop depth is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the privacy screen and monitor arm into a single integrated device. The privacy screen is mounted on the monitor arm assembly, merging two previously separate functions (privacy screening and monitor positioning) into one unified structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate desktop space allocations for both components, optimizing the use of limited desktop depth while maintaining noise absorption capabilities through the privacy screen's material properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitor arm provides vertical adjustment capability, allowing the privacy screen to be positioned at optimal heights without consuming additional horizontal desktop space. By transitioning from a purely horizontal desktop footprint to utilizing the vertical dimension through adjustable arm mechanisms, the system maintains effective noise absorption while preserving valuable desktop depth.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flat panel monitor arms are made larger to include more functionality, then functionality improves, but desktop depth is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated device performs multiple functions: it positions flat panel monitors at optimal viewing angles and heights, supports laptop computers with adjustable positioning, and provides privacy screening. By combining these functions into a single multi-functional assembly mounted on the desktop, the system achieves high versatility without proportionally increasing the desktop footprint, as all functions share the same mounting base and spatial envelope.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs a nested structure where the laptop holder can be positioned within or adjacent to the monitor arm assembly, and the privacy screen is integrated into the same structural framework. This nesting approach allows multiple functional components to occupy overlapping or adjacent spatial volumes rather than requiring separate desktop real estate for each function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate privacy screens and monitor arms are designed independently, then design flexibility improves, but viewing distances become inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the privacy screen directly onto the monitor arm assembly, the system ensures that the screen position is synchronized with the monitor positioning. This merger allows the privacy screen to maintain optimal distance and alignment with the user's line of sight regardless of monitor adjustments, whereas separate independent designs would require separate adjustment mechanisms and could result in suboptimal viewing distances.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate devices are used for privacy screening and monitor support, then functional coverage improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple separate devices (privacy screen, monitor arm, laptop holder) into a single integrated assembly that functions as one unified device. This merger reduces configuration complexity from managing multiple independent devices with separate mounting and adjustment procedures to configuring a single integrated system with coordinated functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device provides universal support for multiple device types (flat panel monitors, laptops, tablets) and functions (positioning, privacy screening, cable management) through a single multi-functional platform, eliminating the need for users to source, configure, and coordinate multiple specialized devices.
5Area of stationary object
If desktops are made smaller to reduce office costs, then cost efficiency improves, but optimal viewing distances become difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The monitor arm mechanism enables vertical adjustment of the monitor and privacy screen assembly, allowing optimal viewing distances to be achieved in the vertical dimension rather than requiring increased horizontal desktop space. This dimensional transition permits compact desktop footprints while maintaining ergonomic viewing parameters through height and angle adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable monitor arm provides dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing the viewing distance and angle to be optimized for different users and tasks. This dynamic adaptability ensures that optimal viewing parameters can be maintained regardless of the fixed desktop size, as the system can be reconfigured rather than requiring fixed spatial allocations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates personal privacy and optimal viewing distances for users of different sizes without the need for complex configurations or excessive materials, ensuring ergonomic comfort and sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
the upright portion is angularly adjustably connected to the inclined portion, optionally to the base portion or other portion of the support structure, preferably via a first hinge construction; wherein the inclined portion is angularly adjustably connected to the base portion or other portion of the support structure, preferably via a second hinge construction
Implementation Method 2
the first and second hinge constructions are coupled via an angle compensation device, optionally a parallelogram mechanism, to compensate the first hinge construction for angular adjustment of the second hinge construction so as to keep the angle of the upright portion relative to the base plane mainly unchanged when the angle of the inclined portion relative to the base plane is adjusted
Data Source
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. The upright portion and the inclined portion are angularly adjustably connected via an angle compensation device to compensate the upright portion for angular adjustment of the inclined portion.