Vertically Adjustable Sound Absorbing Screen with Counterweight

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Solution Overview

Problem

Office spaces with shared desks face noise and privacy issues due to fixed sound-absorbing partition systems, which affect productivity and employee comfort, as they cannot be easily adjusted to meet individual needs for sound insulation and privacy.

Innovation Solution

A vertically adjustable sound-absorbing screen with a stand, vertically sliding panel, and counterweight system that allows manual height adjustment between a maximum upper and minimum lower position, providing customizable privacy and sound insulation without the need for electricity, suitable for various work environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed-size office partition system is used, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but the adaptability to different employee needs and desk heights is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different employee needsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The partition panel is made dynamically adjustable in height through a counterweight mechanism. The panel can be moved vertically along the stand between a maximum upper position and a minimum lower position, allowing employees to adjust the partition to their specific needs for privacy and sound insulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a motorized adjustment system is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of vertical adjustmentVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A counterweight system is used to balance the panel's weight, enabling easy manual adjustment. The counterweight travels along the vertical supports in grooves, compensating for the panel's weight and allowing employees to move the panel up and down with minimal effort without requiring motors or electrical systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the panel is made fully visible above the stand, then the sound insulation effectiveness is improved, but the aesthetic appearance and space utilization are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound insulation effectivenessVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The panel's position is dynamically adjustable between a maximum upper position where it provides optimal sound insulation (extending above the stand) and a minimum lower position for aesthetic purposes. This allows the same partition to satisfy both functional requirements for noise reduction and aesthetic requirements for a clean appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The screen enhances employee comfort and productivity by allowing adjustable sound insulation and privacy, adaptable to different user needs and desk heights, while being cost-effective and easy to operate, reducing clutter from electrical cords and maintaining a clutter-free workspace.

Implementation Method 1

said sound absorbing panel being balanced by at least one counterweight

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCounterweight: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3542007B1Vertically adjustable sound absorbing screen
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 SVALSON
  • EP3542007B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP3542007B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4c
  • EP3542007B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

There is provided a vertically adjustable sound absorbing screen comprising a stand comprising two vertical supports, a vertical sound absorbing panel slidably arranged between the two vertical supports, said panel being vertically adjustable between an maximum upper position where the upper edge of the panel s above the stand, and a minimum lower position, said sound absorbing panel being balanced by at least one counterweight.