Workspace system and components and method for the use thereof

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing workspace systems lack portability and reconfigurability, requiring trained personnel and specialized tools for assembly and reconfiguration, and often have incompatible base components and accessories, leading to increased costs and user mobility limitations.

Innovation Solution

A workspace system with wheeled base components and standardized accessory interfaces that allow for easy reconfiguration and compatibility across different components, enabling users to rearrange and move components without tools, and using magnetic connections for screen arrangements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If workspace systems use fixed walls and panels without wheels, then structural stability is maintained, but portability and reconfigurability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The base components are equipped with wheels that enable dynamic movement between fixed and mobile states. The wheels allow the heavy base components to be easily relocated while maintaining structural integrity during use, resolving the contradiction between stability and portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The workspace system is divided into modular base components that can be independently moved and reconfigured. Each base component with its attached accessories forms a self-contained module that can be relocated without disassembling the entire system, enabling easy reconfiguration while maintaining component stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If workspace systems require disassembly and reassembly for reconfiguration, then structural integrity is maintained, but time consumption and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereconfigurabilityVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables dynamic reconfiguration through movement rather than disassembly. Base components can be rolled to new positions and immediately used, eliminating the time-consuming disassembly and reassembly processes while maintaining structural integrity throughout the reconfiguration process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Standardized accessory interfaces are designed to be universally compatible across different base components. This allows accessories to be easily transferred between bases without specialized tools or complex procedures, significantly reducing reconfiguration time while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If different base components use incompatible accessory interfaces, then component specificity is maintained, but accessory inventory costs and user confusion increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessory compatibilityVSAvoidaccessory inventory

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements universal accessory interfaces that can accommodate multiple accessory types across different base components. The standardized interfaces with varying shapes and sizes allow a single accessory to be compatible with multiple bases, reducing the total inventory needed while maintaining appropriate fit and function through interface variation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Different accessory interfaces are designed with specific local characteristics (different shapes, sizes, or features) tailored to particular base component requirements. This allows customization for specific applications while maintaining overall system compatibility through the standardized interface framework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If accessories are fixed to specific base components, then component specialization is maintained, but user mobility and flexibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser mobilityVSAvoidaccessory transferability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Accessories are designed with universal mounting interfaces that enable them to be attached to any compatible base component. Users can easily transfer accessories between different bases without specialized tools, maintaining both component specialization through interface variation and user mobility through easy transferability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10973321B2Workspace system and components and method for the use thereof

Publication Date: 2021.04.13 STEELCASE INC

AI summary

A workspace system includes different base components, different accessory interfaces and different accessories. Different accessory interfaces may be fixed to different base components, and different accessories may be releasably engaged by different, or the same accessory interfaces. The same accessories may be engaged by different accessory interfaces. The base components and accessories may be reconfigured to define different workspaces. Methods of assembling and reconfiguring the workspaces are also provided.