Privacy screen apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing privacy screens lack versatility and adaptability in configuration, as they are often fixed in position and do not provide sufficient flexibility to adjust to different orientations or work surface geometries, limiting their usability in various settings.
Innovation Solution
A privacy screen apparatus composed of elastomeric material with pillow and recess regions, allowing for multiple configurations via bending or flexing, and equipped with stand elements and connectors for free-standing or attachment to work surfaces, enabling adjustable orientations such as linear, U, V, C, S, O, and L shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If privacy screens are made fixed in position, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to different orientations and work surface geometries deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The privacy screen is designed with a flexible body that can dynamically change its configuration between fixed and flexible states, allowing it to adapt to different orientations and work surface geometries while maintaining structural stability when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The privacy screen utilizes a flexible body constructed from elastomeric material that can bend and flex to conform to various shapes and orientations, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and adaptability to different configurations
2Adaptability or versatility
If privacy screens are made flexible to adjust orientations, then adaptability to different settings is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The privacy screen employs composite construction combining elastomeric material with internal reinforcement structures, enabling the body to flex and adapt to different orientations while maintaining sufficient structural integrity to function as an effective privacy barrier
3Ease of manufacture
If privacy screens use fixed configuration, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but versatility in different work settings deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The privacy screen utilizes changes in material properties and structural parameters of the flexible body to enable multiple configurations, achieving versatility in different work settings while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes through the use of elastomeric materials and modular components
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 privacy screen apparatus provides a flexible and adaptable solution that can be configured to various shapes and orientations, enhancing usability and privacy in different settings while maintaining structural integrity and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
The first body can be comprised of an elastomeric material and can be formed to have a non-woven appearance
Data Source
AI summary
A privacy screen apparatus can include a body having a plurality of elongated recesses and between elongated pillow regions. The pillow regions can have a larger width than the recesses. In some embodiments, the body can be configured to bend about the elongated recesses to different configurations. A plurality of stand elements can be connected to the bottom of the body to permit the body to be free standing. In other embodiments, a plurality of connectors can be connected to the body for connecting the body to an article of furniture, such as a tabletop or a desktop.