Automobile Privacy Shield Canopy with Pivot Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing privacy and weather shields for vehicles are inadequate in providing privacy from elevated positions and do not effectively shield users from weather events like rain or snow, especially when changing clothes in outdoor public environments.
Innovation Solution
A portable privacy and weather shield with a canopy comprising pivotally coupled panels, a shaft, and a runner system that allows the canopy to be easily deployed and stowed, along with elastic fasteners and curtains for secure attachment to the vehicle, ensuring privacy and weather protection from both ground and elevated viewpoints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If existing privacy devices are used adjacent to an open vehicle door, then ground-level privacy is provided, but privacy from elevated positions is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The privacy shield transitions from a two-dimensional ground-level barrier to a three-dimensional structure by adding a canopy that extends upward. The canopy includes a top surface and side surfaces that block line-of-sight from elevated positions, while the vertical support structure anchors the canopy to the vehicle door assembly, creating a comprehensive privacy enclosure that addresses both ground-level and elevated visibility concerns
2Object-affected harmful factors
If existing privacy devices are used, then some privacy is provided, but protection from weather events such as rain or snow is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The addition of the canopy creates an overhead protective surface that extends the privacy shield's functionality from merely blocking side views to also protecting against weather events. The canopy's top surface and side surfaces form a weather-resistant enclosure that shields the changing area from rain, snow, and other environmental elements
Solution Approach 2:
The canopy is constructed with a canopy framework providing structural support and a weather-resistant covering material that protects against environmental elements. This composite structure combines structural integrity with weather protection capabilities, allowing the device to function as both a privacy barrier and a weather shield
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a portable privacy shield with canopy is added, then privacy from elevated positions and weather protection are achieved, but device portability and ease of assembly are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The privacy shield is divided into distinct modular components including the canopy framework, vertical support structure, horizontal support structure, and base structure. These segmented parts can be independently assembled and disassembled, with connection mechanisms that facilitate quick assembly and disassembly while maintaining the structural integrity needed for effective privacy and weather protection
Solution Approach 2:
The privacy shield incorporates dynamic elements such as the movable runner system that allows the horizontal support structure to extend and retract, and the pivotable connections between structural components. These dynamic features enable the device to transition between compact stored configurations and deployed privacy-providing configurations, balancing portability with functional effectiveness
Data Source
AI summary
A privacy and weather shield for use with an automobile having a side door includes a canopy including first and second panels pivotally coupled together and each having opposed front and rear edges, respectively, each panel having a framework covered by a waterproof material. The canopy includes a runner slidably coupled to a shaft and a plurality of stretchers are operatively coupled to the runner and to the canopy such that movement of the runner causes the stretchers to move the canopy between a stowed configuration in which the panels are folded/stowed and a deployed configuration in which the panels are extended/deployed. The canopy may be secured atop an automobile cab and door with an elastic fastener extending between the runner and the side door of the automobile. First and second curtains may be releasably coupled to the canopy.