Removable Privacy Screen Using Hook-and-Loop Fasteners

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-family dwelling outdoor spaces, such as patios and balconies, lack privacy due to visibility from adjacent units, with existing railings failing to provide adequate privacy for residents.

Innovation Solution

A removable privacy screen with a frame and opaque panel, secured using hook-and-loop fasteners, which can be easily installed and removed from surfaces like railings, allowing for customizable privacy solutions and airflow through micropore materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If railings are installed to comply with building codes, then safety is improved, but privacy is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidprivacy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The privacy screen is divided into multiple individual panels that can be independently attached to different sections of the railing, allowing selective privacy coverage while maintaining safety requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The privacy screen acts as an intermediary element between the railing and the external environment, providing visual privacy while allowing air flow and maintaining the structural safety function of the railing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a privacy screen is added to provide visual disruption, then privacy is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprivacyVSAvoidstructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The privacy screen consists of multiple separate panels rather than one large complex structure, simplifying manufacturing, installation, and storage while achieving the same privacy function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The panels are designed with standardized dimensions and attachment mechanisms that allow easy configuration for different railing setups, reducing the complexity of adapting to various installation scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If permanent privacy structures are installed, then privacy is improved, but ease of operation is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprivacyVSAvoidinstallation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The privacy screen transitions from a static permanent structure to a dynamic removable one, allowing residents to install and remove panels as needed based on their privacy requirements and seasonal changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Traditional mechanical fastening systems are replaced with magnetic attachment mechanisms, eliminating the need for drilling, screws, or complex installation tools while maintaining secure attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If opaque panels are used to block visibility, then privacy is improved, but airflow is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprivacyVSAvoidairflow

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The privacy panels utilize materials with microscopic pores that are invisible to the human eye but allow air molecules to pass through, achieving both visual privacy and air flow simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The panel material has different properties at different scales: opaque to visible light wavelengths but permeable to air molecules, optimizing both privacy and airflow functions in the same material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively disrupts visibility into outdoor areas, providing residents with private spaces while being easy to install, remove, and clean, accommodating various patio and balcony configurations.

Implementation Method 1

The panel may be comprised of a micropore material which permits air to pass through the panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Implementation Method 2

The removable fasteners may comprise hook-and-loop fasteners, with each first portion being one of a hook and a loop and each second portion being an other of a hook and a loop

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHook-and-loop fastening: Velcro

Data Source

PatentUS20240084588A1Customizable privacy apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.03.14 WILIAMS DANE RAE

AI summary

A removable privacy screen, comprising: a frame, the frame comprising a plurality of frame support members, each of the frame support members coupled to another of the frame support member via a connection member to form the frame and define a perimeter for the frame; a panel, the panel secured to and disposed within the frame, the panel being opaque to visible light; a plurality of removable fasteners, each removable fastener comprising a first portion and a second portion, with the first portion of each removable fastener secured to the frame, and the second portion of each removable fastener securable to a surface separate from the frame; wherein the frame is of a greater thickness than the panel, and wherein the number of removable fasteners is at least equal to the number of frame support members.