Concepts

Research

The following 3 sections summarize some of the research done on height, additional space, and angle adjustability features our team is considering integrating into our final product.

HEIGHT

After researching other height adjusting desks on the market, we found the most common mechanisms to be snap-in pins, hydraulic pistons, manual mechanical and electrical actuator mechanisms. The most affordable options were snap-in pins, while the electronic mechanisms were the most expensive. Although the electronic systems are costly, they would be the most convenient for the end users.

Also, many height adjustment mechanisms were actually additional attachments to an otherwise rigid desk. These were smaller-sized desks that utilized scissor-lifts and z-lifts to raise a platform, marketed as an option to inexpensively convert a sitting desk to a standing desk. Overall, such attachments serve to support light objects such as paperback books and laptops, so their sturdiness for heavy-duty use and creep loading is questionable. These mechanisms can serve as inspiration for us in implementing a built-in height adjustment to our desk, but the scaling ability and strength would have to be important points of contention.

ADDITIONAL SPACE

Starting from traditional tabletop desks with four legs, we wanted to go more into the needs of additional spacing and position for flexibility. We brainstormed and researched ideas for adjustability in the horizontal direction and found these common trends:

1. Additional desks with drawer form : pull-out/slide-in desk that relies on the weight of a drawer. The legs of the extendable portion requires only on one edge while the opposite edge will be supported by the drawer.

• Pros : can make it into tiny desk when you don't wanna use additional parts and strong enough to put heavy things on it because the drawers act as a strong support
• Cons : don't have legs room in the middle desk, not suitable as a work station

2. Rotational desks : an add on desk which rotates about the axis of a table's legs. This add-on is placed below the bottom of the original and has wheels to allow ease of rotation about the table's legs.

• Pros : can pack it up as if it is one desk. Very mobile and has no restrictions for rotation
• Cons : the rotational portion of desks is usually too small; suitable for using computer but not much space for other activities (the desks are too small)

3. Foldable desks : one of the simpler ideas. A hinge is the only thing between the edge of the original tabletop and the additional flap portion which folds and bends 90 degrees.

• Pros : use the space more effectively, cheap, simple addition
• Cons : easily broken because there are no supporting structure at the end of the foldable portion

ANGLE

We found a few distinct approaches to adjustable angle desks. First, there are high-end drafting tables with large, clear work surfaces which cost on the order of $300 USD each. Some drafting tables are specialized with various compartments for pencils, rulers, cups, and other art supplies. We thought about how to incorporate the best features of drafting tables into our desk design at a more affordable price. Another approach, instead of making the entire table rotate at an angle, is to provide a single component add on such as an adjustable angle laptop stand. We considered this option as a lower cost alternative which still achieves the versatility of an adjustable angle desk.

Mechanisms used in current products:

• Notches, with a bar attached to the middles of the surface sides to prop up surface
• Single swing arm attached underneath the surface at the center

Cool + Useful Features:

• Glass or illuminated top (would be useful for creative work)
• Add-on instead of desk itself (cheaper and can be used to upgrade existing desk)
• Metal or glass top (for cooling laptops)

Unable to place PCs on angled portion due to most PCs being very heavy