Adjustable height desk having a deployable floor mat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adjustable-height desks with deployable footrests and floor mats are needed to address space limitations and ergonomic challenges, as well as complications with cleaning and cable management under traditional desks.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable-height desk design featuring a movable footrest and deployable floor mat, where the footrest transitions between stowed and deployed positions coordinated with the tabletop's height adjustment, using various mechanisms such as electric actuation, gas springs, or linear actuators, allowing for ergonomic support during both sitting and standing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a floor-mounted footrest and floor mat are used under the desk, then ergonomic support is provided, but space limitations under the desk are violated and cleaning access is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The footrest and floor mat are designed to be movable rather than fixed. The footrest can be positioned at different locations under the desk, and the floor mat can be rolled out and stored as needed. This dynamic configuration allows the system to provide ergonomic support when needed while clearing space for cleaning and cable management when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor mat is divided into a removable section that can be separated from the main mat. This segmentation allows the mat to be configured in different ways - either as a complete mat for full ergonomic coverage or with the section removed to create a gap for cable access and cleaning, thus resolving the contradiction between providing continuous support and maintaining access.
2Ease of operation
If a floor-mounted footrest and floor mat are used under the desk, then ergonomic support is provided, but cable management becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The floor mat includes a removable section that can be taken out to create an opening for cable routing. This dynamic reconfiguration simplifies cable management by providing dedicated cable channels through the mat structure, eliminating the need for complex cable routing around fixed floor-mounted elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable section of the floor mat acts as an intermediary element that can be positioned to facilitate cable management. When removed or repositioned, it creates pathways for cables to pass through the mat structure cleanly, mediating between the need for ergonomic foot support and the need for organized cable routing.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the footrest and floor mat are always deployed, then ergonomic support is continuous, but cleaning access under the desk is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The floor mat is designed to be dynamically deployable and stowable rather than permanently fixed. Users can roll out the mat when ergonomic support is needed and roll it up or store it when cleaning is required. This dynamic behavior allows the system to provide continuous support during work hours while completely clearing the area for cleaning crews when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable section of the floor mat can be temporarily discarded (removed) to allow cleaning access, and then recovered (reinstalled) when ergonomic support is needed again. This temporary discarding and recovery of the mat section resolves the contradiction between maintaining continuous support and allowing periodic cleaning access.
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
Enhances user comfort and health benefits by increasing total standing time while maintaining desk usability and simplifying cleaning and cable management by ensuring the footrest and floor mat are out of the way when not in use.
Implementation Method 1
using various mechanisms such as electric actuation, gas springs, or linear actuators
Implementation Method 2
using various mechanisms such as electric actuation, gas springs, or linear actuators
Data Source
AI summary
A desk includes a tabletop and at least one base member supporting the tabletop. A footrest is disposed on the at least one base member beneath the tabletop. The footrest is movable between a stowed position toward a back of the desk and a deployed position toward a front of the desk. At least one mechanism is disposed on the at least one base member and operatively coupled to the footrest. The at least one mechanism moving the footrest between the stowed and deployed positions. A floor mat is disposed with the footrest. The floor mat is movable with the footrest between a stowed mat position and a deployed mat position.