Adjustable desk platform

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional desks do not accommodate the need for ergonomic transitions between sitting and standing, leading to health issues associated with prolonged sitting or standing, such as increased mortality rates, fatigue, and circulatory strain, while also failing to provide easy and quick adjustments for user comfort.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable desk platform with a planar work surface, a legless base for mounting on existing desks, and pivot arms that allow the platform to move between fully raised and fully lowered positions, incorporating locking mechanisms and counterweights for stability and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed-height desk is used, then the structure is simple and stable, but it cannot accommodate transitions between sitting and standing positions, leading to health issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to transition between sitting and standing positionsVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The desk is divided into a stationary base and a movable upper platform, allowing the platform to be adjusted independently between sitting and standing heights while the base remains fixed and simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The upper platform is made dynamically adjustable through pivot arms and locking mechanisms, enabling transitions between fixed height positions while maintaining structural stability when locked

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If standing desks are used, then standing position is supported, but standing for very long periods increases risks of carotid atherosclerosis and varicose veins due to additional circulatory load

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of transitioning from sitting to standingVSAvoidcirculatory strain and health risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The desk enables periodic alternation between sitting and standing positions, allowing users to switch between postures regularly to prevent prolonged circulatory strain associated with either extreme position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If an adjustable mechanism is added to allow height changes, then transitions between sitting and standing are enabled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability between fully raised and fully lowered positionsVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Counterweights are incorporated to balance the upper platform, reducing the force required to move it between positions and simplifying the actuation mechanism while maintaining adjustability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanisms are designed to be user-operable without requiring complex tools or procedures, allowing users to easily secure the platform at desired heights

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Stability of the object's composition

If locking mechanisms are added to hold positions, then stability at intermediate positions is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability at intermediate positionsVSAvoidnumber of locking components

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanisms are designed to be self-locking or easily operable by the user, providing stable position holding without requiring complex control systems or multiple components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables quick and easy transitions between sitting and standing positions, promoting user comfort and reducing health risks by allowing for customizable workspace height, thereby enhancing productivity and reducing fatigue and circulatory strain.

Implementation Method 1

the base includes a counterweight adapted to offset weight of the upper platform when in the raised position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCounterweight: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10413053B2Adjustable desk platform

Publication Date: 2019.09.17 VARIDESK LLC

AI summary

An adjustable desk platform can include: an upper platform defining a substantially planar work surface; a base located beneath the upper platform, the base defining a bottom surface without legs that is adapted to sit on an existing desk; first and second sets of arms coupling the upper platform to the base, wherein the first and second sets of arms are adapted for movement of the upper platform substantially in parallel with the base between a fully raised position and a fully lowered position; and a user-operable locking mechanism associated with the upper platform, the locking mechanism adapted to releasably lock the upper platform in the fully raised position, and in at least one intermediate position between the fully raised position and the fully lowered position. Other features and embodiments are discussed.