Hinged Surface Extender for Adjustable Classroom Desk Space
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing student population in schools leads to crowded classrooms, making it difficult to provide sufficient desk space, prompting the need for a solution to temporarily extend existing surfaces for additional workspace without the expense of expanding infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A surface extender device comprising two panels connected by a hinge, with clamping mechanisms to secure the device to a surface and objects, allowing for adjustable angles and temporary locking to maintain orientation, enabling the extension of desk space for students.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If smaller desks are used to fit more students in crowded classrooms, then student capacity increases, but available workspace area decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The surface extender is divided into two separate panels (first panel and second panel) connected by a hinge, allowing the device to be segmented into a base portion that attaches to the desk and an extension portion that provides additional workspace. This segmentation enables the extender to adapt to limited space while providing sufficient workspace area.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface extender utilizes vertical space by allowing the second panel to rotate and extend upward from the first panel, creating additional workspace in the vertical dimension rather than only horizontal expansion. This dimensional change allows students to gain extra workspace without increasing the horizontal footprint on the desk.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the second panel is made rotatable to provide adjustable angles, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second panel is made rotatable relative to the first panel through a hinge mechanism, allowing the panel to dynamically adjust to various angles. This dynamic capability enables the surface extender to adapt to different user preferences and workspace requirements, improving versatility while maintaining reasonable structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to maintain the second panel at selected angles without requiring continuous external control. Once the panel is positioned at a desired angle, the locking mechanism automatically maintains that position, reducing the need for complex active control systems and simplifying the overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If clamping mechanisms are added to secure the device to surfaces, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Clamping mechanisms are introduced as intermediary components that mediate between the surface extender and the desk surface. These clamps provide a reliable connection without requiring permanent modification to the desk or complex mounting structures, achieving stable attachment through simple mechanical clamping action.
Data Source
AI summary
A surface extender device includes a first panel having a first front wall and a first rear wall, and a second panel having a second front wall and a second rear wall. The surface extender device also includes a first clamping mechanism mounted to the first front wall of the first panel and configured to secure the first panel to a surface, and a second clamping mechanism mounted to the second front wall of the second panel and configured to secure an object to the second panel. The surface extender device also includes a hinge that connects the first panel to the second panel such that the second panel is rotatable with respect to the first panel. The surface extender device further includes a locking mechanism configured to maintain the second panel at an angle with respect to the first panel.