Portable desk
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals face challenges in finding suitable workspace while traveling, as public areas often lack desk space, and transporting a traditional desk is cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A portable desk design that can pivot into a hand-cart configuration, allowing it to serve as both a work surface and a luggage carrier, featuring a support element that can be adjusted for use as a work surface or luggage platform, and includes a seat element for comfort, with components that can be easily stowed when not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional desk is transported by an individual, then desk space is available for work, but it becomes cumbersome and impractical due to additional baggage
Solution Approach 1:
The portable desk is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a workspace when deployed and as a hand-cart for transporting luggage when inverted. The support element can be positioned at different locations on the main body, allowing the desk to function as both a work surface and a cargo carrier, eliminating the need to transport separate items for these purposes
Solution Approach 2:
The support element is pivotably engaged with the main body, allowing it to be repositioned between an upper end portion (for workspace) and a lower end portion (for luggage transport). This dynamic reconfiguration enables the desk to adapt between different operational modes, transitioning from a static workspace to a mobile cargo carrier
2Adaptability or versatility
If portable chairs and stools are carried, then seating is available, but they still must be carried in addition to luggage and do not provide desk space
Solution Approach 1:
The portable desk integrates seating functionality by positioning the support element to serve dual purposes: as a work surface when at the upper end portion and as a luggage platform when at the lower end portion. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate items needed, combining workspace and cargo transport capabilities in a single device
3Ease of operation
If a desk is designed to be mobile with wheels, then it can be pushed or pulled, but it loses the stability and work-surface quality of a static desk
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is pivotably engaged with the main body, allowing it to be repositioned between an upper end portion (for workspace) and a lower end portion (for luggage transport). This dynamic reconfiguration enables the desk to adapt between different operational modes, transitioning from a static workspace to a mobile cargo carrier
Solution Approach 2:
The desk is divided into distinct functional components: a main body with wheels for mobility and a separately positionable support element for the work surface. This segmentation allows the support element to be independently positioned for stability during work or repositioned for mobile transport, resolving the conflict between mobility and stability
Data Source
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AI summary
A portable desk (10) which comprises a main body (12), at least one wheel (18) engagable with the main body (12), and a support element (14) engagable with the main body (12) at a position which is at or adjacent to the or each wheel (12). The desk (10) can be arranged in two different configurations: in the first configuration, the main body (12) is preferably free standing and arranged such that the support element (14) is disposed at a vertically uppermost end of the main body to present a work-surface (16) to a user; whereas in the second configuration, the main body (12)is arrangable such that the wheels (18) are in contact with the ground to allow the desk to be pushed or pulled by a user.A method of converting such a portable desk into a hand-cart, and a method of converting such a portable desk into a stowable volume are also provided.