Portable table top
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable table tops are uncomfortable due to weight and heat buildup when used on laps or legs, and they lack ergonomic positioning and stability when used in vehicles or armchairs, failing to provide a suitable writing platform in limited spaces.
Innovation Solution
A portable table top with extension brackets that expand to bridge the distance between chair armrests, a centrally positioned support for seat cushion engagement, and adjustable legs for ergonomic positioning, including a mechanism to secure the desk on a steering wheel and provide incremental height adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a portable table top is placed on an individual's lap or legs, then it provides a writing platform, but weight and heat buildup make it uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple legs that can be extended and positioned independently. The legs are segmented into adjustable sections that can be configured to distribute weight away from the user's lap, placing support points on the chair or table surface instead.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure transitions from a single-plane lap-desk configuration to a three-dimensional multi-leg structure. The legs extend in multiple directions and can be positioned at various heights and angles, creating a stable support framework that elevates the writing surface away from the user's body.
2Adaptability or versatility
If extension brackets are added to bridge the distance between arm rests, then the base can be used as a portable table top, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extension brackets serve multiple functions: they extend the base width to bridge arm rests, provide mounting surfaces for additional accessories, and can be adjusted to accommodate different chair configurations. The same structural elements serve both structural and adaptive purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension brackets are designed to be adjustable and reconfigurable rather than fixed. They can be extended, retracted, and repositioned to adapt to different chair arm rest distances and heights, allowing the base to accommodate various seating arrangements without requiring multiple specialized components.
3Ease of operation
If a centrally positioned support with pivot joints is added for seat cushion engagement, then ergonomic positioning is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centrally positioned support incorporates pivot joints that allow dynamic adjustment of the support angle and position. This enables the support to adapt to different seat cushion heights and firmness levels, providing optimal ergonomic positioning for various users and seating configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot joints are designed to allow easy manual adjustment by the user without requiring tools or complex mechanisms. The support structure uses simple mechanical joints that naturally settle into stable positions, providing self-adjusting ergonomic support that responds to user weight and positioning preferences.
4Reliability
If mounting brackets and securement mechanisms are added to prevent accidents when moving, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting brackets and securement mechanisms are integrated into the existing base and leg structures rather than being separate add-on components. The brackets serve both as structural support elements and as securement points, combining multiple functions into unified components that reduce overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting brackets act as intermediary elements between the base structure and the writing surface or accessories. They provide secure attachment points that prevent accidental displacement while allowing for easy installation and removal of the writing surface or attached items.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable table top formed from a base having multiple legs and brackets for accommodating various positions. Extension brackets are attached to side edges which engage a mounting tab slidably insertable into a cavity formed on each side edge of the base. A centrally positioned support having a first end pivotably mounted to a lower surface of the base provides a three-point support. Legs are provided if the base is to be used on flat table as an angled work surface.