Stowable workstations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stowable workstations are either overly tall, inefficient in space utilization, or lack ergonomic flexibility, failing to provide a compact and secure stowed configuration while offering sufficient legroom and ergonomic usability in deployed configurations.
Innovation Solution
A stowable workstation design featuring back, top, and front panels, and side pillars with a vertically traveling carriage that transitions from a compact stowed configuration to a deployed configuration where the front panel pivots outward to form a desk surface, with extendable legs for adjustable height and increased legroom, and a carriage panel that flushes with the desk surface to minimize gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the workstation is designed to be compact in stowed configuration, then space utilization is improved, but legroom and ergonomic usability deteriorate in deployed configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The workstation employs dynamic elements including a movable front panel that pivots between vertical (stowed) and horizontal (deployed) positions, and a carriage that travels vertically to position equipment. This dynamic configuration allows the same structure to provide compact storage volume when stowed and adequate legroom with ergonomic desk surface when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes vertical dimension by moving the carriage vertically between side pillars and allowing the front panel to pivot from vertical to horizontal orientation. This dimensional transformation enables the workstation to achieve compact footprint in stowed state while providing sufficient legroom and ergonomic working surface in deployed state.
2Device complexity
If the workstation is designed with fixed panel positions, then structural simplicity is improved, but adaptability and ergonomic flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The front panel is designed to pivot between vertical and horizontal positions, and the carriage travels vertically to position equipment at different heights. These dynamic adjustments provide ergonomic flexibility for different user needs and working positions without requiring multiple fixed configurations or complex reassembly procedures.
3Volume of moving object
If the front panel remains vertical in stowed configuration, then compactness is improved, but desk surface area and usability deteriorate in deployed configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The front panel dynamically changes orientation from vertical in stowed configuration to horizontal in deployed configuration, transforming from a space-saving vertical element to a functional horizontal desk surface. This pivoting action, combined with the vertically positioned carriage, creates adequate desk surface area when needed while maintaining compactness when stowed.
Data Source
AI summary
Stowable workstations are provided which have back, top and front panels and side pillars and are configurable in a stowed configuration wherein the panels and side pillars form a rectangular enclosure and which can transition to a deployed configuration wherein the front panel extends horizontally to form a desk surface.