Sonike Hendricks Introduction to Engineering Design

1/29/09 Section 10

Technical Memo
The Consumer Need
Many college students like working in the comfort of their dormitories which saves them the hassle of having to g to and from the library to do school work. However sitting at a dorm room desk for hours on end can actually be quite uncomfortable. Lying in bed or relaxing on a nice sofa is far more comfortable but it is also awkward to write out home, read a heavy text book or even use a laptop computer. A solution to this problem is to create a portable workspace that can accommodate this need. The VersaDesk is similar to a conventional bed desk in its basic functionality but in addition to being a portable desk it has highly versatile storage options like: book storage, a writing utensil holder, a cubby for stationery supplies. Additional features include a drink holder, a mouse pad, and a tilt-able center desk. The main focus for the VersaDesk aside from its function is to be lightweight and durable at the same time. The surfaces have been machined to remove excess material and give the product an abstract, modern look and also save weight. The VersaDesk is marketable to customers in need of portable desk with a variety of storage options, especially to college students. This product creates a studious workspace in the midst of home comfort creating an ideal study environment.

The Customer Requirements

Tilt-able center desk Book storage Stationery supply cubby Writing utensil holder Mouse pad Modern look Natural wood finish Rigid structure Light weight Satisfactory weight capacity Easy Storage

The Specifications
Dimensions: Overall 32.5W X 14.5D X 10.5H Center Desk 20W X 13D Weight: 8lbs-12lb Weight Capacity: 15lb-25lb Materials: Wood Binding: Wood glue and screws

The Research
In todays market there exists a number of bed desk which have various designs and levels of complexity. (See Figure 1) The simplest range of bed desks simply provide an area to write on that rests on your lap. A level up from that are ones that have legs to hold themselves up and the option of a tiltable desk. The most complex design has storage for magazines and small books but does not have accommodation for stationery supplies, writing utensils, or drinks. Most of these designs weight 6 to 16 pounds and have weight capacities of about 10 to 20 pounds. The price range is 30 dollars for low end models and up to 90 dollars for high end models. Figure 1

Various designs of bed desks

The Concepts
There were four major concept alternatives primarily related to maximizing weight capacity and durability, minimizing weight and cost while at the same time maintaining a clean modern look. In making these decisions, a Concept Screening Matrix (See Table 1) was used to weigh the pros and cons of each alternative. The first decision on the concepts was the choice of using wood, aluminum or chromoly as the desks material. Strength-wise the metals are far superior to wood, but are higher in costs, and are must harder to work with in the manufacturing of the product by hand. After considering this wood was chosen as the material since it is cheaper, easier to manufacture, and has a more ergonomic look and feel. The binding of the materials would determine the strength and durability of the final product so there was a choice between using wood glue, nails or screws to achieve the strongest and most rigid joint connection. Using the Concept Screening Matrix it was found that it would be best to use the glue and the screws to achieve a stronger joint than any of the single binding agents alone. The screws where picked over the nails to be the second binding agent due to the fact that they would less likely split the wood, are easier to install, and have better holding power7. The third focus was on reducing weight for increased portability and less hassle. The two options were to either cut out all the excess material from the surface of the storage compartments or use wooden bars as the surface of the storage compartments. Even though both methods would save considerable amounts of weight, the option of cutting the excess material out of the storage compartments was used, because it would be a lot easier to accomplish and cutting creative holes into the surfaces would create and nice look for the desk. The last concept was the choice of hinge for the tilt-able center desk. Using one long hinge would make a better connection to the desk, and be more rigid, while using multiple hinges would

be harder to install for a fluid motion of the desk, and also would be less rigid. For these reason the long hinge was chosen as the hinge type to be used.

Table 1 Concept Screening Matrix

Concept Screening Matrix

Selection Criteria Weight Strength Durability Cost Ease of Manufacturing Clean Look and Feel Score Rank Continue Wood Glue + 0 0 + + + 4 1 Combine Binding Screws Nails Weight Reduction Remove Use Excess Bars Material + + + 0 0 0 + + + 0 + + 5 4 1 2 Yes No Wood Material Aluminum Chromoly Hinge Type Single Multiple Long Short Hinge Hinges 0 0 + + + + 0 + + 0 + 0 4 3 1 2 Yes No

+ + + 0 + 0 4 1 Combine

+ + + + 0 3 2 No

+ 0 + + + 3 1 Yes

+ + + 0 0 2 No

0 + + 0 -1 3 No

The Testing
Construction of the prototype has not begun yet therefore no testing has been done yet, but testing results will be included in the final presentation of this project.

The Prototype: See Apendix A Appendix A CAD Model Trimetric Veiw

Drawing 1 Trimetric View

Drawing 2 Top Veiw

Drawing 3 Front Veiw

Drawing 4 Right Veiw

Reference
1. http://www.breakfasttray.com/store/700c.htm 2. http://www.become.com/shop?&q=laptop%20bed%20desk&reab=101&nofilter 3. http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/185-69946181339137?ASIN=B000RN73C8&AFID=Froogle&LNM=B000RN73C8%7CBed_Desk_Light_Oak&ci_sr c=14110944&ci_sku=B000RN73C8&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001 4. http://sitincomfort.com/foldingtable.html 5. http://www.dynamic-living.com/product/bed-desk/FROOGLE/ 6. http://www.acehardware.com/sm-selecting-and-using-screws-and-nails--bg-1299655.html 7. http://www.contractortalk.com/f4/screws-vs-nails-2645/