Solution: My group decided to design a work surface for the front passenger seats that would be stored in the lid of the console bin between the two seats. The surface extended out on an arm and locked into three possible positions (towards the driver, in the center, and towards the passenger). The surface rotated to allow the user to position the surface in a comfortable position. The arm was sturdy enough to support a laptop computer or someone leaning on the surface. The surface has a clip that could fully retract underneath the surface (i.e. rotate 270 degrees) so as to not interfere with a laptop. The clip can be seen deployed in Figure 2, and retracted in Figures 1 and 4. In addition to detailed CAD models and engineering drawings, we built a full-scale prototype of the entire console and installed it in the provided SUV.
I produced all the CAD models for the project and did the mechanical design for the arm supporting the surface and the clip. I also helped with construction of the prototype and assisted the MBA students in conducting market research and user testing.
Results: The project was presented to the VP of North American Operations of the automaker that sponsored the class, and is currently being reviewed by the company. They have the right to patent any part of the project, and to include the design in future SUV's.
Images:
click on the image for a larger view
|
|
Figure 1. CAD model showing the surface in the straight out position |
|
Figure 2. CAD model with the console cover removed, revealing the arm and the clips to lock the arm in each of three positions. |
|
|
Figure 3. An exploded view of the CAD model, showing the console lid and all the components of the arm and work surface. |
|
|
Figure 4. A profile view of the complete console lid. The clip can be seen at the far right in the hidden position. |
 |
 |
 |
 |