|
Extrusion Table,
2004
A motor controlled table using solar power and digital
technology to join form and function.(2ft x 2ft x 1ft)
|
|
|
| IN PROGRESS |
| The Extrusion Table is
an experiment in sustainable electronic furniture. The design
goal was to create furniture that expanded the function and
design style of a table but maintains the central characteristics
of what a table is. The finished design will be thin enough
to be stored under a sofa and capable enough for eveyday use.
It was a critical issue that the table not have a power cord
to power the electronics so a solar panel is used to maintain
a charge on onboard batteries. Since the motor will only operate
intermittently the batteries will be easily maintained by the
solar panels. Two buttons control a motor which adjusts the
height of the table via a scissor jack. The solar panel has
a dual role as both a functional element and a design element. |
 |
| This
is a picture of the lift mechanism prototype. The jack has a
range of 3 inches to 11 inches and can support up to one ton.
The finished table will incorporate this mechanism into its
design. This is not how the finished table will look this is
only a proof-of-concept for this design stage. |
 |
|
This
is the circuit board for the solar battery charger. It can
take a 18 - 24 volt solar array at up to 150 watts. I am using
two lead acid 12 volt batteries wired in series to generate
24 volts. The next design stage is integrating the solar charger
and batteries to the lift mechanism.
|
