The document discusses a student design project to create multi-functional furniture for small dorm rooms. The furniture needed to fit through standard doors, support over 150 lbs, have at least two functions, and not tip with over 65 lbs of force applied. The final design was a chair that converts into a desk by flipping the desk top up and sliding it vertically. Strength and tipping tests confirmed it met the design requirements.

1. COMPOSITE MATERIALS
Mechanical Engineering
U N I V E R S I T Y o f D E L AWA R E
Background & Motivation
Hinge Seater
Darian Abreu, Talal Alshareef, Shashank Varma | Sophomore Design
Final Concept
Concept Validation
Design Metrics
Problem Definition
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank our advisors, Dr. Jenni
Buckley and Dr. Michael Keefe. As well as Mr.
Nelson for his aid and advice in manufacturing.
• Students provided with about 228
square feet of living space in dorms,
with a roommate (12’ x 19’ room)
• No say in what furniture they get
• 56% of surveyed students study in their
dorm room, 46% study at their desk
• Issues: leg room, comfort, work &
cabinet space
• Create new design for students to live
comfortably & stay within their budget
The goal of our project is to design a multi-
functional piece of furniture for college students
and recent graduates that will optimize usage of
space.
Wants & Constraints: Deadline, Size, Functionality,
Space Usage, Durable, Comfort, Cost
Preliminary Concepts
Metric Want/
Constraint
Definition Target
Value
Clearance Size Fit through
standard door
< 38” wide
< 78” tall
Static
Load
Functionality Capable of
holding loads
> 150 lbs
Multi-
Function
Functionality More than
one function
≥ 2
functions
Stability
Test
Durable Set & secure
when in use
> 65 lbs of
force to tip
Slider Design: Desk top flips up from the front
of the chair, then slides up vertically
SolidWorks
assembly view of
the final prototype.
The back rest and
frame assembled
using hinges and
the drawers
attached with
sliders. Extension of
the desk was added
to ensure easy
clearance of doors.
Strength Test: Applied to
seating area & desk top to
determine ability to
withstand load. (Met target
value)
Tipping Test: Load
applied to sides of the
desk top to ensure no
tipping would occur.
(Met target value)
Trial 1 2 3 4 5
Load(lb) 50 150 200 250 300
Trial 1 2 3 4
Force(lb) 10 28 50 100
SolidWorks
exploded view of
the final
prototype. A cable
in tension was
implemented to
ensure the hinges
would stop the
moment.
Cable Back Rest
assembled
with 270°
hinges,
allowing it to
close properly
and be at an
angle when
opened.
Leg
Room
Seating
Area