The Beehive is a walled learning environment meant to provide positive engagement, individualized learning opportunities, and encourage focus. Some elements include a sturdy laptop holder for remote-learning, a shade mechanism, a latch mechanism to attach the Beehive to the Beekeeper, and transparent walls to create a safe learning space during COVID.
The walls transition from transparent to opaque using a retractable shade mechanism that the user will be able to manually raise and lower the opaque shade using extruded tabs; this will provide the user with the option to have a more focused and enclosed environment while learning. There is an attachable sturdy laptop stand to provide students with more desk space while in a virtual class. This whole system will safely and securely integrate with the top of the Beekeeper using the latch mechanism. The Beehive is composed of lightweight and durable materials to enable the user to easily transport and store this study space.
Current Design 3D Rendering
Functional Decomposition
Metrics & Constraints
The table below lists the metrics and constraints that are to be considered in the ideation and fabrication of the Beehive. Quantitative values and specific materials are indicated where applicable. The size constraints were derived in order to make the Beehive compatible with the Beekeeper. Solutions to the concerns surrounding the majority of the design considerations came from design conversations among team members. Additional design components that involve specific sizing dimensions came from government specifications provided in order to be ADA compliant.
| Specifications | Engineering Solution | Design Choices | Supporting Analysis / Experimental Results |
| Portability | Lightweight walls and hinges that rotate 180 degrees will allow the walls to open and close for easy transport and storage. | Hinges that rotate 180 degrees will be used. The two side walls will be hinged at opposing ends of the back wall to create a three-walled enclosed environment that can be easily closed and stowed away or opened and ready for use. Lightweight plexiglass will be used. | The user should be able to close the walls to create a flat and easy-to-store product. The product should be light enough to carry. The walls should be able to open 180 degrees to allow the user to adjust the angle of the walls when open. |
| Durability | Frame plexiglass with wood; material used for shades; material used for laptop holder | Secure wooden beams into a rectangle that secures the plexiglass in the center to allow for more stability when hinged together. Thick fabric will be used as the shades. The laptop holder will be constructed out of aluminum to ensure it is durable and lightweight. | The wooden frame around the plexiglass should allow the tri-fold to stand more stable and better secured together with hinges. The thicker fabric used as the shades should reduce the risk of tearing. The aluminum laptop holder should ensure the laptop is secure when angled vertically. |
| Focus | Opaque fabric used for the shade mechanism | The shade mechanism will be modeled similarly to how a dog leash coils and unravels. There will be tabs with a hole in the center attached to the shade so that the shade can be secured on a hook at the top of the wall when pulled up. Thick fabric will be used for the shades. | The shade mechanism should be easy for users to pull up and secure on the hook. The thick fabric of the shade should be opaque and ensure a more focused space. |
| Safety | No exposed electronics; latch mechanism to secure to desk | All electronics will be stored in the bottom left side wall with no exposed wires; these electronics will be secured in the wooden frame. The electronics will be battery powered to allow for no cables and permit the Beehive to be used even if not in proximity to an outlet. The latch mechanism will be constructed using 5 T-shaped pins inserted in a housing attached to the walls that secures the Beehive to the Beekeeper desktop. | Students must not have the ability to tamper with the electronics or wires, as it is a risk to their safety and the functionality of the product. If the Beehive is pushed or moved while attached to the Beekeeper, the latch mechanism must ensure the Beehive remains attached to ensure the safety of the students around the desk. |
| Cohesion with other products | Wall Dimensions
18” X 28” X 18″ |
The size of the walls were designed based on the dimensions of the Beekeeper desktop. The height of the walls was decided to create an enclosed and focused environment. | The outer dimensions of the Beehive must be no larger than the tabletop of the Beekeeper to ensure their compatibility. |
| Workspace | Secure the laptop vertically to allow for more desk space | The laptop holder is designed to hold the keyboard of the laptop in an open-faced square to allow for support holding the laptop while enabling the user to press keys and use the trackpad. There are slots on the back of the holder that allow the user to adjust the angle of their laptop screen. The current holder is designed for a 16” X 11” laptop, but there will be two other different-sized laptop holders that the customer can choose from to fit their personal laptop. | The laptop holder should allow the user more desk space while on a zoom call, as their laptop will be held vertically. The user should have full function of the keyboard and trackpad while their laptop is in the laptop holder. The user should be able to adjust the angle of the laptop screen as needed. |