Ergonomic Laptop Case

Ergonomic Laptop Case Design

A group project with an initial aim to alleviate neck pain for the current generation, lasting for one semester.

Based on our findings from interviews and frameworks, we eventually decided on the "Ergonomic Laptop Case" concept. The whole process includes design thinking practices, 3D-Modelling, FEA analysis, design for manufacturing, and business model.

Stage 1: Interviews & Concept Generation

In order to gain empathy before we start generate design concepts, we interviewed people that could be divided into two groups:

Potential customers who have neck pain like
- Students
- Secretaries
- Consultants
Specialists who have extensive knowledge in neck pain like
- Ergonomics Specialists
- Professors of Physical Therapy/Ergonomics
- Physical Therapists

Except interviews, observations were conducted in the school library to learn about people's behavior.

After gathering customers' potential needs and specialists' insights, 20 design concepts were generated by myself. Some of them are listed below:

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Stage 2: Concept Selection & Lo-Fi Prototyping

From the interview results, competitor analysis and group discussion, 7 selection criteria were agreed on to be used in Concept Screening Matrix & Concept Selection Matrix. They are:

Three concepts were selected and low fidelity prototypes of each were made.

Portability
Comfort
Convenience
Attractiveness
Seamlessness (not intrusive to users' lifestyle)
Price

Laptop Viewing Glasses

-Optical or digital

-Not obstructive

-No need to hunch & look down

Alert App

-No extra hardware needed

-Customizable

-Cheap

Ergonomic Laptop Stand

-Encouraging neutral position

-Not intrusive

-Adjustable height

Stage 3: Concept Rendering & Testing

Neck Tilt Software

Feedback from potential users and specialists:

Pros:

Cool
No extra hardware
Cost-effective

Cons:

Distracting
Instrusive
Non-neutral posture
Fatigue in vision

Ergonomic Laptop Case

Feedback from potential users and specialists:

Pros:

Easy to carry
Simple design
Address the major ergonomics risk factor with laptop design
Easy setup

Cons:

May scratch laptop
Weight/size concern
Durability concern

From the concept testing results, Neck Tilt software might not be an effective solution to neck pain according to the opinions from the specialists. Besides, it is too intrusive. In addition, when we brainstormed on the Business Model, we realized that the revenue channel for this software was so limited and no huge profit could be foreseen as the selling price would be as low as $1. Meanwhile, the laptop case allows us to target a market broader than just people with neck pain with an acceptable price of around $40.

Stage 4: Redesign & Prototyping

Upon the concerns from concept testing results, the CAD design was modified accordingly:

- The size of the laptop case was changed to create enough clearance between the case and the laptop.

- Instead of using aluminum as the material, we chose to use acrylic to build the prototype which would be very light and reduce risks of scratching the laptop.

- The durability concerns were mainly focusing on the hollow bars that supported the stand. So we redesigned them to be solid and carried out some Finite Element Analysis to validate the design.