College - Author 1
College of Engineering
Department - Author 1
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Mechanical Engineering
College - Author 2
College of Engineering
Department - Author 2
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 2
BS in Mechanical Engineering
College - Author 3
College of Engineering
Department - Author 3
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 3
BS in Mechanical Engineering
College - Author 4
College of Engineering
Department - Author 4
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 4
BS in Mechanical Engineering
Date
6-2022
Primary Advisor
Sarah Harding, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Department
Additional Advisors
Dale Dolan, College of Engineering, Electrical Engineering Department
Abstract/Summary
The Electrical Engineering department at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo has an outdoor courtyard that, until recently, was lacking in accommodations for student studying, group meetings, or simple leisure. A group of four mechanical engineering majors, “The Benchwarmers,” were tasked by Dale Dolan with the construction and installation of a picnic table to fulfil these needs. More specifically, Dr. Dolan also requested that the table provide off-the-grid power to charge student’s devices.
This report details the design, manufacturing, and testing of a solar powered picnic table. The table was designed to accommodate up to seven users, including one ADA accessible space. A large emphasis was placed on user comfort and productivity, resulting in large open space for group collaboration, and the ability to spread out laptops and notebooks. A single, fixed solar panel was mounted on top of a large fabric shade, providing more than enough power generation to supply four GFCI outlets.
The Benchwarmers team successfully installed the final version of the picnic table in the Engineering East courtyard in June 2022. It will remain active for student use for many years to come.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/mesp/657