Improved production design 2009.02-2009.07 (group work)
Redesign of Home-use Drinking Water System
“Waterfeeling�
Water source used by the current home-use drinking water systems is obtained out of the house, which causes inconvenience in transporting and supplying water. When the users need water, they cannot control flow volume. Besides, the outlets of hot water and cold water are separated, and users cannot get lukewarm water. In addition, the systems are monotonous in their shapes. They are fixed somewhere in house and disturb the unity of the original pattern. In the project, the research team mainly focuses on people who need water in their house and desire to improve condition of drinking water as well as their living quality by designing economic, convenient and environmentally friendly products that manifest users personality and taste of life.
“Waterfeeling� The flow chart below illustrates the main steps of this project, from the research phase (mind map, diary, workbook, collage, two-dimensional analysis and others) to the design phase (concepts).
Research Mind map Focusing on the topic of water, the research team conducts brainstorming about the factors related to water as well as drinking behavior, and comes up with four mind maps. Later the maps are integrated into a complete one.
Workbook & diary Fourteen questions are generated based on the insights from the mind maps and edited into the workbook and diary. Four participants take part in the exercise and they are required to finish the daily task on the workbook or diary, which takes 10 to 20 minutes per day.
“Waterfeeling” Collage The keywords and images on the workbook and diary are selected and grouped into themes. Participants classify the keywords and speak out the reasons behind aloud, which provides more insights about users’ cognitions about water and drinking behavior. Two-dimensional analysis To broaden the team’s mind, the ways of drinking water in every period, even dating back to the ancient time are searched. Their advantages and shortcomings are concluded and noted down.
Value opportunities analysis The keywords collected previously are classified into three groupsAttributes, Consequences and Values, as the chart below illustrates. The keywords about Attributes can be applied directly to the concepts, for example, the functions and appearance design of the drinking water system.
“Waterfeeling�
Design Sketches
Paper models
The indication The LED shows water cleaning process and remaining time. Color indication represents the five steps of purifying water-PP cotton, KDF copper zinc alloy, activated carbon, powdered activated carbon and ultraviolet radiation. The red indication bar shows the remaining life of the filter element. When the red bar reaches the top, the system will warn the user that the filter element can only purify 5L more water.
The outlet Outlet pipe is metal pipe, can be bent freely (with tube inside, leak resistant). Users can change shape of the pipe. The blue button beside the outlet can control the shape of water. When it is screwed tight, the water sprays out and when it is loosened, the water flows out as a pillar.
“Waterfeeling� The tap A set of on/off switch is designed on the tap to prevent the dust in the kitchen. The flower switch is closed as the outlet is disused and abloom as the tap is turned on.
The switch The temperature of the water can be changed to the will of the users with regulating switch. There are three grades: the left, the middle and the right. Users can get hints about the grade from the feeling of switching and a sound of "Da". The flow of water can be changed to the will of the users with regulating switch. There are three grades: the upper, the middle and the lower. Users can get hints about the grade from the feeling of switching and a sound of "Da".
The system can be divided into two parts. The inner part is fixed in the cabinet under the water sink, including two water inlets, for the cold and hot water respectively. The cold water inlet is connected to the water pipe while the hot water inlet is connected to the water heater.