Blog 7

 Design specification

Material specification: Physical aspects such as dimension, weight, voltage, etc.

Functional/performance specifications: Relates to the functional performance of the product such as operation time, temperature/water resistivity, setup time, sturdiness 

Standard specification: Water resistivity 

Test standard: Test carried out to find out more about the product. For e.g., Rockwell Hardness Test (to test for hardness of material/product) 

Our chemical product Specification Table 

Product: Water heater
Aspect:	Specification Metric (or Quality)	Quantitative Value
Physical	Easy to carry	-
	Battery operated	AAA battery (3.7 V each)
	Lightweight	Under 300g
Functional	Temperature resistant	Up to 120℃
	Water-resistant	IPX7
	Easy to use	-
	Sufficient operating time	3 to 4 hours
	Temperature controlling	80℃
Others	Inexpensive	<$100
	Aesthetics	-

Prototyping

Prototyping is an essential stage after ideation. It is a simple experimental model which helps to avoid costly mistakes such as becoming too complex, too early, and sticking to a weak idea for too long. It is important for us to prototype as it allows us, the designer, to have a solid foundation from which we can strive to improve from. Additionally, prototyping a product helps us to illustrate the final product for the audience to comprehend the function and allow them to understand how it works. It also allows the designer to improve and modify the final product without having to waste expensive materials. 

Our Design: 

Our product has gone through several stages of design. Initially, we wanted our water heater to be handheld and light so that it can be carried around easily. Hence, we decided to adapt from a hair iron and make a heating probe. The elongated probe would heat up and users can dip the heater into the water for heating. The handle of the probe would be able to store batteries that would be used to provide electrical energy for the heater to power up. (Electrical energy to Heat energy) 

Idea 1: 

However, after going through much ideation, using scamper, and conducting several pieces of research📈📈📉📏📐📑💉💊, we decided to modify the heater probe by having a round probe instead of having an elongated one. This increases the surface area of heating and hence, allows the user to heat up water faster🍵🔥

Idea 3: Final Product design

After much consideration, our heater has been modified and will no longer be handheld 👏👏. We have decided to create a body for the heater, which allows users to lower the heater to the water (for heating) by using a knob that operates a pulley system🎡🎡. In addition to that, we have also decided to replace one-time-use batteries with rechargeable battery packs that can commonly be found anywhere today🗲🗲. This ensures our design is more sustainable as recharging batteries helps us to significantly minimize our carbon footprint and prevent wastage from the disposal of batteries🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋

(overview of heater - the 2 blocks on top are the pulley system and battery pack for the heater) 

(overview of pulley system)

Prototyping:

(main prototype)

(main pulley system)

The pulley is connected to the knob. By turning the knob, the user can control the height of the heater to be submerged in the water that needs heating. Initially, we wanted to use gears to lower the heater, but we decided on using the pulley instead as it was easier to operate. 

(knob connected to pulley)

Our hero shot: