IH01-YeeWanCheung

From IEOR 170 Spring 2007

[[== Good Design: Automatic water sensor faucet ==]]

I found this new device installed in Barrows’ women restroom. The way it works is by putting my hands under the faucet to allow the infrared sensor to detect it, and then the water will come out automatically and stay on until the sensor detects the removal of my hands. (Figure 1a, 1b below)

Figure 1a Figure 1b

This touch-free infrared sensor system brings in many benefits. First, it is so convenient that we can turn on and off water without touching it. Second, it helps saving water by stopping the water running when no objects are detected, which also means helping the school to save money. Moreover,

The possible downside of this high-tech faucet might be the first time buying and installation cost of the device. However, keep in mind that the water-preserving feature brought by this device can save more money in the long run. And more importantly, it’s not always about money, the automatic feature of this water faucet is convenient. Besides, it also helps preserving our very limited natural resource: water. Moreover, it improves our safety by preventing the spread of infectious diseases through touching the faucets’ handles.

Design is supposed to make everyday life easier, and I think this automatic water sensor faucet did qualify for this criteria.

[[== Bad Design: Vegetable peeler ==]]

A vegetable peeler is used for peeling vegetables. It has a metal blade attached to a metal, plastic or wooden handle, in my case, a metal handle (Figure 2 below).

Figure 2

It is a bad design because it is uncomfortable, inefficient and confusing. My responses after using this peeler are as followed: First of all, the handle made of metal, so it’s very hard. Also, its shape doesn’t fit a person’s hand, so it is very uncomfortable to hold it. Besides, it is hard to control it because the metal blade keeps turning too much when I am shaving vegetable. Later on, my mom told me, I was supposed to put my second finger on top of the blade to fix the turning movement. (Figure 3 below shows the right way to hold the peeler). The uncomfortable feeling of hold it, along with the turnable blade, made the shaving process went slowly and unpleasantly.

Figure 3

Its idea of involving the blade as an extension of a handle is uncomfortable and confusing. Maybe the designer thought the concave up shape of the blade is acting as an affordance to suggest user the way to hold it. Though I am an engineer, I didn’t know that until my mom told me. I could understand this design can keep the peeler light weight and lower the manufacturing cost by using less metal to make up the handle; however, it failed to perform the function of a peeler comfortably and efficiently.

[[ == Improvement suggestions: ==]]

In my design, I used a soft rubber handle for light-weight design, easy gripping and prevent slipping. Besides, it acts as a cushion to increase comfort. The turnable-nick of the blade allows users to orient the blade in an angle for better control. This feature enables the peeler to serve both right-handed and left-handed person. And the turnable-nick controlled by an unlock button that’s implanted in the end of the handle to avoid accidental pressing. Finally, I added a hanging hole feature to the peeler for convenient storage in the messy kitchen.