IH02-KatherineTong
From IEOR 170 Spring 2007
== Individual Project Proposal: Auto-Open Umbrella Rain-Catch ==
Living in Berkeley, we are faced with unpredictable, rainy weather. To avoid getting caught in the rain, many students carry umbrellas in their backpacks at all times. However, after using the umbrella, they cannot put it back in their backpacks. Instead, students have to carry their wet, dripping umbrellas to class. This creates slippery floors, increases the chance of slipping and falling, and helps spread the mud that gets brought into buildings. To avoid these problems, I propose creating a “rain-catch” for automatic open umbrellas.
Fig1. (a) Automatic Open Umbrella
Fig1. (b) Stick Umbrella
The rain-catch would be a retractable cup that can hold the rain that drips off the umbrella. Currently, the rain-catch is only available for the “No Drip Umbrella*.” However, the No Drip Umbrella is a stick umbrella and most students carry an automatic open umbrella.
Fig2. No Drip Umbrella
The automatic open (auto open) umbrella’s alternative to the No Drip Umbrella is the Umbrella Draining Solution** (UDS). UDS is an auto open umbrella that comes with a cup/lid combination used to contain the umbrella when indoors. The idea is to be able to bring the container everywhere with the umbrella, and to place the umbrella in the container when going indoors. The only problem with this is the container and umbrella are separate. This proves to be inconvenient because the students would need to put their backpacks on the floor (getting the backpack dirty and wet), get out the container, then maneuver the umbrella into the case (possibly dripping rain onto the student and getting the student wet).
Fig3. UDS container and umbrella
In an effort to improve on the current umbrella technologies and to create a cleaner, safer environment for students I would combine the UDS with the No Drip Umbrella. To do this I propose we create an umbrella-attached container (like the No Drip Umbrella’s cover) to the auto open umbrella, and have an umbrella-attached lid that can seal the water from spilling out. By attaching the container and lid, students no longer risk getting their backpacks dirty and wet, and they can avoid dripping rain into buildings. This will reduce the risk of causing others to slip, and it will keep the floor cleaner.
Fig4. Solution Sketch
Works Cited
