Project: Rocker's DeLIGHT
Project team: Andrea Agra, Nick Kirsch, Grant Kovach, Dayna Polstein, Marc Santos
Class: PDI Studio II (Spring 2008)
Objective: The second phase of the course involved a major design project where we learned to define user needs, develop design concepts, make design proposals, create design models, and critically evaluate the impacts and issues related to our designs. We were asked to design a product that would make a significant contribution to environmental sustainability. The product would preferably be relatively small in size, something that could be made using processes available in the Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory.
Project summary: Rocker's DeLIGHT is a new lighting device that is both sustainable and fun. It combines functionality and green design with aesthetic appeal and comfort.
Rocker's DeLIGHT - project details
Environmental Impacts of Electricity Usage: Microsoft Word Document
Need Statements/Interview Results: Microsoft Word Document
Quality Function Deplyment (QFD) Chart: Microsoft Excel Worksheet
Current Product Life Cycle Analysis: Microsoft Word Document
Current Product Social History Analysis: Microsoft Word Document
A Brief History of Lighting: Microsoft Word Document
Previous Designs: We began by doing general research about environmental issues. As a group, we threw out ideas ranging from biodegradable cell phones to green packaging before we decided to tackle the idea of making sustainable lighting. We stumbled upon a lamp called the
Gravia, which was a gravity-powered lamp. It had failed to receive a patent due to inaccurate and incorrect claims made by the designer, so we tried to improve upon it and create a new product using the same initial concept of a gravity-powered lamp. We did a lot of research of LED's and the physics of creating a gravity-powered lamp, and we learned that while it was a feasible and innovative idea, it was beyond our capabilities for this project.
We didn't want to rely on batteries, so we looked into storing energy in the form of a spring. One of our professors brought in a spring powered radio, and we spent a lot of time figuring out how it worked. We decided that while it worked, the springs were too bulky and took up too much room for what we wanted to do.
Then, we began looking at hand-powered devices, such as flashlights. They used a battery, but they were recharageable and were used to store energy, which made it convenient for the user to power it up, and then let it sit for a set amount of time. This cut down on the annoyance of constantly charging a light. We decided on a desk lamp that was powered by a foot pedal.
We created a working prototype of the desk lamp, then decided to improve upon the idea to make it more "interesting." Our group realized that a foot-pedal was similar to a bass drum pedal in a drumset, so we took that idea and added miniature model drums and a microphone stand to complete the look.
Sketches and iterations: 1;
2;
3;
4;
5;
6;
7;
8;
9
Photos of previous models: 1;
2;
3;
4;
5;
6
Research for LEDs: 1;
2
Rocker's DeLIGHT - final product
Rocker's DeLIGHT utilizes mechanical energy generated from a foot pedal to power LEDs that are located in a recycled microphone. The microphone directs the light, and the base of the microphone stand is surrounded by a mini-drumset made from biodegradable plastic to make it more aesthetically pleasing and exciting. The drums can be played on when the user feels like they need a break from their work. A recharageable battery is located in the foot pedal to store power so the user does not need to pump continuously.
Life Cycle Analysis of Rocker's DeLIGHT:
Metal - Microsoft Word Document
Plastic - Microsoft Word Document
Magnet - Microsoft Word Document
Battery - Microsoft Word Document
Parts and Materials: Microsoft Word Document
Reasons for using LEDs: Microsoft Word Document
Final product sketches: 1; 2; 3
Final product renderings: 1; 2
Feedback and Reflections
Currently unavailable. Pending.
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© Copyright 2007
Tiffany Hu
Product Design and Innovation 2011
