Element D: DESIGN CONCEPT GENERATION, ANALYSIS, AND SELECTION

Brainstorming

The bubble map highlights the key aspects of a secure attachment light indicator product, focusing on its materials and ensuring it does not affect water flow. It also outlines the product's features and design, with contributions helping the team determine what the product would look like and how it would function.

During our brainstorming session, one team member each wrote down what they believed were the most important features for our product. As a group, we reviewed all ideas and underlined the points we all agreed were essential for the product. This process helped us narrow down and solidify our vision.

This concept would screw onto a faucet, diverting flow to a pH sensor for detection. The sensor would connect to circuitry, prompting a digital screen to show the associated value. The numbers would show up red if the pH was an unsafe value, and green if it fell in normal range.

This concept shows an attachment to the sink faucet that will divert a small amount of water to be tested from the tap and provide the user with a red or green LED display, showing them if the water is safe. Afterwards the water can be drained from the canister the water was diverted to.

This concept would replace the existing faucet head. The water runs through the middle chamber to be tested for pH. The pH is then shown on the digital display with a red or green background, indicating whether the water is within the parameters. The water flows out of the bottom once it is tested.

This concept is an under-the-sink detection device that would have mountable LED lights to convey information. The water would be filtered through a holding canister for testing, and then would continue to flow up to the sink head. There would be two LED lights that can be positioned and mounted by the consumer, showing if the pH is in range (green), or out of range (red).

This concept is a circular attachment that connects to a sink or faucet head using an adjustable, rubber-lined clamp for a secure fit. Water flows through the clamp into a filtration and testing system with a built-in substance sensor. The results are displayed on a digital screen, with a green light indicating safe water and a red light signaling unsafe water. The design ensures easy installation and quick water quality feedback.

DECISION MATRIX

For our decision matrix, we pulled from our criteria and constraints. We also added a couple of sections at the bottom for logistics based on, the time and resources we have, our budget, and our overall knowledge and capability to execute the idea. We did not assign weight to our sections but we did discuss the importance of different aspects of all designs. First, we decided that we would scrap 2 because we wanted to stick with something above the sink that would be less complex than the under-the-sink system. Initially, we had a tie between concepts 1 and 4 - the one modeled after the PUR water filter, and the small faucet attachment. As we researched to find sensors, probes, and power systems we found that concept 4 would not work given our constraints. From there we moved to concept 3, a design similar to 1. In the end, we decided on 3 which uses many of the same elements as 1 but allows more space for the interface and wires.

FInaL DESIGN CONCEPT SKETCH

Our final design includes a slot for a door with a pull tab to allow the user to change the battery as needed. We also included a hole for the LEDs and push button to stick through. There is one final hole for the probe wire.

OPERATION

Our product tests levels of dissolved solids in tap water, given individual consumer use. Electrical elements are separated and the probe is given space to make contact with the water in order to test the water. All elements are going to be powered by a 9-volt battery which will not need to be replaced often. Our sensor is an Arduino, when coded the water that is tested through the probe will be indicated by a red or green light if it is within a potable range for the user, these lights will be red or green. To power the product there will be a button to turn it on and off, so it will be powered manually not an automatic system.

JUSTIFICATION

The design of our product focuses on effectively and reliably detecting pharmaceutical contaminants in tap water while meeting key performance criteria. The device incorporates a sensor that detects substances in the water and alerts the user through a clear LED indicator, with a red light signaling contaminants. To ensure usability, the device is engineered to reduce the faucet's flow rate by no more than .75 GPM, minimizing any disruption to water flow. The secure attachment system is designed to fit a standard sink diameter of 2.2 cm, ensuring ease of installation and stability. These features ensure the product delivers accurate detection and a seamless user experience.

MOCK UP

From our mock-up we learned that we needed more room in the box so we added 1 cm to one side and remade it. This worked really well and all of our components fit well. During this process, we also learned that we will have to use a 9v battery to power it so we need to consider that when we are devising an opening to switch it out. This brought up the question of what material we will use in the end and how thick it needs to be in order to support everything housed in the compartment. We also learned that there are a lot of cords and wires that take up a lot of space, moving past this we would like to implement zip-ties or twist-ties in order to consolidate them.

CAD MODEL

Front/left side view with a circle cut out on the side of the product for the sensor cable to run through.

Front/Right side view with one cut out on the top of the electrical box for the button and one cut out for LED lights. The open area is where the sliding door goes in from the top of the product. The sliding door is used for easy access to battery.

Sliding Door with a flap on the top with and indentation for easy sliding.

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