Introduction
This was a 12-week team project to design or re-design an electronic product for our 4th-year Minor Projects course.
Although we worked collaboratively, I focused on the more technical aspects while my teammate, Jaclyn Jamieson, focused more on the form.
My individual work included:
- Coming up with the idea to use a Peltier chip
- Considering materials, manufacturability, and assembly
- Solidworks model & technical drawings
- KeyShot renders
Global Innovation Awards 2022
After completing this project for our Minor Projects course, we applied to The Inspired Home Show’s annual student design competition and won an Honourable Mention.
Features & Renders
Problem Discovery
In order to discover a problem, Jaclyn and I created a "Buglist" of things that bothered us.
This led us to the following problem...
Kettles are either too loud or too quiet when your water boils.
Innovative Use of Technology
I came up with the idea to use a Peltier chip to power a speaker in a stovetop kettle so that pleasant music can play once the water starts boiling.
The Peltier chip generates an electric current when one side is hotter than the opposite side. By harnessing the heat of the stove, there is no need for external power!
Jaclyn loved the idea so we started researching the other components and materials that would be needed. These included a thermistor to ensure the alarm would play at the correct temperature and a hydrophobic mesh to allow sound to pass through but not water.
Form Development
To highlight the speaker feature and differentiate our product from existing kettles, we incorporated the hydrophobic mesh and mimicked the conical shape of loudspeakers on the lid.
Human Factors
We referred to anthropometric data to determine the clearances needed for the lid's handle. Jaclyn also created a cardboard prototype to test different designs and angles for the main handle.
Technical Research
Since our kettle needed to be water-resistant, it was challenging to design the internal electrical components and outer housing around this constraint.
I did my best to improve manufacturability and assemblability while still maintaining aesthetics, form, water resistance, and function. Yet, the final design still includes some undercuts and areas with tight tolerances.
For ergonomic reasons, we decided to have an 'off' button on the main handle. So, I came up with a way to connect this button to the sealed-off components inside the lid, while still allowing the lid to rotate 360 degrees freely.
It was also challenging to find materials that were both food/water-safe and heat-resistant. We chose enamel-coated steel for the body, polypropylene for the lid and handle, and silicone sleeves for the touch-safe areas.
Final Design
The Singing Stovetop Kettle plays music
when your water starts to boil.
when your water starts to boil.
Thanks to a built-in Peltier chip, the kettle self-charges from the heat of the stove. This means you'll never have to plug it in or change batteries!
Technical Drawings
Feedback from the Judges
The challenge with the design is there could be a "spouting" hazard [when the water boils it shoots out the spout] with the way the spout is currently designed. A typical rule of thumb in kettle design is the fill line is at least 1" or 2.54cm below the start of the spout.
In addition, the selection of polypropylene is good based on initial heat however over time it will degrade and become misshapen. Phenolic is a traditional material used however in some instances polycarbonate or ABS have been able to be used also."
