Retractable extension cord
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= Product User Study = | = Product User Study = | ||
- | The Bayco Retractable Cord Reel | + | The Bayco Retractable Cord Reel utilizes a spring-loaded, rotational, ratcheting mechanism to provide the user with the functionality of a normal extension cord but with the added benefit of being able to easily retract and store the full length of the cord. <br /> |
[[Image:Use_Flow_Chart.jpg|1000px|thumb|center|Use Flow Chart]] | [[Image:Use_Flow_Chart.jpg|1000px|thumb|center|Use Flow Chart]] |
Revision as of 19:56, 9 September 2012
Contents |
Executive Summary
Major Stakeholder Analysis
Listed below are the major stakeholders for the retractable light, which include the manufacturer, customer, retailer, and distributor. The manufacturer generally would strive for low cost to mass produce the product for profit. The customer generally would need the product to be low cost, durable, and safe to use since they desire the product quality they pay for. The retailer would strive for low bulk pricing so that they can purchase the product in large quantity to sell to the customer. The distributor generally would need the product packaging to be durable and able to protect the product during the shipping process.
Manufacturer
- Low material costs
- Limited number of parts
- Ease to assemble
- Ability to be mass produced
- Environmentally friendly manufacturing processes
- Easy to package and ship
Customer
- Easy to use and install
- Multiple mounting options
- Low cost
- Durability
- Portable or light weight
- Ergonomic design
- Good aesthetics
- Multiple length adjustment positions
- Waterproof
- Safe to use
- Ability to customize cord length and reel cover color
- Easy to repair or disassemble
Retailer
- Good aesthetics
- Small packaging size
- Good performance
- Low bulk pricing
Distributor
- Low weight
- Durable product packaging
- Space optimized packaging
- Packaging protects product
Product User Study
The Bayco Retractable Cord Reel utilizes a spring-loaded, rotational, ratcheting mechanism to provide the user with the functionality of a normal extension cord but with the added benefit of being able to easily retract and store the full length of the cord.
Usage
Find the cleanest possible source of water. The intake hose is unwound, and then the intake hose is inserted into the water source. Attach the pump to the water container. Pump water at a steady rate, until container is full. Pull the intake hose out of the water, and pump to clear pump of any additional water.
Mechanical Function
The product contains a lever that is attached to an oscillating piston with two check valves. On the intake stroke, the intake check valve allows water to travel through the water source into the piston. On the compression stroke, the intake check valve is closed and the bottom check valve allows water to be forced through the filter chamber. The filtered water is then sent out of the pump. A duck valve lies between the pump head and housing to prevent a buildup of pressure. If the input flow is greater than the outlet flow, then the spring on the duck valve will compress and pressure will be released.
Preliminary User Study
Our group conducted a preliminary user study and determined that the product was self explanatory for either experienced hikers or anyone with moderate technical know-how (i.e. CMU engineering majors). Our group was able to completely dismantle the product without the use of any tools and easily discern the purpose of each part. This product would only need to be purchased by someone with a lot of experience in hiking and the outdoors, as someone without this experience should not be taking trips during which they won't have access to drinkable water. Therefore, nobody should be using it without any prior knowledge.
There are many well-thought-out features which exhibit themselves through simple use. First off, the outlet of the pump is threaded the same size as a Nalgene bottle, so that the pump can sit directly on the bottle and there is no risk of contamination. The included cap for the outlet of the pump also serves to reduce contamination when not in use. The rubber hosing wraps around the pump housing and is secured by a small c clamp in the handle. This serves to not only hold the handle down when when not in use (and prevent incidental breaking), but the c-clamp is properly sized so that it squeezes the hosing closed to prevent excess contamination. Finally the handle is contoured to fit well with the averaged sized in a comfortable pumping position.
Not many issues arise when using the MSR water pump. The most notable problem lies in the fact that the pumping action is cramped and requires several minutes to fill a hiking-sized water bottle. If there were a way to reduce the pumping effort required while keeping the small footprint of the product, it would probably be very beneficial. The only other foreseeable issues are broken parts or a clogged filter, which we didn't encounter and couldn't simulate during this study.
Parts List
Item Number | Description | Quantity | Mass (g) | Function | Material | Manufacturing Process | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
### | Mounting Bracket | 1 | 105 | Allows retractable cord to be permanently mounted to a ceiling or wall for easier use | Steel | Sheet stamped & bent | |
### | Plastic Coil Casing | 1 | 161 | Sits between the duckbill valve and the spring | Steel | Purchased | |
### | Mounting Bracket Pin | 1 | 16 | Acts as the pressure relief in the check valve | Steel | Purchased | |
### | Locking Ring for Pin | 1 | 1 | Prevents water leaking from the hose barb | Rubber | Purchased | |
### | Hardware for Clamp (External) | 1 | 4 | Connects to the hose | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | External Clamp | 1 | 173 | Serves as the inlet hose of the contaminated water | Rubber | Purchased | |
### | Side Casing w/ Plug | 1 | 255 | Prevents the hose from sinking to the bottom of the water source | Foam | Foam Molding | |
### | Side Casing | 1 | 253 | Acts as a pre-filter and as a weight so that the hose stays below water | Steel | Purchased | |
### | External Plastic Casing | 1 | 135 | Water inlet, and also holds the foam filter | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Spring Position Retainer | 1 | 11 | Acts as a pre-filter for large particles | Foam | Foam Molding | |
### | Ratchet Gear | 1 | 7 | Contains piston and hose barb assemblies, and connects to filter | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Spring Mounting Rod | 1 | 50 | Acts as the pump by drawing in and pushing out water | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Plastic for Circular Elec. Contact | 1 | 11 | Prevents water from getting past the piston | Rubber | Purhcased | |
### | Large Circular Contact | 1 | 3 | Connects piston to the handle | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Small Circular Contact | 1 | 2 | Connects piston to the handle | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Fixed Plastic for Elec. Contact | 1 | 6 | Connects piston to the handle | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Insulating Sheet | 1 | 1 | Connects piston to the handle | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Fixed Electrical Contacts | 1 | 0.5 | Connects piston to the handle | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Rivets for Electrical Contacts | 1 | <1 | Connects piston to the handle | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Rivets for Plastic | 1 | <1 | Connects piston to the handle | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Ratchet Key/Pawl | 1 | 2 | Connects piston to the handle | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Pawl Rivet (Alum) | 1 | <1 | Connects piston to the handle | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Metal Coil Casing | 1 | 220 | Connects piston to the handle | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Pawl Spring | 1 | <1 | Connects piston to the handle | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Lock for Spring Mounting Rod | 1 | <1 | Connects piston to the handle | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Screw for Spring Mounting Rod | 1 | <1 | Connects piston to the handle | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Electrical Wire Casing | 1 | <1 | Connects piston to the handle | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Plastic Ball | 1 | 19 | Connects piston to the handle | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Insert for Plastic Ball | 1 | 1 | Connects piston to the handle | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Wall Plug | 1 | 85 | Connects piston to the handle | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Extension Cord | 1 | 1084 | Connects piston to the handle | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Spring Coil | 1 | 516 | Connects piston to the handle | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Spring Reinforcement Plate | 1 | 10 | Connects piston to the handle | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Melted Plastic | 1 | <1 | Connects piston to the handle | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Spring Coil Rivet | 1 | 2 | Connects piston to the handle | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Spring Electrical Contact | 1 | 1 | Connects piston to the handle | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Spring Electrical Contact Rivet | 1 | 1 | Connects piston to the handle | Plastic | Injection Molding | |
### | Spring Electrical Contact Washer | 1 | 1 | Connects piston to the handle | Plastic | Injection Molding |