Universal Window
Designed for everyone. “Design of products and environment to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.”
As the name suggests, Universal Window is designed to be accessible to all. The design aims to include the audience which might struggle with grip and precision while accessing traditional windows due to distinct disabilities in an everyday design.
The Problem!
The Problem!
Force and Function
The issue of force and function raised questions regarding mechanics and their universality; meaning how a certain function (Opening window) is completed with a certain mechanism (chain driven window) and what part of population is it accessible to. The chain driven window only offers low surface area which hinders grip further leading to more force required to operate the window. Moreover, it’s a repeatitive rotating motion, hence offers no instant access and turns out to be time consuming. Not only the chain driven windows require additional force but also is exposed to rusting and tightening over time which makes it even harder for people with low dexterity and for kids to access these windows
Mechanics V/S Universality
01. Considerations
The window aims to solve the issue of force vs mechanism which exists in the current chain driven windows. The choice of mechanism, placement angle and support all can possibly influence the force required to operate or access the window. The window aims to reduce the force required to access the window while providing customisable angles to the user. The window aligns the movement and force, hence minimizing the operating force. The push access also allows the user to use the body weight to push open the window.
Universal design was kept at the heart of this project as a key consideration for most of the design decisions made along the way. Keeping things under a lense of universality helped identify a lot of the current access, interface and experience problems which might occur in any of our houses.
02. User Journey Map
The user journey map was developed based on mapping the placement of products and instalments within the house. The overall goal of the journey map was to capture pain points one might experience while using everyday appliances or instalments under a disability or injury, which compromises the basic human movements. Few focused areas were Spot (Vision), Approach (Movement), Reach (Access) and Rest. The key areas helped gain insight into the overall journey of the user ‘Timothy’ who recently suffered an accident which left him a wheel-chair. Task which once didn’t seem like tasks, became an obstacle. This is where universal design was aimed to fit in with most of the progress made in this project.
03. Research
Reach & Dexterity
Most of the products in our homes require us to exert force on them for the purpose of moving, connecting, reaching or accessing etc. This process cycle involves, first reaching the desired product or installation and second, exerting force; which gives rise to the issue of reach and dexterity. As for some people, reaching could be restricted and for some exerting force. At times we just require force to exerted on a push button (fingers) and on some occasion you will find yourself push opening doors and windows which requires wrist movement. We as humans, are growing and are exposed to many things which can affect our ability to reach and exert force. For instance, arthritis which affects joints and restricts movement is pretty common in older people. Further, the rate at which people are surviving major injuries and breakage is rising with advancement in medical technology. With these reach and dexterity insights, force and mechanism is considered to develop a more universal and suitable interfaces within home for the users.
Force Requirement
“The simplest way of applying force is pushing because there is no need for opposing grip” The mechanism aimed to draw upon the alignment of movement and force in the same direction which allows the user to apply additional force using their body weight. Further, the push window mechanism offers the user a much wider surface area which cancels the required precision and additional force to open the window. The moving 4 wheels allows the user to tilt open the window at different customisable angles which can assist in cleaning and desired opening access. When retracting, the lever allows the user to have a power grip suitable for exerting force which assists in smooth closing of the window. The force required to operate the lever further needs exploration in order to calculate the overall burden for the user. Weight of the window, glass and material used in mechanism all add up to the interface which provides a friction free movement using wheels in window pane and extension bar (1 +1) .
04. Question Cloud
The journey map helped discover pain points at different stages which helped generate a “Question Cloud” based on how these discovered stages can help gather insights.
For Instance -
“How might we make spotting of the window easier?”
“How might we make the window more approachable?”
“How might we provide a better reach for the window?” And so on...
These question helped explore subjects such as surface area, affordances and placement for the design of the window.
05. Concepts
Concept 01
The window 1.1 aimed to solve the issue of force vs mechanism which exists in the current chain driven windows. The choice of mechanism, placement angle and support all can possibly influence the force required to operate or access the window. Window 1.1 aims to reduce the force required to access the window while providing customisable angles to the user. The window aligns the movement and force, hence minimizing the operating force. The push access also allows the user to use the body weight to push open the window.
Concept 02
The window 1.2 was designed to provide a sliding interface with power grip to the user as minimize the force required to operate the window. The window get further support by spring hinges for easy closing as the hinges help lift the weight of the window. The downward opening window further leaves room for cleaning, as the exposed surface faces up and folds in towards the user. The slider leaves enough space for a comfortable wrist position and drag which operates the gear to let the window down.
06. Key Focus Areas
The project was further developed with key focus on ‘Reach and Dexterity’ which helped draw further research based on Affordances, Ergonomics and Mechanics.
These three focus areas were explored as key consideration while developing the design to incorporate features and functions which take in account different user needs suffering with an injury or disability which might affect window access within homes.
07. Design Development
Affordances (Absence is presence)
To let the user know the window calls out for a ‘grip’ or ‘push’ using form and color. The window on either side, both top and bottom has molded bumps designed to call out for your finger but also enhances the grip by providing friction via texture and form. The proposed material here was polycarbonate. Second, by adding contrast between the window body and the grip it calls out for attention for accessing the window. Further, absence of a handlebar leaves user the option of pushing only. Pull force cannot be exerted as the surface is left flat which further supports the comfort of body weight force exertion.
Ergonomics (Force exertion angle)
The window was adapted after considering force exertion height, elbow angle and body weight. In further research it was discovered that the elbow bend of 80 to 100 degrees is best for exerting force. The height of the window was increased as to maximize the surface area which can account for different height groups. Flat push window leaves enough room for the users to exert push force onto the window using their body weight. The instalment height will vary according to the home it gets installed in, but the design aims to keep the mechanism access at shoulder level as to minimize the force required to open the window.
Mechanism
The mechanism was further adapted to be more flexible and fluid. The lever for closing was eliminated as it proposed a more ergonomic approach and helped reduce force exertion issues. The window was developed to be movable on the y-axis while the two extenders on either side follows down as the window is pushed open by the user. When reaches the maximum push the window will be constrained at the end with a stopper. To close the window user can simply lift the window from Point (B), releasing the stop and calling the window back till closed. Further some constraints were thought of to decide where the window will actually stop and the ratio between length of extenders to opening distance of the window.
08. Testing (3D Print)
The mechanism was further adapted to be more flexible and fluid. The lever for closing was eliminated as it proposed a more ergonomic approach and helped reduce force exertion issues. The window was developed to be movable on the y-axis while the two extenders on either side follows down as the window is pushed open by the user. When reaches the maximum push the window will be constrained at the end with a stopper. To close the window user can simply lift the window from bottom, releasing the stop and calling the window back till closed. Further some constraints were thought of as to decide where the window will actually stop and the ratio between length of extenders to opening distance of the window.
09. Storyboard
09. Final Design
The Window CAD was developed in consideration to different attachments, constraints and motion. The frame was adapted to fit and can be mounted to the wall with seven screws on each side.
