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FLOW
Teammates:
Virginia Casonato
Bianka Keresztes
Course: Learning from the past​
Oct-Des 2022​
My role:
Technical problem solving
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3D-modelling and technical drawings
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1:1 scale protypes
Design, research and usertesting were done togther as a group.
​
What?
FLOW - A night lamp you wind up as a night ritual helping you unwind and relax before going to sleep and improving your sleep hygiene.
Target audience
Age 20-40, environmentally conscious who spend excessive amounts of time in front of screens and struggle with stress-induced insomnia
User journey by Virginia Casonato
Why?
Light is important, as we can do very little without it. However, in this technological era, blue light and screens have become the enemy of sleep and relaxation.
Tick tock, light up
Mechanism inspired by dynamos and old clocks
How does it work?
By spinning the lid around in a circular motion, you wind up the spring in the same way as is done when winding up a clock or an old music box.
When it unwinds again, it powers a generator, which generates electricity from the kinetic energy released by the spring.
Spring & Escape wheel
Glass top
Stabilizer
Generator
Governor
Gears
Base
Technical drawings
Setback
A functioning prototype was not achieved due to a lack of technical knowledge on how to build such mechanisms.
Several attempts were made to contact clock makers and mechanical workshops, but within the timeframe of the project, no one had time or capacity to help.
Proof of concept
The Company Deciwatt created a light called Gravity Light, which works on a similar mechanism, proving the feasibility of the concept
The Process
CNC I Vaccume moulding I Clay I 3D-printing I Laser-cutting I Autodesk inventor I Foam
Design intentions
1/2
FLOW
Analouge design for a better living
Light specles
The lampshade is shaped after human hands, though ergonomic workshops with users allowing for good grip.
The uneven surface of the glass creates speckles in a dark room as the light hits the walls.
On-off button
By pulling the pin out, the gears can turn freely and allow for energy to be generated. Conversely, pushing it in, the pin gets stuck in one of the gears and stops it from spinning. Ergo, no energy released and no power output.
Grip and ergonomics
The visible mechanism is supposed to evoke curiosity and, in that way, awareness of energy consumption.
Evoke curiosity
Designed to last
Aside from the LED and neodium magnets for the generator, the lamp consists of metal, glass and wood; Solid long long-lasting materials.
Final model
Photos talen by Adam Sochorec
Next step
Create a wall-mounted version, as this would require less energy from the user to power (due to help from gravity).
Collaborate with clock-makers and local workshops to create a functioning prototype.
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