LED And UV Light Filtration Concept

A light should provide the user three main applications: illumination, exploration, and accessibility. The following Is a light concept that is designed for outdoor enthusiasts and features UV lights Technology to purify natural water. Designed to attach to almost every reusable water bottle cap to transform it into a lantern, The small hands-free light also is attachable to many surfaces with the help of a bungee paracord.

The challenge of the assignment was to develop a new light concept that is transformable for indoor and outdoor use and the only technology allowed are the lights itself. The concept was developed by conducting research, in the group and alone to initiate ideation on developing a new product for a niche user group. The technology I explored for this concept are LED technology to give the product a long life and sustainable energy consumption and UV lights to neutralize any microbiological contaminants that be in the water.

‍Skills User Experience / User Research / Fabrication / Industrial Design

The Science and Features

UV technology effectively neutralize microbiological contaminants to EPA standards. With a built-in LED light he times the UV exposure to the water by a LED light timer that appears around the top surface of the light to confirm purification process. The UV light turns any tap or clear natural water source into potable drinking water in just 60 seconds, letting you hydrate on the spot.

Ultraviolet (UV) rays penetrate harmful pathogens in your water and destroy illness-causing microorganisms by attacking their genetic core (DNA). This is extremely efficient in eliminating their ability to reproduce. Disinfecting your water with Ultraviolet light is exceptionably simple, effective and environmentally safe. UV systems destroy 99.99% of harmful microorganisms without adding chemicals or changing your water’s taste or odour. UV water purification is usually used with other forms of filtration such as reverse osmosis systems or carbon block filters.

The light can say attach to a water bottle by slipping on the the cap surface and stay plug or the user can rely on the paracord attach to almost any surface thus can can be use as a source of illumination for visibility.

Lights and their application

The project began by examining current applications of different kinds of lights. This process helps evaluate types of experiences one will have with a light product in their lives and its current limit. The graph helps narrow down types of users categories and markets for further exploration.

Market area and User group

With the previous data collected, as a team, we were able to develop a product user to examine the types of light product to fit a character persona. On a spectrum of light being used for fun or work and its purchase for desire or necessity, we narrow down to four persona types.
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• Shows Off’s: Light of display and art
• Just get the job done: the necessity of the light
• Practically Chill: light for amusement and viewing pleasure
• Green thumbs: Responsible and needed but to have fun at the same time

.The process helps me narrow down to a target user group and find a hole in the market to design a light to fits the application area: a light for the outdoorsy user but is fun but necessary.

Inspiration

In this phase, I started exploring lights and their application use in the hiking community. After reading numerous hiking journal and blog, I came across a "life hack" us in the outdoors community. Many hikers attach their headlamp around their water bottle or jug to create a lantern that is used to illuminate their whole environment. This finding is the inspiration is a light target application to design towards. Conceptual soft model and works like models were developed and evaluated with user interaction.

Final Concept

The final concept design is to fit most reusable water bottle caps for it to afford to work as a cap and illuminate the bottle like a lantern. A bungee paracord bracelet can fit around its body the user can attach the light to all surface. The light power button is a single large button and the user chooses the function of the light (e.g. colour , and UV light) with rotating the top dial.

Colour Selection

The colour selection for the product is inspired by current outdoor goods colour developed by Patagonia, Arc'Teryx, and Norrøna to keep the users gear matching.

Prototype Model

The prototype development gave me the opportunity to use my shop skills to build a functioning and looks like a model of the final concept. Main manufacturing tools I use is the manual lathe, vacuum former, 3d printer, and laser cutter.