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The Nomad hairdryer was born in response to a Prod 314 Brief, to create a hairdryer for a specific target user. We identified an issue with existing travel hairdryers, specifically a need for young professionals who travelled frequently for short periods of time and needed to appear groomed and professional wherever in the world they were...
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Problem Identified
During discovery, speaking to over 30 young professionals and conducting market and competitor research we found that users lacked a solution of the size and weight they needed yet powerful enough to perform in any country. Specifically we found that users had an average trip length of 4 days and were often limited to a carry on bag for the entirety of their trip. This meant any solution had to fit in a carry on bag and be below the weight limit along with the users clothes, toiletries and any additional accessories such as laptops and headphones.
Ideation
Knowing these limitations I began experimenting with form, features and technologies, inspired by forms that communicated performance, speed and efficiency. I began experimenting with folding and collapsing handles until ultimately I came to a solution of a handleless hairdryer, allowing for a far more compact, mechanically simple design.
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Initial electrical arrangment
Ergonomic mapping
Final electrical arrangment
Colourway exploration
Concept development
Throughout development the form, colour and materials changed to optimise heat dissipation, airflow, aesthetic, ergonomics and electronic element packaging.
Each decision made was based on functional testing and prototyping as well as FEA and CFD simulations (Finite element analysis, Computational fluid dynamics). Conducting several Impact (drop) simulations, heat transfer simulations and airflow simulations to ensure the design not only looks and feels good but performs to the level expected of high end hairdryers.
Final Design
Designed for the adventurer in all of us, the NOMAD features a compact, durable design with a modern, minimalistic aesthetic. It features a powerful, brushless motor, ionic technology, three speed and heat settings, and a cool shot setting for both performance and adaptability to many hair types.
It's treated with a scratch-resistant coating and features ergonomic, rubberized grips as well as illuminating buttons for optimum user comfort and experience. The NOMAD is a product that will withstand the bumps and knocks that come with traveling the world.
The hairdryer features a padded "oxo" inspired rubber grip with perforated pads to both distribute and insulate any excess heat leakage from the heating coils and increase comfort from hand positioning, providing increased grip and cushioning.
Ergonomics
To ensure the NOMAD works for all sorts of hair types it features three heat and speed functions as well as a cool shot function. To maximise user recognition when they're tired and groggy visual cues in responsive LED lights were implemented in both the buttons and capacitive touch slider.
User Interface
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The final design is just 228 mm long, 81mm wide and weighs only 356g including the cable placing it as the smallest hairdryer within the high powered (1800W+) range. This makes it perfect for our target user, seeking a small hairdryer without sacrificing power.
Compact Design
Design details
220V Three-phase Brushless High Speed BLDC Motor 3 Stage Driver 110000RPM Electric Engine for Dyson Hair Drier Air Duct
Specifications:
Voltage: AC220V
Power: 99W±10%
Speed: 110000 RPM
Fan diameter: 28.8mm
I chose this motor because of its small size and high power. This will allow us to achieve our high-power and compact hairdryer.
We decided to select the microcontroller which is sold alongside the motor because they are easily compatible. This means it follows the same specifications as the motor and is under the same name.
The controller has a diameter of 69mm and an inner hole diameter of 40.5mm. Because of this sizing, it will fit nicely around our motor and heating element inside our hairdryer.
Custom Mica Hair Dryer Heater Coil
Specifications: This is a custom product, so we can adjust the sizing, power, and voltage to be whatever we want. Our consultancy's preferred specifications would be
Material: Mica
Heating Wire: Ni80Cr20, OCr25Al5A
Power: 1800W (allows for our goal of a over 1800W hairdryer)
Voltage: 220V (matches the voltage of our fan)
Temperature Sensor: included (allows for automatic shutoff if overheating)
Selected Heating Element: Hair Dryer Parts Anion Generator Ionizer Hair Dryer Air Purifier Negative Ion Generator 220V DIY Ionizer Remove Secondhand Smoke
Specifications:
Products size:15 x 25 mm
Input Voltage: AC 180–240V 50/60Hz
Output Voltage: -3.0~4.0KV DC
Anion density:3 million/cm³
Ozone density: 0.02 ppm
The options our consultancy has for dual voltage adapters in the hairdryer are to either have a manual switch, which will change which wiring it runs on. Or an auto controller which detects the voltage and adjusts the current accordingly. our consultancy has decided to go for the auto controller to allow for a customers ease of use Selected Dual Voltage Adapter: Mini AC-DC 110V 120V 220V 230V To 5V Converter Board Module Power Supply YL
Specifications:
Input voltage range: AC 45V-277V, DC 65V-390V
Output voltage: 5V ± 0.15
Output power: 3.5W
Size: 23.5 x 13.5 x 18.1 mm
The tactile push switch is going to be used for our cool shot button, which is separate from our touch slide switch. It will also be used for our power button now that on/off isnt controlled by the touch sensor.
Selected Tactile Push Switch: 25PCS Tactile Push Button Switch Momentary 12*12*7.3MM Micro switch button + 25PCS Tact Cap (5 colors) for Arduino Switch
Specifications:
12 x 12 mm
Height: 7.3 mm
Colour: blue and black
Our consultancy's hairdryer would also require a heat insulator around the heating element to help insulate the heat coming off the heating element as well as protect the other components from getting too hot and malfunctioning.
The heating element would require a mica sheet, which has a length of 60mm and a width of 126mm to match the circumference of the heating element.
The air intake filter needs a metal mesh attached to the back of the piece. This is to prevent dust from getting sucked into the hairdryer. The metal mesh would be attached using 3M™ Nitrile High Performance Rubber and Gasket Adhesive 847, which is the same adhesive used for the grips. This adhesive also states it works well with metals, meaning it will secure the mesh well.
The shell halves are constructed from ABS in a two part injection mold and finished with a organic solvent paint for the metallic accent stipe and a scatch resistant coating to finish. The halves are held together using spirol press n lok pins, barbed pins that form around the plastic permanently holding the shell closed.
The front grill is constructed from stainless steel steel and machined utilising a 5 axis CNC. like the raer it features thick horizontal grills and a mesh backing it also features an embossed logo, reiterating brand identity.
Inspired by Oxo our buytl rubber grips feature perforated finger pads, increasing the surface area in contact with the hand and the grip provided. Pieces are to be injection molded then adhered to the shell following the joining of the two halves.
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