ALPHA PROTOTYPE (P)
MY GAP
Salt dispenser that dispenses a set amount of table salt consistently
Gap Refinement (week 6)
Salt dispenser that dispenses a set amount of table salt consistently and, if needed, changes the amount of salt dispensed.
PRIMARY USER NEEDS
* Salt dispenser handles most sizes & types of table salt
* Salt dispenser handles changing needs of the amount of salt
* Salt dispenser is being used in any kind of environment
* The amount of salt being dispensed is visible
* Salt dispenser is user friendly
* Salt dispenser is ergonomically designed
* Salt dispenser is visually appealing
* Salt dispenser is small
* Salt dispenser is light weight
* Salt dispenser is simple and easy to assemble
* Salt dispenser is easily available
My Alpha Prototype:
-- Blue tube (outer tube) with 6 holes in a straight line.
-- White tube (inner tube) with 6 holes in a helical configuration.
-- When the white tube is turned, all 6 holes would allign with all the 6 holes on the blue tube. Maximum salt is dispensed because 6 holes are alligned.
-- When the white tube is turned, only 3 holes would allign with all the 3 holes on the blue tube. Less salt is dispensed because only 3 holes are alligned.
Components
-- Blue is a turning knob.
-- Green is to pull out the white (inner) tube to reduce the number of hole allignment. Green has threads inside so turning the geen knob would pull the white tube out.
Completed assembly
I found a better product to use as my distribution system (pink with holes) so I replaced it with my star shaped distribution disc that I used in the previous weeks. I tested this pink one and it works really well so I decided to go with it.
Operation
-- One complete turn of the green knob is one serving of salt. User must turn full turns to dispense the salt.
Refinements that need to be made for the beta/final prototype
-- After reviewing comments from the users, I realized that the salt dispenser should be calibrated. Usrs need to know the minimum and maximum amount of the salt
that can be dispensed.
-- Diameter of the blue knob is large and users need two turning actions to complete one turn. It should have a smaller siameter so one turn can be finished in one turning action.
-- There should be some indication & allignment of the starting / stopping point of thr green knob.