Me 8700 Advanced Design Methodologies
Vishwas Reddy Ramidi
10/7/2023
Assignment no: Conceptual Design - Part 1
Key Driving Requirements for the Outdoor Shower System:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Portability: The system should be easily transportable to remote outdoor locations.
Water Supply: It should efficiently use available water sources, such as a reservoir or natural water bodies.
Heating Capability: The system must be capable of heating water to a comfortable showering temperature.
Water Conservation: It should incorporate features to minimize water wastage.
User-Friendly: The design should be easy to use and user-friendly, even for individuals with minimal
technical expertise.
6. Durability: The system should be robust and withstand outdoor conditions.
7. Power Source: It should have a reliable power source, whether battery-operated or solar-powered.
8. Temperature Control: Users should be able to adjust the water temperature according to their preferences.
9. Privacy: Consideration for privacy during showering should be integrated into the design.
10. Compact Storage: The system should be compact and easy to store when not in use.
11. Environmental Impact: Minimize the system's environmental impact, including waste disposal
considerations.
Functional Analysis - Function Structure:
The functional analysis outlines the main functions and sub-functions of the outdoor shower system using
Functional Basis Verbs and Flow Functional Thinking:
Provide Showering Functionality:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Heat Water
Control Water Temperature
Dispense Heated Water
Control Water Flow Rate
Portability:
1.
2.
3.
Incorporate Handles for Carrying
Compact Design for Easy Transport
Lightweight Materials
Water Supply Management:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Source Water From Available Reservoir
Filter Water for Impurities
Store and Pressurize Water
Maintain Water Quality
Water Conservation:
1.
2.
3.
Implement a Water Recycling System
Monitor and Adjust Water Flow
Incorporate Shut-off Valve.
User-Friendly Interface:
1.
2.
3.
Intuitive Controls
User Instructions
Safety Features (e.g., Overheating Protection)
Durability and Weather Resistance:
1.
2.
3.
Use Weatherproof Materials
Reinforce Key Components
Resist Corrosion
Power Supply:
1.
2.
Battery or Solar Panel Integration
Charging Mechanism (if applicable)
Privacy Consideration:
1.
2.
Provide a Privacy Screen or Curtain
Design a Shelter or Enclosure (if desired)
Compact Storage:
1.
2.
Folding or Collapsible Design
Secure Storage Mechanism
Environmental Impact:
1.
2.
Biodegradable Soap Compatibility
Efficient Wastewater Management
Each of these functions and sub-functions should be carefully considered and integrated into the design of the
outdoor shower system to meet the identified vital driving requirements.
Table 1 Functional basis reconciled function set and flow set.
Class (Primary)
Showering
Functionality
Secondary
• Generate Heat
• Regulate
• Dispense
• Control
Tertiary
• Monitor
• Safety
• Limits
• Water Flow
• Dispensing
• Ensure
• Adjustment
• Display
Portability
•
•
•
Incorporate
Compactness
Utilize
•
•
•
•
Handle
Foldable
Selection
Reduction
Water Supply
•
•
•
•
•
Source
Filter
Store
Pressurize
Maintain
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Retrieval
System
Maintenance
Storage
Pressure
Regulation
Quality
Water Conservation
•
•
•
Recycle
Monitor
Shut-of
•
•
•
•
•
•
Recycling
Purification
Adjustment
Flow Rate
Control
Emergency
User-Friendly Interface
•
•
•
Intuitive
Provide
Safety
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Control
Design
Interface
Instruction
Prompts
Overheating
Emergency
Correspondent
• Heating
Element
• Water
Temperature
• Heat Water
• Setting
Control
• Safety
Temperature
Limits
• Handle
• Components
• Packaging
• Material
• Reduction
Features
• Inlet
• Retrieval
Mechanism
• Filtration
• Storage Tank
• Pump
• Pressure
Regulation
• Quality
Monitoring
• Flow Sensors
• Flow Rate
Adjustment
Feedback
• Shut-off
Valve.
• Valve Control
Mechanism
• Emergency
Shut-off
• Control Panel
• User Interface
Feedback
• Instruction
Manual
• On-screen
Prompts
Durability and Weather
Resistance
•
•
•
Weatherproof
Reinforce
Resist
•
•
CorrosionResistant
Inspection
•
•
•
•
Power
•
•
Battery
Charging
•
•
Design
Mounting
•
•
•
•
Privacy
•
•
Privacy
Design
•
•
•
Attachment
Material
Selection
•
•
•
Compact Storage
•
•
•
Folding
Storage
Secure
•
•
Locking
Mechanism
•
•
•
•
•
Biodegradable
Efficient
Waste
Management
Environmental Impact
•
•
•
Design
Testing
System
•
•
•
•
•
•
Material
Selection for
Outdoor Use
Weatherproof
Seals
Component
Strengthening
Reinforcement
Brackets
Battery
Compartment
Solar Panel
Mounting
Charging Port
Status
Indicators
Privacy Screen
Shelter Frame
Enclosure
Material
Selection
Hinge
Mechanism
Folding Locks
Storage Straps
or Brackets
Soap
Compartment
Soap
Compatibility
Wastewater
Collection
Wastewater
Treatment
Back-of-the-Envelope Analysis for Evaluating Conceptual Designs of the Outdoor Shower System:
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Cost Estimation: Quickly estimate the approximate cost of materials, manufacturing, and components for
each design concept. This helps identify cost-effective options.
Energy Efficiency: Calculate estimated energy consumption based on the power source (e.g., batteries or
solar panels) and the heating mechanism. opt for designs with lower energy requirements.
Water Usage: Estimate the water usage per shower cycle and consider how well each design conserves
water. This helps in choosing environmentally friendly options.
Portability Assessment: Evaluate the weight and size of the system, as well as the ease of transport. Lighter,
more compact designs are usually preferable for outdoor activities.
Heat-Up Time: Estimate the time required to heat water to a comfortable temperature. Faster heating is
often more convenient for users.
User Experience: Consider the ease of use, including control interfaces and instructions. A design that
offers a better user experience may be preferred.
Durability: Assess the durability of materials and components, especially in outdoor conditions. Designs
that are more robust and weather-resistant are favorable.
Environmental Impact: Evaluate the environmental impact, including waste disposal considerations,
biodegradable soap compatibility, and water recycling efficiency.
Safety Features: Check if each design concept includes safety features such as overheating protection or
leak detection.
Water Quality: Assess the water quality after filtration and storage. Ensure that the system maintains water
quality standards.
Privacy and Shelter: Consider the effectiveness of privacy features and shelter options if included in the
design concepts.
Storage and Transportation: Evaluate how easy it is to store and transport the system when unused. Designs
that require less space or have innovative storage solutions may be preferable.
Scalability: Think about the potential for scaling up or down the system's capacity to meet different user
needs.
Market and User Demand: Consider whether the design aligns with market demand and user preferences
for outdoor shower systems.
Regulatory and Legal Compliance: Check if the design concepts meet regulatory and legal requirements,
such as safety standards and environmental regulations.
Maintenance Requirements: Estimate the maintenance needs for each design concept. Designs with lower
maintenance requirements can be more cost-effective in the long run.
These back-of-the-envelope analyses can help us quickly assess and compare different conceptual designs for the
outdoor shower system before moving forward with more detailed evaluations and prototypes.
List of Tables:
Table 1 Functional basis reconciled function set and flow set....................................................................................... 3