INTRO

Type

University / Client Project 

Year

2016

Client

Philips

Duration

22 weeks

Team

Lorenz Bauer 

Priska van Binsbergen

Tine Hoogterp

Renate Hulst

Debbie Rouw

Karthik Mahadevan

About

The Philips MinimalPro was designed for Philips in cooperation with TU Delft for the embodiment design course. A team of six students designed a minimalist stick vacuum cleaner and built a working prototype. Due to an ongoing NDA no technical details can be shown. 

The Philips MinimalPro is a sleek, minimalistic stick vacuum cleaner, thoughtfully designed for quick and efficient minor cleaning tasks. Ideal for situations where a broom would typically be used, this vacuum offers the convenience of fast accessibility. Its aesthetically unobtrusive design allows it to seamlessly blend into your living environment, eliminating the need to store it out of sight.

DESIGN PROCESS

ASSIGNMENT

The project's brief called for the design and development of a minimalistic stick vacuum cleaner featuring a dust bag. This battery-powered device is intended for minor cleaning tasks, similar to those typically performed with a traditional broom. It is designed to be unobtrusive, allowing it to blend seamlessly into its surroundings and ensuring quick and easy accessibility.

MOODBOARD

HOT SPOT MAP

 An online survey was conducted with 100 participants to explore cleaning habits and identify key areas and situations requiring frequent attention. The survey aimed to gain insights into common cleaning challenges and revealed the concept of "hot spots"—specific areas in the home that need regular cleaning. Results indicated that households with children or pets have a heightened need for quick cleaning solutions, with the kitchen and under the dining table emerging as the most frequently identified hot spots.

DESIGN OUTLINE

The assignment and initial insights were synthesized into a comprehensive design outline to serve as a guideline for the project. While some objectives were explored in greater detail during the design process, all aspects were considered thoroughly in decision-making to ensure alignment with the overall goals.

IDEATION

MOCKUPS / TESTING

After sketching various concept ideas, the team began creating and testing preliminary mockups to explore their feasibility. As part of the benchmarking process, several similar products were disassembled to analyze their components and inform the design. This hands-on approach provided insights into volume, proportions, and weight distribution. Selected mockups were then evaluated in realistic settings with participants to assess ergonomics and usability.

FINAL DESIGN

USAGE SCENARIO

activate

detach handheld unit

usage

handheld

DESIGN DETAILS

 The challenge was to create a design that is both clean and minimalistic, while ensuring unrestricted mobility. A standout feature of the concept is the aluminum bracket, which elegantly encases the bag cylinder and status display. The bracket’s innovative design allows users to slide it upward to easily detach the bag cylinder, facilitating straightforward dust bag replacement directly over a trash can.

Steering is managed through the nozzle's joint, which is engineered to center the weight of the main body over the nozzle for optimal balance. The joint's design incorporates a single cut and a concealed hinge to enable a full range of movement. This cut is accentuated with a blue ring to signify active functionality

TECHNICAL DETAILS

FUNCTIONAL PROTOTYPE

Following the embodiment phase, a working prototype was constructed. The components were initially designed in SolidWorks and tested using low-resolution FDM prints. After several iterations, the final parts were produced with SLA 3D printing technology and finished with a spray paint application.

The prototype incorporated a compact motor and fan unit sourced from a Dyson V6, powered by six Lithium-Ion cells integrated into the handle to maintain an ergonomically favorable center of gravity. The status display features an LED ring, programmed with Arduino to provide real-time battery status updates. The aluminum bracket was precision-milled and anodized to achieve a semi-matte finish.

PROTOTYPE