Design Brief
Brief: A fast (3 seconds or less), energy efficient, toaster.
Aim: Every house has a toaster. Aim is to get every house on an energy-efficient 3 second toaster.
Outline Brief: Using a certain safe and commonly available heat source, for a short amount of time, toast can be made using less power, and at a much higher speed, that a normal toaster.
Objectives: The basic design is set and was successfully prototyped in 1997 for a self defined university project (Brunel, London). This is to take the design to a production standard.
i) Manufacture of casing to consumer standard (to contain high heat, perhaps have cooling fan (not needed for domestic use, only for all day use).
The initial prototype used high grade, fire proof insulation - this would be to contain that in a presentable form.
ii) (This feature is optional.) Protection for the users eyes. Just a heavily tinted heat proof glass to allow the operator to see the level of toasting. Already added to the initial prototype - again this is to produce for consumer.
The above were done in the initial prototype but not to a mass producible brief. The solutions to the problems are readily available and affordable.
ii) Addition of a pop-up mechanism. The prototype was front loaded but it is felt that popping-up is ritualistic and required in a toaster.
iii) Perhaps the customization of a part that was not available 10 years ago but may be now - it is not a strange part, just a different size in between the two most commonly available sizes. (The sizes available sat below and above the precise size needed for dimensions, max heat, and ideal power use).
iv) Testing of the system over high usage. The design should work very well and not degrade in fair use, this needs adequate testing.
Method: Locate parts, build test rig, run longevity tests. manufacture casing.
Source parts and manufacturer. carry out a small scale test run to check for feasibility.
Finally, mass production.
Aim Summary: Every house has a toaster. Aim is to get every house on an energy efficient 3 second toaster.
