inVision
Innovation for the commercial vacuum market
Innovation for the commercial vacuum market
2010 marked the 10th anniversary of the ongoing collaborative Emerson Tool company studio at Auburn University. I was extremely grateful for the opportunity to participate in such a long running collaboration.
This year Emerson Tool Company recently acquired a new company, ProTeam, which focuses on commercial vacuums. Their market location is primarily in commercial back-pack vacuums. They have a small line of commercial up-right vacuums and wished to strengthen their market presence in the commercial up-rights.
Research, compiled throughout three weeks showed areas in vast need of improvement. Poorly designed handles, improperly located or labeled indicators, difficult to access bag doors, oddly located power switches, and just unappealing designs. The biggest area I found for improvement would be to not make the vacuum fresh, new, and creative (like the much fluffed Dyson Ball, which my research showed actually does not suck very well at all) but to re-introduce a vessel for removing agents from an environment.
Solution:
Remove the belt, which is the must often maintenance concern, and replace with direct drive system. Convert airflow to maximize complete suction across a greater area. Address indicator, power switch, and door access problem areas. Create a visual look that breaks the existing vacuums into outlandish or outdated, creating a visual sense of intrigue sans the visual noise.
This year Emerson Tool Company recently acquired a new company, ProTeam, which focuses on commercial vacuums. Their market location is primarily in commercial back-pack vacuums. They have a small line of commercial up-right vacuums and wished to strengthen their market presence in the commercial up-rights.
Research, compiled throughout three weeks showed areas in vast need of improvement. Poorly designed handles, improperly located or labeled indicators, difficult to access bag doors, oddly located power switches, and just unappealing designs. The biggest area I found for improvement would be to not make the vacuum fresh, new, and creative (like the much fluffed Dyson Ball, which my research showed actually does not suck very well at all) but to re-introduce a vessel for removing agents from an environment.
Solution:
Remove the belt, which is the must often maintenance concern, and replace with direct drive system. Convert airflow to maximize complete suction across a greater area. Address indicator, power switch, and door access problem areas. Create a visual look that breaks the existing vacuums into outlandish or outdated, creating a visual sense of intrigue sans the visual noise.
Emerson Tool Company presented us with a comprehensive problem statement. These are the key areas of
focus and goals from the problem statement.
ProTeam has only a 3% share of the commercial upright vacuum market
Market gap for single motor, high filtration, mid level commercial vacuums
Roller and belts will wear out and need to be replaced
Servicing has to be quick and convenient
Ease of removing clogs must be considered
High durability and long product life
Clean the enviroment
focus and goals from the problem statement.
ProTeam has only a 3% share of the commercial upright vacuum market
Market gap for single motor, high filtration, mid level commercial vacuums
Roller and belts will wear out and need to be replaced
Servicing has to be quick and convenient
Ease of removing clogs must be considered
High durability and long product life
Clean the enviroment
A flow chart created to illustrate the steps required to use the actual vacuum. This is a great tool in discovering areas of issue and promise.
My concept development here focused on key issues uncovered during the research phase. Mainly cord management, maintenance access, minimizing the components, and creating a new approach to the aesthetic of the commercial vacuum.
Working in collaboration with Doug Riterling, Director of design for Emerson, and Jeff Young, Director of engineering for Emerson, I worked on the form development and functionality of the design. Working through the functionally of separating the roller bars and air channels required an understanding of air flow exchange rates and industry standard clearance tolerances. The main purpose was balancing the engineering aspects with the form to develop a feasible and innovative design.
The final prototype culminated in a refinement of concepts and limitations. Developing a simplistic, refined form with all functionality purpose. Key zones of focus are, access for maintenance, reduction of maintenance needs, improved functionality, a quiet yet powerful form that will not create visual noise, yet draws interest and intrigue. With these considerations in mind my design allows for Emerson’s subsidiary ProTeam to launch a new line of vacuums that will increase their market footprint in the commercial upright vacuum sector.
The direct-drive system eliminates all need of a belt and the required pulleys. By using metal gears the life expectancy of parts has been dramatically increased. Profits are derived from bag sales, and not from replacement parts. By minimizing maintenance issues customers will be more likely to recommend the vacuum and purchase other models in the future. Thus increasing market share.
The direct-drive system eliminates all need of a belt and the required pulleys. By using metal gears the life expectancy of parts has been dramatically increased. Profits are derived from bag sales, and not from replacement parts. By minimizing maintenance issues customers will be more likely to recommend the vacuum and purchase other models in the future. Thus increasing market share.
