Desert Air Cooler Design with and without Trolley (50L and 70 L Tank Capacity)
Sector
Home Comfort
Problem
The home appliance market in India presents significant challenges for product players aiming for success. Simplifying the buying decision for consumers is particularly difficult. In the air cooler category, customers seek innovative designs, affordability, and aesthetic appeal. Given that air coolers are seasonal products used primarily during summer, consumers are inclined to spend less on them.
Considering the diverse climate challenges across Indian states, Tata Elxsi's strategy focuses on designing an elegant desert air cooler with 50 and 70-liter tank capacities with & without trolley for the Indian market. By optimizing materials and processes, aiming to offer an affordable product that can disrupt the market.
Challenge
- Based on insights from users in India, designing a 50L capacity air cooler that is both affordable and fluidic presents significant industrial and engineering challenges.
- Optimizing the product size and materials can impact air delivery and cooling comfort. This could compromise build quality and product performance, leading to a poor market response.
- Given these challenges, Tata Elxsi was tasked with creatively addressing the engineering, analysis, prototyping, and tool-making aspects of the cooler's design.
Solution
- Enhanced product performance will be achieved by optimizing dimensions and reducing part weight, all while maintaining aesthetics, ergonomics, and functionality.
- Performance improvements will come from sturdy motor mounting and louver designs.
- Dimensions and weight will be optimized by reducing part thickness wherever feasible.
- Aesthetics will be crafted based on refined internal packaging to highlight the product's high performance and create a strong visual impact.
Impact
- The overall product weight has been reduced from the benchmarked product, which weighed 10.9 kg, to the new design at 9.6 kg.
- For Without Trolley model, the Product performance has been enhanced through the addition of a motor mounting stand and new louver designs, which help reduce vibration. For with Trolley model, the product's performance has been improved with a new butterfly wing-inspired circular louver, the addition of a motor mounting stand to reduce vibration, all-corner air throw, and an enhanced cooling range.
- User experience has been significantly improved with intuitive knobs, a water filling inlet tray, better visibility of the water level window, a top ice chamber area with zero spillage, easy access to removable side suction panels for cleaning, and overall improved aesthetics
