An Innovative Design for Cleansing, Deodorization, and Pest Control in Drain Covers: Application of the TRIZ Method and Human Factors Engineering

• Published in: Machines (Basel) 2024-09, Vol.12 (9), p.621
• Main Authors: Yao, Kai-Chao, Chen, Li-Yun, Li, Kuo-Yi, Chang, Ya-Nan, Xu, Jing-Ran, Huang, Wei-Lun, Ho, Wei-Sho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: anti-dirt and insect-proof; Control; Design analysis; Design factors; Dirt; Drainage; drainage cover; Engineering; Ergonomics; Grooves; Hair; Handicapped accessibility; Human engineering; Human error; Human factors; human factors engineering; Insects; Inventions; Inventors; Methods; Nuclear power plants; Odor control; Pests; Product design; Silicones; Sliding; TRIZ; Universal design; User requirements; Water purification; Work environment
• ISSN: 2075-1702; 2075-1702
• DOI: 10.3390/machines12090621

This study explored an innovative design of a drain cover for dirt removal, deodorization, and pest control. The research methods used in this study included an analysis of the literature, the TRIZ method and general design, and application of human factors engineering. Firstly, the contradiction matrix of the TRIZ method was used to find out the corresponding principles of invention for analysis. Based on the reference of the most innovative design, a drainage cover with rapid cleansing, deodorization, insect-repellent properties, and quick return was designed, and universal design was used to make the drainage cover. The innovative design can be more widely used to allow users to interact with the environment and products more harmoniously, and the innovative design of the drainage cover was faster and more hygienic through the human–computer interaction in the project. Additionally, the design was validated through analyses using the IPA and Kano models, confirming that it met the users’ requirements and expectations. The prototype’s structure was drawn by Autodesk Inventor drawing software (2024). The research results are as follows. We designed a sliding groove and the sliding block on the drainage cover so that the drainage cover could achieve the effect of rapid cleansing by sliding the sliding block. In terms of the odor control and pest prevention, we designed the odor-resistant block and the water filter under the drain cover so that the odor below the drain would not float upwards. And the pests in the drain hole cannot climb out. In terms of the improved operational design, the sliding block could be quickly returned and the use of the pushing aid to not touch the dirt. The successful development of the product validated the effectiveness of this research method for innovative product design and suggests its applicability for the development of other products.