Mini-washing machine

• Grant number: 03/13142-6
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: November 01, 2004
• End date: March 31, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Industrial Design - Product Design
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Monteiro
• Grantee: Marcelo Monteiro
• Company: Santos Dumont Criação e Design Ltda. - ME
• City: São Paulo

Abstract

This project proposes a new concept for washing machines. The company researched and compared the main systems (tumbling and agitating) and extracted information which served as the parameters for the idealization and conception of a product without equal on the market. The mini-washing machine will have a wash capacity of 3.5 kilos of clothes, in addition to being an economic, practical, efficient and modern product. The mini-washing machine, the prototype of which is in the test phase, reduces by around 40 per cent the dimensions and weight of the current 5 kg machines, and for this reason it optimizes valuable resources such as water, electrical energy and space. One of the most important innovations is the new electric motor, which should be attached to the lid. In this way, many of the mechanical components needed for the movement of the wash tank, such as driving belt, pulley, gears and gear shift are done away with. The consumer will be able to buy a mini-washing machine in any supermarket and transport it easily. In addition, the simplicity of its construction reduces the cost of production significantly. (AU)