I completed this short self-charging mouse project for a module called ‘Introduction to Design Engineering’.
The focus of the module was on design thinking, critical thinking, applied creativity and open-minded approaches. Becoming more comfortable with ambiguity, uncertainty and even chaos. We had to search for design engineering opportunities in a defined domain, ‘a creative contextual exploration considering the potential of repurposing kinetic energy in the home’.
We were prompted to use the double diamond design framework splitting the project into divergent thinking, an open, free-flowing, spontaneous stage where a multitude of ideas are generated. And convergent thinking, selecting the optimal solution from a finite set of ideas in order to solve a discrete challenge quickly efficiently.
An initial exploration of the problem set was my first objective, yielding key insights from energy consumption research, sense making, semiotic analysis, domain affinity sketching, etc. These insights cumulated in the form of a HMW question:
‘How might we encourage or incentivise exercise and sport in daily life with energy scavenging?‘
Following through with the divergent thinking mindset, I undertook an intense ideation phase where I sketched down 15 potential designs to take forward. Analysis of these ideas was undertaken using three parameters desirability, feasibility and viability with the innovation at the heart. This led to the three concepts showcased: kinetic energy scavenging shoelaces, shaker dumbbell and computer mouse.
Convergent thinking dictated the selection and development of one solution to this HMW. The self-charging computer mouse was the design chosen to be took forward through the double diamond framework.
To begin with a low fidelity prototype was created using foam and a hardwood rolling ball. The prototype brought about many insights such as user experience, viability, etc. Diving deeper into the concepts inner workings I researched many viable mechanisms including pendulums, gyroscopes and the like. The mechanism found in the final design was a cross spherical gear setup which transferred the translational movement of the mouse into stored energy used to power the device. As this was a short module aimed at reaching a creative ‘blue sky’ solution, this project was not taken forward to a fully functioning prototype.
