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Grind and brew
Redesigning Rear Water Tank for One-Handed, Effortless Access
Product developed for GE Appliances
Constraints
One-Hand Carrying:
The water tank must be designed to allow comfortable, secure one-handed carrying when full.
Defined Grip Zone:
Hand placement area must follow specific dimensions and positioning to accommodate mold design limitations.
Low Vertical Clearance:
Removal and reinsertion should require minimal vertical movement, making it suitable for use under low cabinets.
From Finger Strain to Natural Palm Grip
The initial prototype offered minimal gripping space, relying heavily on finger strength for removal. This led to a design pivot toward exploring a larger grip that engaged the palm for easier, more comfortable handling
Finding the Right Fit
Testing Forms Across Hand percentiles, to shape the ideal grip.
Created a wood stacking system to test different grip sizes.
Exploring Forms to Find the Ideal Curvature
Tweaking curvature details
The initial prototype from the supplier had rectilinear curvature that made it uncomfortable to grip. I corrected their CAD model and created a deck highlighting key areas for adjustment, which was sent back to guide refinements.
Final prototype before production
After multiple iterations with the supplier, the final prototype successfully met the key goals: it could be removed from the rear using just one hand, required minimal vertical clearance, and featured a comfortable, clearly defined grip area.
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