AP
A N T O N E L L A P A P A R E L L A PRODUCT DESIGN
Topic
Starting from the study of Electric domestic appliances, analyzing them according to the functions and to the size, it was decided to put attention upon the small appliances. The analysis of the toaster was performed starting from the study of the internal components, then a market analysis was conducted to understand the different types of toasters and the most innovative features useful to users.
How does it work?
It changes electrical energy to heat energy.
Inside each of the appliances there are loops of special mixture of metals. One of them is called nichrome. Electricity cannot pass through this special metal very easily. The metal slows down the electrons and “holds up” the current flowing through it. This is called the “resistance” of the metal. When the resistance of a metal is higher, the metal will get hot because of the friction of the electrons in the current of electricity. If you look inside your toaster, you’ll see those coils or wire glowing orange, which make brown your toast. When it reaches the right temperature, which is about the same time as your toast is properly toasted, it releases a catch allowing the toast to pop up. At the same time, it shuts off the electricity.
It consists essentially of two parts: a grid on the left, where you can prepare omelets or sandwiches; a cooktop on the right, where you can enter your toaster or a teapot, being a normal induction cooker.
New concept
Every function of the toaster was analysed and the results show that they are too complicated, starting from the main body to arrive to all the pieces and buttons, the heating sistem and the internal mechanisms.
The new concept is based around the idea of induction cooking. There is no open flame, no carcinogenic fumes, just the ferrous material becomes hot. The left side has the function of grid, the glass ceramic is covered with a layer of stainless steel that allows to cook directly on the grid, useful also for pans or pots not suitable to the induction system because of their material. In the right part there is a glass ceramic hob on which will be positioned the toaster itself. The outer walls of the toaster are made with bakelite, heat-insulating material, that allows to touch the toaster without burning your fingers.