Hair dryer holder modified for single-handed use

#Objective To create a product that allows someone to brush and blow dry all areas and sections of their hair with only one hand #User Needs * Product must be compatible with user’s hairdryer. * Product must be able to easily move around the user's head * Product must fit user’s preferred aesthetics. #Constraints 1. Schedule: 4 days 1. Risk: Injury to Co-Designer 1. Resources: Certain materials were unavailable due to time constraints 1. Budget: $50-150 1. Scope: What could we build with the time, money, abilities, and materials that we had? #Instructions for Final Design ##Materials Required * 4 ⅜ inch black steel caps (Home Depot) * 2 ⅜ inch by 6 inch black steel pipe nipples (Home Depot) * 1 Everbilt white finish kick down doorstop (Home Depot) * 3 ½ inch by 2 foot PVC pipes (Home Depot) * 5 ½ inch PVC tees (Home Depot) * 2 ¾ inch PVC female adapter (Home Depot) * 2 ¾ inch by ½ inch PVC bushing (Home Depot) * 1 ½ inch PVC male adapter * ½ inch male adapter * Hot glue * Superglue * Foam sealant (Great Stuff Cracks and Gaps) * Silicone mat * Portable camera tripod ##Tools Required * Hammer * Screwdriver --- ##Instructions ###Articulating Arms 1. Using a bandsaw, cut two of the PVC pipes to a length of 19 inches, and cut the third PVC pipe into two pieces, one 6 inch piece and one 2 inch piece 1. Using super glue, place one end of a 19 inch PVC pipe into a PVC tee to such that the other two openings are perpendicular to the PVC pipe. Using the same technique, attach a second PVC tee to the other end of the same PVC pipe. 1. Now working with the second 19 inch PVC pipe, use the same technique to attach a PVC tee to one end of the pipe, and the ½ inch PVC male adapter to the other end such that the threaded end of the adapter creates a cap on the tee. 1. Using the same technique, attach a PVC tee to both ends of the 6 inch PVC pipe. 1. Screw on one black steel cap to one end of the first black steel nipple, and use super glue to fully secure it. Repeat with the second black steel nipple, and allow both to fully dry. 1. While drying, use a Sharpie to draw two concentric circles on the silicone mat, one with a diameter of ⅜ of an inch and the second with a diameter of 1 inch. 1. Using the hot glue gun, create a ring between the two circles with a height of ½ inch, allowing to dry between layers. Repeat this process so that there are two identical rings. 1. Slide the tee end of the 19 inch PVC pipe with one male adapter end and one tee end over one of the nipples, so that the tee rests on top of the cap. 1. Slide the first of the hot glue rings over the nipple so that it is on top of the PVC tee. If it doesn’t fit, use a file the make the inside circle of the hot glue ring larger until it fits. 1. Slide the second 19 inch PVC pipe with two tee ends onto the same nipple, so that the hot glue ring is between two PVC tees. 1. Screw the second black steel cap halfway onto the same nipple, and then put a thin layer of super glue over the remaining threads and screw the cap the rest of the way down, and allow to dry fully. 1. Next, slide the second steel nipple through the second PVC tee on the 19 inch PVC pipe so that the cap is beneath the PVC tee. 1. Add the second hot glue ring, and then slide one of the PVC tees from the 6 inch pipe on top. 1. Screw the last black steel cap halfway onto the same nipple, and then put a thin layer of super glue over the remaining threads and screw the cap the rest of the way down, and allow to dry fully. 1. Using superglue, attach the 2-inch piece of PVC pipe to the second tee on the 6-inch piece of PVC so that it moves away from the 19 inch pipe beneath it. 1. Detach two legs of the portable camera tripod by positioning a flat head screwdriver on the joint closest to attachment point of the camera and hammering the screwdriver. 1. Attach the capped end of one leg of the portable camera tripod to the unthreaded end of the ¾ inch PVC female adapter (Home Depot) with super glue. Fill in the remaining gaps with the Foam Sealant. 1. Twist the threaded end of the ¾ inch PVC female adapter onto the ¾ inch by ½ inch PVC bushing (Home Depot). Glue with superglue. 1. Twist the ¾ inch by ½ inch PVC bushing onto the ½ inch male adapter. Glue with superglue. 1. Remove the cap off of the second detached leg of the portable camera tripod by pushing forcefully on the cap. 1. Tightly attach the second detached leg to the first leg (already attached to ¾ inch PVC female adapter) with duct tape. Attach the ½ inch male adapter to the 2-inch piece of PVC pipe (already attached to second T-connector) 1. Using a bandsaw, cut the bent piece of the door stop off. This will leave the wall mount mechanism and a straight piece of metal. 1. Beneath a fume hood, inject foam sealant into the ½ inch PVC male adapter on the first 19-inch piece of PVC. 1. Put the cut end of the doorstop into the male adapter so that it is parallel with the PVC pipe. When mounted to the wall with the wall mount on the doorstop, the PVC tees need to be flush with the wall. Allow to dry completely. ### Cardboard Wall Mount 1. Cut 18 in. x 11 in. rectangle of cardboard (back plate), 10 in. x 5 in. rectangle of cardboard (table), and five 7 in. x 2 in. rectangle of cardboard (strut supports). 1. On the 10 in. x 5 in. rectangle, cut 4 tabs that flap up or down that will easily connect to the back plate. 1. Hot glue the tabs on the table piece to the back plate with every other tab facing up and the rest facing downwards. 1. Further cut the cardboard struts so when connecting them from the bottom face of the table to the back plate to create a triangle shape, the cardboard struts will sit flush with the surfaces. 1. Hot glue the 5 struts to the bottom face of the table and the back plate. Create a 45 degree angle between the table and the struts so that it creates a triangle shape. Make sure they are evenly spaced on the edge of the table. 1. Take 3 sets of 2 popsicle sticks and hot glue the sticks in each set together to create more sturdy sticks. 1. Hot glue the popsicle sticks to the table and the struts so that they make an “X” shape with the struts. The three sets should go on the 2 ends and the middle strut. ###Putting it all together 1. Cut out a little notch on the table piece of the wall mount for the door hinge to rest in so that the arm will sit flush with the table. 1. Slide the door hinge into the notch in a horizontal orientation. 1. Screw in screws that fit the holes of the door hinge into the hinge and the wall mount to secure them in place. 1. Loop metal wire around a hair dryer and the camera arms to attach the blow dryer to the mount. Make sure the loops are tight and secure so that it will hold the blow dryer well. Check out handwritten notes with drawings: [Notes 1](https://www.humanistic.app/resources/files/projects/5/screenshot%202020-07-08%20at%2012.22.59%20am.png#center), [Notes 2](https://www.humanistic.app/resources/files/projects/5/screenshot%202020-07-08%20at%2012.23.47%20am.png#center), [Notes 3](https://www.humanistic.app/resources/files/projects/5/screenshot%202020-07-08%20at%2012.24.24%20am.png#center), [Notes 4](https://www.humanistic.app/resources/files/projects/5/screenshot%202020-07-08%20at%2012.25.27%20am.png#center), [Notes 5](https://www.humanistic.app/resources/files/projects/5/screenshot%202020-07-08%20at%2012.26.11%20am.png#center), [Notes 6](https://www.humanistic.app/resources/files/projects/5/screenshot%202020-07-08%20at%2012.28.15%20am.png#center) --- ##Iteration 1 Design element tested: Basic Layout. Iteration 1 was a CAD model of our first design, created using Onshape.  --- ##Iteration 2 Design element tested: Basic Function

• Iteration 1 is a cardboard ring, tested whether or not it is able to withstand the weight of a typical hair dryer.
• Diameter of the ring was adjusted multiple times to find the best size.
  • Larger sizes were generally more successful (approximately 5 inches in diameter in the inner circle, and inches in diameter in the outer circle.)
• The cardboard ring was able to withstand the weight, and was continued into further iterations. 3D model version was constructed in Onshape in order to be 3D printed.
• CAD Diagram Links:
  • https://tinyurl.com/y5bhp92k
  • https://tinyurl.com/yyjsbrbo

 --- ##Iteration 3 Design element tested: Basic Movement * Iteration 3 was constructed from various pieces of cardboard connected together with tape. * Iteration concept was successful, and was continued into further iterations.  --- ##Iteration 4 Design element tested: Improved Material and Sturdiness * Iteration 4 was constructed using PVC pipes, T-connectors, hot glue rings, and steel nipples and end pieces. * Steel nipples were too long, so hot glue rings were added to add length and friction. * Iteration concept was successful in terms of strength, and was continued into further iterations.  --- ##Iteration 5 Design element tested: Length of Arms * Iteration 5 was constructed of cardboard and tape. * 20 inches per arm was discovered to be too long to be sturdy and comfortable for Ellen. * We then cut off 1 inch on the first arm and cut off 14 inches on the second arm to make it comfortable and allow space for the blow dryer mount. * Iteration concept was successful, and was continued into further iterations.  --- ##Iteration 6 and 7 Design element tested: Stability of Holder * Iteration 6 (on the left) was constructed of foam sealant, cardboard, and plastic water bottles. * Iteration 7 (on the right) was constructed of wire. * 3D printed hoop from iteration 2 was printed in an incorrect size, and due to time constraints we searched for a different solution in which to secure the hair dryer to the mount. * Iteration 6 and 7 were constructed and tested simultaneously, towards the same goal of finding the most stable holder. * The foam sealant in iteration 6 was not hardened in time, thus we continued on without it. * Iteration 7 was more realistic in terms of stability and time. This caused us to differ from our original design in terms of direction of the hair dryer mount.  --- ##Iteration 8 Design element tested: Angle of Flexible Arms * Iteration 8 was constructed of pieces of a portable camera tripod. * We discovered that 1 camera arm was too weak and added another camera arm. * The 2 arms were bound together with duct tape and and sealed inside a PVC pipe screw with superglue and foam sealant.  --- ##Iteration 9 Design element tested: Final Attachment * Iteration 9 was constructed of a door stop, PVC pipes, T-connectors, steel nipples, cardboard, duct tape, superglue, popsicle sticks, hot glue, metal end caps, and a portable camera tripod, foam sealant * A wall mount was added to iteration 9 in order to prevent wall damage. * This wall mount was constructed of a cardboard plate, and triangle struts constructed of cardboard strips and popsicle sticks. All pieces were attached with hot glue. * This wall plate and wall mount (constructed of the door stop) was able to provide stability along with providing a full range of motion.  --- #Further Improvements * Find a better/more elegant way to connect the two camera arms rather than duct tape. Improve materials on the wall mount. * Better connection method between the holder and the blow dryer. * Larger wall mount * Aesthetic improvements (more polished and aesthetically pleasing) --- #Lessons Learned Overall this project was very successful. We were able to produce a product that accomplished our objective. However, in the process of creating this product there were many issues and lessons learned. Throughout this process we learned that nothing goes according to plan. Originally, we were expecting to be able to purchase materials from Amazon (like a TV mount), but due to time constraints and other outside factors, we were unable to. Consequently, we had to redesign our project and purchase make-shift materials from Home Depot instead (PVC pipes). Similarly, we had originally designed our product to use a 3D printed hoop to hold the hair dryer, however the 3D printed part was too small, and printing another one would have taken too much time. We fixed this by attaching our product and a hair dryer with wire. These problems have taught us to be flexible to new ideas and always have a back-up plan. Another main issue we encountered was a lack of access to certain materials. When we were constructing Iteration 4 we discovered that the black steel nipples were much longer than the PVC pipes, which caused a lack of stability and friction. We solved this by creating hot glue rings approximately ½ inch tall to add stability and friction. This friction was important because it allows the arm of the product to stay how the user positioned it. This situation taught us the importance of staying open to using materials in unintended ways. Over the construction of this product, our team worked both individually and collaboratively. As we spent more time together, our mutual trust gradually increased, which allowed us to work better as a team. Because of all of the individual work required, communication also became very important. We frequently held ‘team meetings’ in order to discuss important decisions and make sure that everyone was on the same page. Taking everything into account, although we encountered some very difficult obstacles, we were able to accomplish our goal of creating a product that allows someone to brush and blow dry all areas and sections of their hair with only one hand. By working together and constructing our product, we also learned that nothing goes according to plan, materials can be used in unintended ways, and that communication and trust are key.