Project Name: Remya Jose's Pedal Washing Machine
Project Type:
5) industrial/product design
Project Mission/Goal:
1) improve the human spirit
Project Description:
It all happened because Remya’s mother fell ill during her 10th standard exams and her father was undergoing cancer treatment. She had to change three buses while going to and coming from school and spend about two hours each way. As there was no washing machine at home, the chore of doing the laundry fell to her and her twin sister. So instead of just wishing futilely for a washing machine, she decided to try her hand at making one during the vacations. She had watched the functioning of an electric washing machine and thought of substituting the electrical power with mechanical power. She drew the basic diagram and her father took it to a nearby automobile workshop. He requested the workers to make it, when they had a free hour and agreed to pay. He then purchased the materials according to his daughter’s instructions and supplied them to the shop. Once she had to explain to the mechanic personally how she wanted it to be done.
The mind being familiar with the conventional washing machine, this innovation comes across as surprisingly simple. It consists of an aluminium cabin in which there is a horizontal cylinder made of iron net wire. The cylinder is connected to a pedalling system which consists of a cycle chain, pedals and a seat. In appearance it looks like an exercycle - usually seen in a gymnasium - which is connected to a cabin. Clothes are put in the cylinder, the cabin is filled with water to the level of the clothes, washing powder is added and left to soak for at least 10 minutes. Then pedal for three to four minutes. The cylinder rotates at a very high speed with the clothes inside, cleaning them thoroughly. Soap water drains out, the barrel is refilled and the process repeated. By pedalling, the washed clothes are centrifuged and become about 80% dry. NIF has filed the patent for the machine and the patent number is 643/CHE/2003, 07.08.03.
Text from: http://www.nif.org.in/exercise_machine
Links and Captions:
http://www.nif.org.in/exercise_machine
http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?227945
Project Details:
Location: India
Concept/Lead Architect(s)/Designer(s): Remya Jose
Project Architect(s):
Year (s): xx to xx
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Structural Engineers:
Electrical/Mechanical Engineers: Remya Jose and father
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Nominated by Cameron Sinclair
