Ergonomics Analysis on Tower Fans Design

Jiang Hong,Li Kailing,Zhao Yingxin,Xu Fengqin School of Mechanical Engineering Shandong University Jinan, Shandong Province 250061, China jianghong@mail.sdu.edu.cn Abstract
Based on the theory and methods of ergonomics,The Human factors such as shape,button,information indicating,the functional arrangement,color and material of small household electrical appliances-Media FS60-6AR landing tower fans were deeply analysed and studied,the study explained that design of their own should be in accordance with the relevant requirements of ergonomics. In the finally, raise the inadequate factors and solution to the problem. Keywords: Tower fans, Ergonomics, Human factors safety and ergonomic requirements, satisfy the requirements of users as much as possible[1]. Tower fans start from the ergonomic point of view, considering maximum the actual needs of people.Appearance Designs use the form of acoustic modeling for reference,change the traditional structure of vane type,add a series of new bright spot,to make our products easier to operate and more humane.According to flow theory, combine with air conditioning to form three-dimensional air exchange system between indoor and outdoor air in order to improve indoor temperature and air quality.Its stylish design and new function, extende the traditional functions of an electric fan, as well as lead the new trend in modern home.

1. Introduction
Ergonomics is an Interdiscipline of multiple disciplines, the coordination between people,machine and the environment of different operation are the core issue of study, the research methods and evaluation tools refer to a number of areas including psychology, physiology, medicine, anthropometry, aesthetic and engineering,the research direction is through explaining the law between human,machine and environment to ensure the overall performance optimization,the purpose of research is to guide the design and transformation of work equipment, working methods and work environment through the application of Multidisciplinary knowledge,and make the operation efficiency, safety, health, comfort and other aspects of the properties can be improved[1]. Fans is one of the essential daily-use products in modern family life. Although air-condition is more comfortable and arbitrary, prolonged use will lead to the occurrence of disease and reduce people's immunity.The use of fans is relatively safe and harmless to human health. Tower fans is of the new fashion, its appearance is very different from the traditional style and in some way subvert our understanding of the traditional fan shape, also it is more secure and convenient to use.

Figure 1. Appearance of tower fans

2. Ergonomic analysis of tower fans

People oriented is the design concept of ergonomics.People attach importance to emotional factors with high-tech application and development of high-tech products.They expect that products can meet people's physical needs and psychological needs, have a high amenity, comfort,

Appearance of household electrical appliances must be based on ergonomic design principles in order to determine the most appropriate interaction ways and means between human and machine to improve the ability to manipulate,and achieve efficient and high accuracy requirements[2]. Overall Dimensions of tower fans are 1317*247*216MM, accord with the height for 95% people to operation.Operation panel is an inclined plane leaning 45 degrees, the display screen exist in the vertical column in line with the visual principle that we observe the vertical plane more easier than the horizontal plane.Body's free rotation can minimize the operating frequency in using process and reduce fatigue. The function of information display screen is deliver visual information rapidly, conveniently and accurately. The location of display screen should be based on human visual characteristics, to improve visual efficiency and accuracy of reading. The visual field in horizontal plane is: binocular area about 60 degrees left to right; The visual field in vertical plane

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is: the best vision area lie in 30 degrees below the standard line of sight[2].Therefore, the design should enable the display screen in the best vision area. To comply with the principles of ergonomics,the display screen design should take full account of the shapes of outline and color contrast depending on straight line shapes is easy to accept relative To the curve shapes and color contrast have relation to color vision capacity of human eye.

absorb formaldehyde and passive smoking in the air to blow out fresh and clean air. Similar to TV or humidifier, this tower fans is equipped with intelligent remote control, even if the elderly and the wounded can operate easily in a radius of 6 meters. The overall rectangle of air outlet is separated into a number of small special rectangle so as to looked beautiful and have the maximum export air.In addition to free rotation, it also can adjust the height in order to adapt to different height of the crowd as well as different bed height. Base plate keeps the body of tower Fans more stability and security.

Figure 2. The digital display screen

Operation panel is one of the most important part as we do operation,its design quality have an direct effect on operating quality.The general requirements of panel design in modeling design are uniform composition,generous and have a clear sense of the times;writing and graphics easy to understand and instructions consistent with the law of logic;accessories style coordinate with each other and color contrast is definition and harmony[2]. The operation panel of Tower fans is circular in shape and devided into three content area with the concave line Partitioning every content area.The two area below is keypad while the area above is display area.The most important button lie in below the axis of panel,collect the function of switch and adjust the speed in one key,on the two sides of it are the rotate button and the anion button.

Figure 4. The air outlet

3. Color and material design of tower fans

Color express not only product appearance, but also better product spirit. This requires the color to unify factors such as product function,environmental sites,target user and give a unified and harmonious feel to users[3].Tower fans is indoor use mainly, the dominant hue of stylish silver gray reflect a sense of fashion and technology and is apt to coordinate with surrounding environment.Black part of the panel and white text make strong brightness contrast and easy to be identified. Color of LCD liquid crystal display screen is dark blue,maintain harmonization with the black control panel. The beautiful texture does not depend on the material quality and valuableness,but rather just the right use of the materials[4].Body of tower fans using ABS plastic, the use of injection technology can achieve the beautiful curvature of the body and the complex modeling of panel and demonstrate smooth and delicate texture characteristics.

4. Lack and improvement methods of tower fans

Figure 3. layout of operation panel

Another keypad (2) that lie in the central of the panel act on time,temperature and wind categories, the importance of the three button is similar and visual assignment is uniform;the display area (1) on top shows a variety of functional classification.The white indicating number and black background are in sharp contrast and can be easily identified[2]. There also have some ergonomic application in other parts of the tower fans. Behind the body of tower Fans exists a filter mask,after remove there is an air filtration device which can effectively

First,tower fans combines the form of acoustic modeling really gives a fresh and new feeling,but at the same time it also allow people to feel shallow and no practical significance,and this combination with no connotation can easily be copied.As we can see,there have been some cylindrical humidifier very similar to this image. The recognition of product has been lowered from the ergonomics point of view, it also has affected products and human interaction and gone against principles of ergonomics. Second, the vertical air outlet area is so narrow that we must rely on rotating cylinders in order to increase air flow to satisfy the needs of all,this go against the design concept of people oriented in ergonomics. Tower fan should integrate right spiritual connotation into the modeling design[5]. In advertising aspect, it is not only



need to express superior performance and fashionable shape but also to give the product a spiritual connotation,only in this way,we can improve product awareness and enhance interaction; In addition,the spiritual connotation should be consistent with the general aesthetics that most people can understand and accept,we should not just talk about void aesthetic theory. For the improvement of air outlet,we can consider the surrounding air outlet, so there is no need to pass the air by means of rotation.Limit the air outlet to the middle part of body and reduce the length,this can make all feel cool wind and appropriate temperature at the same time.

5. Conclusions
The aim of this paper is to analyse the various parts of tower fans using ergonomic principle and means,this clarify that the design of the fans conform to the relevant requirements of ergonomics.In the procedure of design,designers should consider reasonable knowledge of ergonomics and give the right spiritual connotation to the modeling.By considering these factors,we will be able to meet the needs of the users and promote the spirit of people oriented.

References
[1] Ding Yulan. Ergonomics, third edition.Beijing:Beijing Polytechnic University Press,2000 [2] Zhao Yingxin,Wang Zhongyu, Introduction to Industrial Design,Shandong: The Petroleum University Press,1999 [3] Xue Chengqi. Product Color Design, Southeast University Press,2007 [4] Jiang Xiangyun. The design of materials and processing technology, Beijing Institute of Technology Press,2003 [5] Cao Yaoming. Introduction to the design aesthetics,Hangzhou: Zhejiang University Press