An LPG Kitchen Stove for Persons without Sight

Introduction

Like sighted people, a blind person also goes to the kitchen and uses the LPG stove for preparing the family food. The existing design is lacking from ergonomics ad user safety aspect. Blind persons being visually handicapped makes the problem become further compounded.

Work at IIT Bombay

This problem was addressed through a project taken up by Prof. G.G. Ray and Mr. M.S.G. Rajan of the Industrial Design Centre, at IIT Bombay. Based on a wide survey, in-depth work-content analysis, and observing blind people in the training and rehabilitation centers, several conceptual designs for LPG stoves were developed. Out of these, six design concepts have been registered and one of the concepts was developed further for prototyping.

Details of the Technology Developed

• Design has been made conducive for the blind by using the principle of kinesthetic and facile sensation.
  
• Low cost mechanisms were developed for auto ignition and flame failure detection.

Salient features of product are:

• Two-burner gas stove.
  
• Separate auto igniters for each stove.
  
• Auto flame failure detectors for each burner with different tone.
  
• Flame guard ring for each burner.
  
• Five-prong pan support.
  
• Drip disc around each burner.
  
• Drip tray underneath the stove.
  
• Easily operational burner control knob with three control positions.
  
• Two step body for easy location of burner and control area.
  
• Reference ridge on the body for easy location of burners and easy repositioning of pan support and flame guard by the blinds after cleaning.
  
• Stainless steel body.
  
• Central groove on the front surface for keeping vessels etc.
  
• User can replace the battery
  
• Aesthetically pleasing and safe product form.
  
• Can be efficiently used both by the visually handicapped and sighted persons.
  
• Low cost.
  
• Easily serviceable.

The project was sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India.

Product Costs:

Approximately Rs 3,500/- to 4,000/- per stove.

Status:

30 Stove units have been developed in association with M/s. PK Limited, Hyderabad, of which five were handed over to the National Association of Blinds for trial. Based on feedback received, some design improvements were carried out, and efforts towards commercialization is planned.

Source: Industrial Design Centre
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Powai Mumbai 400 076