For this assignment I decided to design an overly complicated scoop that will fail in its purpose if not used properly. The primary design goal was for a scoop that spills the beans if forces are not balanced properly by the user.
I considered a wide range of mechanisms including trigger devices, catapults, and platforms. I devised systems with rubber bands, springs, and gravity as their actuators. Some rapid prototyping quickly brought the form into view.
I constructed my first prototypes to try to get a sense of the forces and fulcrum points. I used a metal binder clip as the actuator. This choice was intended to be temporary, but I found it to be an ideal solution so I stuck with it through to the final prototype.
The first medium-fidelity prototype told me a lot about where I wanted to go. The form of the handle was solid with only minor revisions needed for fit. The first scooper is way out of proportion and, along with the poor print quality, necessitated a complete redesign.
I looked around the kitchen for a measuring spoon and found this one to be roughly the best fit. The second printed prototype looks good, though more fine tuning was needed. The print quality is better but still lacking.
The Don’t Spill the Beans Scoop is designed so that the contents of the spoon are catapulted toward the user if they loose their grip, inducing nervousness in the user, the magnitude of which is proportional to the cost of their coffee (or other) beans.
Future iterations would seek to add stability with hinge system and compression spring for the actuator. Room also remains to improve the overall design aesthetic, part fit, and tolerances.