LAmphis
Solar lamp for your fishing needs
Initial Brief : Sustainable Product Design- - to design a sustainable energy based product.
Brief: Lamphis is a solar powered lamp designed for fishermen for use in both Chinese Fishing Nets in the backwaters of Kochi Kerala as well as boat travel.
The concept was to reduce the dependency on oil lamps and bulbs and to design a sustainable multipurpose light source for the community.
Preliminary
Research
Brief selection
Literature Review
Problem and opportunities
Research
Literature Review
Market Study
Insights
Design direction
Final Brief
Ideation
Sketches
3D model
Final Design
Finalization
Design Prototype
Process
Chinese fishing nets use lamps as a source of light to attract fishes into the submerged nets at night. These were earlier oil lamps which are now replaced by electrical lamps.
Chinese fishing nets is a type of stationary lift nets commonly used in India and Indonesia.
They are fixed near the shore or on stilts and the nets are submerged into the water to catch fish usually in the evening.
Chinese fishing nets
Chinese fishing nets during the night.
They are commonly seen in the backwaters of Kochi and provides means of living for many.
Chinese fishing nets submerged.
For people living in the shores of these backwaters, Small boats are an important means of transport . Travelling at night will require an easily transportable light source such as oil lamps or electric lamps.
THE LAMP
Solar lamps can be an alternative source that can reduce dependency on electricity as well as other fuels such as oil or gas.
In the context of people living near backwaters a lamp that
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as an easy to carry emergency lamp for use in small boats and
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a hanging lamp that focuses the light onto the water for Chinese fishing nets,
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as well as in a household setting as an emergency lamp ,
would be a useful and sustainable option, and hence the brief was chosen to design a solar powered lamp for the context.
Market study
Solar light products existing in the market and
Lights that can be readjusted for multipurpose.
Technical considerations
FOR LIGHT FISHING
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Reflector angle
The angle needs to be optimum angle that do not spread the light and reflect the right amount of light into the water, to attract more fish into the net.
According to a study conducted on light fishing- The lift net which operated lamp reflector of α = 90° has the highest catch of 2,307.8 kg, while the lamp reflector of α = 62° has 1895 kg of catch.
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Type of light
The light needs to be recharged by solar energy and should be able to provide maximum catch. Led light were found to be more effective with a heavier and more variety of catch compared to a fluorescent bulb, according to a study.
Color of light
Even though the color green and blue light has maximum penetration in water and result in more catch for a sustainable light fishing practice and cause less ecological harm it is better to use yellow color light for fishing lamps.
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Outdoor Proof
As the context is in close proximity with water, it would be preferable that the light is water proof to avoid any accidental damage. The light will also be in an outdoor environment for large periods of time so the resistance of materials used to such conditions needs to be taken into consideration.
AS A PERSONAL LAMP
The lamp needs to light the surrounding and the path of the user , hence a downward facing light and reflector wouldn't be enough in this case.
Warm or white light preferred for use at a personal level.
Will need to be water proof for use in boat.
FOR WHO?
Fishermen community living near the backwaters of Kochi. Catches fish for a living and travels on boats to and fro.
Low Income Group.
Use for Lamp - Boating, Light Fishing , Home uses.
IDEATION
The concepts were done keeping in mind the various uses and contexts in which the user will need to use the lamp.
The form was mostly derived taking the reflector angle into consideration as well as the transformation from a hanging lamp to a carry lamp.
The final concept was chosen based on ease of usage , manufacturability /complexity and aesthetics.
FINAL DESIGN - LAMPHIS
Lamphis is a multipurpose solar powered lamp designed for the fishermen involved in light fishing and use water as a mode of transport.
The name is a fusion of Lamp - Amphi - Fish stating the function purpose and feature of the lamp.
Lamphis can be expanded into a carry lamp and compressed into a hanging lamp when required as required.
When compressed the form follows the lines of a Chinese fishing net installation and when expanded , a form language similar to that of an oil lamp.
PROTOTYPE
