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Solar Powered Cooler

2021-2022

The solar powered cooler is the product I helped develop with a team of 5 other engineers for my capstone project. The project started in August 2021 where I was serving as team lead to guide the progression of the team and make sure all deliverables were met. From a technical standpoint my contributions included the preliminary CAD design, market research, POC testing, and conducting PDRs. When the second half of the capstone program began I had to delay because I took an internship with Tesla for that spring semester. The project continued on without me and the rest of this page will go over everything I had a part in and not what occurred after my departure.

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The main focus below is the progress made in the development stage during my capstone time.

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Product Description

The solar powered cooler is designed for the camping market. The system will be able to cool food and beverages to a temperature between 35 ℉ and 40 ℉ using solar energy. The main features of the cooler are the 100qt volume, 20Ah battery, solar powered ability, and water resistance.

skills developing

  • Team Leading Skills

  • SolidWorks Design for Assembly

  • SolidWorks Top Down Assembly

  • FEA Stress Testing

  • POC and Analysis Testing

  • Goldsmith Commercialization Model

  • Phased Product Development Model

Design Purpose

  • To give camping industry an affordable option in solar cooling 

  • Utilize various technical class knowledge in prototype

  • Showcase product development through documentation

  • Provide value to the class sponsor

Initial Development Progress

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Preliminary Concept Design

Utilized Morphological Chart to Pick Top Concepts

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Developed Concept Sketch for Medium Cost Model

Completed Project!

Upcoming Steps

  • CAD Iterations
     

  • Prototype construction
     

  • BOM creation and contacting vendors
     

  • Testing prototypes to meet validation requirements

Project Takeaways So Far

  • Utilizing commercialization model which is teaching me business practices

  • Developing network connections with industry members

  • Familiarizing myself with industry practices PPD

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    Practical application of technical classroom knowledge

     

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