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Dust settling device for indoor renovation
In collaboration with Bosch, we designed a dust-settling device to improve the wellbeing of indoor renovation workers.
Keywords: Collaborative, Structural Engineering, Interface Design
Supporting Wellbeing On-site
Site Support is a collaboration with Bosch Shanghai, focused on improving conditions for workers in indoor renovation and construction sites. Through desk and on-site research, we identified dust as a major issue—produced by woodworking, drilling, and hammering, and often poorly managed during busy workdays.
Even after sweeping or vacuuming, dust easily becomes airborne again, posing serious health risks. Workers often remove their masks during breaks, further increasing exposure to harmful particles. To address this, we designed a device that actively removes airborne dust, aiming to create a safer, healthier environment for indoor renovation workers.
User center design
During the design process, we carefully considered the practical realities of renovation sites and workers' conditions. Given that dust is generated by nearly every activity, thorough cleaning is often neglected, and even when performed, dust quickly reaccumulates.
Recognizing this, we concluded that the device must operate autonomously, requiring minimal attention and no extra effort from workers. Once activated, the device uses sensors to detect airborne dust levels and automatically begins operation. It distrubute a fine water mist evenly into the air, causing dust particles to settle. The resulting dampened particles are less likely to become airborne again and are easier to clean from surfaces.
We also prioritized robustness and ease of maintenance. To simplify operation, the device uses a standard water bottle as its supply source, something readily available on renovation sites. The bottle is connected to the device using an adapter and requires no further attention once installed. The device can operate wired or wirelessly if mounted on a wall for better dust-settling coverage at higher elevations.
Designed for easy cleaning, the device is rated IP56, allowing the vents to be rinsed directly under running water. It also features a self-cleaning mode for the internal sensors, which can be activated manually or will engage automatically after every 100 hours of operation.
The device includes a spray direction adjustment feature, allowing the mist’s angle and coverage to adapt to different environments. As activities vary on renovation sites, so do the types and heights of dust particles. To respond to these changing conditions, the spray head can be easily adjusted depending on where the device is placed.
When mounted on a wall, the mist is directed horizontally to cover lighter, high-floating particles more efficiently. When positioned on the ground, the spray is angled upward, allowing the mist to rise and fall across a broader area. This flexibility ensures effective dust settling whether or not wall-mounting options are available on-site.
Development Process
We identified dust as the primary problem early in the research phase and proposed a solution shortly after. The remaining work focused on refining the details to meet the challenges of the harsh renovation site environment—such as optimizing the operating modes and addressing the practical needs of renovation workers. Through multiple prototypes, we balanced functionality with ease of maintenance, and basic testing confirmed the effectiveness of the dust-settling system.
Team project
In collaboration with: Ruowei Lin, Fanxing Li