Microarchitecture Space Studies Report - Technische Universität ...
Microarchitecture Space Studies Report - Technische Universität ...
Microarchitecture Space Studies Report - Technische Universität ...
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<strong>Technische</strong> <strong>Universität</strong> München<br />
<strong>Microarchitecture</strong> <strong>Space</strong> <strong>Studies</strong><br />
Project: personal hygiene assistant -<br />
pha<br />
3. Introduction<br />
Goal of the experiments aboard the KC135 was mainly to proof that the personal hygiene assistant<br />
functions well under microgravity.<br />
Besides that we gained experience about the characteristics of the system in reduced gravity.<br />
This data should help for further developement of the device.<br />
The capillary effect of the sponge is an important factor of the well function of the PHA. If the 1-g<br />
force (on the ground) is stronger than the force of the suction, water starts to run down. The<br />
KC135 tests gave us an idea how the capillary effect of the sponge could be used more effectively<br />
in micro gravity.<br />
The goal was to reduce the energy consumption of the water suction in relation to the amount of<br />
injected water. The suction has to be at least strong enough to prevent water from floating away<br />
from the device.<br />
To get an evaluative feedback we were very interested to have many different people test the pha.<br />
Besides the initiators Bianca Artopé and Brigitte Borst we had eight other people from NASA,<br />
TUM and JE test the device in microgravity.<br />
4. Methods and Materials<br />
4.1. Subjects<br />
Subjects of testing were as following:<br />
Basic function<br />
Washing and cleaning effectiveness<br />
Relation between water supply and suction<br />
Usability and Ergonomics<br />
Subjective assessment of washing procedure<br />
4.2. Instruments<br />
Experimental flight hardware aboard the KC135 contained four major components:<br />
- Water supply system<br />
- PHA - the device itself<br />
- Air-Water vacuum system<br />
- Power conditioning<br />
Different types of suction systems on the device were tested.<br />
There was no heating system supplied for the water; besides warm water was filled into the<br />
tanks.<br />
In order to make the water better visible on the video it was mixed with red food color.<br />
© 1999 all copyrights of the shown projects are with the designers<br />
and the departement for design and architecture at tu münchen<br />
Issue:<br />
Date: 12/02/1999<br />
Page: B 04
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