Appliance Design - February 2009 - (Page 6)

NEWS WATCh Small Electrics Find an Angle Canister vacuums were a bright spot in a dark year. Photo: Electrolux Ultra Silencer. I n spite of the dark clouds hanging over the economy, shafts of light have nonetheless broken through to shine a light on some small appliance segments. Data from the NPD Group, Port Washington, N.Y., a market research firm, confirms that consumers are buying less in most housewares product categories, reflecting how consumers are tightening their belts as they deal with the credit crunch, climbing home foreclosure rates, and growing unemployment. But the research also shows that some segments have found growth by responding to consumer needs and offering superior technology. In the small appliance sector, home environment products are faring best, with flat dollar sales while most product categories are in the red. A trend toward wellness has contributed to a positive outlook for products that keep a home clean and healthy. Canister vacuums, for instance, were among the bright spots of the housewares industry in the first half of 2008 with dollar and unit sales up 12 percent and 6 percent, respectively. Innovation in this category continues to influence consumer percep- tion of these products, making them an attractive option in floor care. A trend toward wellness might be the reason for an increase in sales of rice cookers. Shipments of these appliances grew in 2008, with dollar sales up 14 percent, and unit volume up 4 percent in the six months ending in June 2008. This category also produced innovative products. Manufacturers have developed built-in features such as steamer trays or similar accessories that accommodate steaming of vegetables and other foods. Such features appeal to consumers who are in the habit of buying convenience-oriented products that offer multi-functionality, according to NPD. Water filtration devices and replacement parts represent another niche in which consumers are willing to spend their discretionary income. According to NPD consumer information, dollar and unit sales of water filtration devices rose SPECS MEAN SALES. by 27 percent and 4 percent. This trend can be attributed to a continuing consumer focus on improving their overall well being while remaining cost conscious in an unpredictable financial climate. Housewares manufacturers in this segment of the industry have made it easier to improve water quality at home with many innovative designs, while helping to eliminate the purchase of bottled water, which has long-term implications for savings. These products also lend themselves to the greening of consumer consciousness. < preferred the products with the most specifications. While the participants chose products with more specifications, they did not necessarily like the products more after they chose them. SELF-POWERING DEVICES. Researchers at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, and the University of Houston have developed technology to self-power electronic devices by harvesting energy generated during operation. The researchers used piezoelectric materials manufactured at a specific size. They found that when the material measures between 20 nm and 23 nm, the energy-harvesting capacity increases. When materials are constructed bigger or smaller than this range, they show a significant decrease in their energy-converting capacity. 6 applianceDESIGN February 2009 Consumers show more interest in products marketed with quantitative specifications such as megapixels for cameras and wattage rates for stereos, than they do for products without these specifications. Researchers observed this influence even when the specifications listed are meaningless. In five related studies, researchers from the University of Chicago and the Shanghai Jiao Tong University of China, asked participants to choose between two types of digital cameras, cell phones, towels, sesame oil, and potato chips. In every study, participants ChP POTENTIAL. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tenn., released a report that highlights the potential of combined heat and power (CHP). The report, Combined Heat and Power: Effective Energy Solutions for a Sustainable Future, found CHP to be a realistic solution to enhance www.applianceDESIGN.com http://www.appliancedesign.com

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Appliance Design - February 2009 Contents Editorial Shipments/Forecasts News Watch Force-Sensing Technology Offers Designers an Alternative Approach to Creating Touch-Control Interfaces A Flammable Vapor Sensing Technology that was Originally Developed for use in Water Heaters has Evolved for use in a Broader Array of Applications Latches, Hinges, and Slides Must Reliably Secure Parts Together, Sometimes for Hundreds of Thousands of Cycles. Beyond their Utilitarian Functions, They Can Also Change Consumer Perceptions Elastomeric Electrical Connectors Can Solve Space Constraint Problems in Electronic Products and Provide Some Cost Advantages as Well A Multi-Layer Ceramic Capacitor with a Novel Electrode Design Can Suppress Electromagnetic Interference, Improve Circuit Performance, and Reduce the Number of Needed Components Design Marts Association Report: AHRI Advertisers’ Index

Appliance Design - February 2009

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