Search Results (23)

This study presents the development of an innovative multifunctional cup holder designed to enhance safety, usability, and sustainability. Addressing common issues such as accidental spills, heat retention, and structural stability, the proposed design incorporates adjustable fixation and heating functionalities. The research applies a systematic design approach, applying the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) methodology to resolve design contradictions and enhance product functionality. By integrating human factors considerations and universal design principles, the cup holder aims to improve user experience and accessibility. The design features a vacuum-based adjustable fixation system to prevent tipping, a controlled heating mechanism to maintain beverage temperature, and a shock-absorbing structure for enhanced durability. To evaluate whether the final design meets user expectations, a SERVQUAL questionnaire was used to collect user feedback, which was then analyzed using the Importance–Performance Analysis combined with the Kano model (IPA-Kano model). The results revealed an overall importance score of 4.347 and a satisfaction score of 3.943. Key strengths identified include reliable shock resistance, effective fixation, and ease of operation, while areas such as brand reputation and temperature control precision were found to require improvement due to their high importance but low performance. These insights confirm that the proposed design effectively enhances stability, thermal performance, and user convenience, while aligning with users’ expectations. By addressing critical functional and safety needs, this research advances the development of practical, user-centered innovations in everyday product design. Full article

This study employs deep learning techniques, specifically BERT and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), to analyze customer satisfaction and attribute-level attention from user-generated content. By integrating these insights with Kano model surveys, we systematically rank attribute preferences and enhance decision-making accuracy. Addressing the explicit attention–implicit utility discrepancy, we extend the traditional IPA–Kano model by incorporating an attention dimension, thereby constructing a three-dimensional optimization framework with eight decision spaces. This enhanced framework enables the following: (1) fine-grained classification of customer requirements by distinguishing between an attribute’s perceived salience and its actual impact on satisfaction; (2) strategic resource allocation, differentiating between quality enhancement priorities and cognitive expectation management to maximize innovation impact under resource constraints. To validate the model, we conducted a case study on wearable watches for the elderly, analyzing 12,527 online reviews to extract 41 functional attributes. Among these, 14 were identified as improvement priorities, 9 as maintenance attributes, and 7 as low-priority features. Additionally, six cognitive management strategies were formulated to address attention–utility mismatches. Comparative validation involving domain experts and consumer interviews confirmed that the proposed IPAA–Kano model, leveraging deep learning, outperforms the traditional IPA–Kano model in classification accuracy and decision relevance. By integrating deep learning with optimization-based decision models, this research offers a practical and systematic methodology for translating customer attention and satisfaction data into actionable innovation strategies, thus providing a robust, data-driven approach to resource-efficient product development and technological innovation. Full article

In the context of people-oriented and high-quality development, improving the quality of rural public service facilities is an important way to promote rural revitalization. However, at present, there are problems such as imbalanced resource allocation, single service functions, and low service quality in regard to rural public service facilities in general, and the contradiction between supply and demand is becoming increasingly prominent. Only by effectively grasping the correlation between residents’ needs and their satisfaction with such facilities can the precise allocation of service facilities be carried out. In this study, Gaoqing County, Zibo City, Shandong Province, is selected as the empirical case. By applying the Kano model and Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA) through the use of questionnaire surveys and expert interviews, we develop an integrated “demand–satisfaction” analytical framework to propose targeted optimization strategies for rural public service facilities. Based on the Kano model, the essential, desired, and attractive needs of rural residents for various types of facilities were identified. Combining the IPA model, the coupling and coordination relationship between demand and satisfaction was further analyzed, and rural public service facilities were analyzed and categorized accordingly. The research results show that educational institution facilities, healthcare facilities, and market facilities have the highest demand, while cultural, sports, and technological facilities have relatively low demand. Based on the analysis results, this study proposes an optimization strategy for the classification and grading of the “demand–satisfaction” coupling relationship of public service facilities. It provides a scientific basis for the layout optimization of rural public service facilities, and also provides an effective reference for the sustainable development and service quality improvement and upgrading of rural areas. Full article

This study addresses the critical gap in designing child-friendly school commuting routes in mountainous cities like Chongqing, where steep terrain and complex infrastructure pose unique challenges to children’s safety and accessibility. Combining Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) and the Kano model, we systematically evaluated 19 design elements across safety, interest, and convenience dimensions through comprehensive field research and surveys involving 611 participants. Our analysis identified emergency signage systems, street greening, and parent pick-up points as pivotal optimization factors, while revealing significant improvement needs for vehicle speed limits and anti-slip pavement. The findings demonstrate how context-specific, evidence-based design solutions can effectively enhance children’s commuting experiences in challenging urban environments, providing urban planners with a scientifically-grounded framework that adapts child-friendly principles to mountainous contexts. This research advances the field of child-friendly urban planning by bridging the current theoretical-practical divide and offering actionable strategies tailored to geographically constrained cities. Full article

Urban waterfront public space is a key infrastructure for enhancing citizens’ well-being. However, rapid urbanization squeezes out blue and green spaces in cities, and extreme weather challenges exist in winter cities, resulting in unmet needs and a significant decline in citizens’ satisfaction. There is an urgent need to optimize design to bridge the gap between supply and demand. This study proposes a workflow for optimizing the design of waterfront spaces in winter cities based on the KANO-IPA model from the perspective of users’ demands. We constructed a systematic and comprehensive set of spatial demand indicators for waterfront public space in winter cities, covering seven demand dimensions and 42 indicators. A satisfaction survey was conducted across 12 sample reaches in northeastern China. We used the KANO model to classify the attributes of spatial demand indicators, then applied IPA analysis to evaluate them, and finally calculated priority indices to quantify their priority sequences. Based on this, we proposed three-phase optimization strategies: near-term priority upgrading, medium-term steady promotion, and far-term charm enhancement, offering recommendations for improving waterfront public spaces in winter cities. This study provides long-term support for urban regeneration, resource management, and waterfront public space design in winter cities. Full article

This study investigates the innovative design of a bicycle saddle by incorporating sustainable ergonomics, universal design principles, and systematic innovation methods. Initially, the literature related to bicycle saddle design and its impact on the human body during riding was analyzed. The TRIZ contradiction matrix was then used to identify relevant invention principles, which served as references for the innovative design of the bicycle saddle. Biomechanics and the human–machine system analysis within human factors engineering were applied to ensure the innovative design is ergonomic and user-friendly. The design features a horizontally expandable and foldable bicycle saddle, enhancing its adaptability and sustainability. Universal design principles were applied to make the innovative design more accessible to the general public, and the prototype was simulated using Inventor drawing software. The research results include: (1) An innovative bicycle saddle design with horizontal expansion and folding functions is proposed. This design divides the saddle into three components, enabling the left and right parts to expand or retract based on user preferences. (2) A bicycle backrest design featuring vertical adjustability is introduced. It incorporates a quick-release adjustment mechanism at the junction of the backrest and saddle, allowing users to freely adjust the backrest height. (3) A quick-operation bicycle saddle design is presented, utilizing quick-release screws to facilitate the swift operation of the horizontal expansion and folding mechanisms. This validation method confirmed that the innovative design meets both sustainable ergonomic standards and user expectations. The systematic innovation approach used in this study can serve as a valuable reference for future research and design applications. Full article

Traditional door mechanisms in public spaces, such as knob locks and standard handles, require manual contact, making them prone to contamination and posing significant health risks. To address the critical need for a safer and more hygienic solution, this study aimed to develop an innovative foot-operated door mechanism that is accessible and intuitive for all users. The study applies the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ), ergonomic principles, and universal design to develop the foot-operated mechanism, while using Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA) and the Kano model to evaluate user satisfaction and identify design improvements. The foot-operated mechanism developed in this study features internal and external pedals for seamless door operation, a secure locking system, and color-coded indicators for clear occupancy status communication, ensuring both ease of use and privacy. The design significantly enhances hygiene by minimizing manual contact and improves user convenience, as confirmed through the IPA-Kano analysis. This mechanism not only provides a practical and effective solution to contamination risks but also demonstrates versatility, making it suitable for various public spaces and accessible to a wide range of users. This study represents a significant contribution to public infrastructure by providing a safer, more hygienic, and sustainable solution for door operation in public spaces. Full article

Female-friendly public spaces are crucial for the sustainable development of old residential communities. To advance the development of female-friendly public spaces in Beijing’s old residential communities, this study employs a method that integrates the Kano model with an importance–performance analysis. The research focuses on the public spaces of Baiwanzhuang in Beijing, specifically targeting female users. Field research, including interviews and surveys, is conducted to understand women’s needs in these spaces. Based on this, an evaluation index system is developed, and data from questionnaires distributed to women are analyzed using the Kano model and importance–performance metrics. The study classifies female users into four age groups to address their specific needs and proposes targeted strategies for enhancing female-friendly features in public spaces. This paper proposes a quantitative evaluation method for public spaces in old residential communities of Beijing, which combines the Kano model with IPA and is grounded in the perspective of female-friendliness. This research offers valuable insights for the revitalization of old residential communities and support for the diversification of public areas. The results indicate that increasing the types of public spaces, enriching public space facilities, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of public spaces, and promoting social care can improve the female-friendly level of public spaces in old residential communities. Full article

Background and objectives: The urban underground complex integrates comprehensive architecture and subterranean space, presenting physical and psychological complexities. To mitigate the negative experiences associated with this complexity, we need to explore, in depth, how the built environmental elements of underground complexes affect user perception to design a comfortable, healthy, and biophilic underground space. Methods: We selected Tianfu Square, a typical underground complex in Chengdu, China, as the empirical case. We identified 26 key environmental indicators affecting user perception and designed Kano and satisfaction questionnaires based on these indicators. A total of 476 questionnaires were distributed to collect data on users’ attitudes towards changes in element quality and their satisfaction levels. By integrating the Kano model and IPA method, we defined the perceptual attributes of elements based on their impact on user experiences and assessed the alignment between element attributes and satisfaction. Results: We categorized the elements into five perceptual types: attractive, one-dimensional, indifferent, must-be, and reverse attributes, and assigned corresponding importance levels. We then compared the importance and performance scores of these elements, evaluated their satisfaction alignment, identified elements needing optimization, and proposed improvement strategies. Implications: This research provides valuable guidance for designers on how various built environment elements in underground spaces influence user perceptions, with practical implications for urban underground complex planning and design. Full article

This study explored an innovative design of a drain cover for dirt removal, deodorization, and pest control. The research methods used in this study included an analysis of the literature, the TRIZ method and general design, and application of human factors engineering. Firstly, the contradiction matrix of the TRIZ method was used to find out the corresponding principles of invention for analysis. Based on the reference of the most innovative design, a drainage cover with rapid cleansing, deodorization, insect-repellent properties, and quick return was designed, and universal design was used to make the drainage cover. The innovative design can be more widely used to allow users to interact with the environment and products more harmoniously, and the innovative design of the drainage cover was faster and more hygienic through the human–computer interaction in the project. Additionally, the design was validated through analyses using the IPA and Kano models, confirming that it met the users’ requirements and expectations. The prototype’s structure was drawn by Autodesk Inventor drawing software (2024). The research results are as follows. We designed a sliding groove and the sliding block on the drainage cover so that the drainage cover could achieve the effect of rapid cleansing by sliding the sliding block. In terms of the odor control and pest prevention, we designed the odor-resistant block and the water filter under the drain cover so that the odor below the drain would not float upwards. And the pests in the drain hole cannot climb out. In terms of the improved operational design, the sliding block could be quickly returned and the use of the pushing aid to not touch the dirt. The successful development of the product validated the effectiveness of this research method for innovative product design and suggests its applicability for the development of other products. Full article

As the proportion of the world’s elderly population continues to increase, the need for age-appropriate public facilities is rising. This study investigated the key elements affecting older people’s satisfaction with public seating in parks and proposed a sustainable design strategy based on the evaluation and analysis. An evaluation system of age-appropriate public seating containing 20 indicators was constructed. The theory of attractive quality (the Kano model) was used to classify the demand for public seating and to clarify the logical relationship between the role of each element in the satisfaction of public seating in parks. Then, a matrix analysis of importance and satisfaction was carried out with importance–performance analysis (IPA) to determine the direction of improvement. The results of both were comprehensively analyzed to determine the elements requiring critical improvement, and the order of maintenance and improvement. This research shows that public seat design should consider several key factors, including setting density, backrest support, good appearance, helping handrails, bright colors, and so on. This study provides suggestions for maintaining and improving the diversity of public seats in comprehensive parks, including sustainable resource integration and sustainable product recycling. The outcomes were expected to guide the improvement in the construction of age-appropriate public facilities in comprehensive parks within existing built-up areas and to increase the satisfaction of public seating use in comprehensive urban parks. Full article

Coordinating the construction of villages and towns with the county as the basic unit and promoting the optimal allocation of infrastructure and public utilities within the county is an important measure to improve the rural habitat and enhance the well-being of residents. Using the field survey data from western China and the IPA-Kano model method, this study reveals the importance of the impact of habitat environment on life satisfaction in county seat, town and village communities, and identifies the priorities for improvement and enhancement in light of their actual performance. The empirical analysis found that the three types of communities have some differences in the classification of basic factors, key performance factors and excitement factors, and their priorities for improvement are also different. Overall, the improvement priorities of town and village communities are relatively similar, and the differences between the two types of communities and county seat’s communities are obvious. Differentiated improvement measures should be adopted for different types of communities in order to effectively improve the well-being of residents and achieve rational allocation of public resources. Full article

Stock renewal is one of the important methods of urban renewal, which focuses on optimizing and reusing existing urban spaces. With the increasing land pressure in present-day China and the need for land to be reclassified, the thinking mode of stock updating has become increasingly important. Beijing symbiotic courtyard is a representative urban renewal model that combines the characteristics of traditional quadrangle dwelling and modern architecture, aiming to achieve the symbiosis of history and modernity. After several years of implementation, the effectiveness of this model has become a matter of concern for all parties involved. Therefore, this paper takes stock renewal as the observation perspective, describing an evaluation for the Beijing symbiotic courtyard model, which contains different types of residents living in particular historical districts. It attempts to propose corresponding strategies, aiming to provide a more comprehensive thinking angle and planning method for the sustainability of stock renewal. In contrast to earlier studies, the proposed methods involve a specific mathematical statistical model called the IPA-KANO model, in addition to other traditional urban renewal methods. For a wide range of problems including historical district evaluation and renewal, the approach leads to potentially less errors than caused by manual operation. This comes from the fact that all the data are collected through survey questionnaires and big data, so the technical restriction of using mathematical model is to some extent ruled out in this new approach. Moreover, the approach offers new potential problems that cannot be handled using earlier techniques. After the calculation, although there are still defects, local residents are generally satisfied with the Beijing symbiotic courtyard model. The result suggests that it is of importance to reference this model for urban renewal so that can be widely promoted in historical district vitality regeneration. Full article

The investigation examines English proficiency levels across Taiwanese primary education, revealing a significant divergence in skills characterized by an M-shaped distribution among students in the fifth and sixth grades. To address this disparity, the study employs a performance evaluation method that combines importance–performance analysis (IPA) and the refined Kano model, aiming to identify and improve upon the current deficiencies in English language teaching. Further analytical depth is provided by applying a three-factor theory, which re-evaluates the traditional five-factor framework of the Kano model, informed by a survey of 443 respondents. The analysis identified that, out of twenty evaluative items, four are critical and demand targeted enhancement efforts. The paper has identified four items for enhancement to improve English language instruction quality. Specifically, it suggests that two items from the importance–performance analysis are critically under resourced and require immediate intervention. Additionally, the paper recognizes two items from the Kano model that also need focused improvement. The study recommends swift and targeted actions to address these areas, with the goal of raising the overall standard of teaching. Based on these findings, the study proposes a set of practical recommendations aimed at increasing the overall effectiveness of teaching and fostering an environment that enhances student motivation. The ultimate goal of this study is to support English teachers in primary schools by providing strategic insights that can lead to the enhancement of teaching practices and the amelioration of English language education deficiencies. Full article

This study explores innovative designs for the cap of a marker pen, aiming to address the issues of cap loss and ink evaporation during marker pen usage. This study applies intrinsic safety, universal design and TRIZ as research methods. TRIZ has great potential to address most of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) relevant to conflict-oriented problem solving for innovations. The principles of simplification, foolproof design, clarity of states, and tolerance from intrinsic safety were applied to prevent cap loss and minimize the risks associated with ink evaporation. The TRIZ methodology’s contradiction matrix was utilized to identify relevant inventive principles by improving parameters and avoiding worsening parameters, providing a reference basis for product structure design. Lastly, the principles of equitable use, simplicity, intuitiveness, and effortless design from universal design were employed to enhance the marker pen’s usability for the general public. This study creates a SERVQUAL questionnaire to compare the prototype of the designed pen cap with commercially available pen caps. It utilizes the two-dimensional quality model (Kano model) and Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA) for practical design analysis. Finally, the prototype structure is visualized using graphic software. The innovative design features of this study include the following. (1) Concealable pen tip: the sliding seal hides the pen tip inside the pen body when the pen core is slid upwards, preventing cap loss and ink drying. (2) Quick retractable function: using a pressing mechanism, the pen tip can be quickly retracted with a one-handed press and slide motion. (3) Replaceable pen core: the pen core can be replaced by disassembling the pen body, removing the old pen core, and inserting a new one, thereby extending the pen’s lifespan. (4) Satisfaction evaluation of the innovative pen cap design: through questionnaire surveys and cross-analysis using the IPA and the Kano model, this study assesses the product’s manufacturing and mass production value to reduce actual product development costs and time. Full article