Industrial Design and Mechanical Engineering Case Study
Project Overview
Bathing and grooming a dog usually requires several separate tools: a water sprayer, shampoo brush, grooming comb and vacuum attachment. Constantly switching between them makes the process slow, messy and uncomfortable for both the pet and its owner.
InDesignLabs developed a handheld pet washer and vacuum grooming comb that combines these functions within one compact product. The device can be connected to either a water hose for washing or a vacuum hose for removing loose hair, dirt and debris from the coat.
The Design Challenge
The product needed to perform two very different operations without becoming bulky or difficult to handle:
- Deliver water through the coat during bathing.
- Extract loose hair and debris during dry grooming.
- Comb and separate dense fur without pulling it.
- Maintain comfortable contact with the animal’s body.
- Allow secure one-handed operation when wet.
- Connect easily to standard water and vacuum hoses.
- Remain easy to clean after use.
- Use an enclosure suitable for plastic injection moulding.
A major challenge was protecting the internal airflow and water pathways while keeping the product visually compact and ergonomically balanced.
Product Architecture
The final concept is built around a cylindrical grooming head supported by a rigid C-shaped frame. Multiple combing elements distributed around the head penetrate the coat, separate the fur and maintain controlled contact with the dog’s skin.
The main cylindrical shaft serves as both the handle and the internal flow passage. A secondary lower section creates an open grip area, allowing the user’s fingers to pass between the two sections and wrap securely around the main shaft.
A hose connector at the end of the handle allows the same device to be attached to either:
- A water hose for wet washing and rinsing.
- A vacuum hose for dry cleaning and loose-hair extraction.
This dual-use architecture reduces the number of grooming accessories required and creates a more continuous cleaning process.
Ergonomic Development
The handle geometry was designed for controlled movement over curved areas such as the dog’s shoulders, back and sides. Its broad gripping surface distributes pressure across the user’s palm, while the open lower section provides additional finger clearance and prevents the product from slipping during wet use.
The angle between the handle and grooming head keeps the user’s wrist in a more neutral position while applying the comb to the coat. The head remains clearly visible during use, helping the operator control pressure and avoid sensitive areas.
Textured grip zones and an accessible control button were incorporated without disturbing the clean overall form.
Grooming-Head Design
The cylindrical head performs three functions simultaneously:
- It separates and combs the dog’s coat.
- It distributes water through the fur during washing.
- It creates channels through which loosened hair and debris can be extracted during vacuum cleaning.
The combing elements were arranged to reach through the outer coat while avoiding sharp or aggressive contact with the skin. Their spacing also helps prevent dense fur from forming a seal over the suction or water-flow openings.
The head is supported from both sides to improve stability when the device is pressed against thick fur.
Engineering and Manufacturing Considerations
The enclosure was divided into injection-mouldable components with practical wall thicknesses, ribs, fastening points and assembly access. Part geometry was developed to minimise unnecessary undercuts while maintaining the distinctive frame and handle architecture.
Engineering considerations included:
- Internal water and airflow passages.
- Sealing around functional joints.
- Hose-connector strength.
- Structural rigidity of the C-shaped head support.
- Drainage and post-use cleaning.
- Protection of the operating mechanism.
- Comfortable surface transitions and rounded pet-contact edges.
- Assembly, maintenance and moulding feasibility.
The teal, white and dark-grey colour scheme visually separates the gripping, grooming and control areas while giving the product a clean, friendly and hygienic appearance.
Final Outcome
The final design combines washing, combing and vacuum-assisted grooming in one compact handheld tool. Its integrated architecture is designed to reduce tool changes, control loose hair and make routine pet cleaning less messy.
The project demonstrates how industrial design, ergonomics, fluid-path engineering and injection-moulding considerations can be combined to transform several basic grooming tools into one coherent product.
Services Provided
- Product strategy and concept development
- Industrial design
- Ergonomic development
- Mechanical engineering
- Water and airflow-path integration
- Plastic enclosure design
- Design for injection moulding
- CMF development
- CAD surfacing and production-oriented detailing