HEAD AND NECK SUPPORT
WILL BAMBER - 1241702, Studio vi Portfolio
CONTEXT
MISSION STATEMENT To provide a more accessible and desirable head and neck support system for the ‘club level driver’, who needs a more affordable alternative that does not compromise in safety or usability, so that they may be encouraged to enter the sport with the piece of mind that they have access to the highest standard of safety.
OBJECTIVES • • • • • •
Understand the root cause of neck injuries in motorsport and their influence on design Design for the diverse nature of the demographic to broaden the reach and effect of safety Utilise and explore modern manufacturing processes Capture the essence of competition while maintaining a hierarchy for safety Solve issues surrounding product affordability and accessibility to the ‘club level’ market Explore sustainable initiatives for the industry
RESEARCH
BASIL SKULL FRACTURES Basil skull fractures are the most common cause of death in motorsport representing 50% of all fatalities. The injury is the result of rapid deceleration as the torso is secure in the seat due to a race harness and the head is able to flex forward and down causing fractures to the base of the skull or upper cervical vertebrae. This more often than not, causes death by damaging the upper spinal cord or lower brain which may also result in inability to breath or paraplegia.
50% 410 330
OF RACING FATALITIES
kg/f
POTENTIAL FOR BASIL INJURY
kg/f
CERTIFIED ALLOWABLE NECK TENSION AT 70 G IMPACT
1
RESEARCH
2 3
OBSERVATION/ROLE PLAY As a race car driver myself, I had the unique opportunity to interrogate the product system and uncover genuine insights through first hand experience. This stage was crucial in understanding the problem at hand and to establish empathy towards the user which varies from my more professional background. This was made easier by discussing issues and needs compared to my own experiences, with the end user.
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High head rests can hit on the roll cage Low quality seats expose side impacts High back rest limits universal use between vehicles Complex parts clutter and complicate the system Race belts are known to fall under such devices Padding is loose and become frayed with time
Shorter yokes
Minimal
Adjustable yokes
Design iterations
Developments
Support ribbing
Extra back support
Low profile
Shoulder design
Organic
Universal sizing
IDEATION
CONCEPT SKETCHES
DEVELOPMENT FORM TESTING
Form testing and model making was an essential step in my development for an functionable product. Sketching and CAD drawings could only do so much, this is where the value of creating physical models became invaluable. Ensuring a snug and comfortable fit for all users was a paramount process and one that required many iterations to generate a product that seemingly ceases to exist once the race suit goes on.
DEVELOPMENT
FORCE SIMULATION
HIGH STRESS
LOW STRESS
Utilising injection molding and thermoplastics created a challenge to ensure strength and reliability whilst minimizing weight as a performance product. The product went through an extensive simulation phase to generate support ribbing in the correct areas to ensure that the forces were not isolated at particular points. The ribbing and concave back rest assist to dissipate the force across the device and reduce displacement when tested against the maximum threshold of human tolerance.
DEVELOPMENT FINAL DESIGN
Head & NECK SUPPORT
VELOCITY is a head and neck support device for motorsport/ race car applications that prevents potentially life threatening injuries in the event of an accident. Utilising modern day mass production techniques and effective design interventions, VELOCITY finally provides the ‘club-level’ racing driver with an accessible device with no compromise in function or safety
THE ONLY DEVICE YOU WILL EVER NEED.
PRODUCT FEATURES OVERVIEW 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Injection molded plastic Adjustable high tensile tethers Self retaining tether system Low profile Ribbing reinforcing Short yokes Belt retention
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3 1
5
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PRODUCT FEATURES UNIVERSAL USE
The product is designed to maximize it’s use in terms of both the user and motorsport application. Anthropometrics were used and considered to create an ergonomic fit with a range of body sizes both male and female. A low profile head rest and short yoke design then allows the device to be used in the many varying disciplines without loss of function or comfort to the user.
PRODUCT FEATURES PROTECTION RANGE
SIDE IMPACT
The product creates a hybrid system, combining the benefits of forward and side impact accident protection and delivering them to the user. This is an essential safety element that considers the lower quality safety equipment that exists within the non-professional level market.
FRONTAL IMPACT
CUSTOMIZABLE COLOR RANGE
PRODUCT FEATURES
5
MANUFACTURE/MATERIAL
The product uses injection molding as the method of production based on high output projections. The material of choice is high density polyethylene (HDPE) with a glass reinforced blend for added strength. The material had to withstand high operating temperatures, chemicals and extremely high impact forces.
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POLYPROPYLENE TETHER FULLY RECYCLABLE
GLASS REINFORCED, HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (HDPE))
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EVA FOAM
4
3
3
PRODUCT FEATURES COMPONENTS
0
AFFORDABILITY
The product is innovative in the way of manufacture by reducing additional assembly parts and subsequent production/labor costs. All the components are intuitively adjustable and replaceable without any tools or product specific knowledge or skills.
TOOLS
$198.00 MARKET PRICE
PROJECTION
PRODUCT SYSTEM SCENARIO
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SUIT
5 1
BOOTS
2
GLOVES
4
VELOCITY
HELMET
RACE FAST. RACE SAFE
BE A CHAMPION. RACE SAFE.