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Student Designer
University Product Description and Principal Function(s) A flexible seating system with primary design focus on the elderly, physically impaired and is also wheelchair compatible. The system is suspended from a roof and may be temporarily stored away on the roof ceiling, or removed completely from the vehicle tomaximize space or for maintenance purposes. Importantly, in being firmly suspended from a roof, each chair has excellent properties for impact absorption in frontal and rear impact collisions and is further supported by an ‘anti-whiplash’ back rest that comes forward upon impact. The products seat base can raise and lower with it's own back depending on desired use. Why does the product represent design excellence and why do you believe it deserves an Australian Design Award? A review of current products and services that cater for this demographic has found that although there are systems in place to accommodate wheelchairs within vehicles of transportation, many of these systems do not use space efficiently, are not cost effective, lack configurability and are often created with the removal and replacement of original seating.This system is completely innovative and takes a whole new look at how we perceive space within a vehicle. Concerns have been raised about structural strength within the roof of the vehicle, however, with structural reinforcement at little added cost - there is no reason why a roof cannot support the 24G crash impact requirements with a spreaded load. The design has been simplified and closely modelled around a 95th percentile manikin and standard wheelchair size. It's smooth form and edges engage a sense of humble softness and gentle nature for broad visual appeal. Excess bulk has been removed to provide a sturdy yet slim design to maximize space and maneuverability. This product has met all desired criteria and has addressed all problems encountered during research within the given timeframe of the project, however, further improvements are to be made in order have a truly sound product. This project has met all objectives by addressing all requirements for the chosen psychographic market: It can adapt for all users, is safe, ergonomic, cost effective and stylized for visual appeal. Most of all it is extremely functional and has a clear inferace. Where to: : : Better adjustability for user shape (electronic air lumbar support) : : Built-in side airbags : : A wider product range with slight variations to have appeal right across the board. The seat will be made from a patent-pending lightweight fibre-composite developed by Futuris Automotive, which has superb structural and ease-of-manufacture properties. The way in which an individual seat is able to glide along an in-roof rail system allows great ease of configuration, whilst being assisted by a hidden gas strut, the seat is able to effortlessly fold down from the roof when correctly positioned. This design also complies with the Australian Wheelchair Restraint Standard, AS 2942 1994, which allows an occupant to be restrained by a belt that is either dual shoulder harness or chest and lap-sash arrangement. The material in this system is not necessarily environmentally friendly in being a composite, however, it's ease-of-manufacture and readily replacable parts allow for extended product life and low energy and resource use for construction. This seating system completely changes the way in which we will approach transportational seating arrangement and capabilities in the future, and we are left wondering - why didn't someone think of this earlier?? |
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