1. Technology & Design A design opportunity! Unit 4:
A suggested approach.
Raymond Moffatt welb

2. Unit 4: Assignment Safe Cycling
Design Brief 1: Safe Cycling
Context:
In recent years Safe Cycling has become an important issue. In an effort to reduce annual death tolls and injury rates on roads you are asked to undertake research and design into the use of “bicycle mirrors”
Design Brief / Opportunity:
Design a bicycle mirror that will help make the cyclist more aware of rear view traffic and assist in safe cycling for all
Develop your idea, considering the following factors:
 Function, materials, compactness, assembly, attachment, ease of use,
aesthetics, manufacturing, safety.
Hyperlink – research.
Exemplar Design Task Assignment:
Candidates will be issued the above Design Brief in September.
It is recommended that students have opportunities to practice their design and communicating skills well in advance of sitting the Unit 4, Task Taking Design Assignment;
Students should be aware of the mark descriptors set out in Appendix 1 (page 46) for this assignment;
Appropriateness and quality of the reference/research materials;
Students should demonstrate skills and knowledge to show:-
Understanding of the design context – reference to the clients needs, problem analysis;
relevant research / reference materials in context; comments / annotation relating to the designs, materials or reference to the fabrication of the product/s collated;
how these materials have inspired, influenced or stimulated their thinking?
how their research connects with concepts - suggested solutions? Show clear annotation to help clarify their
thinking and design outcomes.

3. A Bicycle Mirror: A? B? C? A Design Opportunity:
How will part ‘A’ be linked to the handlebars?
What will be the form/shape of part ‘B’
What materials would be suitable for part ‘B’ ?
Could part ‘B’ be injection moulding and made from a hard plastic?

4. B: How will the housing be secured
Bicycle Mirror: A B
8mm diameter
chrome steel rod
A: Mirror housing??
B: How will the housing be secured
to the round steel rod?
C: How will the steel rod be attached
to the handlebars? C

5. Part ‘C’ ?
What will you need to find out?
Make reference to your reference materials as to:-
How this has influenced you in relation to the design, shape, form, function, materials, suitability?
Make (3) concept sketches developing one idea chosen from your research:

6. Analysis:
What do you need to find out about the handlebars?
Could the mirror be attached to any other part of the bicycle?

7. b) Why might you need to use card for modelling?
8mm diameter chrome steel rod
a) Discuss and develop this idea to show how it may be modified to hold the 8mm steel bar / rod.
b) Why might you need to use card for modelling?

8. b) Why do you think this item has been selected?
8mm diameter chrome steel rod
Discuss and develop the clips to show how one may be modified to hold the 8mm steel bar / rod;
b) Why do you think this item has been selected?

9. What material do you think these clamps are made from?
8mm diameter
chrome steel rod
Discuss and develop the above clamps to show how they may be modified to hold the 8mm steel rod.
What material do you think these clamps are made from?
What manufacturing process was used to make these clamp?

10. ‘A’ Clip Show using sketches how the round rod fits to part ‘A’?
Develop the clip to make it more refined / aesthetically pleasing.
Using sketches explain how this mirror could be adjusted?

11. Discuss the above clamps and develop it to show a practical use to solve the attachment of the mirror.
Explain the term carbon fibre and why do you think this material is used in bicycles?

12. Consider the sketches above in relation to housing the mirror for part ‘A’;
Develop this idea to show how the mirror could be secured?
What material/s would be suitable for manufacture?

14. Using the reference material provided for inspiration design a range of concepts / profile shapes for the bicycle mirror.

16. Brief
Problem statement – new technology, competition, product failure, cost, manufacturing process etc
Market size / type
Price
Desires
Research
Existing products + analysis
Inspirational subjects
Technologies
Mechanisms
Materials
Ergonomics
Product use /position

17. Key Criteria
1 Mounting position
2 Fixing system
3 Adjustment method
4 Mirror housing
5 Manufacturing process
6 Appearance