Shannon Davies

My initial concept was inspired by Trevor Baylis' Wind up radio, which was big within Africa in 1991, as a means of spreading news about AIDS without the need for electricity. The idea behind this concept was to create a medicine cooling unit that the users could manually charge themselves utilising a technology that they were familiar with. As well as being a tribute to Trevor Balylis' work.

However the problem with the wind up medicine cooling unit, was one the user would need to be with the product at multiple times through out the day to re charge the product, alongside the power requirements of the product resulting in a high charge rate for the user. Which could be regarded as an inconvenience. So development led to looking into how a standard fridge works, After which it was identified that the only element of a fridge that requires electricity is the compressor unit. So the idea was to develop and change the compressor to get the same desired cooling affect without the use of electricity. The product works similar to how a standard fridge works, however rather than using an electrical compressor the product integrates a series of pipes of varying sizes. Alongside some clever material selection and component orientation to achieve the desired cooling affect without the need for electricity.

Looking into the human interaction with the product, it is beneficial for the user to be able to transport their product, allowing them to carry their medication with them where ever they may go. As a result of this the compressor system has been moved to the base to improve the products centrer of gravity. As well as initial investigation into the different ways the cooling unit could be made portable. One concept looksintot integrating a tool box like handle, while another looks at integrating the system into a satchel style bag for the ease of use of the user.

However due to the product potentially being heavy and potentially being carried for long periods throughout the day the more viable option for the transportation of the cooling unit was to integrate the system into a backpack. The back pack design has also started looking into user friendly features due to additional storage situated on the front face of the product.

Further research however revealed that there was a high crime rate in Africa, especially for Medication. To aid the users further the product has been designed to look more inconspicuous and more like a standard back pack. Allowing the user to travel with their medication without drawing attention to themselves.

After deciding on creating an inconspicuous back pack design, the colour scheme has been designed to aid the internal workings of the product. the black base attracting heat to the compressor unit. With the beige sections reflecting light and heat away keeping the correct sections of the back pack cool. White does this more effectively than beige, however white is much less environmentally durable than beige, and would quickly become dirty and un-aesthetically pleasing. The blue has been integrated into the product as it still reflects heat and light, but adds appeal to the over all back pack.

To gain a better insight into how the internal components would relate to the external back pack casing, CAD has been produced within Solidworks. This also allowed me to further develop the cooling unit. Such as making the medication holding sections interchangeable. Allowing the user to adjust the interior to meet their specific medication needs. Regardless of if they require needles, viles or gels.

Additional Solidworks work, looking at cross sectional view and starting to look at how the product would integrate with its user. The back pack needing to be significantly smaller for the use of a child.

Taking the human body sizes of men women and children into consideration. These are the most viable sizes for the back pack and internal components. However the back pack will feature adjustable straps to make the back pack more comfortable for the the user, along with shoulder pads, reducing the strain and pressure put on the users shoulder during transport/use

Solid works has also enabled me to produce an exploded view showing how the internal components relate with the external components. As well as producing a 'ghost' image. Showing how the internal components are orientated and held within the external back pack

In order to explain the use and capabilities of the product effectively to the user. Presentation boards have been produced. The initial board explaining how the product works and the board on the right explaining the material selection of the products individual components

Additional baords, the board in the top left explainging to the user what medication can be stored within the medicine cooling unit. Alongside what the main diseases and medications within Africa are. The board on the right showing the human interaction with the product. Including zip consideration, adjustable strap, the bottle holding area and the quick grab handle situated at the top of the product

Finally a main image has been produced, showing the product concept being used in its intended environment

Final presentation board pitched to Client