LILY LIU

TUG

A collapsible helmet that can be assembled with a simple tug

DISCIPLINE

Industrial Design

DURATION

Winter 2020 | 2 Weeks

TEAM

Solo Project

THE PROBLEM

With the increasing proliferation of bike sharing as an urban transit option, one challenge that has arisen is that of safety. This particular issue is centered on the lack or limited use of helmets for most bike share riders.

This project aids in that issue by providing a flat-pack or compressed helmet that allows for easy storage when not in use.

THE PRINCIPLES

SECURE

holds shock-absorbing foam in place and provides halo impact coverage

COLLAPSIBLE

allows for easy storage, thus encouraging more frequent usage among riders

EFFICIENT

is quick and easy for users to assemble and for manufacturers to produce

CONCEPT ONE

a helmet that can be folded and unfolded like an umbrella

playful form
intuitive interactions
less halo coverage
difficult for physical prototyping

IDEATION

CONCEPT TWO

a helmet created by geometric tessellation for efficient manufacturing and storage

simple and straightforward
good coverage
less breathable
form needs refinement

CONCEPT THREE

a helmet that can be folded into an easily store-able form, such as a box

simple and straightforward
compelling storage
less halo coverage
form needs refinement

PROTOTYPING

ROUND ONE

paper prototyping

I experimented with the above concepts and a few other helmet forms, trying to use as few pieces as possible.

None of the three above concepts produced satisfactory physical prototypes.

Eventually, I settled on a different concept of collapsing the helmet like an accordion into a single stack of strips.

ROUND TWO

paper prototyping

I further refined the form of the round one concept and tested how it would drape as a single piece on the head.

Each "arm" of the helmet would attach to the halo band with snaps.

ROUND THREE

RAM + foam prototyping

I tested the idea with RAM board, which is a more rigid sheet material like our final plastic, and open-cell foam.

Also, I explored different assembly methods, as I found that having so many snap attachments (one for each "arm") decreased usability.

The new idea was to have some sort of cord running through the helmet that would keep the helmet form secure.

ROUND FOUR

lasercut prototyping

I moved onto testing with the laser cutter and corrugated e-flute cardboard.

During this round, I figured out where living hinges needed to be etched into the material for better bending. I also adjusted the helmet dimensions to fit my own head.