The Task:
As a group design a EAV vendor van, to improve Harris & Hoole's presence in events & public spaces.
The Brief:
Design a 4 wheel Electric assistance coffee vendor van, for serving premade food and hot and cold drinks, in public spaces/event. Providing enough space for a single driver in the cab section and a barista in the vendor compartment as a pop up coffee shop. Sitting within a 2m(H) X 1m(W) X 2.7m(L) frame. Where the vendor compartment takes up 1.35m of EAVV full length.
Persona's & Visual Research:
As a group we researched into different persona's. Looking at potential clientelle, barista's or drivers for the vehicle. Identifying demographics, and personality types, to better understand who we are designing for.
Researching into the limitations impacting the design of the vendor van. Looking into quad cycle technology to produce electric pedal assistance in the most efficient way. Identifying vendor components and consumables needed to serve the customer, in additon to price and weight to ensure the design accomodates in terms of structure and price. Researching human anthropometrics to understand spacing within the vendor van for the driver, barista and customers. Determining any standards and legislation that are useful in identfying design constrictions and oppertunities.
Ideation, Development And Refinement:
From this we split up into groups to ideate the 3 main EAV areas for design:
Frame & electricly assisted pedal system design:
investigating the standard bike frames compatability with 4 wheel drive, and suitability to widthstand component loads and provide maneuverability. Comparing the system to the less common banana bike drive train, which was already designed for 4 wheels, but is less suited to heavy loads, such as that which the EAV van will be forced to endure.
Exterior & driver interior design:
Taking two different approaches to the vendor vans design. With one direction being inspired from the Type 2 Volkswagen Van, and the second being based on the current deliverly lorry design, paying special attention to how the van back is shaped to help the barista retain space.
Vendor area & shop deployment design:
Investigating how to maximise the floor space of the coffee vendor compartment, to ensure the barista can comfrotably serve customers. Paying special attention to branding and how to allure customers to the space, taking special care to consider vendor component spacing and human anthropometrics
The Choosen Design Direction:
As a group we came to a consensus on which artributes should be included in the final design moving forward. Deciding that the exterior form and interior cab design will be inspired by the Volkswagen Type 2, using the simple back design from the current lorry styling to provide space for suitable branding.
Using the expandable work top design for the vendor compartment, to increase the covered floor space, and provide a more comfortable serving situation for the barista and customer. Providing postage for menu, price and information for customers.
Choosing to augment the standard bike pedal system, to include electric assistance and store batteries. With the external structure being designed to support the large load when the product fully stocked.
Design Appenix:
Showing additonal information on the quad cycle technology in use. Providing a case study for van setup and coffee brewing in the vendor van. Providing different views of the product, both when ready for travel and when in use as coffee stall. Showing how the product unfolds and refolds back. Showing off the product colouration and set up.
Technical Discovery:
Showing the pedal assistance system in use, the drive train and the axcel structure. Providing info on the mechanisms used to transform the product from coffee brewing mode to transport mode, and the order in which the product should be transformed. Describing how each pannel is constructed and held together, and the mechanics used to increase roof height and bring out the serving table.
Our Harris + Hoole EAVV:
Our Electricly Assisted Vendor Van:
Designed with the Workers and Customers in mind. Our EAVV is the physical embodiment of good things come in small packages.
Transforming from a street legal Electric assisted powered vehicle, to a Small outdoor satallite Harris & Hoole Coffeeshop.
Key Mechanical Features:
Using standard kitchen top hinges to create a foldable couter top, with european sliding hinges, to bring out the front legs. With the same hinges being used to hold the menu board in place. With flexible feet to keep the counter top straight on any surface. Providing storage space for any consumable equipment or foods.
Key Ergonomic Features:
Golden handles, ergonomically designed to fit the 95% male thumb width. Used to lift pannels up when opening/ closing up vendor. With Golden grip points to pull up the ceiling to fit 6"2 male comfortably while serving.
Designed To Support The Barista:
By Designing the Vendor Van to open up, it provided ample oppertunity to maximise floor space and emulate the Harris + Hoole coffee moteif in any public space. Providing suitable head space for taller individuals to work comfortably. Using L shape kitchen island to provide space for branding. With a chalkboard to display the cafe menu.
Easy To Drive:
how does the driving system help user with driving comfort and efficiency - dynamo
Our road legal EAVV is designed using the standard Bike steering and drivetrain, augmented to provide electricly assisted pedaling and suite the 4 wheel encased structural frame creates the optimum position for comfortable and efficient pedalling.
Assisted by an electric dynamo infused pedalling system that recharges the electric assit batteries when on a decline.
With Main headlights and side Mirrors located on the left and right of the vendor chassis front frame, Thin front frame and a clear large front screen to maximise view allowing the driver to see nearly 180° in front while driving.
Vendor Van Construction:
Designed in two seperate sections, the Driving Frame and The Vendor Chassis:
The Vendor Chasis is designed to spread the weight of internal fixtures and equipment to provide stability while being driven. With foldable counter top, to maximise floor space when in use as cafe. Housing internal storage cupboards attached to the main chasis by fixtures. With a perplex plastic window to protect driver and provide impact resistances.
Driving frame Construction:
The driving frame uses the standard bike steering column, pedal drive train with bike seating. This is then connected to the main aluminium frame, which holds the steering mechanism, wheels & axels in position, housing the batteries for electric assitance and the bike seat attachment system.
Using bolts to attach the frame to the chasis, to provide safe construction for protection while driving.
Pedal Assistance System:
The Pedal assistance is powered using two main features: The battery assisted drive train and the attached dynamo. Together they provide assistance when driving on any road. Where the Electric assistance increases as the road inclines, and the dynamo recharges when your on a decline. Together this provides efficient and comfortable pedaling for the driver.
"From Street Legal EAVV to Satallite Coffee Shop in an Instant"
Improvements Moving Forward:
Taking more time to understand the other components that I was less involved in. Although I chose the team where I had the weakest skills to improve them, I should have spent time learning the skills of the other group members to help further my skills holistically.