Abstracts

This thesis has resulted in a concept- and prototype development of a new car roof mounted bike carrier. The design problem was assigned by Thule Group and was intended be performed alongside the companys own project of updating their different roof mounted carriers. What Thule wanted to gain from this project was to obtain concepts produced with a different approach than their usual course of action. This could lead to concepts consisting of solutions not before thought of. The solution should answer to three major problems: 1. How the bike could be attached to the carrier. 2. How the mechanism could tighten. 3. How the user could be given feedback when enough force had been applied. This report explains the approach to the problem and how the used design process has been implemented. The solution to the problem are presented successively of how the front holder of a bike carrier is developed, from idea into prototype. The applied design process Produktutveckling - Effektiva metoder fr konstruktion och design have an iterative structure. An iterative process does not occur in a straight line, but rather in a spiral that repeat its steps over and over again to achieve better results. The different phases and methods of the design process are explained to clarify the approach of the implementation. These methods includes Benchmarking, User study, Quality function deployment, 6-3-5 Brain writing method, PUGH and Validity and Reliability. To give this thesis a theoretical foundation, theories about the design process, semantics and intuition been applied. The generated ideas resulted in two concepts that were further developed and presented. One of the concepts was decided by Thule to undergo a patent research, which was not completed before this thesis was finished. This concept has therefore not been explained in detail. The other concept has been presented in its complete state, explaining its solutions to the design problem. The report explains all features the prototype of the product resulted in. The design process is presented in a chronological way and contribute with an easy traceability throughout this report.