Download E2: Human Factors Data

E2: Human Factors Data
Option E: Human Factors Design
IB Design Technology
User Population
Definition:
The range of users for a particular product
or system.
Larger user groups could be defined in
terms of age group, gender group and
physical condition.
Sampling
Sampling allows you to gain important
information about potential users.
When considering a product for mass use,
it is not good to rely on information
collected from just a few people, as it is
unlikely to be representative of the whole
range of users.
A user group sample could be based on a
large user population group, such as
teenagers (age group) or males (gender).
Age, gender and physical condition
These factors can be further defined to
determine the exact nature of a user group
sample. As these factors are important to
the evaluation, these characteristics must
be represented by the members of the
sample.
What user population groups can you think
of?
“methods of extreme”
Sample users are selected to represent
the extremes of a user population plus one
or two intermediate values, for example,
evaluating a kitchen layout may use the
shortest (5th percentile), the mean (50th
percentile) and the tallest (95th percentile).
U shaped kitchen
Population stereotypes
Definition:
Responses that are found to be widespread
in a user population.
Radio knobs are
mechanical
products which are
usually turned
clockwise to turn
on or up.
Taps deal with
fluids and gases
and are usually
turned
anticlockwise to
turn them on
Population stereotypes
Population stereotypes can be displaced by
alternative learnt responses, but they
frequently reassert themselves under
conditions of stress such as tiredness or
panic.
For example, gas cooker controls are turned
clockwise for off, but for an electric cooker they
are the other way around. This is because the
gas cooker knobs are effectively taps, operating
a fluid or gas.
A gas cooker knob that is
turned anticlockwise For
“on” and clockwise for
“off”.
This can be
confusing for
consumers and
can be a safety
hazard, especially
with a gas hob and
electric oven
combined into one
product.
When considering Human Factors at the
design stage you must account for the
range of sizes and adjustability.
Some examples:
Clothing comes in
a range of sizes.
Ironing tables can be adjusted to allow for people of a
different height to use comfortably.
This has an effect on the design of the legs, as this is
how the board is adjusted in height.
Children’s car seats are adjustable to
allow for a range of sizes and a growing
child.
As are other items in a car, such as adjustable
seat backs, adjustable leg room, adjustable
seat belts, adjustable steering wheels,
adjustable mirrors, adjustable headrest, etc.
“Perch” is a result from a 2 year research masters with the
National College of Art and Design, Dublin, Ireland by Simon
Dennehy.
Active sitting is central to the design. Continuous movement,
higher sitting and working, fully adjustable furniture and a
patented flexible seat pan contribute to the overall design.
Students are not built to sit still. Movement is key to physical
and psychological development.
Anthropometric Data
Static anthropometric data is much
easier to gather as people are asked
to remain still while measurements
are taken.
Dynamic anthropometric data
involves people carrying out tasks.
People carry out tasks in a range of
different ways, which can make it
difficult to measure.
Static data is more reliable, however,
dynamic data is often more useful.
Collecting anthropometric data
Equipment:
Sliding calliper
Stadiometer
Tape measure
Torso calliper
Harpenden anthropometer
Accurate anthropometric data can be
difficult to gather using this equipment as
often a person would need to be naked,
rather than clothed, to get an accurate
measurement.
Percentile ranges
Adjustable equipment requires a range of
anthropometric data from a percentile
range.
Consider the following adjustable examples:
• Car seats
• Office chairs
• Desk heights
You will also need to consider gender groups.
Car seats
What percentile ranges would be required
for adjustable car seats?
Sitting height:
Leg room:
Arm reach:
Viewing angles:
Hip breadth:
Thigh length:
Office chairs
What percentile ranges would be required
for office chairs?
Sitting height:
Leg room:
Arm reach:
Thigh height:
Hip breadth:
Thigh length:
Elbow height:
Desk heights
What percentile ranges would be required
for desks?
Sitting height:
Leg room:
Arm reach:
Elbow height:
Seated elbow height:
Thigh height:
Multivariate
accommodation
Multivariate
accommodation (fitting
in several variables, eg,
in a car you need to fit in
terms of sitting height,
leg room, arm reach,
viewing angles, hip
breadth, thigh length)
means that accepting 5% being designed out for each
important dimension is not viable, because different people
will be designed out for each variable. People have different
proportions. Thos designed out because they are too tall
may not be those designed out because their arm reach is
too short.
Primary & secondary anthropometric data
How do designers use primary and
secondary anthropometric data in solving
a design problem?
Biomechanics
IB Definition:
The research and
analysis of the
mechanics of living
organisms.
The importance of biomechanics
Biomechanics is important in the design of a
product in terms of muscle strength, age,
handle size, surface texture, and torque.
Examples:
• Can opener
• Valve wheel
• Corkscrew
• Door handle
• Jam jar lid
Discuss