Bosch M500 Motor Cover:
A New Physical Identity for Bosch
Project Goals
The goal for this project is to create a new physical identity for Bosch electric motors with the first design efforts focused on the 500W model. Bosch has defined 3 key values that it would like the product to communicate. In addition, I believe there is another key value (Authenticity) to consider for a Bosch product.
Toughness Strength Robustness Authenticity
Understand the Brand Value of Bosch
To understand the key values I must understand what they mean in the context of Bosch. In addition to my design explorations, I also took time to understand the following...
1. Who Is Bosch?
When considering the design approach, I recognize that the electric generator has a long history with Bosch and is a core to its business success. Today Bosch is known for many different products across many different categories but when most people think Bosch they think of Bosch Power Tools, especially in China.
2. What Does Bosch Stand For?
Bosch today is not just a reflection of the values as defined by Robert Bosch but also reflects Germany itself. If anything, Bosch is one the reasons people believe that the best designed and engineered products come from Germany. I aim to embody those same values in the designs presented. In China, they may not know the history of Bosch but they know it’s German.
Innovation Quality Reliability Efficiency
3. How does Bosch approach design?
Across the Bosch range of products, there are many different design languages, influenced by all the different unique needs of the product functions and categories themselves. But underlining all of that is a focus on authenticity. Even the beauty of the parts you don’t see come from Bosch’s continual drive for engineering excellence.
Approach
Through my explorations and research, I defined a number of guiding principles and inspirations I believe I had to follow to create an electric motor cover design that is Bosch.
Bosch Silver
Leverage Bosch silver and its connection with power tools and own this color in the electric drive market.
Bosch Silver
Leverage Bosch silver and its connection with power tools and own this color in the electric drive market.
Function First
I do not try to hide the cool fins as something else, I let them be seen as cooling fins.
Electric Drive
I am designing an electric motor and believe that my goal is to make it look-like a Bosch electric motor.
Form Follows
I design for time and not for trend and aim to avoid any need to decoration, or kitsch.
Design Requirements and Technical Constraints
Cooling | 83086mm2 + 77763mm2 (Brake side)
Leverage Bosch silver and its connection with power tools and own this color in the electric drive market.
Attachment Points
I must keep to the same attachment points and sealing boundary.
Bosch Branding
Application of Bosch branding, logo and color palette.
Toughness | Strength | Robustness | Authenticity
What I want to communicate.
Costs
Material volume has the greatest influence on cost.
* The Technical drawing of the old version provided by Bosch Shanghai
Design Output
* Overview render containing 3 versions
Sandblasted-like surface finish.
Grey fasteners.
Bosch aluminum silver color.
Surface Area A* | 86907mm2 + Surface Area B* | 79480mm2
Black Plastic Seal
Brand and Logo are embossed.
Logo - Machined face Bosch - Painted.
Due to space restriction, only the logo is used.
Concept: Version 1
Bosch Power
The visual connection between the electric coil area and the drive shaft, creating waves as it drives forward.
Defecting Away
The brand and logo element represents the solid mass that is driving forward through all oncoming barriers. This visual action aims to embody the need for strength, toughness, and robustness.
Concept: Version 2
Electric Coil
Creating a fusion between the coil ring underneath and cooling directly on top, to become one element pushing through the cover.
Clamped Down
Fingers extending from the attachment points add strength and suggests it’s need to control the power within.
Underlying Definition
With harder forms and more definition, we create a more purposeful approach to communicating, strength, robustness and toughness.
Sandblasted-like surface finish.
Bosch aluminum silver color.
Black Plastic Seal
Grey fasteners.
Attached on top of the cover held down by hook and fastener.
A separate branding element that can be customized.
Due to space restriction only the logo is used. Embossed onto the surface.
Surface Area A* | 82696mm2 + Surface Area B* | 79197mm2
Concept: Version 3
Maximize Cooling
Pushing the fins out for maximum surface area to speed ratio and curving the ends to direct air towards the centre.
All Power
Pushing the cover to the edge creates a larger more powerful impression of the 500w motor
Gentle Toughness
Smooth transitions connecting the cooling to the base, create a perception of unbroken strength and toughness.
Due to space restriction, only the logo is used.
Sandblasted-like surface finish.
Bosch aluminum silver color.
Grey fasteners.
Brand and Logo are separate 3D elements.
Surface Area A* | 85913mm2 + Surface Area B* | 76834mm2