This is an ergonomic assignment where I was tasked with redesigning a rake with a focus on ergonomics.
Context
From an ergonomic perspective, there are some problems with today's rakes.
Strenuous work: Raking is physically demanding and can affect breathing and muscles. This is partly due to the high friction between the rake and the ground and the repetitive nature of the movements.
Uncomfortable handles: The straight wooden handle of the rake can cause discomfort in the hand and lead to chafing, wrist pain and back pain. This is due to the rough grip on the end of the shaft rubbing against the palm and the abrasion between the thumb and forefinger of the lower hand.
Risk of injury: Although gloves can reduce abrasion somewhat, chafing and injury can still occur. In addition, the angle of the wrist during raking can lead to wrist pain, and oblique loading and twisting of the upper body can cause back pain.
First sketches
With today's problems analyzed, I began sketching out some different solutions. This resulted in, among other things, some sketches with angled handles and some with highly adjustable shafts.
Selected concept
The concept I chose works like a scythe and has several adjustable parts and handles.
Further development of the concept
The chosen concept was developed and several details were added to show the adjustable parts and the rubber cover on the handles. Below are also some detailed sketches of the adjustable parts.
This has been a project where I have been able to develop my sketching and learn to design with regard to ergonomics. The most important thing I have learned with regard to ergonomics design is the possibility for the user to be able to adjust their product to be able to reduce physical loads.
