Design Concepts

Prototyping

On this page of our blog we plan to update with photos and diagrams used to help us determine the most effective design for the villagers of Bo Klua.  The villager’s current method is included,  as well as our prototype ideas along the way.


Current Method

The current method used by farmers of Bo Klua to transport their crops up steep, mountainous terrain is not very efficient, nor is it safe.  Crops are loaded into a sack, which is then strapped onto the farmers back with a strap wrapping around the bottom of the bag to their forehead.  This method is harming the farmers because it is putting too much strain on their head and necks; it is uncomfortable, inefficient, and dangerous.  Figure 1 shows our depiction of the current method.

Figure 1: Current Method [1]

Hiking Backpack

The design we plan to continue building off of is similar to a hiking backpack.  After analyzing the classification tree and breaking up our ideas further into decision matrices, we concluded the backpack to be the most reasonable and logical design.
We plan to build the frame of the backpack out of PVC Piping because it is affordable and durable, and the remainder of the backpack will be made out of canvas (another durable material).  Below, Figure 2 shows a Pro/ENGINEER sample of a simple frame design.

Figure 2: PVC Backpack Frame [14]

The backpack design is more similar to a hiking backpack, rather than an everyday backpack, because of the weight distribution. The loads the farmers of Bo Klua will be carrying can weigh up to 80 lbs, and to avoid chronic pain, the majority of the weight should rest on a stable, solid part of the body. Hiking backpacks, used for carrying heavy loads for longer periods of time, distribute the weight differently than an everyday backpack, which rests the majority of the weight on the shoulders.  In Figure 3, the weight distribution of a hiking backpack is displayed. Figure 4 shows a previously designed hiking backpack that was used as a reference for the new design.

Figure 3: Weight Distribution [16]

Figure 4: 3 view-black Backpacks [8]

Wheelbarrow

Before the backpack idea, initial designs consisted of a structure similar to a wheelbarrow.By using a wheelbarrow type mechanism, the farmers would have a mode of transport involving wheels that could solve their health issues and increase efficiency drastically with a simple design.  Unfortunately, the villagers in Bo Klua are not interested in adapting to wheels.  Another issue the wheelbarrow faced was the rough terrain needed to be crossed while transporting their crops; the wheels may or may not have been able to pass through certain rocky parts, or may have been altogether too wide to travel on narrowl paths.  Also, the wheels could potentially harm some of the crops. Figure 5 below shows wheelbarrows that were originally planned to use as references for the initial wheelbarrow design.

Figure 5: Potential Wheelbarrow Models [10] [15] [6]

Pulley System


Another design that was considered consisted of a pulley system up the steep slopes. This design would relieve the farmers from the need to carry heavy loads, but at the same time was a complicated, unmanageable design for Bo Klua. The pulley system would be expensive and extensive to build.  Figure 6 shows what a load would look like being transported up using the pulley method.

Figure 6: Load Transported via Pulley Method

Sled

The second highest scoring design in our decision matrix was similar to that of a sled.  The sled design would be a means of transportation for the crops with the weight focused on the ground as opposed to the forehead of the farmer. This design would use a sled type contraption in which the rice could be loaded on top of and dragged up the mountain. The sled would be pulled by a strap going around the waist, or by a harness designed almost like a backpack.  Figure 7 shows a drawing of a similar idea used while snowshoeing or cross country skiing.  Although this idea is usually used in the snow, materials that would slide easily over a rocky, mountainous terrain would need to be used. A problem the sled design would encounter is that a sled might not fit through all the paths, and could destroy crops when dragged through the field. The sled could also slide down a slope uncontrollably.

Figure 7: Sled Concept [13]