Garden Tools Project
Ergonomic garden tools support natural hand motion, reducing carpal tunnel risk for right-handed gardeners.
Project Type: Industrial design
Duration: 6 weeks
Skills: Sketch, Research, Prototype
Challenge: Garden tools that don't fit the hand can cause discomfort and strain.
Solution: Understanding hand form informs ergonomic tool design, enhancing comfort and reducing injury risk.
potential RISKs
wrist motion
Use the force from your wrist to push hard soil, then bend your wrist back up to pour the soil. Fingers are used to hold tightly on the handle.
Use the force from your wrist to push hard soil, then bend your wrist back up to pour the soil. Fingers are used to hold tightly on the handle.
dangerous
Using force from the wrist and bending it upward will have a strong impact on the nerves which causes wrist tendonitis.
Using force from the wrist and bending it upward will have a strong impact on the nerves which causes wrist tendonitis.
the solution: Send the hand back to the neutral positions
the process______
research
Comprehensive Market Research and User-Centered Design Analysis for Ergonomic Trowel Development
Development
Considering the limited availability of data on left-handed user preferences and ergonomics, the design was optimized for right-handed users
Following the testing phase, concepts 1 and 4 emerged as the most ergonomically sound options. Aligned with my design objective of creating a comfortable and functional handle for adults, I determined that concept 4 offered the greatest potential for further development.
further development
The 3D printed prototype revealed discomfort at the junction of the body and the plate, caused by a steep slope. I plan to develop the shape by reducing this angle and adding CMF.
what I learned
Prototype
By leveraging rapid prototyping methods like yellow foam and 3D printing, I was able to quickly iterate on design ideas and gain insights into both the aesthetic appeal and practical performance of the prototypes.
Ergonomic Design
I gained insight into designing ergonomic tools by considering factors like grip size, handle shape, and weight
