Self propelled lawnmower redesign

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Revision as of 21:39, 8 October 2008

Executive Summary

Customer and Stakeholder

Graham

Research

Research 1

In our attempts to find areas for innovation we sought out different sources to diagnose problems with the current lawnmower design. Our first test involved the four members of the group. Each of us was given the opportunity to use the mower in a variety of common situations. These situations included mowing high grass, short grass, uphill, downhill, etc. Instead of immediately discussing our opinions and observations we wrote them down so that we would each have an unbiased opinion. We then compared the results and diagnosed the crucial problems. We discussed possible solutions to these issues and compiled a list. The key ideas were isolated and these became the ones that we will focus on.

Research 2

The next step in our market research was to go out and ask people who deal with lawnmowers everyday what problems they commonly saw. We went to a local lawnmower service and repair center to speak to experts about the project. We asked them what aspects of the lawnmowers they commonly complain about and their suggestions for improvements. They seemed to find the same problems as we did in our initial test and had very similar solutions. We showed them our ideas for innovation and asked for their honest opinions on feasibility. They liked some of our ideas a lot while others they said would probably not work or they had seen similar solutions that didn’t work. After performing this market research we were able to narrow it down to four design concepts. These concepts are all a direct response to complaints of the stakeholders and seek to resolve key issues with the lawnmower. They all seem to be feasible and within the scope of this course and our resources.

Design Concepts

After our brainstorming process we began to narrow down our ideas. We weeded out some of the impractical and unfeasible ideas. We then picked some of our better solutions and arranged them in a chart based on the problem they helped resolve.

Vibrations and User Comfort	Bagging System	Long Grass / Stalling	Maintenance and Cleaning	Transportation and Storage	Safety
Pneumatic Tires	Garbage Bag Attachment	Engine Tachometer	Self Cleaning Deck	Mower Hitch Attachment	Key Ignition
Front and Rear Suspension	Grass Compactor	Blade Feedback Control	Self Sharpening Blades	Snap-together parts that can be easily disassembled	Push-Button Starting
Rising/Retracting Turning Castor Wheels	Rotating Discharge Chute	Low R.P.M. Warning Light	System Run Timer		Foreign Object Recognition
Air Suspension		Carbide Blade Tips	Dashboard with System Check Lights		Brakes/ Wheel Locking Mechanism

Pugh Chart

Sketch
Description		Standard Self Propelled Mower	Mower with Trailer Hitch Assembly	Mower with Garbage Bag Attachment	Mower with Suspension	Mower with Blade Tachometer
Criteria	Weight	Datum	Design 1	Design 2	Design 3	Design 4
Safe	5	0	-	0	0	+
Comfort	2	0	0	0	+++	0
Portable	3	0	+++	--	0	0
Usability	3	0	+	+	++	++
Durable	2	0	0	0	--	0
Maintenance	2	0	0	0	--	-
Affordable	2	0	0	-	--	--
Cut Quality	3	0	0	0	+	++
+		0	12	3	15	17
0		24	13	14	10	7
-		0	5	10	16	10
Net Score		0	7	-7	-1	7

Concept 1

One of the most frequently stated problems our test audience came up with during our product research was the lack of portability of lawn mowers.

Concept 2

The garbage bag mower attachment is intended to remove the redundancy in the bagging process. In the normal lawnmower the bag that collects the grass clippings gets full and has to be emptied into garbage bags. This process can be messy and cumbersome. This redesign seeks to remove that transfer process by installing a rack at the rear of the mower which a garbage bag will rest on and collect clippings. When the bag is full it can be removed and replaced with ease, eliminating the need to transfer the clippings. The rack would likely be built of thin but strong steel bar and the garbage bags would ideally be generic. The rack would be attached in such a way that it could be easily removed.

Concept 3

Concept 4

Gantt Chart

Conclusion

Recommendations

Final Phase

Appendix

The following is a list of initial ideas for innovation on the lawnmower. This was a general brainstorm and some of the ideas tend to be more abstract. Even so, they were able to hone our thought process such that we would come up with more feasible solutions.

1. Feedback system for blade

2. Battery powered

3. Cutting strings instead of blades

4. Turning front wheels

5. Rising casters for easier maneuvering

6. Leaf catcher/shredder

7. Grass incinerator

8. Grass watering device

9. Grass fertilizing device

10. More user-friendly/ergonomic push handle

11. Automatic throttle/choke control

12. System check light panel (similar to car dashboard)

13. Electric ignition

14. iPod dock

15. Cup holder

16. Brakes on wheels for steep hill cutting

17. Hill assist for steep hills

18. Stereo system

19. Run timer (to help schedule maintenance)

20. Baffled muffler (noise reduction)

21. Grass compactor for increased storage of cut grass

22. Side chipper/shredder

23. Hybrid engine system

24. Diamond tipped blade

25. Four smaller blades instead of one big one

26. Snap together parts for easy transportation

27. Integrated weed-whacker (clips onto side)

28. Mounting arm to attach directly to trailer/hitch

29. Line making system (check how straight cut is and keep in line)

30. Rotating side discharge chute (similar to snow blower)

31. Cell phone alert system

32. Headlights for night use

33. Fan, cooling system

34. Umbrella (sun/rain)

35. Compartment to store items (tools)

36. Remote controlled

37. Key ignition

38. Key code for safety

39. Cooler (drinks)

40. Cable locking system

41. Tracks like on snow-mobile for traction

42. Ball shaped steering design (roll any direction)

43. Leaf blower system

44. Riding skids

45. GPS (route storage)

46. Self cleaning (washing system)

47. Bike seat (riding)

48. Reverse drive

49. Hovering deck

50. Automatic blade sharpener

51. Timer ($ to charge client)

52. Multiple angled handle to ease pushing

53. Throttle control similar to motorcycle (or drive control)

54. Extra large fuel capacity (in reservoir)

55. Fuel level gauge

56. Turn screw system

57. Handle suspension

58. Blade tachometer/odometer

59. Front suspension

60. Make all wheels adjust at the same time

61. Integrated fertilizer spreader

62. Air suspension for wheels

63. Bagging system redesign (garbage bags)

64. Introduce compressor to belt that stores energy to lift ride height

65. Introduce system connecting wheel axles to frame that allow raising/lowering

66. Adjust blade height instead of deck height

67. Replace cables with wireless

68. Studs on tires for better grip

69. Tank treads instead of wheels

70. Engine kill switch if blade is more than six inches from the ground

71. Hand crank with mechanical advantage instead of engine

72. Blade is attached to spring so that hitting a rock won’t damage the engine drive shaft

73. Rear view mirrors to watch for monsters

74. Computer that remembers cutting routes and can reproduce them

75. Cruise control

76. Warning horn

77. Rake in front to prevent foreign objects from hitting blade

78. Hooks for easy storage

79. Blade angler for trench digging

80. Clippers instead of blade

81. V-shape with multiple blades for reaching corners

82. Flower sensor so it doesn’t kill flowers

83. Engine uses bio-fuel for efficiency

84. Weather radar/alert system

85. Leaf sweeper in front to clear path

86. Powered by bicycle pedaling from user

87. Emissions reduction for indoor mowing

88. Thatching/aerating system

89. Bump leveler to even out bumps

90. Weed puller/killer

91. Metal detector to search yard for buried treasure

92. Attachment for mowing over tree roots

93. Trailing vacuum to suck up clippings

94. Heater on handle for cold weather mowing

95. Windshield for eye protection

@@ Line 133: / Line 133: @@
 == Concept 1 ==
+One of the most frequently stated problems our test audience came up with during our product research was the lack of portability of lawn mowers.
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