3.

0 Methods, Assumptions and Procedures

3.1 Methods: After lots of research, thinking of possible problems to research, and
investigation in the issue, the problem of the shovel was presented. This problem was
found through my personal experience, and the observation of others struggling to
shovel in the neighborhood. The shovel was measured to ideal human specifications
using rulers and dial calipers to approximate the actual size while it has not been
produced yet. Each part was designed and made on Inventor. The specifications for
each part were found and compared to an average shovel found at the hardware store.
The size of each part is not the major concern to the innovation, but the system and
purpose of the new system within the shovel. For example, the size of the shovel blade
will be very comparable to others, because it is built to be a smaller size and serve the
same task as the others ones like it.
3.2 Assumptions: There are many things that we have to assume while designing the
shovel. First of all, we do not have the exact measurements yet because we are still in
the prototype stage. The parts are built in Inventor to the approximate size, but
completely exact. Also, the spring system cannot be completely constrained in Inventor
because it cannot system if it is constrained to the side of the pole. Each peg has to be
able to be pushed back when the shovel blades are switched out.
3.3 Procedures:
However, the difference of the shovel is the system that locks and unlocks the
shovel blades to the pole. In Figure 1, there is an example of how the spring and peg
system locks the pole and the shovel blade together. The spring is glued to the side
pieces, which are also both made of aluminum. It is 3.75 long and 1 wide. The two
pegs are pushed together when the pole is taken out, and when another blade is put in
they are again pushed in and then back out after the holes from the shovel and blade
are aligned.
The shovel handle (Figure 2) is made from polyethylene plastic because that
certain type can withstand cold conditions and bend while not breaking. It is another
part in the assembly of the full shovel. It connects to the shovel pole with screws and
glue. It is not detachable because there is no need for different sizes, one fits all. The
handle is made of durable hard plastic so that it can withstand temperature and the
melting and freezing of precipitation. The handle is 6.5 by 5.5.

Figure 1: Peg and spring system

Next, there
are Handle
the two shovel blades. They are both also made from
Figure
2: Shovel

polyethylene plastic because it is strong and can withstand temperature changes. The
large blade (Figure 3) is made specifically for long driveways or plots of land. It is 30 by

18 and can efficiently clear a large area of space. In each shovel, there is a connector
already glued on the shovel that has holes on each side parallel to each other. That is
where the peg and peg system is placed. The shovel pole also is inserted into the intact
object where it is securely in place.
The small shovel blade, 20 by 18 (Figure 4) is used specifically to clear smaller areas
such as patios and sidewalks. It is easier to maneuver and can get into smaller and
tighter areas.

Figure 4: Small Shovel Blade

Figure 3: Large Shovel Blade

The intact object is the key to the connection of the shovel and
the blade. It allows each object to be fastened together using the
peg and spring system. There is an intact object on each shovel;
it is not removable and not rotatable. It is also made of aluminum
and is glued to the shovel blades. The overall diameter is 2.55,
with a .25 thickness before the object is hollow. It is 7 tall. The
little hole going horizontally through the object has a .56
diameter. (Figure 5)

Figure 6: Shovel Pole

Figure 5: Shovel Intact Object

Another major piece of the shovel is the shovel pole (Figure 6)which is made from
aluminum because it is the strongest material under tempuratures and wont rust of
deteriorate. It is 54 long and has a diameter of 2.5. There is only one, the blades are
the parts switched in and out when they are being used. It is apporximated to scale, and
is not detachable from the handle. It is hollow, allowing the spring system to be easily

functionable. The screws are not pictured, but in each assembly the handle is fastened
to the pole to restrain the handle from spinning.
The Final major piece of the
head which is made of steel
ice. It is 20 by 36, and has a
diameter of 2.55 and goes
However, the contact object is
it is metal and not plastic
another detachable head that
pole. It is used to break ice
shovel is not strong enough to
also has a shovel intact object
durable agianst sheets of ice
broken into pieces so that
and diminished as a safety

Figure 7: Ice Pick Head

shovel parts is the ice pick

so it can easily cut thorugh
hole on the top with a
into the object 2.25.
welded to the pick because
(Figure 7) The ice pick is
is secured onto the shovel
sheets and clumps that a
cut through. The ice pick
inside of it, and it is most
that need to be cut up and
they can be shoveled away
hazard.

In Conclusion, there is the fully assembled shovel. Figure 8 is the assembled shovel
with the large shovel blade, Figure 9 is the assembled shovel with the small shovel
blade, and Figure 10 is the full assembled Ice pick.

Figure 8: Fully assembled shovel large blade

Figure 9: Fully assembled shovel small blade

Product
Lifecycle
Figure 10:
Fully assembled
ice pick

A product lifecycle is the life span a certain object lasts while still in good
condition and properly functioning. After researching the average life span of shovels
and other winter tools, the average time this shovel will stay operational is anywhere
from 2-10 years. Depending on how well taken care of the product is, then the longer it
will last. It is very important that companies can research and determine a products
potential life cycle because the consumers like to know how long the product they are
investing will serve them for if it will really be worth their money. If there was anything I
could change about this product, it would be the means of production and trying to use
less material while constructing the shovel. This is because the fewer amounts of
money and resources it takes to produce the product, the less it can sell for making
more money while still keeping the same amount of durability and life span. This
product will most likely become obsolete, because there is no way to significantly move
forward and put this product on the market. Also, over time the shovel will very likely
become obsolete because society is going to move on from man power and eventually
rely completely on robots/ electronics to do basic tasks. Simple tools like the shovel
wont be needed because robots will have their own tools to complete the job.
A tradeoff is a balance, or compromise between two groups or features about a specific
topic. In some cases, the tradeoff can be making a decision between two important
features. For example, the shovel could be made of plastic and run the risk of cracking
under the elements, or made of wood and erode after multiple years of use. The
material was the largest trade off while working on the shovel construction, but another
trade off was durability versus efficiency. There is middle between the two, but to have
one completely the other will be very small and irrelevant when trying to serve its
purpose.
It is important to recycle to help erase the pollution problem, and to use all the
materials possible, so something isnt used up entirely. Product designers play a role in
recycling by using a material that can be recycled, or finding something that
decomposes quickly so that it is not polluting the earth. They could create a material
that can be reused for the same product, making each object usable twice. Society is
creating awareness about recycling, pumping garbage out of rivers and oceans,
cleaning up all the trash that wasnt recycled and instead thrown in a land fill. If people
dont start recycling more and keeping the earth clean, it is going to become
unsustainable for life and destroy civilizations along with all the resources we still have
that havent been used yet. Personally, I can recycle household things like cans and
paper products, and help pick up the environment to keep it healthier. I can also reuse
materials, like plastic and bags from grocery stores, or buy one water bottle and use
that instead of a plastic one from a flat each time I go somewhere.