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Designing a Snow-removing Tool Through Ergonomic Approach

  • Received : 2016.08.30
  • Accepted : 2016.09.17
  • Published : 2016.10.31

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to design a snow-removing tool using an ergonomic approach. Background: It is necessary to remove snow on the garden of a house or side street to prevent a fall hazard. When a user removes snow using a snow-removing tool, he or she experiences lots of physical discomfort. Therefore it is necessary to design a snow-removing tool to reduce a user's physical discomfort. Method: In this study, a new design for a snow-removing tool was developed considering user needs. The design prototype was compared with an existing tool through electromyography and subjective evaluation. Results: From the comparison evaluation, significant differences between the new design and the existing tool were identified in both muscle fatigue and subjective rating of discomfort. Conclusion: The result showed that the new design is better from the aspect of easing physical discomfort. Application: A new snow-removing tool can be developed using the design so that it can reduce a user's physical discomfort.

Keywords

References

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