Adjustable Oarlock
Upon completing the design of the final solution, there is often abundance in the amount of science and mathematics used to develop the project. In solving the question of an adjustable oarlock, a variety of applied sciences were used to better judge the value of the presented solutions. The very design of the final solution comes from simple mathematic equations, combined with use of technology to solve a problem which has no existing remedy. The careful use of science in conjunction with the technology requires a great deal of development, and these developments have been carefully documented in this paper. From the basic equations used to form the outline of the chosen solution, to the careful study of ergonomic and biometrics, which lead to the small details present in the final model, and includes the technology which has been designed as a result of the application of science.
The leading scientific cause that concerns the use of an adjustable oarlock is that of ergonomics. Comfort, or lack thereof, is of primary concern for the user of this product. If the adjustable oarlock is awkward to use or otherwise ungainly, there is no reason to continue using it. Human beings come in a variety of sizes, and products which cannot cater to this broad spectrum will fail in an open market. The adjustable oarlock has been designed from the outset to be a product which can be easily used by many types of rowers, and its very purpose is to improve upon the rigid and anti-ergonomic design of the original, basic oarlock. The final design is anthropometrically sound, and includes features which are not limited by user size and body type. The final model presents a product that can be easily adapted to any user requirement, with quick and easy adjustment. Ergonomically, the mechanism must conform to the hull patterns of a wide range of vessels, and must also project no dangerous points or contain any sharp protrusions that may inadvertently injure the operator during normal operating procedures. Since the oarlock is attached to the boat using a nearly universal socket/bolt system, there is little doubt as to the products ability to be used in a wide range of vessels, expanding the suitable application of the adjustable oarlock.
It was equally important to consider the biometric factors of design, as the adjustable oarlock is simply an improvement over an existing technology. If a customer spends the money to purchase an adjustable oarlock, it is assumed that they already have a vessel which uses standard oarlocks, so the adjustable product must justify the expenditure of additional capital, as typical oarlocks are an available, cheaper alternative. The improved product must represent a marked improvement over the original design, or the expense cannot be warranted. Building the product out of superior materials and taking careful care to construct using professional methods will only increase the appeal of the product. The adjustable oarlock can be seen as an add-on, but one that is required in order to obtain maximum performance in any vessel designed to be rowed.
The mathematical portion of this project consists of simple arithmetic equations, each one determining how the end product will function. Measurements were taken of each critical aspect of the vessel relating to oarlock function, and these dimensions were used to create the original drawings of the adjustable oarlock. Working with an overall length of 20 inches (shown in Fig 1), determined to be the ideal length when concerned with adaptability among different vessel types. A shorter length may prove unstable, and a longer length may cause compatibility issues. Inside these 20 inches, multiple holes are to be drilled, with equal spacing between each hole. The final design offers a one inch diameter hole, with two inches from each center of the hole to the next. This configuration was utilized due to the limited space and a desire for symmetry. With four holes on either side of a central bolt, the final design presents a clean, streamlined design. Mathematics played another role in the design of the final product, when concerning the mounting of the adjustable block to the original vessel. The length of the stainless steel bolt can be changed depending upon the situation (Fig 2), with overall emphasis on a modular design. Everything, from the size of the oarlock mounting holes to the major dimensions of the device, is designed for use among many types of vessels and oar types.
The technology aspect of the adjustable oarlock design relies heavily upon the choice of material. The design can be completed with some degree of success across a large number of material choices, but using an affordable, available material such as steel has many benefits. Using rudimentary welding techniques (Fig 3) in conjunction with various other metalworking tools, the product can be completed quickly, with minimum effort. Other materials, such as aluminum, may be cheaper and easier to work with, but lack the durability required to withstand the pressures of a working within a marine environment. Using quality materials will extend the life of such a product, and ensure that the product will remain in a functional state for years to come.
With the application of science expressed in technology, and a grounding of mathematics to form the standard design of the product, the adjustable oarlock has a great deal of support. The final design is a result of many alternative designs and has been selected from a series of different solutions. The end result is a product which has been refined to best provide for needs of the potential customer, and represents the evolution of ideas from brainstorming to the future creation of a prototypical example.
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