Practice - Framing |
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Let's improve your framing
Consider each of the problems presented below. As you consider each, think about how you would frame it. Then look at the solution that someone else developed to solve this problem. Consider how your frame differs, if at all. Decide if your frame could be improved or if it is actually as good or even better than the one used in the example.
Use this to reflect upon and improve your framing ability.
Use this to reflect upon and improve your framing ability.
All terrain mountain bike tire
When riding on different surface different tire pressures are desirable. On hard surfaces, higher pressures are desired so that there is less rolling resistance. On soft sand it is desirable to have lower pressure so that the wheel flattens out more, and doesn’t sink into the sand as much. On uphill gravel, medium pressure gives the best balance of rolling resistance and traction. Most race circuits have a mix of surfaces and no one tyre pressure is optimum throughout the circuit.
Solution for all terrain mountain bike tyre
Click here to see the Adaptrac solution
Frame (highlight the text below to see a frame that describes the one used for this solution)
Use a supply of compressed gas, a pressure regulating subsystem, and a rotating seal to design a system that can send air to the tyre via the tyre valve or release it as needed.
When riding on different surface different tire pressures are desirable. On hard surfaces, higher pressures are desired so that there is less rolling resistance. On soft sand it is desirable to have lower pressure so that the wheel flattens out more, and doesn’t sink into the sand as much. On uphill gravel, medium pressure gives the best balance of rolling resistance and traction. Most race circuits have a mix of surfaces and no one tyre pressure is optimum throughout the circuit.
Solution for all terrain mountain bike tyre
Click here to see the Adaptrac solution
Frame (highlight the text below to see a frame that describes the one used for this solution)
Use a supply of compressed gas, a pressure regulating subsystem, and a rotating seal to design a system that can send air to the tyre via the tyre valve or release it as needed.
Circular saw
Circular saws (or buzz saw) can be used to cut materials ranging from wood to steel. However, when cutting a harder material (such as steel) there can be more kickback (from the force of engagement), and smaller teeth on the blade are desired. Such blades are not ideal when cutting wood; wood is softer, and larger teeth are desirable to make cutting faster. Therefore, one needs to change blades to make the cutting of a specific material optimal.
Solution for the circular saw
Click here to see the twin blade solution
Frame (highlight the text below to see a frame that describes the one used for this solution)
Design a system with counter rotating blades so that there are opposite and equal cutting forces, and no net force on the user for any kickback.
Circular saws (or buzz saw) can be used to cut materials ranging from wood to steel. However, when cutting a harder material (such as steel) there can be more kickback (from the force of engagement), and smaller teeth on the blade are desired. Such blades are not ideal when cutting wood; wood is softer, and larger teeth are desirable to make cutting faster. Therefore, one needs to change blades to make the cutting of a specific material optimal.
Solution for the circular saw
Click here to see the twin blade solution
Frame (highlight the text below to see a frame that describes the one used for this solution)
Design a system with counter rotating blades so that there are opposite and equal cutting forces, and no net force on the user for any kickback.
Float switch
In some water tank applications a float switch is installed in the side of the tank and used to switch off the attached pressure system to ensure that the pumps to run when dry. The problem is that most float switches has a seal system that seals on the inside of the tank. This requires that a hole be drilled smaller than the seal diameter of the switch. This then means that the switch must be installed from the inside of the tank, and the installer need to climb the tank, get inside, install the switch and then climb out. This introduces risk of falling and CO2 poisoning. It is also time-consuming, with the extra movement and climbing equipment needed.
Solution for the float switch
Click here to see a possible solution
Frame (highlight the text below to see a frame that describes the one used for this solution)
Design an expanding compliant part (a seal) that can be compressed into a shape that has a larger diameter than the drilled hole (equal to the diameter of the part prior to compression), and will then seal on the inside of the tank.
In some water tank applications a float switch is installed in the side of the tank and used to switch off the attached pressure system to ensure that the pumps to run when dry. The problem is that most float switches has a seal system that seals on the inside of the tank. This requires that a hole be drilled smaller than the seal diameter of the switch. This then means that the switch must be installed from the inside of the tank, and the installer need to climb the tank, get inside, install the switch and then climb out. This introduces risk of falling and CO2 poisoning. It is also time-consuming, with the extra movement and climbing equipment needed.
Solution for the float switch
Click here to see a possible solution
Frame (highlight the text below to see a frame that describes the one used for this solution)
Design an expanding compliant part (a seal) that can be compressed into a shape that has a larger diameter than the drilled hole (equal to the diameter of the part prior to compression), and will then seal on the inside of the tank.
Anti-glare glasses
Sun glasses to reduce brightness, but it can still be difficult to see comfortably when the sun is in the field of view. It is so bright that everything else in the field of view will appear much darker.
Solution for anti glare glasses
Click here to see the dynamics eye solution
Frame (highlight the text below to see a frame that describes the one used for this solution)
Design glasses with and LCD (or similar display technology) and a light sensor to triangulate the location of the sun and then block that part of the LCD so that only all other items can be seen.
Sun glasses to reduce brightness, but it can still be difficult to see comfortably when the sun is in the field of view. It is so bright that everything else in the field of view will appear much darker.
Solution for anti glare glasses
Click here to see the dynamics eye solution
Frame (highlight the text below to see a frame that describes the one used for this solution)
Design glasses with and LCD (or similar display technology) and a light sensor to triangulate the location of the sun and then block that part of the LCD so that only all other items can be seen.
An expanding circular table
We want a table the remains circular, but can still be expanded or contracted between two different sizes to accommodate different numbers of people to be seated.
Solution for expanding circular table
Click here to see a solution
Frame (highlight the text below to see a frame that describes the one used for this solution)
Have additive segments under a small table. Have the small table split into pizza like segments and the gaps filled in by the segment from underneath. Design the segments and a mechanism that makes this idea work.
We want a table the remains circular, but can still be expanded or contracted between two different sizes to accommodate different numbers of people to be seated.
Solution for expanding circular table
Click here to see a solution
Frame (highlight the text below to see a frame that describes the one used for this solution)
Have additive segments under a small table. Have the small table split into pizza like segments and the gaps filled in by the segment from underneath. Design the segments and a mechanism that makes this idea work.
Multi-use spanner
The most common multipurpose spanner is the adjustable wrench or shifter. With its adjustable slider it can take on an infinite number of flat faced (hex square etc.) nut and bolt sizes. However, there are a number of other types of nuts and bolts (such as splines, 12 points and external torx) that such spanners are unsuitable for.
Solution to the multiuse spanner
Click here to see the figure 8 solution
Frame (highlight the text below to see a frame that describes the one used for this solution)
This is an interesting one. Even though the product is simple, it actually has a few frames within it.
1 - Design a socket profile that can make solid contact with a number different nut and bolt head profiles
2 - Design dual-sized sockets with a different size each end of the opening to double the options
3 - Design a flip system for the socket ends so that multiple sockets can be stored, and the one needed flipped out – like a Swiss army knife
This case is also interesting because it assumes that the infinitely variable nature of the shifter is not needed do to the standardisation of nut and bolt head sizes. This shows attributes of outcome driven innovation - where there is a focus on identifying each task the user needs to complete and then helping them achieve that task.
The most common multipurpose spanner is the adjustable wrench or shifter. With its adjustable slider it can take on an infinite number of flat faced (hex square etc.) nut and bolt sizes. However, there are a number of other types of nuts and bolts (such as splines, 12 points and external torx) that such spanners are unsuitable for.
Solution to the multiuse spanner
Click here to see the figure 8 solution
Frame (highlight the text below to see a frame that describes the one used for this solution)
This is an interesting one. Even though the product is simple, it actually has a few frames within it.
1 - Design a socket profile that can make solid contact with a number different nut and bolt head profiles
2 - Design dual-sized sockets with a different size each end of the opening to double the options
3 - Design a flip system for the socket ends so that multiple sockets can be stored, and the one needed flipped out – like a Swiss army knife
This case is also interesting because it assumes that the infinitely variable nature of the shifter is not needed do to the standardisation of nut and bolt head sizes. This shows attributes of outcome driven innovation - where there is a focus on identifying each task the user needs to complete and then helping them achieve that task.
Self-cooling drinks
When one is some distance away from the civilized world it becomes harder and harder to cool things. It is certainly a lot less convenient. Nevertheless, one would still like a cool drink every once in a while. What to do?
Solution for self-cooling drinks
Click here to see a solution
Frame (highlight the text below to see a frame that describes the one used for this solution)
Design a system that embeds an endothermic chemical reaction into the can.
When one is some distance away from the civilized world it becomes harder and harder to cool things. It is certainly a lot less convenient. Nevertheless, one would still like a cool drink every once in a while. What to do?
Solution for self-cooling drinks
Click here to see a solution
Frame (highlight the text below to see a frame that describes the one used for this solution)
Design a system that embeds an endothermic chemical reaction into the can.
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