The Scooper UPper
Problem Statement
Elderly dog owners need a way to pick up waste that accommodates low dexterity, doesn’t require bending, and limits the amount of extra items they carry in order to aid and alleviate them in the maintenance of their dogs.
User & Purchaser
We would be catering to elders with dogs and sell our product to retailers for pet related products.
State of the Art
Jaw Scoop
Cons:
Jaws are big and bulky
Unsanitary: no secure placement for plastic bags, other option is to have device come into direct contact with waste
Non-extendable, requires user bending
Swivel Bin & Long Handle Rake
Cons:
Inconvenient to carry: consist of two long items, non-retractable or foldable
Metal rake can be too heavy for just one hand to maneuver
Poor Ergonomic handle: stretched tendons on upper wrist & compressed tissues on lower wrist
Would require cleaning
Portable Dog Poop Scooper
Cons:
Requires maximum user bending
Feeding bags through device needs a lot of dexterity in the hands
Difficult set up: learning curve for usage
“likely to become intimate with pet’s waste when learning to master this device”
Specifications
Prototype & Evolution
We first started off by designing and sketching the ways in which we envisioned our device to look like.
We played around with numerous version of claws as well as mechanisms in order to figure out which configurations would be most suitable for our final prototype.
We then settled on a design for our claws, base, and handle in Solid Works.
From there we continued to test and experiment with different dimensions and fix minimal details for our final working prototype.
Testing
For our testing we measured how the Scooper UPper performed relative to 6 other mothods of picking up dog waste (images below) and against our specifications. We tested the different methods with users of varying heights and on different surfaces: concrete and tall grass.
Our most important specifications were the amount of user bending, force applied, and time to operate the devices and pick up waste. Charts of the three most important specifications and how each method performed are down below. We further tested the force of our device using the equation Fs=kx. For the Scooper UPer that ended up being 2.65lbf = k(0.43in)(15°) so k =0.41. For the bulldozer that ended up being 12.38lbf = k(0.35in)(35°) so k =1.01. A lower k value concluded that the Scooper UPper requires less force applied than the bulldozer.
Our first prototype did not pass size to carry as it was too long and bulky. It also didn't pass the time requirement as it was very time consuming to get the back through without a hole for fingers. It also didn't always pick up waste as the jaws didn't open very wide. Our second prototype and final device passed all of our specifications except size to carry. In the future we will improve our device by slimming it down, sharpening the teeth, and having jaws that open wider.
Ethics and Sustainability
The choking hazard associated with dog waste scoopers is relatively low, but it is still important to exercise caution and use them properly to prevent any potential incidents. The dog bags can also be a choking hazard, so it is best to keep this device away from small children
3D printing with plastic, particularly PLA (polylactic acid), can raise concerns about sustainability. PLA is often considered more environmentally friendly than traditional plastics derived from fossil fuels. However, its disposal can still contribute to landfill waste if not properly managed.
Using aluminum as an alternative material for 3D-printed jaws can offer advantages in terms of sustainability. Aluminum is a lightweight metal as it has better recyclability properties. Its ability to be recycled means aluminum products can be repurposed, reducing the need for new aluminum extraction and minimizing the associated environmental impact.
Business Plan
Economics
When we calculated variable costs, we assumed a rate of $12/hr for labor. Processing the aluminum tube would only take about 10 minutes which includes drilling a hole and sawing. Assembly would take about half an hour.
