Conceptual Design of a Semi-automatic Seed-Planting Hiking Pole
摘要
Forest fires are projected to rise significantly due to the climate crisis, with a 30% increase by 2030 and a 50% increase by 2050, exacerbated by global warming and land use changes. These fires release tons of CO2, perpetuating a cycle of warming and more fires. Reforestation is proposed to mitigate emissions, but manual planting is slow and challenging. Addressing this, a hiking pole equipped with a planting mechanism has been designed to simplify reforestation efforts. Market research was used to evolve the design, which integrates a mechanism based on linear actuators, maintaining the pole's functionality and aesthetics. SolidWorks software aided in design iterations, with material selection and cost estimation conducted using CES EduPack. The mechanism underwent static load testing to ensure durability. While prototype manufacturing and experimental validation are still pending, the design shows promising functionally and seems economically competitive. Future enhancements could include automatic controls or geolocating seeds via a mobile app, presenting opportunities for further development.