Today I have been working on the free body diagrams for the pack. I am trying to understand what the forces are on the pack.and where they are applied. I don't like the idea that what is out there currently is the best design. Understanding what the forces are on the straps, and how effective the hip belt needs to be are the key to streamlining the design. Less is more in this approach. I am looking for a stable design that is going to fit the scaled down approach a thru-hiker needs with my point of view. A simple, lightweight, quick access pack that will fit the load that I will be carrying in it. I also have the ability here to fit pack design around the use of my bear canister which will certainly see heavy use in Montana. It is all those little inconveniences that slow you down or annoy you on a daily basis that slow your day down. The less time spent on daily life necessities is more time spent taking in the beautiful scenery. It has to be fast. The closure of the Six moon pack is slow and annoying. I had to roll it up every time and then clip it together. It was slow. And annoying every time I wanted to get something quickly out of my pack that I had forgotten about. Like that granola bar, a headlamp, or the occasional drink mix.
The free body diagrams are definitely good work. They are giving some real good insight into what is going on with the pack. One thing I wasn't really thinking about was how the straps wrap around the shoulder and create a moment on that shoulder due to friction. I was only really thinking about the tension in the straps themselves and not that huge frictional force that plays a major role in pack design. It's really good to be working on a project like this. I like the problem solving that I have going on. I like the school work theory that I am back to understanding.
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