The Bull Carrier concept is a lifting system meant to help Telecom Site Technicians aka “Tower Dogs” to manage equipment and tools in Telecom Towers. In addition to this the system incorporates a controlled decent mechanism for use when lowering an injured person down from the mast.

User Centric Design Solutions
Client: Ericsson
Project Duration: 12 weeks
Umeå Institute of Design, 2021

PROJECT FOCUS

This project focuses on “4G” and “5G” tower construction and the workers, better known as cell site technicians, who tirelessly work to ensure that the mobile/telecom connections function seamlessly throughout the globe. Cell site technicians are people whose responsibility is to build, maintain and repair a group of telecom cell sites (masts), radio towers etc. Their line of work entails them to operate in many different environments as well as weather conditions.

FIELD RESEARCH

Field studies were organised in two groups of students and took place at two cell sites across two weeks. During this time together we had the opportunity not only to see but also help out the workers from “Telog” during the construction of a 4G mast as well as setting up new equipment in a ski resort. the task was to get a better understanding of the people who work on these sites, their lives, their struggles and the things they love about the job as well as their values.

CHALLENGES

Tool Managment

In most cases workers carry their tools buy attaching tool bags on to the harnesses. The same applies to equipment needed to be installed. This can result in large load that the worker has to carry for even hundreds of meters up into the tower in certain situations.

Safety

In most cases “Tower dogs” work in groups of two people and though not so frequent, accidents occur that can sometimes be fatal. However, help can’t always arrive so swiftly. For this reason looking into ways of improving their working conditions is a crucial topic and must be taken with great consideration. “..If something happens up there…
We only have each other..”

The Bull Carrier is a motorised lifting system that utilises a kog drive to lift equipment up into the telecommunication tower. 

DETAILS

The final direction utilises a kog system to deliver lift with additional help from a set of wheels that provide stability while in use. Lowering heavy equipment and/or injured personnel is achieved by a “controlled decent” via motorised braking. 

The solution incorporates a central construction on which the components are attached to. This provides a sturdy platform on which equipment and tools could be secured on to. The final result decreases the work load and the chances of tools falling while climbing and working in the tower.

The unit is compact, leaving room for the workers to move around it. The handle situated on top of the product is used to carry and put into place on to the tower.

PROCESS