Project Proposal

ENGR 103 - Spring 2016

Freshman Engineering Design Lab

“Eye Lights”

Project Design Proposal     

Date Submitted: Wednesday April 6, 2016

Group Members          Casey Lorimer, cal338@drexel.edu

                                        Htet Naing Aung, ha469@drexel.edu

                                Haley Rott, hmr44@drexel.edu

                                   Erin Drennen, epd38@dexel.edu

                                    

Technical Advisor          

Instructor: Dr. Eugenia Victoria Ellis, AIA, genaellis@drexel.edu

Fellow: Long Nguyen, MS, lkn25@drexel.edu

Abstract:

Many blind or visually impaired people struggle with traveling, navigating, and safely participating in the modern fast paced and busy environments, especially in a city such as Philadelphia. The goal of this project is to eliminate the instability and difficulty of the navigation of those visually impaired. This will done by utilizing 3D printing technology and light and ultrasonic sensors, an electronic visual aid can be developed to replace seeing eye canes for the visually disabled. Through a continuous feedback loop that identifies the position and distance of surrounding objects, a visual aid headset for one’s eye produces light to indicate to its user that objects are present and one must acknowledge them appropriately, when a user comes in very close range to an object a small and discrete sound will signal. Isolating what kind of sensor and material to use is our main technical challenge, as well as determining how to accommodate any scenario in any environment if the final product is for universal practical use. The main tasks necessary for completion include a detailed structural design that must be developed and measured as to accommodate all head shapes before production, and the final product must be realistically tested with multiple qualifying volunteers to ensure its real world functionality and accuracy.

1          Introduction

The motivation for this project is the goal of simplifying the lives of the visually impaired by applying a sustainable mechanical design to the real world. Throughout the developmental process, it is anticipated that group members learn about the common obstacles and lifestyles of visually impaired people, gain more experience with AutoCAD design software, the use a breadboard, and how to collaboratively develop a product for real world application.

Five major tasks are to be completed throughout the development process, specifically as follows: the conceptual research, the initial mechanical design, the electronic loop system design, the prototype of their combination, and the finalized design and product.

An example of one anticipated challenge is the possibility of the light feedback system which may be hard for the subject to use and detect while the user is out during bright sunlight or close to a bright light source. Another challenge may arise from the specificity of this product to the visually impaired; several research studies have been done showing that those who are visually impaired can detect a change from complete darkness to a strong light source, but the time a user may take to detect the light might impact the effectiveness of the product. But a problem with this may be the time it takes for a user to detect the light and the speed they are traveling, therefore there will also be a sound system to work as a back up that alerts the user when they are in a very close range.

If all deadlines, tasks, and constraints are met, the desired final product specifically should be an accurate guide for people through the physical world as well as functional and practical for all users.

2 Deliverables

Through two different models, a computer model and a prototype will be produced to create the final prototype. The product will be designed and measured to perfection. The components are described in the following subsections.

2.1 Computer Model

A computer-generated model using Fusion 360 or Autodesk Inventor will be produced that provides a 2D and 3D representation of the goggle frames and will be printed in week 5 to create the final prototype.

2.2 Physical Prototype

The physical prototype is an experimental pair of goggles to determine the placement of LED lights and the placement of the sensor. The final physical prototype would be created by using the 3D-printed frame to make the prototype compact and improve the overall design. Below is a depiction of the goggles that will be used for experimentation to determine the placement of the LEDs, the Arduino board, and battery.

Figure 1: Chemistry Goggles Used for Experimentation [1]

These goggles in Figure 1 will not be used for the final prototype, but will be used to establish the placement and the overall shape for when the 3D model is generated and printed.

2.3 Final Model

The final model will be 3D printed based on the ideas and lessons learned from the initial physical prototype. This will be a wearable goggle with several sensors that will have several different locations on the body. The Arduino board and battery will be located inside the goggle behind a board.

2.4 Ultrasonic Sensor

This is how the distance of the objects is detected and signals the lights and sound to alert the user that they are near an object. This will be two sensors in two locations: one low and one high that will be placed on the body for detection.  

2.5 Practicality and Functionality

The goggles will have one to two sensors attached so when a user comes within a range of an object, LEDs inside the goggle with light up to alert the user that they are within close range of the object. There is also a plan to create a noise system to alert the user when the are in very close range within an object to work as a backup to light system.

3           Technical Activities

3.1        Digital Modeling

There are two major tasks for this section, the first would be creating the 2D sketch and then the 3D model. This part will then be ordered through 3D printing. The problem with this is the time as well as a wait for the part to be printed. This benefits the design by being custom to fit each component.

3.1.1        2D Sketch File

A 2D file of the sketched representation of the project model will be created using AutoDESK Inventor, the same program for which the 3D model will also be created. This sketched representation will provide a clearer and more detailed presentation of the model by presenting dimensions, scale, design characteristics, and assembly if required.

3.1.2        3D Overview

This is created from the 2D sketch and will be printed for the frames of the glasses. This will be done after experimenting with a physical pair of goggles and determining where the Arduino board and batteries as well as LED lights.

3.2        Arduino

The output of this system is a string of LED lights that will light up when signals are received from the ultrasonic sensor when an obstacle is at a distance of four meters or less. With shrinking distance between subject and obstacles, a sound will ring briefly in the subject’s ear to indicate obstacle is very close beginning at two meters.

3.2.1        Programming

Code must be written and developed specifically for the Arduino board, which is used to determine all loops required for each scenario possible regarding proximity between a subject and the space around the user.

4           Project Timeline

Table 1: Freshman Design Project Timeline

	Week
Task	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Literature Study	x	x	x
2D and/or 3D Mechanical design		x	x	x	x
Electrical Circuit Design and Programming (Sensor Loop Integration)			x	x	x	x	x
Testing and Troubleshooting						x	x	x	x
Final Report Draft								x	x	x

As shown in Table 1 above, literature study on eyes and existing technology will be done during the first three weeks. Starting week two, the process of sketching as well as producing a draft of three dimensional mechanical design will begin and last until week 5. By week three, electrical circuit design will be prototyped and revised through week 7, which goes the same for the programming aspect. Meanwhile, in week 6, the processes of testing and troubleshooting will begin and end in week 9. These processes will involve revisions in all aspects of the device, including mechanical system, electrical design, and programming aspect.

5           Facilities and Resources

Throughout the development of this project, AutoCAD software will be used to model a 2D and 3D initial mechanical design concept, computers will be used for research, software use, and report writing, a 3D printer will be used for prototyping and for the final product.

6           Expertise

• Experience with AutoCAD and Inventor
• Experience with Logisim (a digital system designing program)
• Knowledge of digital circuit designing
• Experience with machine shop facilities

7           Budget

Table 2: Freshman Design Project Budget

Materials	Approximate Cost
Arduino Kit (As shown on  amazon.com)	$70.00 (Applying for a free kit)
LEDs	$6.00-$10.00
Ultrasonic Sensors	$20.00-$100.00
TOTAL	$96.00-$180.00

In Table 2, the materials that are required to produce the deliverable are listed along with their approximate costs. The Arduino Kit will include an Arduino board that will serve as the computer of the device. The board will receive input from the ultrasonic sensor and output to the LEDs. The maximum budget for this design project will be $180.00.

7.1        Arduino Uno Kit

An Arduino Kit is a kit of basic circuitry tools and materials that will make it possible to create a light feedback loop system that we desire. These kits also include one ultrasonic sensor and that is why in the budget, there is an additional sensor. Below is an image of the Arduino sensor that will be used in this project.

Figure 2: Ultrasonic Arduino Sensor [2]

Figure 2 is one of two sensors that will be used in the project to the object within range. These sensors are included in the kit and can detect objects up to 3 meters away using pings. This will then transmit a signal to the board to notify the LEDs or sound system to alert the user that an object is near.

3D Printer Materials

Approximate Dimensions: 5.0” x 4.5” x 1.0”

Machine Shop Use

Approximate Expected Hours: 3 hours;

Approximate Materials Cost: $20.00 to make a board that goes inside the goggles to cover the Arduino board and battery.

Image References

[1] "3M Chemistry Goggles 91252 | NDSU Bookstore." 3M Chemistry Goggles 91252 | NDSU Bookstore. Web. 06 Apr. 2016.

[2] "HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor Interface Arduino, in Internet of Things Discussions |    Element14 Community." Internet of Things Discussions. Web. 06 Apr. 2016.