IDC1 - F.L.O.W.

Summary

The pet peeve I chose to focus on for IDC1 was born from the hot summer nights I endure here in Boulder with no AC. Opening my window helps, but the cool fresh air flows in at random without direction. My IDC1 F.L.O.W. project aimed to create a functional and efficient system to improve bedroom temperature regulation by using Arduino and basic mechanical components.

My solution was a system of two fans mounted on two servos that spin in opposite directions. The resulting effect is a fan array that can be controlled to send air in two opposite directions, bringing fresh air into the room and also sending it over to my bed.

Step-by-Step Process

The first step was to browse Amazon and get a nice pair of servos and fans. I also bought some 9v batteries, some wires, and a switch to turn on and off the fans.

Next I got to wiring and spent some time familiarizing myself with the way all of my electronic components work. Using a breadboard to prototype and refine my circuits, I landed on my final setup.

Finally, I 3D printed the bracket that holds the two fans, laser cut the box I designed on makercase, and assembled. This involved soldering the final iteration of my circuits and stuffing it all into the box. The final product turns on perfectly every time, has precisely cut holes for the switch and potentiometer control and spins fluidly and artistically. It does run on three 9v batteries though.

Images

Wiring up/ testing servos

Arduino setup

Integrating potentiometer control

Learning how to solder and heat shrink

Laser cutting (is awesome) the box

Final box with switch, control, and bracket

Code


#include 

Servo servo1;  
Servo servo2;  

int potpin = A0;  
int val;          

void setup() {
    servo1.attach(9);  // attaches the first servo on pin 9
    servo2.attach(10); // attaches the second servo on pin 10
}

void loop() {
    val = analogRead(potpin);            // reads the potentiometer value (0 to 1023)
    int angle1 = map(val, 0, 1023, 0, 180);  // map value for the first servo (0 to 180)
    int angle2 = 180 - angle1;               // inverse mapping for the second servo (180 to 0)

    servo1.write(angle1);  // set position of the first servo
    servo2.write(angle2);  // set position of the second servo

    delay(15);  // small delay 
}