Design Concept
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Image 1. Initial Concept Sketch |
Our goal was to create an enclosure for the Arduino board which would allow it to be easily transferable between devices. The issue arose when we realized we would have to dismantle a prototype if we wished to use the Arduino board in the next one. Our solution was to create an enclosure with a connector that would allow the enclosure to be inserted into a hub. When creating a prototype, instead of wiring directly on to the Arduino Board, you would wire into the hub. This would allow the Arduino board to be removed from the prototype and transferred to any other device created with the hub. Above (Image 1) is a concept sketch for the Arducase. Originally we started with the idea of having a pin connector or a connector similar to those seen in ram memory cards. The Arducase could have pegs to connect multiple enclosures together. The hub would have a similar peg system to match the stacked Arducases.
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Image 2. Concept Sketch 2 |
We also explored the idea of an enclosure which could be expanded to accept Arduino add-ons. One of the best features of the Arduino board is the ability to stack add-ons to the pin headers. This version of the case, seen in I age 2, would focus on keeping that stability and the expansion ring would allow for the clearance needed. however we determined that this design would take away from our goal of creating an easily swappable enclosure. Although it is easy to stack an add-o n, you would still have to rewire the entire Arduino board to the enclosure. We feel the loss of the stackability of add-ons is outweighed by simplicity of connecting multiple Arducases, each containing the individual boards.
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Image 3. Copper Foil |
Having students in mind as out target audience, we wanted to make an enclosure that would be affordable and easy to Assembly. Our design utilizes a copper foil tape with a conductive adhesive to create contacts for the connector. (Image 3) The benefit of the copper foil allows the case to be assembled without the use of solder. A user strips the shielding off the end of a wire, then wraps a piece of foil to create a contact. The user would then apply the opposite end of the foil onto a surface of the connector.
Design Progression
Phase 1
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Image 4. Concept Sketch 3 |
The sizing of the features at this point of the development was purely based of the ascetics design of the third concept sketch
(Image 4). As the model(Image 5) progressed, we stripped away unnecessary features so that the final product would use the least amount of material.
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Image 5. Phase 1 Solidworks Model |
Phase 2
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Image 6. Phase 2 Solidworks Model |
After re-sizing (Image 6). The width of the copper foil tape drove the width dimensions of the Arducase. We wanted the ability to have 40 contacts available for enclosing a motor shield; the motor shield would have 32 pin for the broad's input/outputs and up to 8 pins for stepper motor outputs. To reduce size even more we rotated the boards orientation.
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Image 7. Failed prototype |
We brought Phase 2 to the prototyping stage but encountered production issues. The first 3-D print (Image 7) was deformed but we were still able to learn from it and improve the design.
Phase 3
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Image 8. Final Arducase Enclosure |
The final product (Image 8, 9, 10) was reduced in size and given a sleeker look. We learned from the failed prototype that there were unnecessary parts that could be designed into the enclosure base, thus giving us a product with minimal parts.
The Arducase Enclosure
(Image 8) holds the Arduino board, which is wired to the connector.
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Image 9. Arducase Hub |
The Arducase Hub (Image 9)
receives the Arducase Enclosure and allows communication between the device and Arduino board.
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Image 10. Arducases linked |
Multiple Arducase Assemblies can be connected together (Image 10) to add Arduino attachments like a motor shield.
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