Project Task List & Responsibilities:

• Brainstorming – Tasnia, Olha, Nadia
• Research – Tasnia, Olha
• Sketches – Nadia
• Choose a Design – Tasnia, Olha, Nadia
• Order Components – Tasnia, Olha, Nadia
• Low-Fi Prototype – Olha
• Test sensors- Tasnia
• Test LED Strips – Tasnia, Olha, Nadia
• Implement LED Strips –  Olha, Nadia, Tasnia
• Implement Sensors with LED Strips –  Olha, Nadia
• Attach all components to umbrella – Tasnia, Olha, Nadia
• Test Final Design – Tasnia, Olha, Nadia

We have created a Gantt Chart to display all of the tasks that need to be conducted to reach our desired result within a suitable time frame. We have not assigned ourselves specific roles because almost all steps in the production process require complete group involvement and agreement to progress. However, some tasks may be dominated by a certain group member slightly more than others. For example, code may be written more by Olha, designing may be laid out more by Nadia, and testing may be conducted more by Tasnia.

B R A I N S T O R M I N G

M O O D B O A R D

Our preliminary research consisted of exploring pre-existing LED umbrellas. This was to gain inspiration and see how we could differ from these designs. We noticed that a lot of designs were following the contours of the umbrella to attach LEDs, this makes the umbrella distinguishable while enhancing it in a subtle way. Other additions include light up umbrella poles and built-in torches.

D E S I G N    I D E A S

W H A T    W E    N E E D:

• White Umbrella
  • Strong and large to hold all components without breaking.
• LED Strips – 5M Waterproof
• Light Sensors – Need to decide how many are necessary.
  • For the LEDs to adjust according to the surrounding light levels.
• Water Sensors – 8 for each end of the umbrella + 1 on top.
• Temperature Sensor – Integrated into the handle.
  • The user’s temperature changes the speed of the pattern.

P A P E R     P R O T O T Y P I N G

T E S T I N G    C O N D U C T E D

Testing was carried out by isolating each individual component and testing to see the responsive nature and get to grips with how it  can be applied and combined.

The components we tested were:

• photoresistor
• temperature sensor
• wires reacting to water
• LED strip light up pattern
• LED strip responding to water
• using a battery as a power source
• water sensor

One of the very first elements we decided to test out were the wires responding to water. Through this we were able to determine that using wires as sensors to detect presence of water was an unreliable method, as we were getting inconsistent results and having to replace the wires very often. This is when we had decided to move on to using water sensors, which we found were a much more reliable alternative and was giving us consistent results.

When using the LED strips we decided to first work with just one strip and find out how we can alter the flashing light pattern and the colours. After this we moved on to making the single LED strip respond to water. This went very well but when we incorporated more LED strips we came across many issues. So for debugging purposes, on every LED strip, we worked on dealing with just one LED to try to solve the problem. This then helped us to detect issues with our flashing LED code and the absence of a capacitor which solved the issue.

Shortcomings

One shortcoming that we came across was the power supply. Unfortunately, we were unable to successfully light all the LED strips with the 9V alkaline battery. When testing it out with running one LED strip, it seemed to run smoothly for some time before we came across problems with unexpected outcomes and general flickering of the LEDs, this meant that there was insufficient power supplied to run the LED strip. Finding a suitable, portable alternative became difficult and so we had to leave that out and run the umbrella straight from the mains.

One other shortcoming that we came across, was concealing the wires and circuitry. Due to time constraints we were unable to conceal the temperature sensor on the handle and the Arduino with the attached wires. Moving further on with this, we would veil the handle with thin material to hide the temperature sensor and make it appear as part of the handle itself, also including a small pouch at the top to hide the circuitry. As for the wires, to conceal those we would use wire wrap and cable ties so they do not appear loose and can be attached to the rib of the umbrella and out of the way.

Photoresistor

Breadboard Layout & Code

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Temperature Sensor

Breadboard Layout & Code

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Water Sensor

 

Breadboard Layout & Code

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LED strip

Breadboard Layout & Code

 

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One LED strip responding to wires plunged into the water

 

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Multiple LED strips responding to wires plunged into the water

 

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One LED strip hooked up to a 9V battery

We uploaded the code to the Arduino board, unplugged it from the computer and plugged in a 9V alkaline battery. Our test passed and a battery managed to light up one LED strip with a rainbow pattern.

 

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Multiple LED strips hooked up to a 9V battery – failed

Then, we tried the same experiment but with four LED strips. We unplugged the board from the computer, plugged in a 9V battery to see if all of the strips would light up. However, our test failed and LED strips only lighted up for 2-3 seconds. After that short period of time, strips stopped executing the code or some of them would turn off completely. Either way, a 9V battery brought unpredictable behaviour to our project. After conducting research into using batteries with LED strips we found out that the 9V battery does not supply enough power that can sustainably keep strips working for a longer period of time.

 

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Replacing wires with water sensors

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B U I L D   S E C T I O N

LED strips responding to water sensors + light patterns

 

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Controlling LED strips brightness with a photoresistor

We are reading in a light level of an environment with a photoresistor and depending on that value control the brightness of LED strips. The darker your surroundings are, the brighter are the LEDs. The lighter your environment is, the dimmer are the LEDs. When you use an umbrella in the evening/night time, LED strips will produce a lot of light. But when an umbrella is used during daytime there is no point to light up the LEDs to their full capacity since you would not see the outcome because of the sunlight. Additionally, it would be a waste of power/energy.

 

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Controlling LED strips colour with a temperature sensor

We are using a temperature sensor to get a value of the temperature of the user’s environment. If the value is below a certain level, the LED stips would primarily use blue colour. When the temperature is above that limit, a primary colour of the strips will be red.

• Initial Use: temperature sensor to change the speed of the flashing light patterns.
• Implemented Design: temperature sensor feedback has been used to change the colour of the flashing LED strips – warmer temperatures will have a red colour pattern, whilst colder temperatures will have a blue colour pattern. Based on pre-existing models such as thermometers – More intuitive than changing speed.

 

Once all the LED strips were assigned to water sensors and responded to temperature sensor and photosensor, all of the components were attached to the umbrella. (Refer to Instructions for details). LED strips were attached using elastic bands, the board was attached between the frame poles using PVC tape, the temperature sensor was wrapped around the central pole and the photosensor was poked through the top of the umbrella material.

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F I N A L    R E S U L T

For the final implementation of the project we have attached the electronics (Arduino) on the umbrella at the top so that the umbrella can be closed shut. This has been done by attaching the board to two consecutive rods on the rib of the umbrella near the top.

The wires have been wrapped around the rib of the umbrella and the temperature sensor wiring has been wrapped around the shaft, leading to the handle where it has been taped down. This meant that the wires were out of the way and securely on as they have been connected to the board using jumper wires.

The LED strips have been assigned to a particular road on the rib of the umbrella and attached using clear elastics, so that they bend to fit the form of the umbrella and so the LED flashing patterns were more apparent.

The water sensors have been attached to the ends of each LED strip so that they come in contact with the water, which has also been attached using clear elastics.

 

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T O O L S  &  S U P P L I E S

• x1: Umbrella (preferably white)
• x1: Temperature Sensor (TMP 36)
• x1: Photoresistor
• x4: Water Sensors (DC3-5V)
• x4: LED Strips (length depending on size of umbrella)
• Jumper Wires (female-male)
• Wires (male-male)
• x4: 220Ω Resistors
• x1: 10kΩ Resistor
• x1: Capacitor
• Heavy Duty Clear Elastic Bands
• Arduino Uno

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Final Breadboard Layout and Code