Final project idea

My idea for the final project is to create a smart ring that helps people keep track of their house photovoltaic energy production in real-time. With the increasing importance on sustainability and reducing carbon footprints, many households are opting for photovoltaic panels to generate clean energy. However, managing the energy production and consumption can be challenging, especially for those who do not have a smart home system. The smart ring aims to address this challenge by constantly informing the wearer about their excess energy production. The ring will be connected to the WiFi or Bluetooth and will vibrate in case the energy consumption is lower than the current total production. This feature will allow the wearer to make informed decisions on when it is safe to turn on electronic devices, thereby reducing energy wastage. The ring will have a compact design, making it comfortable to wear all day long. Additionally, it will have a vibromotor to inform the wearer about the surplus energy production. The ring will be powered by a rechargeable battery, ensuring that it is always ready for use.

Components

Ring Case

The ring case serves as the protective housing for the electronics components. The final version of the ring case will be made using the lost wax goldsmith method and will have a silver finish. However, during the prototyping phase, a plastic 3D printable filament is being used as a temporary solution. The 3D printable filament allows for easy modification and adjustments, ensuring that the final product meets the desired specifications.

Vibromotor

The vibromotor is a crucial component in this setup. It is connected to both the battery and the Bluetooth component, allowing it to receive signals and start vibrating according to the preset settings. This interaction between the vibromotor and Bluetooth component allows for seamless control and a unique user experience. An example of vibromotor component is shown in the picture below.

Bluetooth

The Bluetooth component serves as a means of communication between the solar panels and other connected devices. It facilitates the transfer of data collected from the solar panels, enabling seamless communication and data analysis. With the help of Bluetooth, the data collected from the solar panels can be easily accessible and analyzed for various purposes. An example of bluetooth component is shown in the picture below.

Battery

The battery is a crucial component in the setup as it provides power to the various electronic components. Without it, the components would not be able to function. The battery used in this setup must have a long lifespan and be compact enough to fit within the ring case. Additionally, it must also be able to provide a stable power source for the components to ensure smooth operation. An example of battery is shown in the picture below.

Resources

Is it possible to find useful CAD models of components on Grabcad. The components are available for the purchase on different e-commerce platforms.

The idea is still work in progress...

As I continue to expand my understanding of electronics, the concept for this project remains a work in progress. At present, I am unable to go too deeply into the specifics due to my limited knowledge. However, I am actively working to update the components and select those that align with what I have learned during Fab Academy course. My goal is to choose the most appropriate components to achieve the desired outcome of the project.

Digital Fabrication Tools

The tools used in digital fabrication play a crucial role in bringing the project to life. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software and 3D printers are essential for creating the ring case and assembling all of the components within. In addition, welding tools are used to join the electronic parts and ensure a secure connection. These tools enable efficient and precise manufacturing processes, making it possible to bring the project from concept to reality.

State of art

To monitor the surplus of photovoltaic energy, tools including smart inverters, energy monitoring systems, smart home systems like Google Home or Alexa, and mobile apps are currently utilized. Digital fabrication techniques can aid in the preparation and creation of parametric, printable ring models. Working with parametric CAD software is essential for adjusting the size to fit different finger sizes, and it also enables adaptability during the prototyping phase for testing various components to find the most suitable for the ring's purpose. During the previous years some rings are modelled during the Fab Academy course especially during the molding and casting week. The workflow of designing the parametric model might be similar, to the one that it is presented, for example in Konstantin and in paco gonzalez quintial web site documentations.