Prototype: Initial Experiments

Initial Research

Flower Blooming Mechanism

The core interaction of the first phase rely on the heartbeat sensor, leds and flower-blooming mechanism. Thus, I start to do some research on the flower-blooming mechanism. I have done research to study how to make the flowers open and close by using push and pull mechanism of the motor. Based on my understanding, the mechanism is similar like reversed umbrella mechanism.

There are a few ways to do so. I have figured out different sources from the Western and China ones. Based on the resources from the Western country, most of them use metal rod and mimic the umbrella mechanism.

Western Version





China Version


For the China Versions, they use stepper motor instead of servo motor to have a more advanced rotation. Besides, most of the machines are 3D printed. Thus, there are a few ways for me to explore on the flower-blooming mechanism.

Initial Experiment

Push and Pull Mechanism

To understand better on the mechanism, I try it with a traditional way by using paper and wooden stick. This is how it looks like for the push and pull mechanism.



3D printing


This is my first attempt on 3D printing. I try to 3D print the servo actuator from open source. For the first attempt, the filament run out of place as I didn't know have to add on support to support angles of the models that >45 degree in the 3D printing software. On the second attempt, I add the support on the servo holder, however it is hard for me to clean the support that is built inside the hole as the support is too thick. Thus, I reduce the support line width to 0.4mm. During the experimentations, I broke the pusher a few times as the filament is too fragile. 

Servo Motor

As this is my very first time working with motor, I also experiment with servo motors to understand how the gear works. I'm very new to work on things like motor, so I have watch a lot of videos to understand the spinning of the servo works. Besides, I have 3D printed the gear and servo holder from open source. The gif below shows Linear Servo Actuator that mimics the push and pull mechanism. Besides, I have downloaded the Servo library from arduino and experiment with the code in the library to have a base understanding before hands on the actual mechanism.



Heartbeat Sensor

I also start to try to work with heartbeat sensor on my initial experimentations. I downloaded the library of  PulseSensorPlayground in the Arduino for examples of codes. As a beginner like me, I start to work on GettingStartedProject to study the logic behind the code, and it works!


Problem

Although it works fine as it seems, the heartbeat sensor is affected by outside factors/ pressures. Thus, it is a need to investigate further.

Fabrication 

In the meantime, I start to experiment for the making of flowers. The flowers of this project are estimated to be in large scale. I have experimented with materials such as crepe paper, tissue paper flower, organza fabric and tulle fabric.

Crepe Paper




This paper is suitable in making the flowers as the paper could be creased to any form and the effect does make the petals of the flowers look more natural. On my initial attempt, I attach the core wire to the paper, however, it is not solid enough to support the paper. Thus, I change the material to wires that are specialized for flower making.

Organza & Tulle Fabric



Based on my past experience, the fabrics will show 'skeleton effect' due to the refraction of light through the fabric.  I had found references that use organza fabric for the petals, however, the flowers only look nice without any lights attached. The outcome of the combination of led lights and the organza fabric will be shown in the next blog. 

Conclusion

For the next plan, I will try building the flower blooming mechanism, further research on the stepper motor, explore different kinds of flowers in terms of size and shape, and sensitivity of heartbeat rate sensor.

For the interactions in the pond, I will only start to prototype until phase 1 is settled. 

Bibliography

Ossum(n.d.) Blooming Marvelous Flower Lamp. Available at: LINK
Praus, J. (2020) Ever Blooming Mechanical Tulip. Instructable Circuits. Available at: LINK
Printable, P. (2018) DIY Linear Servo Actuator, 3D Printed. Youtube. Oct 28. Available at: LINK
mechanicaldesign101(n.d.) Another six-bar flower linkage. Youtube. Available at: LINK
DIY QUENN (2018) Origami Flower that Open and Closes: Paper Flower. Youtube. Mar 3. Available at: LINK

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