Wireless Bike Turn Indicator Prototype
Designed By Marvin Lin
Embedded Files
Design Inspiration: After recently moving to off-campus housing at Berkeley, I purchased an e-Scooter for transportation. I soon experienced the phenomenon commonly referred to as "The California Driver", resulting in a near accident. Frankly, I was frustrated at the lack of safety that comes with riding a non-motor vehicle in California, due to the inability of some sort of external turn indicator and "dashcam". The idea of the Wireless Bike Turn Indicator was then born.
Design Inspiration: After recently moving to off-campus housing at Berkeley, I purchased an e-Scooter for transportation. I soon experienced the phenomenon commonly referred to as "The California Driver", resulting in a near accident. Frankly, I was frustrated at the lack of safety that comes with riding a non-motor vehicle in California, due to the inability of some sort of external turn indicator and "dashcam". The idea of the Wireless Bike Turn Indicator was then born.
Design Philosophy: As previously mentioned the concept entirely focuses on two features: a wireless turn indicator and a "dashcam", or ride recorder. For this project, there were levels of functionality that were hoped to be achieved through numerous prototypes, with this project focusing on the first iteration. The prototypes are as follows:
Design Philosophy: As previously mentioned the concept entirely focuses on two features: a wireless turn indicator and a "dashcam", or ride recorder. For this project, there were levels of functionality that were hoped to be achieved through numerous prototypes, with this project focusing on the first iteration. The prototypes are as follows:
Revision V0.1 - Basic Functionality and Circuitry (THIS PROJECT)
This version entirely focuses on the basic functionality and firmware of the project. This includes implementing a functional circuit, appropriate ride recording firmware, as well as turn indication firmware. The resulting product will not be user-friendly nor realistically usable, however, it will demonstrate the basic capabilities of the design.
Revision V0.2 - User Experience (Software and Electronics)
This version will focus on improving the usability of the software and electronic components of the device. An emphasis will be put on the user experience of the physical handling of the device (ie. turn on, turn indicators, and ride record download via phone).
Revision V0.3 - Ergonomics
Unlike V0.2, this version will focus entirely on the physical usable of the turn signal. Like a car turn signal, usage should be intuitive and ergonomically sound (ie. not just a button that would require a strain to press). A focus will be put on integrating the design into the handlebars of the vehicle (bike or scooter), in addition to implementing a variety of mounting options for the indicator (helmet, bike, backpack, etc.)
tl;dr - The project is a bike turn indicator and ride recorder that is user-friendly and adaptable to a variety of use cases. The design will be in stages, with the following project focused on the basic functionality of the systems.
tl;dr - The project is a bike turn indicator and ride recorder that is user-friendly and adaptable to a variety of use cases. The design will be in stages, with the following project focused on the basic functionality of the systems.
INDICATION BOARD
INDICATION BOARD
This board is designed to take input from the user and communicate with the indicator and camera board.
Figure 1: Full Schematic for Indicator Board
Figure 4: Front of manufactured PCB from JLC PCB
Figure 6: Assembled front of Indicator Board
Figure 2: Front Copper of Indicator Board Layout
Figure 3: Back Copper of Indicator Board Layout
Figure 5: Back of Manufactuerd PCB from JLC PCB
Figure 7: Assembled back of Indicator Board
INDICATOR AND CAMERA BOARD
INDICATOR AND CAMERA BOARD
This board is designed to take the input broadcast by the indication board and create an output to indicate direction. This board also records video from the ride whenever powered on.
Figure 8: Full Schematic of the Indicator and Camera Board
Figure 13: Front side of the assembled Indicator and Camera Board
Figure 9: Front Copper of the Indicator and Camera Board
Figure 10: Front of Manufactured Indicator and Camera Board PCB from JLC PCB
Figure 11: Back Copper of the Indicator and Camera Board
Figure 12: Back of Manufactured Indicator and Camera Board PCB from JLC PCB
Figure 14: Back side of the assembled Indicator and Camera Board
TESTING AND VERIFICATION
TESTING AND VERIFICATION
Figure 15: Testing of Indicator LEDs
Figure 16: Functional testing of the ESP32 and Indication Board (1/2)
Figure 17: Functional testing of the ESP32 and Indication Board (2/2)
NEXT STEPS
NEXT STEPS
Clearly, there are still numerous changes that need to be made to the design. There were numerous issues that became apparent during assembly and testing, therefore requiring changes to the design via bodge wires and various other methods. Fixing those problems would be the primary objective for the next revision of this project, in addition to changes to improve usability, as well as debugging capabilities (given that this was the first board I had designed, there were numerous features for debugging that were missing).
FAQs (will be updated)
FAQs (will be updated)
Q: What are the primary issues with the board design?
A: The first major overlook was the size of the components. Most, if not all of the components were unnecessarily too small for the board. Rather than reducing component size, removal of the reference designators would be better to decrease board size. Another major overlook was the indication circuit. The n-type MOSFET did not work as anticipated, likely due to a misunderstanding of the device physics. This should be resolved in the next revision of the project.
Q: Why are the large LDOs soldered to the board?
A: There were issues with component ordering and shipping, therefore a THT LDO was used to make the board operational.
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