Week 7- Journal

Ideation

Tell us about your assignment's idea for this week. Why do you care about this idea? What inspired you? (Please include images or links to sources of inspiration)

"I'm always doing most of my work on the laptop, and I sit for hours at my desk. This affects my back. That's why I thought about making a device for my desk that gives an alarm if my body posture leans forward, and also reminds me to get up and move from my spot."

sources:-

https://youtu.be/u_hYRy5qotM?si=dqxla9NZ_EbZxbz5

Tool Chain

Which software/machines/materials did you use in the assignment? Why?

Tinkercard software

Arduino IDE software

Scissor, cutter, &Cardboard

Design/Preparation Process

Explain the design and/or preparation process of your assignment. How did you use the tool or software to design and/or prepare your assignment before fabrication/implementation?

First, I started by connecting the ultrasonic sensor to the Arduino. Then, I connected the buzzer so that when it detects an object at a certain distance (less than 60 cm), the buzzer starts making a sound. After that, I connected the temperature sensor(<30 degree) on Tinkercad, but in reality, it will be a DHT11 sensor. Finally, I connected a motor as a substitute for a fan on Tinkercad.

Coding:-

setting a condition for each sensor. For the ultrasonic sensor, I set the distance to 60 cm

(I got the code formula/equation from Google(distance(x) = (duration(d) * 0.0343) / 2; )): if an object gets closer than that, the buzzer starts working; if the object is far, the buzzer doesn't work. As for the DHT11 temperature sensor, I set it so that if the temperature is more than 30 degrees, the fan turns on.

I defined the pins for the fan, the buzzer, the DHT11, and the ultrasonic sensor's Echo and Trig. Then, in the void setup() part, I set the pin mode for each pin, whether input or output. I also defined the variables for temperature (t) and humidity (h)

After that, I started writing the if conditions. I set it so that if the temperature is greater than 30.2 OR the humidity is greater than 52, then set pin 4 to HIGH (this is the fan's pin); if not, turn it off.

Then, for the ultrasonic sensor's condition: if the distance is less than 120 cm, turn the buzzer on; if it's greater (i.e., farther), turn it off.

Finally, I used Serial.print() to output the values for temperature, humidity, and distance.

Development/Implementation Process

Explain the development/implementation process of your assignment. How did you use the machine/tool to manufacture or implement the design of your assignment?

I took the prototype measurements(18*8 & 8*8 cm) as shown, cut them out, and started gluing the faces together with a hot glue gun. I made openings for the Arduino, the sensor, the buzzer, and the power supply that will provide electricity to the fan.

I also made a column structure for the fan and attached the fan to the column using this sticky adhesive—this was for the non-electronic components.

As for the electronics,

input components:-

ultrasonic sensor and DHT 11 sensor

input components:-

buzzer and fan

I started by connecting the ultrasonic sensor to the Arduino(conneted with power supply (9V)): the Trig to a digital pin, the VCC to the positive (5V), and the GND to ground. Then, I connected the buzzer: one leg to ground on the Arduino and the other to a digital pin.

After that, I took the relay. On the side with the control pins, I connected both the GND and VCC pins to the Arduino's ground and 5V respectively. The third pin (IN) was connected to a digital pin. On the other side (the switch side), I connected the Common (COM) terminal to the external power supply. The Normally Open (NO) terminal was connected to the fan, and the negative wire from the fan was connected to the negative terminal of the external power supply.

WhatsApp Video 2025-09-12 at 05.01.21_4c7b4bcf.mp4

9625e2fb-0809-4cbc-bdeb-df1ed01b1986.mp4

Overcoming Challenges

When you got stuck, what/who did you turn to? At what point did you have to pause to research or learn more before moving on? What are some mistakes, pitfalls, or challenges that others can avoid if they were doing this assignment?

Yes, I faced a few problems. The first problem I faced was that I couldn't secure the components on the cardboard, so I ended up using sticky tack. The second problem was that after I closed the prototype, the temperature sensor wasn't displaying a reading on the monitor. In the end, it turned out that the wire connected to the relay and the Arduino was loose; I replaced it and it worked.

Final Project

How can you use the skills and knowledge that you've acquired this week in your final project?

I can use the knowledge of electronics to prepare the final project for the fabrication process also I can use online sources to choose the outline of my design .

WOW!

What is the coolest thing that you've learned this week? What is something that you will never forget from this week?

The coolest thing for this week was Smart Planter

WhatsApp Video 2025-09-12 at 05.51.26_b4adbde8.mp4

WhatsApp Video 2025-09-12 at 05.51.26_ad21d5fc.mp4

Assignment Design Files

Tinkercad design

Arduino IDE file. ino

Page updated

Report abuse