Embedded Files
I thought it might be quite useful to show the thought processes I use when designing with Electronics…..
I have taken a quite simple circuit (Solar Charger Fig 1 and - https://sites.google.com/sheffield.ac.uk/diamond-electronics/3-building-and-testing-circuits/solar-charger .) and looked at how to make it into a more desirable product.
A reminder - You MUST always use Rechargeable Batteries in this circuit (unless you disconnect the PV Cell). I use Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) up to 1300mAh as I have found that anything above this level can result in battery damage in intense sunlight. You may need to experiment with the type of solar panel but I have used a 5V 70mA PV Cell.
The development of the circuit has been my start point with this one, but sometimes it is more relevant to research the product and then make the circuit to fit it. It all depends on what you are making and why (design is a fluid or Iterative process).
The key to any piece of design work is planning and research. It is no use simply blundering in and starting to make things before you have formalised your thought process. If you simply start making you will find that you waste a lot of material and end up with lots of mistakes.
I started by thinking about what LED’s I could use. I had some old flickering LED tealights in a cupboard and I thought it might be interesting to make some sort of light decoration using them. I pulled them apart and attached my circuit wires to the tealights in place of the existing LEDs (Fig 2) – I tested this over a number of days (and nights) and it worked very well.
I have taken a quite simple circuit (Solar Charger Fig 1 and - https://sites.google.com/sheffield.ac.uk/diamond-electronics/3-building-and-testing-circuits/solar-charger .) and looked at how to make it into a more desirable product.
A reminder - You MUST always use Rechargeable Batteries in this circuit (unless you disconnect the PV Cell). I use Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) up to 1300mAh as I have found that anything above this level can result in battery damage in intense sunlight. You may need to experiment with the type of solar panel but I have used a 5V 70mA PV Cell.
The development of the circuit has been my start point with this one, but sometimes it is more relevant to research the product and then make the circuit to fit it. It all depends on what you are making and why (design is a fluid or Iterative process).
The key to any piece of design work is planning and research. It is no use simply blundering in and starting to make things before you have formalised your thought process. If you simply start making you will find that you waste a lot of material and end up with lots of mistakes.
I started by thinking about what LED’s I could use. I had some old flickering LED tealights in a cupboard and I thought it might be interesting to make some sort of light decoration using them. I pulled them apart and attached my circuit wires to the tealights in place of the existing LEDs (Fig 2) – I tested this over a number of days (and nights) and it worked very well.
Electronic Component list:
2 x 1.5V (or 1.2V) NiMH Rechargeable Battery (AA or AAA) with 1x Holder to fit1 x 10 KΩ Fixed Resistor1 x 4001 Diode2 x BC 548B Transistors1 x PV Cell - 5V 70mA1 x Miniature LDR
LED's of your own choice
2 x 1.5V (or 1.2V) NiMH Rechargeable Battery (AA or AAA) with 1x Holder to fit1 x 10 KΩ Fixed Resistor1 x 4001 Diode2 x BC 548B Transistors1 x PV Cell - 5V 70mA1 x Miniature LDR
LED's of your own choice
Fig 1
Fig 2
The housing for the circuit then needed to be developed.
I find it useful to do free hand sketches (Fig 3) to show my thinking as it can be done quickly and it doesn’t matter if you make any mistakes.
Try to write down any details you need such as sizes and materials etc…
I find it useful to do free hand sketches (Fig 3) to show my thinking as it can be done quickly and it doesn’t matter if you make any mistakes.
Try to write down any details you need such as sizes and materials etc…
Fig 3
Once I had a concept design (I wanted to keep it fairly simple) I then measured and cut out some off-cut plywood and put the housing together (Fig 4).
I have used Hand tools and traditional skills here but if you have access to a Laser Cutter and/or a 3D printer, then these tools can be very useful at this stage.
If you are doing a complex design, it can also be useful to make concept models (various materials can be used such as card or modelling foam). This will again save time later if you know what your design will look like before you start to build the final one!
You can also produce dimensioned orthographic drawings when needed.
I have used Hand tools and traditional skills here but if you have access to a Laser Cutter and/or a 3D printer, then these tools can be very useful at this stage.
If you are doing a complex design, it can also be useful to make concept models (various materials can be used such as card or modelling foam). This will again save time later if you know what your design will look like before you start to build the final one!
You can also produce dimensioned orthographic drawings when needed.
Fig 4
Candle.mp4I would now consider this to be another start point (or proof of concept). I could then modify the design and make it as quirky as I want!
Why not have a go at making one of these yourself and see if you can improve on the design? Let us know how you get on.....
I have used 9mm plywood and 6mm diameter Aluminium tube in the construction but this could easily be modified into whatever materials you have available.
Please see drawings below to give you some idea on sizes.....
Why not have a go at making one of these yourself and see if you can improve on the design? Let us know how you get on.....
I have used 9mm plywood and 6mm diameter Aluminium tube in the construction but this could easily be modified into whatever materials you have available.
Please see drawings below to give you some idea on sizes.....
20200608_094518.mp4
All Dimensions in mm
Page updated
Report abuse