Beta Prototype

ReviveTech Website

The physical beta prototyping consisted of improving the designs of the three main subsystems (supplement container rotation, linear blade motion, middle plate rotation) from the alpha prototype and ensuring they function properly and consistently in sequence with each other. The tube holder was reprinted after increasing the diameters of the rounded open sections to allow for the tubes to fit better onto the part. A new top plate was 3D printed for the motor spinning the tube holder to rest upon. A space was left in the plate for the wires of the motor to exit from. A space was also left in the plate for a slot to slide over and cover the hole in which the supplement falls through. The space for the slot was designed in a trapezoidal shape to ensure the slot is properly secured within the top plate. A new slot was thus 3D printed and glued onto a linear actuator. For the middle plate rotation, a base stand was 3D printed with space to hold a motor. Smooth cardboard and plastic acrylic were laser cut into circles that matched the shape and size of the rounded top part of the base stand. The circles were glued together and attached to the motor resting within the stand. The photos below show photos of the final beta prototype and various parts of the dispenser. The videos below show the final beta prototype functionality and the different subsystems working together. For the final prototype, the subsystems were placed on top of each other within an acrylic box that will represent the general size and shape of this group's product a consumer would purchase. 

Final Beta Prototype

Electrical Wiring Diagram

The wiring diagram has stayed the same between the alpha and beta prototypes due to the main three electrical components (Servo Motor, Linear Actuator, DC Motor with Encoder) remaining in use.  The only change is to the Linear Actuator which has a slightly longer shaft to fit our design requirements.  With the new linear actuator, the rated voltage will be 12V.  The design incorporates a separate 12V power supply that will supply power to both the linear actuator as well as the DC motor.  The DC motor will have an encoder attached to it as well, which can be powered from the Arduinos 5V pin.  The 5V pin will also be used to power the connection of the position control servo motor.

Software Testing

For our current progress in the beta prototype, the code functionality of the system is run through the Arduino as well as the Arduinos IDE.  The current flow of the software execution of the code is as follows.  The user is prompted to enter a position, which corresponds to a supplement, and the code begins.  With the selected position, the DC motor rotates to the position required.  Once at the appropriate position, the linear actuator will retract allowing the pill to fall and then extend to create a separation between the next supplements.  Once the linear actuator is back in position, the servo motor has a hard coded position which it will rotate to, to allow the middle disc to receive the supplement and bring it to the final hole to dispense to the drink.    

The last updates to the software and electrical components will be as follows.  We will be substituting out the Arduino Uno for the ESP32 entirely.  The reason for using the Arduino was to allow us to work on the website and electro-mechanical sections at the same time.  The code will be similar as the ESP32 utilizes the Arduino IDE.  The only change will be to connect the code to work with the website and database.  Additionally, the ESP32 supports the number of pins required for all our electro-mechanical connections.  Unfortunately, it does not have a 5V pin, so devices will require a separate 5V source.