Design Step 2

Design Step 2

The second phase of our capstone project focused on brainstorming, developing, and analyzing alternative design concepts for our project — the Wireless Heating Pad. During this stage, we set out to improve the comfort, portability, and usability of traditional heating pads by eliminating power cords and creating a wireless heating pad. We started this phase by researching how conventional heating pads operate and identifying the main problems users experience, such as lack of mobility, inconsistent heat levels, and limited control options. Our team disassembled a standard heating pad to better understand its components and circuitry, which gave us a clearer picture of how to reimagine the internal systems for a wireless design. From there, we began developing multiple alternative concepts using idea generation strategies like mind mapping, sketching, and functional decomposition. We created a user demand list based on community feedback and used a classification scheme to organize different approaches. Throughout this process, we analyzed different materials (such as fleece for comfort and nichrome wire for heating), potential power sources (like battery packs), and control methods (manual switches vs. app interfaces). By comparing these alternatives using decision matrices and guided engineering principles, we prepared ourselves to choose the most promising concept for prototyping. This step was crucial in bridging the gap between raw ideas and a functional, testable solution.

Content

Here are some important concepts from class that we used in our project:

• Voltage (V): The electric potential difference that drives current through the nichrome wire. We powered our pad using a 7.4V battery pack.

• Current (I): The rate of electric charge flow. We calculated the expected current based on the resistance of the nichrome wire and our battery voltage.

• Resistance (R): How much the wire opposes electric current. Nichrome is used because of its stable resistance and heating properties.

• Power (P): The rate at which energy is used by the heating element. Helps us determine how hot the pad gets and how long the battery lasts.

• Battery Life: Battery capacity (mAh) and energy usage determine how long the pad can operate before needing a recharge.

Reflection

Throughout this phase of the project, our group showed strong collaboration skills by actively seeking help and working together to solve complex problems. One key example of this was reaching out to Ben Tyler, a student in the robotics program, who supported us with the engineering, wiring, and technical logistics of our prototype. His expertise helped us understand the limitations and capabilities of the components we were working with and allowed us to improve our design more efficiently. This experience not only strengthened our teamwork but also showed our willingness to learn from others and use all the resources available to us. Additionally, we improved as conscious learners by constantly pushing ourselves to think outside the box. We were exposed to new skills, such as using nichrome wire safely, understanding heat transfer, and thinking creatively about how to integrate battery power and Bluetooth functionality into our design. These challenges helped us develop a more innovative mindset and become more resourceful in our approach to engineering problems.

At the same time, there were areas we struggled with and are still working to improve. One of our main challenges was time management. We occasionally fell behind due to procrastination and not having a clear plan for how to stay on track between work sessions. There were times when we had the opportunity to make progress but chose to work on other things instead. Another issue was communication outside of school hours. While we were able to collaborate effectively during class, we found it difficult to stay in sync and plan next steps when we weren’t physically together. To improve, we plan to set better deadlines for ourselves and use group chats or shared calendars to stay connected and productive even when we’re not in the same place. With stronger time management and clearer communication, we believe we can take our project to the next level.