Sun-Detecting Umbrella System
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Date
2019-12-04
Authors
Bal, Livleen
Batke, Ryan
Chen, Zhi
Roberts, Ryan
Roy, Christopher
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Abstract
This project, as put forward by Atom Jet Industries, was to first develop a fully functional small-scale prototype of a self-adjusting sun-tracking umbrella. This prototype would serve as a proof-of-concept to be expanded upon by developing a full-scale commercial version of the umbrella design complete with a detailed description, drawings and a bill of materials. The critical design requirements were that the umbrella must be easy to set up and take down requiring no more than two people, is simple and safe to operate, can be adjusted to stand on different surfaces and be portable. The most important design requirement is that the system should be able to locate the sun and track its movements to provide constant shade in any location or time of year. Our team was successful in developing a working prototype of the system that is controlled by a SparkFun RedBoard microcontroller, actuated via servo motors and detects the sun using photoresistors. The commercial version of the design was developed with the system being lightweight, only requiring a single button to operate, features an adjustable base and includes safety measures to protect the user. In addition to the commercial design, part drawings and a full detailed bill of materials was created.