Group SD0704
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Group Members
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Advisor
Dr. Roger Green
Project Overview
Our project involves a handicap client who wants to be able to get a drink without the aid from others. We plan to design and build a system using CDS cells and a small pump which will provide him with a beverage when necessary.
The drink assistant worked by placing a CDS cell on the mouthpiece of our design and on the enclosure box as well. When the light to the mouthpiece sensor was cut off, the pump would activate and provide about 1 oz. of water or whatever fluid was in the beverage container. The sensor on the enclosure is a safety device which will prevent the pump from activating when the device entered a dark room. The sensitivity of both sensors were adjustable by turning two potentiometers which were located on the bottom of the enclosure to prevent accidental adjustment. The amount of water delivered by the pump is also adjustable by adjusting a pot which is located in the enclosure. This one was left in the inside since it was a greater risk factor if accidentally adjusted.
The Drink Assistant was also equipped with a cleaning program. The cleaning program would cycle the pump on and off for an hour. A caregiver would run hydrogen peroxide through the pump to kill bacteria and to break up any buildup that might be forming on the inside of the tubes and pump housing. The hydrogen peroxide will kill roughly 99% of all bacteria after a one hour period.
We delivered our project to our client on Dec. 4, 07. The project worked exactly as we intended it to and the system fit well and looked natural on the client's wheelchair.
Here is a picture of the Final project. The pop bottle is included for size comparison.
This is a picture of the device when it was mounted on the back of the wheelchair.
--Adam.lawler 22:15, 11 December 2007 (CST)
