{"id":2105,"date":"2019-08-14T13:49:16","date_gmt":"2019-08-14T13:49:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/volksswitch.org\/?page_id=2105"},"modified":"2019-09-07T21:40:16","modified_gmt":"2019-09-07T21:40:16","slug":"version-1-initial-volksswitch-design","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/volksswitch.org\/index.php\/volks-devices\/the-volksswitch\/version-1-initial-volksswitch-design\/","title":{"rendered":"Version 1: The Initial Volksswitch Design"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Fusion 360 and STL files can be obtained from Thingiverse<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Volksswitch has two subsystems: the switch core and the activation surface.\u00a0 The switch core is comprised of a base which encloses two breadboards (one medium size and one small), a printed spring with variable thickness and a variable length post, and components for two circuits (internally powered and externally powered). \u00a0Each circuit has its own micro-switch and the two micro switches are joined together with a switch gang that is engaged by the spring post which simultaneously closes both circuits. \u00a0 The switch cover has two posts that constrain the movement of the spring, one post that constrains any movement of the small breadboard and its attached headphone jack, a slot for removal and replacement of the battery driving the internally powered circuit, and a hole for the bolt that screws to the activation surface and translates downward movement of the activation surface into downward movement of the spring.<\/p>\n

The switch core looks like this when assembled:<\/p>\n

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It looks like this in cross-section:<\/p>\n

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Process of Assembly<\/h1>\n

1.) Place components on the two breadboards. I expoxy’d the battery holder in place.<\/p>\n

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2.) Print and install the switch gang over the two micro-switches.<\/p>\n

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3.) Print the switch base and install threaded inserts on both the top and bottom surfaces.<\/p>\n

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4.) Use the included double sided tape to attach the medium sized breadboard to the base and insert the two posts of the small breadboard into the provided holes in the switch base.<\/p>\n

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5.) Print and place the spring across the two pedestals – flat side up.<\/p>\n

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6.) Print the switch core cover and bolt collar. \u00a0Gather the bolt and cut a short piece of PTFE tubing (approximately 1\/2 inch long).<\/p>\n

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7.) \u00a0Insert collar into cover and glue in place.<\/p>\n

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8.) Place PTFE tube over bolt and glue in place.<\/p>\n

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9.) Insert bolt through collar from below then place the cover on the base and bolt in place.<\/p>\n

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10.) If desired, print the GoPro mount and bolt to bottom of switch base. (The design for the GoPro mount is based on work by bonapaz<\/a>.) \u00a0If placing the switch on a flat surface, I prefer to paint a thin coat of clear Flex Seal<\/a> on the bottom which creates a good amount of friction between almost any surface and what would otherwise be a very slippery plastic switch bottom.<\/p>\n

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11,) Print choice of activation surface and install threaded insert. \u00a0Then screw activation surface to the bolt passing through the switch core cover.\u00a0 The image below shows four color\/shape options for the activation surface.<\/p>\n

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Testing the Device<\/h1>\n

1.) Plug a male\/male stereo headphone cable into the headphone jack on the Volksswitch and then into another jack on a powered circuit (e.g., adapted toy) – in this case a simple LED circuit is used.<\/p>\n

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2.) Press down on the activation surface until the internal circuits close. \u00a0The LED inside the switch core and the LED in the external circuit should light at the same instant.<\/p>\n

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Note that transparent filament (which is what I used above for the switch core) is, at best, translucent when printed using FDM 3D printing techniques. Because Fusion 360 has a cool rendering engine I’ve used it to show what the switch base would look like if made of injection molded acrylic and I’ve used it the the banner for this website (sweet!).<\/em><\/p>\n

Initial Volksswitch POC Design Adherence to Requirements<\/h1>\n

1 – supports being constructed by individuals closest to the individual with a disability (e.g., therapists, AT professionals, family members):<\/p>\n