Mechanisms Final

After exploring a number of possibilities to expanding and contracting an origami magic ball, I am moving away from pneumatics and towards a mechanized option.

The magic balls will represent lungs in my thesis dress and my final for Mechanisms.

Hanging around an individual’s neck, the lungs will expand and contract matching the actual breathing pattern of the wearer.

Using the umbrella mechanism and a rack and pinion gear, the sides of the origami ball will be pushed out when the gear moves down the rack. The runner of the umbrella which is holds the stretchers will be attached to the gear.

Issues:

1. Weight. Ideally the device should be light so that it isn’t oppressively heavy for the neck.

2. Quantity. This is a scalable project. Starting with one and moving on to as many as 4.

Schedule:

4.11 Order parts (after talking to Dustyn)
4.11 – 4.15 Fold the balls
4.16 – 4.25 Construction