Freshman Engineering Design Project
Introduction
The group wants to make a utility backpack unlike any other. It will help replenish one's thirst on a hot summer day along with saving one the trouble of looking for charging ports for his/her phone. Be it traveling or just working all day along, we are creating a backpack that will come in real handy and make one’s life easier.
This project involves constructing USB phone chargers and building a cooling system within a backpack , both of which will be a new experience for the group. The entire system will be powered by a foldable solar panel, which will be located on top of the bag. The group is aiming to create a product that will be cheap, efficient and fulfill the needs of its target audiences. This project will give the group an insight on the work that goes behind a finished product in the market.
The hardest task would be creating a cooling system within the front pouch of the back pack. Integrating the entire system and managing to keep the temperatures low. The group has to research and learn the installation process over a 10 week course.
The group has mapped out the entire process of development throughout the course. By the end of the ninth week the group will have a complete and tested product to present in front of everyone.
Outline
The project has been set to span over ten weeks. To outline the groups necessary progress the group constructed a weekly goals table. By following the set plan, the group will have a working prototype by the end of the time span.
Table 1: Freshman design project timeline.
Week
| ||||||||||
Task
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
Refrigerator building study
|
x
|
x
| ||||||||
Solar panel Set up
|
x
|
x
| ||||||||
Refrigerator construction and testing
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
x
| |||||
System integration
|
x
|
x
|
x
| |||||||
Testing
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
x
| ||||||
Final report preparation
|
x
|
x
|
x
| |||||||
The group also made lists of items in categories that would be necessary in order to complete the project. A list of the prices has also been included.
Table 2: Refrigerator Hardware Budget.
Hardware
|
Projected Cost
|
Aluminized Mylar Sheets
|
$3.50
|
Nylon Thread
|
$4.99
|
Quilted Fabric Square
|
$6.60
|
Zipper
|
$2.99
|
91.2W 40x40mm Peltier Cooling Unit
|
$6.00
|
Akasa chipset cooling kit
|
$10.99
|
Single hole 2.1mm DV power jack
|
$3.00
|
Double sided tape
|
$1.00
|
TOTAL
|
$36.39
|
Table 3: Circuit Hardware Budget.
Hardware
|
Projected Cost
|
Wire
|
$2.50
|
Charge Controller
|
$35.68
|
Resistors
|
$4.80
|
USB cable
|
$8.00
|
Battery
|
$45.00
|
TOTAL
|
$95.98
|
A figure of the project has been included below.
Fig 1 : The 4 Degree Utility Backpack
