The Improbable Switch
The Improbable Switch, maze module
For the first assignment I built a switch that needs a (playful) effort to be operated.
It should stretch the time between the different states of change - and it should be allowed to „revolt".
I decided to design a little maze.
In the beginning two little metal balls are positioned at the starting point of the maze.
By that time no current flows through the circuit.
The goal is to make one of the balls fall into the „on-hole“ before the other ball reaches the „off-hole“.
The game is over as soon as one of the balls gets trapped in „hell“.
By activating the „on-hole“ a heart beat sound is turned on.
This sound continues until it is turned off by reaching the „off-hole“.
A loud noise starts buzzing for three seconds when one of the balls is trapped in „hell“.
For a restart both balls need to be removed and the reset-button on the circuit board is to be pushed.
WORK IN PROGRESS
Sketch for the frame of the maze (10 cm x 10 cm).
Each corridor should have a width of at least 1 cm.
Final sketch for the two dimesnional structure of the maze.
Defining pins for connecting the „on“ / „off“ circuit.
Setting up the switch structure with wire and tape.
Adding a connection for the „hell“ - circuit (red).
Building the three dimensional wall structure of the maze.
The paper walls are jammed into the sliced Kappafix.
Schematic for the electronics with four 555 Timers:
- monostable mode (trigger) for „on“ and „off“
- astable mode for heart beat sound
- monostable mode (trigger) for „hell“ sound
- astable mode for „hell“ sound (using the same speaker)
Circuit borad with reset switch.
RESULT
Variable Resistance
Variable Resistance, modified chalk board