COQUILLE

intelligent shelf system / design topic ‚Hacks‘ / HfG Pforzheim

The hack

The technical trick 'the hack', stands for the extension of a function, a solution to a problem, or the unusual, surprising way of achieving a goal.

The SPIDERDRESS, invented by Anouk Wipprecht, secures and defends the area around the wearer by raising the spider-like arms. Both, the movement and the aspect of safety and protection that it achieves, are incorporated into the functional model.

I also include another protective mechanism in my project, the closing mechanism of the mussel (Bivalvia). It consists of two calcareous shells and lines its interior with mother-of-pearl. This is a unique and fascinating material, which was early processed into jewelry. In addition, some shells produce pearls, the most famous of which is probably the pearl oyster (Pinctada). For the design I used the shape as a source of inspiration, as well as the shell that protects the precious inside.

The concept

Coquille - A shelving system that is opened by a motion sensor. It is covered with three panels that raise one after the other in a wave motion to reveal the storage area. After a short time, the metal panels lower again.

The Shell - La Coquille

To protect itself, the shell closes when it senses movement. In my project, I wanted to reverse this mechanism. When the smart shelf senses a movement at a certain location, it starts to open.

Ideation

Brass Tubes

Three brass tube pieces are arranged side by side on a permanently mounted, thin guide tube. A curved brass plate is attached to each of them. Due to the force of the motor, the first tube starts to rotate and thus lifts the plate. After a quarter of a turn, the second tube is gripped, also begins to rotate, and passes the movement on to the plate. The construction thus opens plate by plate.

Brass Sheets

The three shimmering brass plates cover the shelf. Since they form only narrow gaps to each other and to the wood, the view of the interior is denied.

Arcacia Wood

Acacia wood with its intertwining grains and warm color provides the basic material of Coquille. Individual boards were cut, glued and sanded. The wood contrasts with the cool golden brass. Treated with oil, the patterning emerges even more clearly and gives it a soft shimmer.

Model building

Arduino

Hardware

An I/O (input/output) board with a microcontroller and analog and digital inputs and outputs is programmed to move the brass plates, which transmits signals to servo motors located in the housing. These set the brass tubes in rotary motion.

Software

Sunfounder UNO is a physical computer platform that consists of software and hardware. The sketch is written with the Arduino program and then transferred to the microcontroller. The approach of the hand activates the ultrasonic sensor and triggers a chain of signals that slightly open the three brass flaps one by one. It is supposed to resemble a gentle wave motion.

Functional model with surprising hack

Due to the proximity of the hand, the ultrasonic sensor is activated and a chain of signals is triggered, which open the three brass flaps slightly one after the other. It should remind you of a gentle wave movement.

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