MOOnlight
MOOnlight is the cow-shaped night light that runs on a timer that users can set and start using its adorable ears. You won’t have to worry about turning him off, because as the timer runs out, his horn lights gently dim until they’re completely dark. You won’t need to be weary of the dark any longer because of MOOnlight! He’ll protect you!
Project Type
4 week individual project
Coding, Hardware, Prototyping, Fabrication
Project Prompt
Design a timer for a specific purpose.
Skills
So why a night light?
When I was a kid, I couldn't sleep without my nightlight. It was nightlight or nothing. But it was one that turned on and off with a switch, which meant that my parents would eventually have to come in and turn it off. As I was thinking over concepts, I settled on one that reminded me of this memory.
How to Use
To use:
1. Set timer using left ear; every touch is one minute added.
2. Start timer using right ear.
3. To reset or stop timer, squeeze right ear again.
see the process
Interested in knowing more?
Week 1-2: Concept Ideation and Selection
I wanted one ear to set the timer and the other to start/stop it, so I wired two handmade capacitive sensors to two RGBW LEDs. The timer would cause the nightlight to gradually dim, allowing a gentle drift to sleep.
What worked:
•The timer itself: setting the time, starting the timer, stopping/resetting the timer
•The LED lights worked according to the timer
What didn't:
•Some kind of indicator that lets the user know that time has been added
Week 3: Breadboard Model
Week 4: Fabrication
After a disastrous attempt of using fabric over a glass dome (which was a nice idea, but I wouldn't have been able to run wires under it), I used a half dome template to make a general rounded shape that desired for the head and a cyclinder of paper so I could store the electronics the body.
Initial test with a stiffer material was a successful but the wrong size.
For the actual final model, I laser cut cardstock before scoring it with a metal ruler and folding it.
I then glued it together so the outside would look clean. The final appearance was a lightweight paper dome with a roughly six inch diameter.
I wanted the electronics to be stored neatly inside instead of just stuffed in there so I made a housing unit that would slide in and twist to lock in place while fitting all the parts.
I measured all the pieces that would go inside and maximized the storage as much as I could by making a chipboard test model. Function and fit were good.
For the final integrated model, I laser cut and scored a new model, this time paying careful attention to the neatness and details. I laser cut the housing unit based off the test models I made and fitted them inside the body of MOOnlight.
Not seen in the right picture are the mylar horn covers I cut to cover the RGBW LEDs.
Assembled Housing Unit
Capacitive Sensor 2
for starting and resetting the timer
Capacitive Sensor 1
for setting the timer
9DoF Housing
RedBoard
Breadboard
Battery
Composition Diagram
I painted the cow print and details using Posca paint markers and attached mylar horns to diffuse the light from the RGBW LEDs. Combined with the style of laser cut cardstock, it achieved a look reminiscent of a cow themed silo; I loved it!
Introducing: MOOnlight!