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The purpose of this design project is to develop a metronome device which will maintain a constant, adjustable tempo for the practicing musician. A key feature that the client requires is that the device’s tempo-maintaining mechanism be inaudible. Such a feature allows the musician to practice and improve musical performance using a more intuitive approach—one that does not distract the musician while playing music (i.e. audible ticks, as used in conventional metronomes). The most natural option, which we are pursuing, is to create a tactile metronome transducer that attaches to some anatomical region of the body while maintaining functionality and user comfort.
Our design team just delivered a final presentation of our physiologic metronome prototype. In the end, a typical metronome circuit was modified to deliver a short electrical pulse sufficient to actuate a miniature solenoid. This circuit was housed in a compact, plastic case. An ear attachment was constructed using a headphone to localize the concise solenoid "tap" at the sternocleidomastoid muscle behind the ear lobe. The device demonstrates a tactile tempo range of 32-196 beats per minute and a sufficient battery life of 16 hours when ran at the maximum tempo.
Design Team: Cole Drifka, Jeff Theisen, Adam Pala, and Ben Fleming
The finalized prototype. The ear attachment is attached to a metronome circuit which is inside the case.
The tick-mark scale allows the user to change the tempo by adjusting a potentiometer.
The adjustable ear attachment holds a miniature solenoid capable of delivering a concise, tactile tempo behind the ear of the musician.
| Week | Reporting Period Beginning | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 4 | Team roles were established and contact was made with the client. |
| 2 | September 11 | We met with the client and began compiling preliminary research. |
| 3 | September 18 | We began to categorize and brainstorm design alternatives and successfully tested a metronome circuit. |
| 4 | September 25 | The team began to focus on researching design alternatives. |
| 5 | October 2 | We continued to research and created a design matrix for each design aspect. |
| 6 | October 9 | We prepared and finalized our Mid-Semester presentation. |
| 7 | October 16 | We completed our Mid-Semester deliverables. |
| 8 | October 23 | The group met to compile parts list that will be ordered following approval by the client. |
| 9 | October 30 | Some of the parts arrived allowing us to prepare for the construction phase of our design. |
| 10 | November 6 | Determined values needed to actuate the miniature solenoid. |
| 11 | November 13 | We were able to weakly power the solenoid, begin soldering a portion of a modified circuit, and start construction of the ear attachment. |
| 12 | November 20 | A circuit was finalized that effectively powers the solenoid. It was soldered and its plastic case was modified. Also, the ear attachment is almost finalized. |
| 13 | November 27 | The prototype was finalized and tested. The tick-mark scale was revised. |
| 14 | December 4 | A final presentation of the prototype was delivered. We met with our advisor and client for the last time. |
| 15 | December 11 |
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Product Design Specifications (Oct 8 2009, 51 kb) |
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Mid-Semester Presentation (Oct 15 2009, 1908 kb) |
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Mid-Semester Report (Oct 21 2009, 662 kb) |
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Final Poster Presentation (Dec 6 2009, 1733 kb) |
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Final Report (Dec 9 2009, 796 kb) |
