Automatic Mechanical Self-Lowering Light Bulb

Lily Chappell & Maya Chappell

Introduction Materials Conclusion

The use of electricity is something that is common in people's daily lives, and with the use of lights Materials This engineering project was created to make changing light bulbs an easier task. In the end, the project
people can get around safer whether it is in their home or outside. For many people, the use of light bulbs in was overall successful because it mechanically lowers and raises a light bulb. The frame was the first thing
life is necessary ;however, when a light bulb goes out it can become a struggle for older people or people with
● Light Bulb ● Extension cord
built, which was made from plywood and screws. Holes for the lights, switches, and wires were added in with
high ceilings to change their light bulb. If people cannot renew their old light bulbs it may become a hazard ● Screwdriver ● Drill Motor the use of a drill. Next, a breaker box and wires were added to give the project an external power source. Next,
and lead to an injury. In a study done on elderly people living alone, “38% of patients falls took place when ● Screws ● Long Drill bit the lights were put in place and wired to a light switch, and then the switch was wired to the breaker box.
there is a visual deficit”(Asiri, 2018); therefore, with the use a mechanical self-lowing light bulb people will be ● Drill and drill bit ● Thin metal cordage Wires were secured with electrical tape, and the lights were tested. After a few attempts, the light did
less at risk of getting injured due to the lack of visibility. People will be able to exchange old light bulbs with work. The first motor used to lift the lights was a bathroom fan motor, the attempt was unsuccessful because
new ones easier than ever before without worrying if they could get injured while changing the light or
● 1 4x4 ft plywood ● Breaker box
the fan was unable to reverse direction, and the fan motor was too weak causing nothing to lift. The second
walking around a dark areas. ● 4 2x4 ft plywood ● 2 single breakers attempt included an electric hand drill motor, this motor was able to raise and lower the lights. Then it needed
● 6 2”x4” 4ft wood ● 1 double breaker to be mounted, one problem was that the wires from the motor to the control handle of the drill were too short
● 4 2”x4” 2ft wood ● String so, it needed to be wired with longer wires and secured. After that, the drill was mounted a foot from the top of
Objective ● Black wire ● Electrical tape
the frame. It wasn’t high enough, so the drill was raised another foot, and supports were added. When tested
the lights did lower and raised but with some trouble. More supports were added, so the motor was no longer
● Red wire ● Metal brackets as loose. The hand drill motor was tested several times to make sure all the supports were sturdy. The motor
The objective of this engendering project was to create an automatic self-lowering light bulb mechanism
● 2 Light switches successfully raised and lowered the lights and did support the weight of the lights; however, the project has
that makes it easier and safer for all people to replace old light bulbs.
● Light bulb much room for improvement.

Methodology
Part 1 6. Next take apart the drill from its handle so the wires
1. Screw together the six 2”x4” 4ft wood and 4 2”x4” connecting it to the control handel are exposed.
2ft wood to create a rectangular frame. 7. Carefully remove the wires from their place and add
2. Screw on the four 2x4 ft plywood to the sides of the longer ones.
wooden frame. 8. Use electrical tape to secure wires in place.
3. Screw on the one 4x4 ft plywood to the back and 9. Place the drill motor atop the mount, high enough it
the frame. will be able to pull the string with ease.
4. Screw on the one 2x4 ft plywood to the top of the 10.Screw in supports using wood and metal cordage.
Figure 1. Picture of the frame being constructed frame 11.Then attach the drill motor to the lights using string.
Figure 4. A picture of the completed project Figure 5. A picture of the wiring of the breaker box
5. Use the drill to drill the 2 holes needed to install the 12.Drill a hole on the right inner wall for the control
recessed lights into the top of the constructed frame. handel wires to go.
6. Attach the recessed light to the celling of the frame. 13.Reattach the wires to the handle that’s now on the Next Step
7. Add clamps at the height of them fully lowered so inside.
they don’t go any farther down. 14.Connect the handle wires to a switch so the power
Part 2 supply can be controlled. Due to time constraints this project still has room for improvements, and if this project is going to
1. Use the red and black wires to connect the light 15.Connect wires from the switch to double breaker so continue, there would be many adjustments that could take place. The first step would be to replace to handle
switch and the recessed light. it can be supplied with power. of the drill, which is currently acting as the way to control the drill. It needs to be replaced with a light switch
2. Attach the breaker box on the outside of the frame. 16.Check to make sure all wires are in place and secure and a dimming switch. The control switches would allow the project to look as if it could be in a real home
3. Add a plug to the breaker box so it can be powered. and add electrical tape for safety before adding
4. Wire the plug into a single breaker so it can be power. and would be more convenient. Another adjustment that should occur would be to smooth the track of the
plugged into a bigger power source. lowering and raising the light bulbs. After that, the next step might be to find a strong motor that would work
5. Then wire the switch to a single breaker in the better than the drill did. With a real motor instead of a drill, the project would be more sophisticated. The new
breaker box so it can supply it with power. motor would be sturdier when lifting the lights, unlike the dismantled drill.

Figure 2. Diagram of the final project

Test Trials and Adjustments
A: A wooden frame that holds the drill motor.
B: Screws that sick out slightly to make the string go up so the lights stay on track. # of test Observations Adjustments Date
C: Wire cordage that acts as support.
D: String that is tied to the lights and is used to pull the lights up.
Citations
E: A hole drilled into the wood that the light’s wires go though. 1 The metal cordage used to pull up the lights Changed the wire to yellow string then taped up the drill bit and put a 11/24/20
F: Wires from the motor of the drill to the control handle. would break or get tangled around the drill medium plastic spool on it to collect the yellow string as needed.
bit.
G: Wiring that connects the light switch to the motor and the breaker box which allows the drill motor and the Davis, R. G., McCunn, L. J., Wilkerson, A., & Safranek, S. (2020). Nurses’ Satisfaction With Patient Room
2 The motor was able to pull up the lights, but Since the motor was not high enough the supports already standing had to 11/24/20
control handle to get power. the motor was too low to the top of the frame be taken down. The motor was raised above the frame anther 1ft but is Lighting Conditions: A Study of Nurses in Four Hospitals With Differences in the Environment of
H: A block of wood that puts the handle off the wall so that a person can fit their hand around the handle. and it started to roll the electric wires for the standing at a total of 2ft, so it was tall enough to raise the lights. Care. Health Environments Research & Design Journal (HERD) (Sage Publications, Ltd.), 13(3), 110.
I: The control handle controls the speed and has a reverse switch that allows the lights to move up and down. lights. https://doi-org.proxygsu-scob.galileo.usg.edu/10.1177/1937586719890940
J: A light switch that allows the drill motor and the control handle to get power. 4 The drill was able to pull the lights up, but Add screws on both sides of the supports to make the string go up in a
the lights got caught on surrounding wood straighter position. 11/24/20
K: The light switch that turns on the lights. and when they reached the top they were very Ng, S. S. M., Liu, T.-W., Kwong, P. W. H., Choy, H.-M., Fong, T. Y. K., Lee, J. Y. C., Tan, Y.-L., Tong,
L: The wiring that connects the light switch to the breaker box. crooked. G. Y. H., Wong, C. C. Y., Lai, C. Y. Y., & Tse, M. M. Y. (2020). Psychometric testing of the Fall
M: The breaker box. Risks for Older People in the Community screening tool (FROP-Com screen) for community-dwelling
N: Clamps to keep the light from lowing too far down. 5 The drill wasn’t stably in place, so it wiggled Added wooden supports on both sides of drill to prevent it from moving 11/24/20 people with stroke. PLoS ONE, 15(5), 1–9. https://doi-org.proxygsu-
O: Wiring that connects the lights to the breaker box. while bringing up the lights. left and right. scob.galileo.usg.edu/10.1371/journal.pone.023304
P: Wiring that connect the motor, its control handle, and switches to the breaker box which gives everything
power. 6 The support of the drill leaned forward as the Screws were drilled halfway in on the back, in front, and sides of the 11/24/20 Shirer, D. L. (2019). Electrical Circuits. Salem Press Encyclopedia of Science.
lights were pulled up. supports then screws were drilled in on the far sides of the top, right infront
Q: Light bulbs. of the supports on the frame and on the back of the frame. Then metal
R: The drill motor and the plastic spool attached to the drill bit. cordage was wrapped around the screws on both the supports and frame.
When screwed in the wires tightened preventing the wooden support from
moving forward.

Figure 3. Observation and adjustments data table