PHONESTRAINT PROTOTYPE

DOCUMENTATION
Version 1
Mechanical Features | Section 1
[1.1] Prototype Feature microservo 99 SG90 with servo motor arm
[1.1a] The servo motor, along with its motor arm, would open and close the lid of
the case. Motor arm would rotate 75 degrees clockwise when in open position, and 75 degrees
(home position) counterclockwise when closed.
Electrical Features | Section 2
[2.1] The whole unit was powered with an ESP32, 2 push buttons, 7 segment digital
display (plus 7 resistors that connected to the digital display), and a 5V power supply. All
electrical components were hidden below. One button was to open and close the lid (button 1),
while the other button was to start the countdown timer (button 2). Whenever button 1 was
pressed, then the lid would open, then the user was able to insert the phone into the case. Now
the button 1 is pressed again, and the lid closes. From there, the user can press button 2 to start
the countdown timer. For this case, the 7 segment digital display was used as a countdown timer
from 10 to 0. So when button 2 is pressed, then the countdown timer starts, and once it gets to 0,
then the lid opens automatically and the user is able to take their phone out. This is the time
where they can now take a break.

Figure 1: 3d printed prototype of first version. On the left, the case has the lid open and buttons
and 7segment digital display are visible. One middle, back side picture of the case with hidden
electrical components and servo motor. On the right, an iphone has been inserted for
demonstration purposes.
RESULTS & DISCUSSION
The initial version of the PhoneStraint was sectioned into 3 main components and assembled by
hand. Using a 3D printer, the PhoneStraint was composed of a lid, a base and a hinge rod to
connect them both. Manufacturing time for this design was rather inefficient, as the base took
just south of an entire day to complete due to a significant amount of support material. However,
this first prototype did accomplish our most basic mission. In the future, we plan on subdividing
the PhoneStraint into more significant components to speed up the manufacturing/assembly
process. As seen in the pictures above, the dimensions of the PhoneStraint could easily house a
standard smartphone. However, the inner linings were made only from PLA, implying potential
damage due to the PhoneStraint’s high rigidity and low absorption capacity. This would be
caused if the phone collided with the inner walls of the case. This may cause slight damage to the
phone should the case be moved abruptly or dropped from reasonably high altitudes.
Additionally, PLA is brittle leading to poor durability and impact resistance. A future design may
contain some material hybrid of PLA, carbon fiber and/or rubber. This may improve the impact
resistance as well as protect the phone with smooth inner linings. More so, the choice to stick
with the PLA in a hybrid configuration still allows for a manufacturing advantage via 3D printer
due to its low melting temperature and minimal warping properties.

The physical version of the box in version 1 is rather rough. There was no post-processing, so the
inner casing was rough after the 3D printed supports were removed. The outer casing felt like
plastic, but was still pretty smooth.

The customer only needed to use two buttons and a timer to operate the device, implying ease of
use and functionality. The user would just place their phone in the case, press CLOSE then press
START. The timer was pre-programmed to count down from 10 seconds, and once it reached 0 it
would automatically open the case. Although the fundamental functionality is there, this version
of the prototype doesn’t allow for user preferences with set timers. More so, it unlocks the box
without user confirmation, which diminishes the security of the user’s belongings should they
not be around once the time reaches zero. A way to mitigate these issues would be to create a
more dynamic UX/UI platform on the case or via app that allows users to choose preset timers
and confirm when the box should open.

Lastly, the aesthetics of the case are quite impressive for the first run. The electrical circuitry was
placed underneath the base of the board, hiding a majority of the wiring during use. An
opportunity for improvement may lie in the expansion of the case to encompass a larger base
with more surface area to house all necessary components and electrical wiring.
 -Version 2
Mechanical Features | Section 1
[1.1] Prototype Feature, two electric linear actuators automatically lock and unlock the
system. Two electric hydraulic cylinders would lift the cap on & off once the system is unlocked
or locking. Two razer blade fans installed on the left back side of the product to make thermal
energy transfer produced by the wireless charging layer and lithium battery charging side. One
foldable handle installed on the back side of the box to increase the mobility of this product so
that the users could take this box wherever they like. One changeable rubber mold to incorporate
different smart devices that the users try to lock in, and also further reduce the impulse energy
from dropping onto the ground by corporate with the carbon fiber outer surface.
[1.1a] Issue to solve the portability that a great amount of our interviewees
required. Preventing the product damaged by accidentally dropped onto the ground. Great
thermal orientation to stop accumulating thermal energy from charging the smart devices or
lithium battery.
Electrical Features | Section 2
[2.1] Prototype Feature, built in microcontroller and processor to establish an app
platform to reach out quite a lot of functionalities such as weather, temperature, recent big news
checker, healthy reminders etc,. Basic target for locking the entire system automatically to
further taking distractions away from users was also considered carefully. The app would also
support a rewarding system to unlock new colors and presentations of UI boxes. Lithium
chargeable battery would further increase the portability of this product, making the users go
wherever they like. Wireless charging panel would be triggered once the smart devices are put
inside of the locker.
[2.1a] Issue to solve, taking distractions away from users to build them a better
life. Wireless charging panel would let the users not worry about dropping the battery down of
their smart devices. Built in rewarding systems further reinforce users’ confidence then giving a
better performance of both themselves and the product also.
 Figure 2: Rendered picture of second version. Lid open.

Figure 3: Rendered picture of second version. Lid closed.

RESULTS & DISCUSSION

The second iteration of the PhoneStraint was sectioned into 40 main components and assembled
and rendered in PTC parametric. This version incorporates a greater user interface and security
framework. Complete with two linear actuators and two hydraulic cylinders, the PhoneStraint
has an improved framework that encloses multiple devices securely, with the user in control of
when the box opens after the preset timer has reached 0. The dimensions of the PhoneStraint
have been expanded and the product is now capable of housing a smartphone, tablet, smartwatch
& 15” laptop simultaneously. In addition to greater housing capacity, the PhoneStraint includes a
wireless induction charging pad and lithium ion battery charging port for all a user’s devices.
With this feature, a user does not need to concern themselves with placing their distracting
devices on the charger outside of the PhoneStraint. Additionally, being that different devices
have different charging ports, the wireless charging pad is designed to interact with any type of
smart device, regardless of its manufacturer.

The new device is designed using a carbon fiber- fiberglass hybrid material. This improved the
PhoneStraint’s durability and impact resistance far beyond PLA for reasonable impact forces
(e.g. impact force from the kitchen or office table to a tile floor, etc.) The box is also larger in
size and component configuration, which increases its weight as well. This implies that it is more
of a stationary tool, used in one location such as a home office or conference desk. It is not
designed for immediate portability. Future iterations could potentially include less components as
a means of reducing area and weight of the product, should a customer be traveling between
workstations.

The carbon fiber material also gives a smooth, lightly textured surface finish to the PhoneStraint.
The creates a sleek aesthetic that is consistent to the touch. Furthermore, the inner linings of the
PhoneStraint are padded with rubber, to reduce surface roughness between the devices and the
case, as well as to mitigate sound/noise transfer should the devices not be silenced or on vibrate.
As a result, the PhoneStraint not only removes distractions from the sight of the user, but also
aims to remove the sound of notifications and the feel of their vibrations.

The built in microcontroller and processor incorporated with the LCD display panel was
carefully designed with a lot of powerful virtual functionalities such as temperature, weather,
news checker, daily healthy plans and healthy study reminder. Coded rewarding system would
reinforce the confidence of the users, then give them better performance in their lives and also
for the performance of this product by gaming-like level up system on unlocking the titles and
new appearance of the UI panel.