Engineering Proposal: Voltring

Cindy Aurelio, Jovi Vazura, Eric Ruiz, Rafid Ashab

City College of New York

ENGL 21007

Professor Jacobson

May 6th, 2024

Introduction

Rings have been around, dating back to early civilizations circa 2500 BC (p.1). As time progresses even the simplest items are integrated with technological advancements. Rings are no exception. Today, rings come in various materials, shapes, and sizes offering flexibility for individuals who wear them. Ring design is as diverse as it gets, with materials ranging from classic metals to polymers and more. The variety of forms and sizes offered means that there is a ring to suit every need, offering customers flexibility. Yet, those who appeal to technology can wear a smart ring, filled with functions that go beyond limits, from monitoring sleep patterns and fitness objectives to contactless payments (NFC) and more. These technologically enhanced rings respond to the requirements and wishes of today’s tech-savvy consumers, bringing in a new era of wearable technology that easily fits into daily life.

Many people rely on alarms to wake them up, but for others, the loud tones of traditional alarm clocks can be annoying not just to their own sleep habits, but also to those who share their living space. For many, alarms can cause people to wake up moody which is not the most favorable way to wake up. Enter the Voltring, an answer to the problems. While many smart rings fill the market with a variety of functions, the Voltring stands out with a one-of-a-kind offering that no other smart ring can match. True to its name the Voltring disregards traditional audio alarms in favor of a moderate but effective electric shock, gently awakening the wearer from their slumber. The unique approach not only reduces disruption to others in a room but also promotes a more natural and peaceful awakening. With its unique design and functionality, the Voltring is an example of creativity in the world of wearable technology, promising a transforming experience for those looking for a more seamless start to their day.

The Voltring offers an amazing set of capabilities that outperform many other smart rings on the market. The ring is made of strong grade 5 titanium, which is known for its durability and scratch resistance. It is designed to withstand everyday use. Its water-resistant design adds to its versatility, allowing consumers to go about their day with confidence, free of moisture damage. In addition to its durable structure, the Voltring has an NFC chip, which allows for touchless payments for enhanced convenience and security. Furthermore, the ring uses wireless charging which eliminates the need for cords, offering customers a simpler charging experience. Furthermore, the Voltring offers health monitoring features. With sensors that track steps, monitor sleep patterns, and measure heart rate. What distinguishes the Voltring is its adjustable shock intensity feature, which caters to individual tolerance. The Voltring allows users to customize the degree of the wake-up shock, providing a comfortable awakening experience for each user.

Alarm shock / Customizable Shock intensity

One of the most notable characteristics of the Voltring is its alarm shock functionality, which distinguishes it from other smart rings on the market. Unlike typical alarm clocks, which rely on audio to wake consumers, the Voltring uses a gentle yet effective electric shock mechanism placed within the inner side of the ring. Consumers may change the shock intensity to their liking using the Voltring app, whether they want a gentle nudge or a more powerful jolt to wake them up. The Voltring generates the shock by sending a signal through electrodes placed in the ring (Yoo, 2023, p.1). The voltage is strong enough to notify the wearer without causing discomfort or injury. This guarantees that the waking process is both quick and safe, allowing consumers to begin the day feeling refreshed and energized. 

Electrodes in the ring

The electrodes are the small shaped balls that each conduct the same voltage distributing an even shock

Wireless Charging

One of the key functionalities that the Voltring provides is its convenient form of charging, in other words, its wireless charging capabilities. Instead of using a cable, which already will be vulnerable to wear and tear, and having to endure the process of manually plugging it into a ring every single time it needs to charge, being able to simply place it on the charging stand, hassle-free, and letting it charge will provide segway for most modern lifestyles which are known to be fast-paced and mobile-centric. Its quick on-the-go charging capabilities allow one to simply wake up and take the ring, place it on the stand, and leave it there for a mere 40 minutes, which can be used to get ready for the day and not have to worry about where their charger was last placed or if the charger is damaged, and more importantly how “[i]ncorrect charging methods like overcharging and common issues of overheating can lead to decreased battery life”, of which can be solved and “[b]y adhering to safety standards, wireless chargers can provide a stable and reliable power source, extending the lifespan of our gadgets and securing our investment in them.” Overall the implementation of wireless charging provides many benefits for the user in routine life and, as technology continues to evolve, will become the standard way to charge all devices.

NFC Chip

Moving forward to a greater implementation of technology in the Voltring is the application of the NFC chip. Now that might sound like a random piece of technology but in reality is the way financial transactions are headed. Though it may sound unfamiliar, the NFC chip or “Near-field communication (NFC) is a short-range wireless connectivity technology that uses magnetic field induction to enable communication between devices when they’re touched together or brought within a few centimeters of each other.” This piece of technology is already being used by the world’s biggest companies such as Apple, Samsung, and Google in their mobile payment systems, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay. The NFC chip makes the convenience that is brought by these mobile transaction systems that much more convenient by having it on your ring and not worrying about taking out a phone to pay when you can just use the Voltring. Having the NFC chip in the ring doesn’t only provide transactional benefits, its possibilities are vast, and having it all lay on a piece of jewelry makes it that much more convenient to enjoy.

Material & Pricing

Moving to aesthetics, to have the Voltring be a fashion accessory and not just some tech piece, it is important to understand the materials that will make this ring possible. The vast majority of materials make them unfit to use as rings for certain reasons such as durability, weight, biocompatibility, etc, which leads to the best option, titanium. However, it is not as simple as merely choosing titanium, titanium has different grades to use which differ in many aspects, though with its ideal blend of attributes grade 5 titanium is the most viable fit for the Voltring. For example, Its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio ensures durability without sacrificing comfort, making it ideal for prolonged wear. Moreover, its corrosion resistance guarantees longevity, reducing maintenance costs over time. Additionally, its biocompatibility ensures compatibility with sensitive skin, catering to a wide range of users. With Grade 5 titanium, smart rings offer cutting-edge technology and embody reliability, comfort, and lasting value, making them the ultimate choice for modern consumers seeking both functionality and quality. To wrap up, the seamless integration of wireless charging, NFC technology, and Grade 5 titanium enhances user experience and ensures durability, comfort, and reliability. Considering all of the factors, setting the price of the Voltring at $350 reflects its exceptional value, accounting for the advanced features, high-quality materials, and long-term benefits it offers. By finding that balance between functionality, durability, and affordability, the Voltring becomes a quite compelling choice for discerning consumers looking to embrace the future of wearable technology, in the Voltring.

Heart Beat Sensor

Heart rate is tracked by the heartbeat sensor when you are at rest, exercising, stressed, etc. Sensors fall into two kinds. One type of heart rate monitor that is used is an electrocardiography sensor, which measures a little electrical current with each heartbeat (Cleaveland Clinic). The sensor used in electrocardiography is composed of an amplifier, radio chip, microcontroller, and antenna.

Antenna

The signal produced by the heart’s activity is detected by the antenna. The antenna sends the signals to the sensor’s processing unit after it detects them. The sensor’s design determines whether this transfer happens through a wired link or wirelessly. The sensor determines the heart rate—or the number of heartbeats per minute—based on the patterns it has identified. 

Radio Chip 

In the radio frequency portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, radio frequency identification, or RFID, uses electromagnetic or electrostatic coupling. The radio chip enables wireless connection between the sensor and other devices, such as PCs, tablets, and smartphones. This makes it possible to monitor heart rate in real-time and does away with the requirement for associated connections. It facilitates the sensor’s ability to transmit ECG data to a destination device. The information may comprise heart rate, cardiac electrical activity, and other relevant data (Tech Target). RFID uses radio chips to establish wireless connections in the radio frequency spectrum, enabling PCs and phones to monitor heart rate without the need for physical connections. Real-time transmission of ECG data, together with pertinent information such as heart rate, is facilitated by this technology.

Microcontroller

The electrodes put on the body provide raw electrical signals to the microcontroller. It processes these signals to increase the pertinent cardiac signals and filter out noise. It is integrated into a system to manage a single device function. It accomplishes this by using its core CPU to evaluate data that it gets from its I/O (input/output) peripherals. When the microcontroller gets temporary data, it stores it in its data memory. The processor then accesses this memory, reads the information, and applies the instructions from its program memory to interpret and utilize the incoming data (TechTarget). TechTarget states that a microprocessor processes raw electrical data from electrodes placed on the body to enhance and remove noise from relevant cardiac signals. The microcontroller uses its CPU to examine data from input/output peripherals when it is integrated into a system to control a specific device function. Temporary data is stored in its memory, which the processor accesses to process and utilize incoming data in compliance with program memory instructions.

Gyroscope sensor

An angular velocity sensor, which measures changes in rotation angle per unit, is another name for a gyroscope. Among the many types of motion sensing devices are gyroscopic sensors, or “gyro sensors”. They have the ability to sense motions that are challenging for people to notice, like rotation and direction shifts. The frame, gimbal, rotor, and spin axis make up the gyroscope.

Frame

Aluminum was used for the gyroscope’s structure since it is a desirable metal that is robust and expandable. This protects and aids in maintaining the alignment of the rotor, spin axis, and gimbal (Testbook). According to Testbook, aluminum makes a great material structurally because of its strength and expandability which guarantees longevity for important parts like the rotor and spin axis. Due to the frame being lightweight it can withstand various forms of stress and can still maintain stability. 

Gimbal

A gimbal is a revolving support that facilitates the rotation of an object around an axis. When anything is put on the outermost gimbal of three gimbals with orthogonal pivot axes, it can remain stationary with respect to the rotation of its support (Testbook). By placing an object on the outermost gimbal, which permits it to remain immobile with respect to the rotation of its support, one can get an object to spin around an axis.

Rotor

The core rotor is protected from external torques by the frictionless bearings in the gimbals, which enable the rotor to operate. The spin axis is established by the revolving wheel’s axle. The rotor shows good stability at high speeds because of its capacity to maintain the high-speed rotation axis close to the rotor center. The rotor has three rotational degrees of freedom (Testbook). The frictionless bearings within the gimbals shield the core rotor from external torques. The spin axis, which maintains the high-speed rotation axis near to the rotor center and guarantees stability, particularly at high speeds, is determined by the axle of the spinning wheel. Three rotational degrees of freedom give the rotor both flexible movement and stability.

Spin Axis

This is the axis where the wheel rotates around. The spin axis is determined by the axle of the rotating wheel which is the rotor. The inner gimbal’s axis, which the rotor must constantly rotate about, is perpendicular to this axis (Testbook). The axle of the revolving wheel, sometimes referred to as the rotor, determines the spin axis, around which the wheel rotates. The rotor must rotate constantly around the axis of the inner gimbal, which is perpendicular to this spin axis.

Accelerometer

The accelerometer measures acceleration which is the change in speed and direction this can also include bumps and vibrations. This can also include sharp increases or decreases in velocity such as hard vehicle acceleration or braking, forces that might indicate taking a turn too fast, or strong impacts (Lytx). The parts of an accelerometer are quartz crystals, electrodes, and mass blocks. 

Quartz Crystals

There are different types of accelerometers but this will focus on the Quartz Accelerometer. The quartz crystal is used as the core component of the sensor, the mass block is used to sense the acceleration, and the electrode is used to measure the piezoelectric charge. The piezoelectric axes of the two wafers are perpendicular to each other, allowing acceleration to be measured in any direction. The mass block is attached to the center of the quartz crystal, and when acceleration occurs, the mass block will move relative to the crystal, causing the crystal to produce pressure (Medium). The electrode measures piezoelectric charge, whereas the mass block senses acceleration. The quartz crystal is the main component of the sensor. One wafer has two perpendicular piezoelectric axes that allow acceleration to be measured in any direction. When the quartz crystal is accelerated, the mass block that is fixed to its core travels with it, creating pressure.

[Piezoelectricity: A phenomenon in which there is a coupling between the electrical and the mechanical state of the material (Biolin Sci). This is the point at which mechanical tension produces an electric charge and mechanical deformation or vibration is brought on by the introduction of an electric field.]

Electrodes

Electrodes are mounted on the surface of a quartz crystal and are used to measure the piezoelectric charge. When the crystal is subjected to pressure, the distribution of positive and negative charges inside the crystal changes, and positive and negative charges accumulate on the electrode, forming a potential difference. By measuring the potential difference on the electrode, the magnitude of the acceleration can be obtained indirectly (Medium). A piezoelectric charge is measured using electrodes applied to a quartz crystal’s surface. A potential difference is created when pressure is applied to a crystal because it changes how positive and negative charges are distributed inside the crystal, causing charges to build up on the electrodes. 

Mass Blocks

Mass Blocks also known as the housing, reference quality, sensitive components, signal output, etc. Accelerometers require a certain range and accuracy, sensitivity, etc. These requirements are often contradictory to some extent. Accelerometers based on different principles have different ranges, and their sensitivities to sudden acceleration frequencies are also different (Medium). Mass blocks, sometimes called housing, are parts that are necessary for accelerometers. They include signal output, sensitivity, and reference quality. Contradictions may arise when trying to meet certain requirements like sensitivity, precision, and range. Accelerometers have different ranges and sensitivity to abrupt acceleration frequencies based on their fundamental principles.

Thermistor Sensor

A popular kind of temperature sensor for determining surface temperature is an NTC (negative thermal coefficient) thermistor. The sensor has a two-wire connection and measures temperature by taking use of the resistance characteristics of ceramic/metal composites. To make installation easier, packages with straight or right angle ¼” connectors are provided for medical purposes. This kind of temperature sensor is frequently used in skin probes, adult rectal, and pediatric rectal applications. Some designs can endure autoclavable cycles up to 134°C.

A polycrystalline semiconductor ceramic material with a spinel structure, primarily made up of metal oxides like manganese, nickel, cobalt, iron, and copper, is the core of the NTC Thermistor. 

High accuracy/interchangeability, demonstrated long-term stability and dependability, miniaturized components, quick time response, lead wire alternatives, and availability in temperature ranges of -80ºC to +300ºC are among the attributes of an NTC thermistor.

Raw materials that have been thoroughly chosen and examined are used to create the thermistors. To improve the reproducibility and stability of the thermistor features, chemically stabilizing oxides may be added to the starting materials, which are various oxides of metals like manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, and zinc.

After being ground into a powder, the oxides are combined with a plastic binder and compacted into the required shape. Typical NTC thermistor shapes are as follows:

Discs: Pelletizing devices compress the thermistor material under extremely high pressure to create flat, spherical particles.

Chips: To create the desired shape, the ceramic material is drawn or compression-molded, and then it is sliced.

SMD NTC thermistors: Available with or without inner electrodes, they are made using ceramic multilayer technology. 

The polycrystalline thermistor body is subsequently created by sintering the blanks at temperatures between 1000 and 1400 degrees Celsius. A silver paste is baked onto the flat sides of the disks to make contact. The thermistors are coated, fitted with leads, or furthermore integrated in various types of housing, depending on the application. Ultimately, a unique aging procedure is used to the thermistors in order to guarantee great electrical value stability. If not, solid-state processes in the polycrystalline material can cause the NTC resistance to alter even at ambient temperature. 

The individual processing processes are illustrated in detail by flow charts found in the quality portion of this book (see chapter “Quality and Environment”). The figures also demonstrate the stringent quality control procedures implemented in the manufacturing process to ensure our thermistors’ consistently high quality level. 

Conclusion

The Voltring is a smart ring with cutting-edge features and functionalities that goes beyond conventional wearable electronics. In addition to addressing common problems with conventional alarm clocks, the Voltring’s innovative design integrates modern innovations like wireless charging, and health monitoring sensors.

The unique qualities of the Voltring, like its adjustable shock intensity for alerts, robust grade 5 titanium construction, and wireless charging simplicity, are well-represented in this technical description piece of writing. In keeping with the expanding trend of digital transactions, the incorporation of an NFC chip also adds a layer of functionality by enabling contactless payments.

Moreover, the discourse surrounding the Voltring’s health monitoring functionalities, such as heart rate monitoring and sleep pattern analysis, highlights its adaptability as a comprehensive wearable gadget. 

Enhancing the reader’s comprehension of the ring’s functionalities and engineering principles is the incorporation of comprehensive descriptions of the technical features, such as the electrodes, wireless charging mechanism, NFC chip, and sensor technologies. It also presents a careful evaluation method in choosing the most promising idea to investigate by comparing the Voltring with other proposed engineering advancements. The paper successfully argues that the Voltring is an appealing and feasible invention by exploring the possible drawbacks and restrictions of competing ideas. To sum up, the Voltring is a noteworthy development in wearable technology that provides contemporary consumers with a smooth combination of durability, usefulness, and ease of use. Its utilization of state-of-the-art elements and materials, along with its user-centric design approach, establish it as a model wearable technology for the audience of this generation.

Engineering innovations that have been proposed but would not work

There were a few ideas brought up before choosing the Voltring. One of the three ideas is self-adjusting shoes which can fit any foot size. It would work by using strings that surround the shoes and the strings would either tighten or loosen depending on the foot size to fit the consumer’s foot. However, it was too complex to write about. The next Idea was an alarm clock that punches the sleeper to wake them up. The innovation was inspired by cartoons that did not seem promising because it could hurt the consumer and easily get the company sued. The final Idea was a self-cleaning garbage bin. Often, garbage bins get dirty even with a garbage bag placed. The bag can get ripped and spill liquids that can cause the garbage bin to smell. However, it was a good idea but it would have been challenging to understand how the mechanism would work which is why it was not chosen. The ideas were majority well thought out but the Voltring was more of a promising idea to write about.

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