Light Reactive Curtain

For the last project of the semester in my Craft and Computing class, we had to make a family of items that fulfilled some need that people have. My team partner and I are all about self expression and so we decided we wanted to make something artistic to help people express themselves in some way. Since we live in dorms, we are not allowed to do very many things to our rooms as far as decorating and painting and things, so we decided to make some cool things people could use in their dorms.

One of those things was a light reactive curtain for a window. When the curtain senses that there is light outside, the servo pulls the curtain up to let more light into the room and it closes when it is dark outside.

Materials:

-Fabric
-Arduino Uno
-Curtatin rod
-Wire (and spool)
-Foam core
-Zipties
-Hot glue

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Step 1: Sew the curtain

First, we sewed the curtain. You can really make your curtain any kind you want. We found some pretty, sheer, sparkly, green fabric, which was awesome, but we also wanted the curtain to not be see through so we added a layer of black fabric to the back.
I sewed the short edges of both fabrics together and hemmed the other sides so there would be no loose threads. I then sewed a channel at the top for a curtain rod to go through. Finally, I sewed two seams down the center of the curtain about half an inch apart for a cord to go through and pull the curtain open.

rociel_addi says: May 6, 2011. 2:40 PM

wow, um i know nothing about what you just said :S what kind of classes would i need to take to understand if not make this?
will simple electronics work?
and what was the cost of the equipment?

ps.. this is an awsome!!!!!!!!!! idea.. i would like to use it to keep a ceiling window closed during day and open at night.
can same principal be applyed accordingly?

Danger is my middle name (author) in reply to rociel_addiJun 4, 2011. 8:21 PM

I'm an engineering student, which probably helps, but I know of plenty of non-engineering students who have figured out basic circuitry and stuff. There are some instructables about it!
This basic principle could definitely be applied to a ceiling window, although your rig might be a bit more complicated. Let us know how it goes!

Danger is my middle name (author) in reply to rociel_addiMay 13, 2011. 10:20 PM

Probably the most expensive thing would be the arduino, and you can find most of the information about using that and the circuits online.

T3h_Muffinator says: May 9, 2011. 7:29 AM

This is awesome! I'm definitely going to implement a version of this to keep those pesky floodlights from the apartment complex next door from keeping me awake. Thanks for the idea!

Danger is my middle name (author) in reply to T3h_MuffinatorJun 4, 2011. 8:18 PM

Post a picture and tell us how it goes!

young skipper says: May 5, 2011. 3:15 PM

Danger is your middle name? Your making curtains, dude. I love the instructable though, very intuitive.

Danger is my middle name (author) in reply to young skipperMay 13, 2011. 10:18 PM

Yes, I am a lady, haha. If it were a man making curtains that would be awesome, too. Guys who have crafting skills are hot! haha :)

Johnny_sousa in reply to young skipperMay 5, 2011. 3:41 PM

i think this might be a girl =D

young skipper in reply to Johnny_sousaMay 5, 2011. 5:23 PM

My sincerest apologies my dear Madam. I do believe I was confused earlier but now believe to be in proper state. A good day to you as well as your colleagues, I do wish you the brightest (and according to the curtain, dimmest) of days.

Danger is my middle name (author) in reply to young skipperJun 4, 2011. 8:24 PM

Well, thanks?! But men can make curtains too, ya know! Feminism and all that stuff!

Johnny_sousa in reply to Danger is my middle nameJun 5, 2011. 8:54 AM

I noticed you where a girl not because you where making curtains but because of your beautiful feminine hands in some of the pictures