Introduction: Vibration Eye-mask
This project is to design an eye-mask that could through vibration to wake people up when they snoring during sleep. It not only could be used at home, also public space like subway, library or office to keep up the image. The principle is made use of sounds sensor to perceive snore sound and motivate the vibration board. It has two level of frequency according to decibel. The battery is rechargeable and could use more than 100 times or stand by 18+ hours test by my own.
It comes out that users have totally different reaction about it. Some users feel comfortable and useful. Some users feel be annoyed by the frequent vibration so that interfere sleep. However, this is just what I expect. Before starting the project I did some research. Believe it or not, snoring is estimated to be the third most common cause of divorce in the US and Great Britain. Snoring can cause daytime symptoms that can cause serious problems in one's walking life and unfortunately, it is not just the snorer that suffers, the snorer's spouse can suffer just as much. From critical design perspective, the purpose of this project exactly is make users experience the bother they've brought to surroundings, which is called "empathy" in psychology. Hope through this project, people who have snoring problem can pay more attention to it and try to be considerate.
All files and code are attached and open source.
Step 1: Parts List
*I use Arduino Uno for test so few parts are optional.
1. Wire / Jumper Wire
2. USB Cable type A to B (optional)
3. Short Feather Male Headers
4. USB A/Micro Cable
5. Arduino Uno (optional)
6. 2 Lilypad Vibe Board
7. Switch
8. Arduino Trinket Backpack
9. Sound Sensor Module
10. Arduino Trinket Pro
11. Li-poly Battery 110mAh
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Soft material part:
12. Fabric you chose (recommend silky one for lining)
13. Elastic or Velcro
14. Shoulder Pads
Step 2: Prototyping the Circuit
I drew a sketch before starting electronic part. You could change the appearance you like. For this step I recommend using a breadboard to prototype the circuit. The fritzing diagram picture attached to this step shows the circuit I settled on. The circuit is pretty simple; It uses 2 lilypad vibe board, an Arduino trinket pro and a Sound Sensor Module with power source and a switch button. I set up pin 3 and 4 as output. When you have created the full circuit as shown in the fritzing sketch (without battery and switch are acceptable) you should be able to upload the Arduino code attached to this step to test if the circuit is working. To test this code, upload it to the Arduino and open the serial monitor.
* The frequency of vibration is according to the sensitivity you need. It's easy to change the number and times.*
After you've tested the circuit with the attached code you can move onto the next step where I will show you how I connected this circuit.
Attachments
Step 3: Soldering
Step 4: Sewing & Assembly
P1. Use an old eye-mask or create your own shape, according to it draw the outline and place the components to see how it fit.
P2. I chose two different texture of fabric. One is wear-resisting and waterproof as out case, another one is silky as lining. Don't forget to sew a zipper on the top.
P3. Cut the shoulder pads into suitable size and sew two vibe board on the position of eyes. If you like, you could add some decoration on it. (Like the fur yarn I did.)
10 Comments
6 years ago
Thanks for all responses! But just to clear that it is a student critical design project not on purpose of any medical treatment. The goal is to reflect snoring people's mentality and make some inspiration to combine electronic with ailments. It seems somebody took it too seriously.
6 years ago
As an eye surgeon, I can tell you that vibrating the eye
(or rubbing the eye) may lead to a retinal detachment. Do yourself and your
readers a favor and talk to a retina specialist and see what he has to say about
your device.
Reply 6 years ago
Thanks for noting me that. Actually, the lilypad vibe board's vibration is limited and relatively gentle hiding in fabric. So if move their position to temples or brow ridge or under the eyelid that won't be supposed to cause physical damage.
Reply 6 years ago
Snoring can be a strong sign of Sleep Apnea, anyone that already uses a CPAP mask and machine will tell you that, as I am. I used to snore all the time, then got tested, I was having around 15,000 sleep breathing disturbances per night, after the the first few nights wearing the CPAP gear that number dropped to 1 [one]. If you or your partner or both are snoring, do yourselves a favor and get tested!
Reply 6 years ago
I requested my initial study results and my AHI was 92.8/hour and at 8.5 hours of sleep, that night that = 788.8 total. I must be losing my memory too…Sorry for the gross inflation of that number.
Reply 6 years ago
No sweat. Those are not exactly numbers you are expected to pull up on request. Even at 788, we know you weren't getting much rest. And that is not even addressing the damage that can be done to your heart by pulmonary hypertension from "holding your breath" hundreds of times per night.
Reply 6 years ago
Kurt,
I am glad you brought this up.
I must admit I thought about commenting on the efficacy of this device to vibrate you awake, but felt that I would just dilute my comment on the danger to the eyes. But I agree with you 100%. She needs to address the problem and not just the symptoms. Awakening a snorer sounds like it benefits the sleeping partner, not the snoring partner. The snorer is dead tired the next day from jerking himself awake from the multiple apnea episodes. Being vibrated awake doesn't really change that situation for the better. The snorer needs some professional help and likely a professional device such as the CPAP. My brother-in-law said his CPAP machine changed his life dramatically for the better.
Reply 6 years ago
...So you'll wake up and turn it off very quickly to not get retinal detachment!
Hmmm...
6 years ago
There seems to be a basic misunderstanding regarding snoring.
It's involuntary. There's no lack of empathy or consideration involved.
6 years ago
Both of us could use one of these, lol! Great idea :)