Engineering
Exploration

Course ID 25ECRF101
Team No B4
Division B

Title:

Automatic Curtain Opening and Closing System

There is a need to develop an automatic curtain opening and closing system which is effortless, hands-free operation for daily routines, particularly benefiting the elderly, individuals with limited mobility, or for operating high, large, or hard-to-reach curtains.

NAME Sarvadnya Patil
DIVISION B
SRN 02FE25BCS017
TEAM NO B4
MENTOR NAME Mr. Satish Hulamani
SN Full Name Roll Email ID Contact No
1 Sarvadnya Patil 209 02fe25bcs017@kletech.ac.in -
2 Kashif Ahmad 208 02fe25bcs013@kletech.ac.in 9559349677
3 Shreya Uppar 227 02fe25bcs093@kletech.ac.in 8749078857
4 Neha Bagale 228 02fe25bcs094@kletech.ac.in 6361068644
5 Nagaratna Myageri 229 02fe25bcs095@kletech.ac.in 8088921052

Introduction To
Engineering

1. Ice Breaking Activity

FIGURE 01 Ice Breaking Activity

1. What did you do in the activity?

I worked with my team to identify duplicate cards, discussed possible trade options, and communicated with other teams to find a suitable exchange. Since we were allowed only one trade in total and had a 10-minute limit, we planned carefully, negotiated with another team, completed our single card exchange, and then organized our final set before time ended.

2. Did the activity help you? How?

Yes. I learned to communicate better by discussing with my team and interacting with other teams to make decisions quickly.

3. Any challenges you have faced?

Yes. The main challenges were the limited 10-minute time and being allowed only one trade, which made it difficult to decide the best strategy quickly. It was also challenging to find a team willing to exchange the card we needed.

4. Share your reflections here.

The activity was engaging and helped me improve my communication and teamwork skills. Working under time pressure taught me to think quickly and collaborate better with others.

2. Bangalore Sewage Problem

1. What is your understanding of the sewage problem in Bangalore?

Bangalore faces a growing sewage problem, threatening the city. Rapid growth and urbanization lead to excessive sewage, overwhelming infrastructure. Untreated sewage contaminates water sources, causing pollution, health risks, and environmental damage. Immediate action is needed to taken treatment facilities, research solutions, and implement sustainable waste management.

2. What are the root causes of this problem?

The root causes of this problem include: too many people, businesses breaking rules, and citizens lacking knowledge of proper waste disposal habits. Other contributing factors are rapid population growth, old pipes and treatment plants. The situation worsens when industries ignore government regulations, polluting water and overloading facilities. Furthermore, poor public knowledge about proper disposal methods leads to blocked pipes, causing overflows. Chemical factories pose a critical danger, as their toxic waste kills cleaning bacteria in treatment plants, corrodes pipes, and harms aquatic life due to the lack of required pretreatment.

FIGURE 02 Sewage Problem 1
FIGURE 03 Sewage Problem 2

3. What are the possible solutions for this?

To fix the pollution, we need strong control measures. This means making sure factories treat their toxic waste first and giving harsh penalties if they don't. We also need to fix and maintain our infrastructure. Teaching people how to properly dispose of waste is super important. Industries should have their own sewage systems. We need to plan new buildings and population growth carefully, and have safe places for chemical waste.

4. Share your reflections here.

I've found a big problem, mainly in those huge cities. It's a major issue for cities worldwide, because of things like complicated infrastructure and super fast growth. Now I'm going to figure out how this problem shows up in these cities and come up with some good solutions.

3. Engineering Design Need Identification Activity

FIGURE 04 Identification Activity

1. Describe the problem.

Street lights in many areas remain switched on throughout the night even when no pedestrians or vehicles are present. This results in unnecessary electricity consumption, increased operational costs, and avoidable environmental impact. The lack of automation or smart control means lighting is not adjusted based on real-time usage. Addressing this issue can significantly reduce energy wastage by ensuring street lights operate only when needed, while still maintaining public safety and visibility.

2. Mention which all disciplines are involved.

Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Computer Science / IT, Mechanical Engineering

Project
Management

How Project management module helps in designing Engineering Exploration course Project?

This module is vital because as it prepares for the project. It specifically focuses on teaching key professional skills, such as working effectively in a team, setting clear goals, managing time efficiently, and mastering clear communication and professional interaction.

2. IMPORTANCE OF TEAM WORK

In your opinion, what are the benefits of working in a team?

Benefits of teamwork

  • • The workload is divided, so projects or tasks are completed much faster.
  • • Having different ideas leads to more creative and high-quality results.
  • • We can focus on our talents, improving and mastering our strongest skills.
  • • Working with others provides a constant opportunity to learn new methods and skills from colleagues.
  • • Teams offer mutual support, which boosts motivation and makes it easier to handle challenges.
  • • Risks and burdens are shared across the group, which reduces individual stress.

Can you provide examples of how teamwork contributes to the success of a project?

  • • Like how a kitchen crew works together in a restaurant.
  • • Plumbers, electricians, and carpenters must all work in the right order so the house is built safely and on time.

3. AGILE FRAMEWORK, SCRUM AND SPRINT

1. What is scrum methodology and how does it fit into the agile framework?

Scrum is a super helpful, easy way to manage tough projects. It follows Agile ideas and helps teams get things done by breaking them into small bursts called sprints. During sprints, a team with all the skills needed works together to make something useful. The whole thing is about being open, checking in, and changing things up as needed through meetings, and it includes roles like a Product Owner, Scrum Master, and developers.

2. What is a sprint in the context of Agile development?

In Agile development, especially with Scrum, a sprint is like a short, timed burst, usually lasting 1 to 4 weeks. It's the project's main rhythm, giving a specific time to finish important tasks, which helps get rid of any problems and makes the project a success.

3. How do you envision using Agile principles, scrum, and sprint in your course project?

We'll divide the project tasks, giving each team member specific things to do. This way, we can easily adjust and check in often. We'll have quick discussions to make sure everyone's on the same page. After each one, we'll show our progress, get feedback, and plan what to do next.

REFLECTION ON THE CAR BUILDING ACTIVITY

FIGURE 05 Car Building Activity

1. What were your initial thoughts and feelings about the activity?

My first thought was to make a strong base. I figured out how to join the sticks to make the inside frame, and then built the main part of the car around that.

2. What challenges did you encounter during the activity?

I faced a challenge designing the steering mechanism.

3. How did your team approach problem-solving and decision-making?

My team assessed the necessary materials and considered efficient problem-solving approaches. We then decided to implement a specific solution, which we believed would resolve the issue effectively.

4. What did you learn from the activity that you can apply to future projects or teamwork situations?

I learned that you can't do a project alone - it takes everyone's skills. Each person has a part to play, and a team is key. I know now that it's super important to get along with your team, communicate well, set goals, manage our time, plan things out, make decisions, build something good, and support each other.

Engineering
Design 1

1. CATAPAULT

1) How did the collaborative exploration of various design concepts within you team contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of creative problem-solving in engineering design?

  1. Different viewpoints: Working together helped us see the problem from all sides and get a better picture.
  2. Idea mix: Everyone brought their own ideas, which really boosted our creativity and the range of solutions we could come up with.
  3. Checking things out: Talking about different ideas helped us see what was possible and what would actually work.
  4. Making decisions as a team: We learned how to be creative and logical at the same time when we worked together on decisions.
  5. Good balance: We figured out how to make cool ideas work with real-world limits.

2) Reflect on the significance of selecting a design concept that aligns with functional requirement and ethical considerations.

  1. Functionality: Makes sure the design works well and meets all the needs.
  2. Safety First: Ethical stuff helps keep people safe and the design reliable.
  3. Eco-Friendly: Thinking ethically means using good materials and energy, helping the environment.
  4. Good for Everyone: Designs that respect society help the community and make people trust us.
  5. Being Honest: Following ethics means being honest, fair, and responsible.
  6. Lasting: Good, ethical designs are more likely to stick around and work.
  7. Smart Ideas: It encourages us to come up with new ideas without cutting corners on safety or ethic.

3) In what ways considering alternative design approaches enhance your ability to address complex engineering challenges?

  1. Broader Perspective – Exploring multiple design approaches exposes you to different ways of thinking and prevents tunnel vision.
  2. Problem-Solving Flexibility – Alternative approaches allow quick adaptation when one solution fails.
  3. Creative Innovation – Comparing methods sparks new ideas and hybrid solutions.
  4. Risk Reduction – Evaluating options helps identify potential failures and ensures safer designs.
  5. Ethical & Sustainable Design – Alternatives can reveal more responsible and environmentally friendly solutions.
  6. Stronger Decision-Making – Weighing pros and cons of approaches develops critical thinking.

Role Play

Describe how the collaborative nature of the role-play activity influenced the team's ability to systematically define and approach engineering problems by identifying objectives, functions, and constraints.

  1. Clear Goals – Working together helped the team clearly define what we wanted to achieve.
  2. Understanding Functions – Team discussions made it easier to understand what the design was required to do.
  3. Identifying Constraints – Collaboration helped us recognize limitations such as cost, materials, and time.
  4. Step-by-Step Approach – Sharing ideas allowed us to solve the problem in a more structured and organized way.
  5. Team Coordination – Each member understood their role and contributed effectively.
  6. Practical Solutions – Combining different ideas resulted in solutions that were realistic and workable.

List of Objectives, Functions and Constraints

SN Objectives Functions Constraints
1 Approximately 5 years lifespan Automatically open and close the curtain Compact design (minimal space)
2 Smooth and steady movement Easy and effortless operation Open/close within 10 seconds
3 Obstacle detection sensor Smooth circular motion Total cost: ₹1500–₹2500
4 Safe operation without risk Motor speed control mechanism AC power supply (220–240 V)
5 - Circular track or guide rail system Light to medium-weight curtains
6 - - Timer setting needed

Problem Definition - Version 1

Design and develop an automatic circular curtain opening and closing system for a statue that can operate smoothly and safely. The system should automatically open and close light to medium-weight curtains in smooth circular motion within 10 seconds using a motor speed control mechanism and obstacle detection sensor for safety. It should ensure easy and effortless operation, compact installation, and smooth, steady movement. The system must operate on an AC power supply (220–240 V), use a circular track or guide rail system, and have a durability of about 5 years. The total installation cost should be between ₹1500 and ₹2500, ensuring safe and reliable operation without risk to users.

Problem Definition - Version 2

Design and develop an automatic circular curtain opening and closing system for a statue to ensure smooth and safe operation. The system should open and close light to medium-weight curtains in a circular motion within about 10 seconds. Various concepts are generated by selecting appropriate sub-functions and means such as sensors, control systems, power supply, actuators, and transmission systems. The system may operate using light sensors, motion sensors, or manual input. Control can be achieved through switch, timer circuit, remote control, or web-based systems. It should operate on suitable low-voltage power sources such as battery, adapter, or solar power. A circular track or guide rail must be used to ensure smooth and continuous curtain movement. Proper direction control and safety should be ensured using H-bridge or motor drivers along with limit switches or obstacle sensors. The system should be compact, cost-effective (₹1500–₹2500), durable for about 5 years, and easy to install and operate.

Problem Definition - Version 3

Design and develop an automatic circular curtain opening and closing system for a statue with an integrated IR-sensor based detection system and Arduino control logic. The system will use a high-torque 12V Gear Motor and a professional Circular Rail system to ensure smooth, consistent torque and safe circular motion within 10 seconds. Power will be managed through a regulated 12V 2A Adapter, ensuring reliable year-round operation. Safety features will include dual hardware Limit Switches and a software-based Obstacle Detection system for comprehensive collision avoidance. The final solution is optimized for a ₹2500 budgetary constraint, designed for a 5-year maintenance-free lifecycle with a priority on safe, easy, and effortless operation for high-traffic or hard-to-reach installations.

Engineering
Design 2

// ACTIVITY 01

Function Tree

CLICK TO EXPAND
Automatic Curtain Opening And Closing Machine
Handle curtain
Start motor
Open curtain
Sense commands
Close
Stop motor
Control
Time schedule
Sensor
Synchronization
system
Safety
Obstacle
Emergency
Fault
Structure
Frame support
Circular track
installation
Curtain mounting
Protective casing

Morphological Chart

Sub-function Means 1 Means 2 Means 3 Means 4 Means 5
SENSORS IR SensorIR Sensor Ultrasonic SensorUltrasonic Sensor Motion SensorMotion Sensor Push ButtonPush Button Light SensorLight Sensor
CONTROL SYSTEM Relay ModuleRelay Module Web Based ControlWeb Based Control Remote ControlRemote Control SwitchSwitch Timer CircuitTimer Circuit
POWER SUPPLY Solar PanelSolar Panel BatteryBattery AdapterAdapter UPSUPS
ACTUATORS DC MotorDC Motor Stepper MotorStepper Motor Servo MotorServo Motor Gear MotorGear Motor Linear ActuatorLinear Actuator
TRANSMISSION SYSTEM Belt DriveBelt Drive Pulley & RopePulley & Rope Rack & PinionRack & Pinion Epicyclic Gear TrainEpicyclic Gear Train Gear DriveGear Drive
GUIDING SYSTEM Sliding ChannelSliding Channel Circular Track RailCircular Track Rail Linear GuideLinear Guide Wheel RollersWheel Rollers
DIRECTION SYSTEM H-BridgeH-Bridge L298N Motor DriverL298N Motor Driver Forward/Reverse ControlForward/Reverse Control Relay SwitchRelay Switch Polarity SwitchPolarity Switch
PROTECTION SYSTEM Limit SwitchLimit Switch FuseFuse Obstacle SensorObstacle Sensor Motor Driver ProtectionMotor Driver Protection Current SensorCurrent Sensor

Concept Generation.

Design 1

Design 1 Sketch

Design 2

Design 2 Sketch

Design 3

Design 3 Sketch

Design 4

Design 4 Sketch

Design 5

Design 5 Sketch

Engineering
Design 3

Design Objectives Weights
Safety9
Cost effectiveness7
Ease of installation8
Compact Design7
Energy efficiency6
Circular Operation10
Automatic Control9
Design Objectives Weights Design 1 Design 2 Design 3 Design 4 Design 5 (Datum)
Safety 9 + 0 0 0 Datum
Cost effectiveness 7 0 + 0 - Datum
Ease of installation 8 0 0 + + Datum
Compact Design 7 - 0 0 0 Datum
Energy efficiency 6 0 + 0 0 Datum
Circular Operation 10 ++ 0 + ++ Datum
Automatic Control 9 - 0 - - Datum
Score (+) 29 13 18 28 0
Score (-) 16 8 15 22 0
Total 10 5 3 6 0

3. JUSTIFICATION FOR THE SCORES

Design No. Objective Score Justification for the Score
1 Safety + Provides safe operation with basic protection
Cost effectiveness0Moderate cost, no major advantage
Ease of installation0Standard installation effort
Compact Design-Slightly bulky design
Energy efficiency0Average energy usage
Circular Operation++Very smooth and efficient circular motion
Automatic Control-Limited automation capability
2 Safety 0 Basic safety, no enhancement
Cost effectiveness+Low-cost components used
Ease of installation0Standard installation
Compact Design0Moderate size
Energy efficiency+Efficient power usage
Circular Operation0Average motion performance
Automatic Control0Limited control features
3 Safety 0 No added safety feature
Cost effectiveness0Moderate cost
Ease of installation+Easy to install
Compact Design0Normal size
Energy efficiency0Higher power consumption
Circular Operation+Good circular motion
Automatic Control-Weak control system
4 Safety 0 Acceptable safety level
Cost effectiveness-Slightly expensive
Ease of installation+Easy installation
Compact Design0Balanced structure
Energy efficiency0Average efficiency
Circular Operation++Excellent circular movement
Automatic Control-Limited automation
5 Safety Datum Reference Design
Cost effectivenessDatumReference Design
Ease of installationDatumReference Design
Compact DesignDatumReference Design
Energy efficiencyDatumReference Design
Circular OperationDatumReference Design
Automatic ControlDatumReference Design

SELECTED DESIGN

DESIGN 1

Selected Design Sketch

Based on the Pugh Chart analysis, Design 1 achieved the highest total score of 10. Its superior circular operation (++) and robust safety features (+) outweighed its slightly bulkier design and limited automation.