Sip and Puff Switch
Sip and Puff Switch
Purpose
Sip and Puff switches are switches that help users activate devices through the action of sipping and puffing air through a tube. This switch is commonly used for individuals who have limited or no use of their upper extremities to control devices, using only their mouth to activate the switch.
Purchasing and Price
Ready-Made switches on the market:
- Adaptive Tech Solutions, Sip & Puff Switch, $176.00
- Enabling Device, Sip & Puff Switch, $214.95
- Enabling Device, Grip & Puff Switch, $129.95
DIYs
DIY 1: Science Buddies’ Puff Switch
Note: In order to make this switch a basic activation switch, you do not need the tech components, just the craft supplies and a connection method, like alligator clips and an audio jack. (For more detail, look at the home page.)
Expertise Required
- Basic circuit knowledge
Materials Required
- micro:bit Go Bundle. ($21.95 - $27.99) This kit contains everything you will need to get started working with micro:bit:
- micro:bit board ($15 - $20)
- micro-USB cable ($2 - $5)
- 2xAAA battery holder ($1 - $3)
- AAA batteries (2) ($1 - $2)
- Computer with internet access and USB port
- Alligator clip leads ($3 - $5)
- Craft supplies to build your puff switch. This is an engineering design project, so the exact materials you will need may vary depending on your design, but here are some suggestions:
- Straw
- Cardboard
- Aluminum foil(https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005GPJCHQ?th=1)
- Tape
- Hot glue
- Binder clips or paper clips
Instructions
- Follow along on the creator’s page!
Results from Our Team’s Recreation of DIY
The DIY Puff switch was easy to replicate, and since it did not
require prior technical expertise or high-tech materials, it shows that this alternative is
affordable and easy to create, especially for those with little to no experience. Although the material used in the following figure is not of the highest quality, if made with care and with more sturdy material, the switch can last a good while if the straw is replaced to maintain proper sanitation protocols. In our attempt, we saw that it can be built without the use of a straw. No straw requires a stronger blow, as it is not focused, but might be a little easier for some users. We recommend paying attention to where you position your straw and blow, as having it too close to the base of the attached aluminum will not cause it to move enough. The longer the piece of aluminum is, the more flexible and easy it is to blow and contact the other side, causing a connection.
We connected the switch to a circuit board with an LED to test it, but you can connect the alligator clips to headphone jack wires, for example, and therefore be able to connect this switch to a device or adapted toy. (We speak more about this DIY connection process in the Other DIY Switches section of the website.)
Below, shows our sip and puff prototype.
DIY 2: AUTODESK Instructables
Expertise Required
- Arduino Programming
- Electronics and Circuit Design
- Mechanical Skills
Materials Required
- 1 Arduino microController $34
- 2 DesignFlex PSF102 Series Pressure/Vacuum Switches, Part Number: 7882-700 $18
- Several Feet 1/16” ID X 3/16” OD Tygon Tubing, $1.09 per foot
- 4 EA 1/16” X 10-32 Barbed Tube Fittings, $4.21 per package of 10.
- 1 EA 3/8” X 2-1/4” Polycarbonate Rod, or equivalent, for the Mouthpiece, $1.82 per foot.
- 1 EA .65” X .50” X .25” Polycarbonate/Acrylic/Plastic/Delrin/Brass (your choice) small block to make the “Y” Manifold, package of 10 for $7.10.
Instructions
- Follow along on the creator’s page!
DIY 3: BOB’s ELECTRONICS PROJECTS
Expertise Required
- Soldering
- Circuit Design
- Arduino Programming
Materials Required
- MPXV7007G Pressure Sensor ($5 - $10)
- Adafruit Trinket (ATtiny85) or any compatible 3.3V microcontroller ($8 - $12)
- Arduino ($5 - $15)
- Remote Controlled Toy ($15 - $40)
- Jumper Wires ($5 - $10)
- Soldering Supplies ($10 - $30)
- Soldering Iron
- Solder
- Flux
- Male Header Pins ($1 - $3)
- Hot Glue ($3 - $5)
- 2x Batteries ($2 - $5)
- Battery Holder ($1 - $3)
- Multimeter ($10 - $20)
- BreadBoard ($5 - $10)
- Resistors/Capacitors ($5 - $10)
Instructions
- Follow along on the creator’s page!