What it does
Lumo Swing is a self-powered swing entertainment lighting device, which not only is a facility for children to play, but also a power facility.
Your inspiration
In the African region, we have observed that a large number of children live in an environment lacking recreational facilities. During the research, we also learned about the current situation of material scarcity in the African region. Not only are there no facilities for children to play, but power facilities are also in very short supply. So we considered if we can combine the two direction to design a facility with entertainment and power generation function.
How it works
The lighting function is realized by the principle of electromagnetic induction. The seat on which the child sits contains a magnet, and the central support column of the swing facility contains a coil. Children can easily achieve rotation by three ways, such as sitting on swings, hanging.So during play, the seat rotates and the position of the magnet inside changes, resulting in a change in the magnetic field, and the coil cuts through the magnetic lines of inductance to realize power generation and lighting.
Design process
To verify the issues related to electromagnetic induction power generation in different ways of playing, we studied the papers and interviewed some indigenous people in Africa to learn about children's entertainment facilities in Africa. Based on the interview, the following design requirements were defined: low cost, strong entertainment, child-friendly, sufficient durability, and easy transportation. Taking these design requirements into account, we have determined the design definition of the swing power generation device: a swing power generation community device. To achieve this goal, we have studied various ways of playing and generating electricity. Ultimately, we successfully designed a three-in-one electromagnetic induction power generation play device and verified it through a 3D printed model, which proved the effectiveness of our product. In addition, we received many suggestions from teachers and experts and repeatedly revised the design to obtain a better product.
How it is different
The greatest advantage of this product is that it combines lighting and play. The installation consists of an umbrella-like skeleton with four multi-purpose seats and lighting at the top. We designed three modes of play: a basic swing play, a swing play with a shortened rope, and a rotating play mode with the umbrella frame lowered. The seat is designed as a seat on the front and a grip on the back. In this way, we can realize all-in-one multifunctionality by simple disassembly and assembly of the skeleton. In addition, during transportation, the umbrella skeleton is put away, which can effectively save the transportation space. During the day, children play freely and safely; at night, it can light up every community in Africa.
Future plans
Moving forward, we plan to test Lumo Swing in environments that real-world usage scenarios. This will help us evaluate its performance, and improve the stability and durability of the power generation and lighting systems under various conditions. To enable sustainable deployment and mass production, we will further refine the current prototype. We plan to adopt outdoor-suitable materials and mold-based manufacturing to assess production feasibility and ease of maintenance. We hope to bring the design to life in resource-limited regions and provide African children with a creative community facility that offers both fun and basic lighting.
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