LED Control in the Year 2025: The Traditional Method of Flashing a Light
The 2025 One Hertz Challenge, an ongoing event that invites participants to showcase their engineering prowess, has seen the creation of an intriguing LED flashing mechanism. This mechanical marvel, designed with a touch of "lateral thinking simplicity," uses a rotating disk with a strategic gap to produce a 1 Hz flashing effect.
At the heart of this design is a rotating disk, featuring a hole that periodically interrupts the light beam, causing the LED to flash once every rotation cycle. When powered up, the disk spins at 60 RPM, resulting in a consistent 1 Hz flashing rate.
The design of the gears is a critical aspect of this mechanical solution. For this project, gears were designed using an SVG file and an online tool, ensuring precise motion and timing. The large gear is mounted on a 4.8 RPM geared synchronous motor, while the small gear is situated on the back of the rotating disk. The disk is mounted on a bearing for smooth rotation.
While specific software used for the gear design was not disclosed, it's common for such challenges to employ Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software such as SolidWorks, Autodesk Fusion 360, or specialized gear-design programs for accurate tooth profiles and motion control.
The innovation doesn't stop at the mechanical design. The gears for this project are laser cut from plywood, adding a unique touch to the traditional approach. The hack lies in the design of the gears, which, despite their simplicity, effectively control the LED's flashing rate.
The 2025 One Hertz Challenge is not just a competition; it's a fun event that encourages creativity and engineering ingenuity. This LED flashing mechanism is a testament to the spirit of the challenge, demonstrating how simple yet innovative designs can captivate and inspire.
With the potential integration of modern microcontrollers like the Raspberry Pi RP2350 MCU, the precision of the LED's timing could be further refined, offering exciting possibilities for future iterations of the 2025 One Hertz Challenge.
This LED flashing mechanism, showcased in the 2025 One Hertz Challenge, embodies both gadgets and technology. The gears, designed using an SVG file and an online tool, are essential components of the technology, ensuring precise movement and timely flashing of the LED. Furthermore, the integration of a modern microcontroller like the Raspberry Pi RP2350 MCU could refine the LED's timing precision, blending the realms of gadgets and technology even further in future versions of the challenge.
