Electricity Generating Dance Floor by using Rack and Pinion Mechanism

INTRODUCTION

Generating Dance Floor converts the movement of the dancing crowd into electricity and uses this power to change the appearance of the floor’s surface. The dance floor can also give feedback to other systems that use electricity, such as the sound system, motivating the DJ to outperform his/herself by responding to the energy generated by the crowd. The floor can have different platforms, providing unique visual experiences on every energy level, from loading and average, to the maximum level of the evening, ultimate high! All visuals are a continuous real-time interaction between the clubbers on the floor made visible, allowing every individual’s actions to contribute to the collective experience.

Making the clubbers and DJ aware of their own energy, their interaction and their impact on the ‘environment’, is all part of the Sustainable Clubbing Experience.

Development and technique
• The dance floor is a fusion of electronics, embedded software and smart durable materials. This is by researching the ways to generate electricity through minimal amounts of movement. The actual technology is further processed by R&D for sustainable energy solutions.
• At present the demo version of this is to be implemented by using simple technique with pressure sensors at floor with spring arrangements.

OVERVIEW OF THE ACTUAL PROJECT
The modified way to make dance floor contains a rack and pinion assembly connected with spring mechanism to uplift the stage always.
Whenever the person jumps on stage, the rack moves to downward direction. Its pinion is connected to an alternator to generate electrical energy. Stepper motors are connected to this pinion assembly to generate more power as it consist of four coils in one. One can charge the battery.

Electricity Generating Dance Floor by using Rack and Pinion Mechanism

RACK & PINION

The rack and pinion arrangement is commonly found in the steering mechanism of cars or other wheeled, steered vehicles. This arrangement provides a lesser mechanical advantage than other mechanisms such as recirculating ball, but much less backlash and greater feedback, or steering “feel”. The use of a variable rack was invented by Arthur E Bishop, so as to improve vehicle response and steering “feel” on-centre, and that has been fitted to many new vehicles, after he created a hot forging process to manufacture the racks, thus eliminating any subsequent need to machine the form of the gear teeth.

Stepper motor

A stepper motor, also called stepping motor, pulse motor or digital motor, is an electromechanical device which rotates a discrete step angle when energized electrically. Stepper motors are synchronous motors in which rotor’s positions depend directly on driving signal. Rotary moment is defined by magnetic energy and is proportional to the tooth number of the rotor.

SCOPE

In the future, the technology could be used for surfaces where there is a high volume of foot traffic, such as shopping centers, train stations or airports. Beginning next year the “sustainable floor” will be on sale — for about 4,000 dollars per square meter.