instructables

Shy Mask That Shuts Up When It Sees People

by Friedlc

It's sad that we have to wear face masks due to Covid -
19. It's not a very enjoyable experience, makes you
hot, sweat, nervous and of course harder to breath.
There are thirsty times when you are urging to remove
the mask but scared to do so.
What if the face mask could open up when in a safe
environment, with no people around. So you can cool
down and drink. But to make it safe again, the mask
should be able to shut o when anyone is
approaching.

https://youtu.be/DuxCehVRyYw

Step 1: Start From a Prototype

Since this is a wearable project, I started mocking up a cardboard prototype, this is the fastest and cheapest
solution for the correct dimensions, etc.

Step 2: How It Works and Part List

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The plan is to use an Arduino Nano that read signals
from 3 PIR sensors, if any sensor triggers positive,
Some parts I used:
3D printer
I used this one: https://amzn.to/3cfC9X1
Arduino Nano:
https://amzn.to/3cfC9X1 (Amazon)
https://amzn.to/3cfC9X1 (Banggood)
PIR Sensor: HC SR 501 https://amzn.to/3cfC9X1
(Amazon)
Mini Servo: https://amzn.to/3cfC9X1 (Amazon)
https://amzn.to/3cfC9X1 (Banggood)
Step 3: How PIR Sensor Works and Why It's Not the Best Sensor for This Project
Under the lens of the HC-SR501 sensor, there are
actually 2 sensors and a comparator circuitry. It sends
out HIGH when the 2 sensor readings are di erent.
So if the sensor is stationary, the background will
make 2 sensors with same reading, when a person or
object with heat radiation walks by, one of the sensor
will read the di erence, thus trigger the module.
However, if you install the sensor on a moving
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then it shuts down the door by controlling the servo,
and lights up LEDs to tell which sensor is triggered.
Wire sleeve: https://amzn.to/3cfC9X1 (Amazon)
Water decal paper for laser printer:
https://amzn.to/3cfC9X1 (Amazon)
Protoboard https://amzn.to/3cfC9X1 (Amazon)
DISCLAIMER: This list contains a liate links, which
means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll
receive a small commission. This help support me and
allows me to continue to make instructables like this.
Thank you for the support!
platform, the constant motion will trigger the module
often because environment, even though there is
nobody come across. Pretty much everything have IR
radiation.
Though it's not the exact sensor to detect human, it
works for the mask application, even makes it safer
since it always false positive to keep it shut.
Step 4: Designing the Mask

To cover the full 360 degrees around you, I picked 3 sensors, 2 on the cheek, and one on the back of head. The
sensor has a 110 degree range so that adds up to almost a full circle.

2 white ball(lens) on cheek will be quite funny looking like a clown, so I started some rough sketches, for a sci-
look. With that style in mind and earlier dimensions from the mock up, we can start 3d modeling

Step 5: 3D Modeling

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I used fusion 360, starting form the major parts and mechanisms, then adding more details for the sci- look.

Step 6: Putting All the Parts Together

Step 7: Electronic Connections

Shy Mask That Shuts Up When It Sees People: Page 4

The connection is quite simple, a lot of 5V, GND and
digital pin connections. Since the Arduino Nano has
very limited power ports, I created my own expansion
using protoboard and some pins. Just solder all the
wires together to make a rail.
necessary and caused a lot of trouble), at a time I
made a 4 pin connector that I have to gure out
direction every time. Later I updated them using the
Poka-Yoki philosophy, which is make all the parts
coming together in an only possible way.

I also made a lot of connectors(turned out not

Step 8: The Code

Very straight forward coding, basically a condition loop. When any sensor is triggered, it shuts down the door
immediately and lights up corresponding LEDs.

See code attached:

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 https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FLD/AK5F/K9XCVADI/FLDAK5FK9XCVADI.ino
… Download

Step 9: Future Improvements

Check how it works in the video.
There are 2 disadvantages of this design.
1. The sensor false positive problem, a better sensor or
even camera with AI would make it more accurate.
This is not by any means a perfect project, but hope
this could be your inspiration or entertainment.
Thanks for watching and see you next time!
DesignMaker

2. I didn't put in e ort to seal the mask properly, but http://youtube.com/chenthedesignmaker

had thought of how to seal the door area. I think the
sh mouth could be a very interesting mechanism to
test out in the future.

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