1. Garage Parking Indicator
Iowa State University Senior Design Dec 06-09
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Gary Tuttle
Client: Senior Design
Kevin Finck (EE)
Lars Kulseng (CprE)
Richard Seals (CprE)
Daniel Wiltse (EE) (Taiwan)
09/14/2006

2. Outline Problem Description Problem Assumptions and Limitations
Intended Users and Uses
Technical Design
Resources and Schedule
Project Evaluation
Summary

3. Operating Environment
To be used indoors or other controlled environments.
Reasonable tolerance to seasonal temperature and humidity changes.

4. Problem Statement
The goal is to provide a system to assist a person in parking a vehicle in a garage in two dimensions.
This will be accomplished by having a device, utilizing a laser pointer, assist the driver of the vehicle to the correct position in the garage.

5. Assumptions One device will provide guidance for two parking stalls
Installation should be easy, using simple hand tools
The system should turn on and off automatically
Designed for household power (120V)

6. Limitations The garage has a door and an electric door opener.
There is a suitable mounting place for the device in the garage.
The same vehicle will be parked in the same position every time.
The garage door opener includes a standard incandescent light bulb which comes on when the door opener is activated.
The unit has an unobstructed “line of sight” to the vehicle.
Vehicle is parked forward into the garage.
Device must retail for less than $40.

7. Intended Users and Uses
Any individual who requires assistance in parking their vehicle in a garage.
Provide a visual guide to the driver to help them park their vehicle.

8. End Product and Other Deliverables
Functional prototype
User manual

9. Present Accomplishments
Research 100%
Design %
Purchase parts 100%
Assembly of prototype 100%
Testing 0%
Write user manual 0%

10. Approaches Considered
Ultra sonic sensors
Laser distance measurement
Laser tripwires
Laser pointer as a visual guide
Sound detection for on and off control
Vibration sensor for on and off control
Light detection for on and off control
Utilize garage door opener as power source
Timing circuit for switching

11. Approaches Used Laser pointer as visual guide
Use garage door opener to power on and off device.

12. Research Activities Existing products Laser vs. LED Timing circuit
Sensor devices

13. Design Activities
The design for this project includes a laser pointer unit, a power supply unit and a targeting pad.

14. Laser Pointer Unit
The parking indicator will be a single unit that is installed on the ceiling or back of the wall
Two lasers mounted on the outside of the unit will be pointed in a user defined direction
Lasers will be adjustable

15. Power Supply Unit
Device is powered using the automatic lighting of a garage door opener.

16. Targeting Pad
A target pad will be placed on the dashboard of the vehicle to help the driver to determine if he or she is in the right position
The square in the middle will serve as the target for the laser beam
When the laser is within the square, the driver is within +/- 1 inch of the initial calibration point
The extensions on either side of the target pad will provide the driver guidance on how far the car is to the left or to the right.
The target pad will be made of a durable material that will stick to the dashboard without leaving a mark.

17. Technical Design Installation/Mounting
Option 1
Option 2

18. Product Operation The car will enter the garage
The device will turn on automatically
Laser beam will guide driver to correct position indicated on target pad
The device will automatically turn off

19. Side view of garage

20. Laser turns on automatically

21. Car is in correct position when laser hits target

22. The device will switch off automatically

23. Resources Items Hours Cost W/O Labor Cost With Labor
Printing Documentation
$10.00
Lasers
$16.64
Casing
$3.15
Power Converters
$5.45
Other
$8.71
Subtotal
$43.95
Labor at $15.00 per hour
Kulseng, Lars
122 $0
$1,830
Finck, Kevin
150
$2,250
Wiltse, Daniel 75
$1,125
Seals, Richard
110
$1,650
$6,855
Total
457
$6,898.95

24. Project Schedule

25. Project Evaluation Number Milestone Overall Importance Success 1
Problem Definition
High
Fully Met 2
Technology Considerations and Selection
Medium 3
End-Product Design 4
End-Product Implementation 5
End-Product User Manual
Not Met 6
End-Product Testing 7
End-Product Demonstration 8
Project Reporting
Partially Met

26. Commercialization
With proper testing our product could be a competitor in this market.
Low-cost production would allow high profit margin.

27. Recommendations for Additional Work
No recommendations for additional work at this time

28. Lessons Learned What went well What did not go well Team interaction
Creative process
Development of low-tech, low-cost product
What did not go well
Team scheduling
Finalizing Approach

29. Risks and Risk Management
Loss of a team member(s)
Redistribute work load to other members
Central location for document storage
Late arrival of parts or equipment
Order in advance
Have alternatives
Equipment damage
Have backup equipment

30. Summary
The garage parking indicator provides a low-cost, easy to install solution to allow the persons who have parking difficulties to park a vehicle safely.

31. QUESTIONS?