How to Build a Shining Bicycle Turning System

Intro

One of our best friends, Kelvin has recently shared with us his personal project on making a bicycle turning system with LED light strip and laser emit, and of couse, Arduino + Tri-Axis Accelerameter combo. I'd rather say at first sight this gadget looked no different than hundreds of DIY add-ons except its frame was 3D printed; But I was completely wrong the moment I saw it glow in the dark. Let's check it out!

This idea popped up when K was riding bicycle one night. He found it's necessary and cool to have a turning signal when riding at night. Fortunately, he knew where he can use the 3D printer, and it's easy to buy Arduino boards on line, so he made a fabulous one!

According to K's design, when the body or bicycle leans left or right above the setting threshold, the light will change like waterflow, and the color will turn as customized.

Here is how it works.


 

Parts List

• Arduino Bluno Nano
• Triple Axis Accelerameter ADXL345
• Digital RGB LED Strip
• Protoboard
• 25MW Infrared Line Laser * 2
• 10K ohm resistor * 2
• External battery or battery box

Step 1: Main Frame

I used DreamMaker 3D printer to create the main part of this turn signal. I designed the main frame to look like two arrows at each side. You can also create your own design with many softwares on the market, for example if you like wings, butterfly or anything else.

My models downloadable here(main frame) and here(laser add-on).

Step 2: Installing the LED Strip

Weld the wires to the digital LED strip and then insert the strip into the main part. Those LED lights need to be put evenly.

Step 3: Wiring

For later adjusting and tweaking I did one on the breadboard first. The two resistors are needed.

Step 4: Programming the Arduino

Both the code and the library are attached for download. Remember two additional DLL are needed.

• Code
• FastLED
• Metro

Step 5: Assembling

Insert the bluno and ADXL345 to the protoboard. Fix the board into the plastic main body. Connect to the electricity, and see if it works. The color is changing.

Step 6: Attaching the Laser Add-on

The laser supports are also made by 3D Printer. Insert the laser emitter to the support and then glue the support to the main body.

That's it! Now you can take it out and enjoy!