Fridge USB-BULB -- IceBoxChallenge

thingiverse

I am thrilled that my project has made it to the top 20 finalists out of 193 for the IceBox Firstbuild / makerbot challenge! I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who voted for me. The winners will be announced at CES2015 on January 5, 2015. As I searched for an idea for my first FirstBuild project (https://firstbuild.com/rr/usb-bulb/), the question that kept nagging me was: "How can I supply power to my products in my fridge?" I needed a simple and long-lasting solution. Moreover, I wanted everyone to develop their own apps without deteriorating the insulation. This innovative solution will allow everyone to transform their fridges into cutting-edge appliances. The system must be scalable with a USB port to supply power to Raspberry Pi, Arduino, or other devices. Initially, it will enable users to connect LEDs and harness the lost light from this upgrade. I asked myself: "Why not tap into the existing power in our fridge?" Many modern fridges use E14 lamps. I started from an old lamp that was no longer working. Please find below the required materials: 1. E14 lamp 2. iPhone charger 3. 2 printed objects 4. 2 stainless steel screws M3 5. 2 stainless steel nuts M3 6. Tools: hammer, tape, plastic bag, soldering iron, resin or glue gun. I chose to use Raspberry Pi for the project. For the electronic component, I set up a photoresistor sensor to turn on the light when opening the door. The LEDs are connected to Raspberry Pi. I also installed: 1. Temperature sensor DS18B20 2. Humidity sensor 3. Buzzer For programming, I configured an Apache server, MySQL, and PHP (with Node.js as an option) on my fridge. This web server continuously collects temperature, humidity data, and captures pictures when available. To ensure user notification, I set up email warnings for high temperatures. The graph of temperature and humidity enables users to monitor changes from their computer, tablet, or iPhone. When the door is left open for too long, the buzzer alerts the user via the photoresistor. This project can be enhanced with additional features like: 1. Webcam: capture pictures when light turns on (utilizing Photoresistor). Pictures could be beneficial when shopping in supermarkets. 2. Voice command 3. Barcode reader 4. Small LCD 5. Switch USB with support 6. Ionizer 7. RFID reader: enable future products to display name, expiry date, and order them automatically from a default list. Project Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FHPkq20k5E This innovative solution can even retrofit old fridges and provide the foundation for developing custom apps. **Instructions** To ensure safety, follow these steps carefully: 1. Tape the lamp's glass part to prevent shattering. 2. Place it in a plastic bag before handling (see video). 3. Solder the wires from the socket to the caps without touching each other or any metal surfaces. Now, plug your Raspberry Pi into the new USB port, and you'll have a connected device inside your fridge! Be cautious when handling electrical components, as high voltage can be hazardous.