ENGINEERING TEAM PROJECT

PROGRESS REPORT

SEAT-BELT PEDAL BLOCKER

BY
GROUP 55

Mohammad Amer Qais Abro (Leader) 10522

Nik Mohd Irfan b Nik Adnan 8695
Mohd Faiz b Mohd Yaacob 10411
Noor Syaffynas bt Yusoff 10469
Noor Khairi b Azizan 8169
Noorazliza bt Sulaiman 8140

Supervisor: Miss Ani Aiza binti Asha’ari

July 2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents Page
Introduction

• Project Definition …………………………………………………….............. 1

• Problem Statement ……………………………………………….................... 1

• Potential Problems and Solutions ……………………..……………............... 2

• Design Concept and Justification ……………………………………………. 2

Project Planning

• Task Listing and Distribution ………………………………………………... 4

• Logic of Sequence of Task …………………………………………………… 4

• Feasibility Plan ………………………………………………………………. 5

Methodology …………………………………………………………………………. 5

Data Gathering and Analysis ……………………………………………………….. 7

Economical/Business Consideration

• Capital Cost of Prototype Model …………………………………………….. 7

• Operational Cost ……………………………………………………………… 7

• Actual Cost …………………………………………………………………… 8

• Alternative in Materials ………………………………………………………. 8

Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………. 8

Appendix

• Survey on Seat-belt Problem …………………………………………………. 9

1.0 INTRODUTION
1.1. Project definition
Seat-belts are the most effective safety devices in vehicles today. Failure to wear a seat-
belt contributes to more fatalities than any other single traffic safety-related behavior. Wearing a
seat-belt is the single most effective thing we can do to save lives and reduce injuries on
roadways.

As an engineer, we are determined to enhance the safety of vehicle drivers on the road.
Therefore, we have come out with an idea to make a project with the title Seat-belt Pedal
Blocker. It is all about the system that will not allow the car from moving when a person did not
buckled up the seat belt. Once the car engine is turn on, our proposed system shall:-

• Detects the driver and passengers sitting in the car

• Then, it detects whether that they are buckled up the seat-belt or not

• If the buckle is not worn:-

o A mechanism shall block the accelerator pedal so that the driver may not be
able to press the pedal

o An alarm sound and warning light shall turn on to alert the driver and
passengers about the problem

• Once the seat-belt is buckled up, the mechanism shall free the accelerator pedal. The
alarm and warning light shall turn off

1.2 Problem statement

Nowadays there are many reports in the newspapers about people dying in car accidents.
Recently there were about 5000-6000 traffic accidents annually and far too many people are
driving too fast, 120-140km/h. Seeing this as an issue, we decided to research more intensively
on how to make sure and how to put the habit in people to wear seat-belts when driving a car or
being a passenger.

The things or equipments which we take for granted but may ultimately save thousands of
lives must be taken more seriously by both law enforcers as well as automakers. It’s not just
wearing seat-belts in the front that people need to be aware of, but it is also the importance of
wearing seat-belts in the rear of the car.

If people do not wear a seat-belt in the rear of the vehicle and are involved in a collision,
people not only greatly increase their chance of getting injured but you also carry the risk of
injuring or killing the person sitting in front of them.
 An unrestrained child sitting in the rear of the vehicle, in a 30mph collision, will hit the
seat in front and anything in it with the force equivalent in weight of a baby elephant. Now think
what would happen if there were an unrestrained adult in the back the car or if it was travelling
at a higher speed. We cannot stress the importance enough, of not only wearing your seat-belt in
the front but also the back of a vehicle.

1.3 Potential problems and solutions

Time Constraint
Our group consists of six members from all four engineering departments. We have
difficulties gathering all team members due to different schedule. All members have very tight
schedule since we are all busy with projects and also application of our internship program for
next semester. However, we manage to arrange a time to meet with our supervisors which is on
Friday evening once in a fortnight. Besides that, we manage to make time for group meetings
every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday night to update about the task allocated for each group
members.

Finance Issues
We are supplied with only RM200 for our project. Therefore, we are supposed to plan our
expenses wisely. We need to reuse the materials that have being used. In other word, second
hand materials to save the costs of our project. For example, we need a motor with a high torque
for our project. A new motor with high torque will cost for about RM100-RM150. Somehow,
we managed to find a second hand motor for a lower cost.

1.4 Design concept and justification

Figure of Model (Plan View)

 Circuit Design
Design Concept
Our main objective is for a person not to be able to press the pedal if any of the
passengers are not wearing the seat-belt. This has been achieved by first using existing seat-belt
detection technology and using it along with spring switches under the seat to detect passengers
and seat-belt buckled or not. After that a signal goes to the motor’s circuit. The motor spins a
gear chain of ratio 1:1.5 and the driven gear drives a threaded rod that blocks the pedal by the
rod extending in to a whole in the pedal’s bar making it stationary. The rod will be supported by
a hollow metal cylinder.
Shape
We preferred a cuboids’ shape with smooth edges for our mechanical system since we
think that is the most suitable shape for a protection case. There are many advantages regarding
this shape compared others. Here some of the advantages.
• There are no sharp edges that are hazardous to the users. Only smooth and nice shape.
• Rod can move smoothly and has more space even for gears and in this shape compare
to other shapes we have ample space for moulding and modifications.
• Reduce stress in shape.
Size
The size of our product is slightly suitable for household usage. It has 8cm long and 5cm
height and about 6 cm wide. The thickness of the rod is 14cm. The gear part is created from
steel and all by parts are separate for ease of installation. But we can modify this product for
the factory usage. The real shape of the system and dimensions are not to scale as the 2-D and
drawing above.
 2.0 PROJECT PLANNING
2.1 Task listing and distribution
Task
Sketch and drawing
Consultation
Purchasing
Engineering calculation
Start fabricating the motor,
gear and rod mechanisms.
Start fabricate the electronic
circuit
Complete the fabrication
Produce the prototype
Experimenting
Improvement
Person in Charge Remarks
Get the picture of the entire project and the items
All
used.
Meet the mechanic and lab technician as well as
All
lecturers to get some advices.
All Purchase all the items and electronic device needed.
EE and Mechanical Calculate the power consumes and mechanism
dept speed.
Design the most suitable gear ratio, materials
All except EE dept
strength and motor speed.
The most suitable circuit can be use to make the
EE dept
mechanism runs.
All Cutting, lathe, folding and wiring the mechanism.
The automatic moving mechanism will be tested
All together with the electronic circuit before
producing the prototype.
Everyone will attend the lab session to monitor the
All
testing process.
Redesign the circuit and/or mechanism process and
All
the cost factor will be considered.

2.2 Logic of sequence of task

Designing the prototype and engineering

Purchase relevant materials from source.
calculations.

Produce prototype Fabrication of parts: framework, DC motor

and electronic circuits.

Prototype testing
Unsatisfied
Prototype evaluation

Prototype modification Retest

prototype

Successful
Presentation and evaluation

Final report and documentation

 2.3 Feasibility of plan

With consideration of all aspects economical and other wise, we believe that our mission
to successfully finish the prototype will accomplish on time. As engineers, we put the optimum
mind set as the top priority which is mean to maximize the performance with minimum cost.
From the economical consideration, our Seat-belt Pedal Blocker is fairly economical. If there
are no uncertainties, we hope the prototype will respond precisely.

3.0 METHODOLOGY

To have our project run smoothly, we need to choose the right tools and software. The right
tools and software mean the suitable device and software that will make the best result of the project.
We have divided the device and software into three categories; electrical part, mechanical part and
general.

Below are list of the devices and software that are used in the fabrication of our mechanism in
obtaining desired result. The concept will be presented by using technical drawing.

ELECTRICAL PART
Devices/Components

Devices Description
• 7404 - NOT Gate, 7432 - OR Gate, 7430 - NAND Gate
Integrated Circuit • cheaper
• more reliable
• Push button, touch switch
Switches
• Act as weight detector
Wire • To connect all electronics devices

LED • ON when the output of the gate logic is 0

Buzzer • ON when the output of the gate logic is 0

Motor • To operate the slider mechanism

• Electrical switch that opens and closes under the control of

Relay
another electrical circuit.
• To control amount of voltage or current that flowing through
Resistor
the circuit
• 7805
Voltage regulator
• to regulate the voltage from maximum 35 volt to 5 volt
Software

Type of Software Description

PSPICE • To draw the circuit diagram and simulate the circuit.

MECHANICAL PART
Devices/Components

Tools Description

Gear • Using plastic - not easily broken or deform

Rod • Using mild steel

Casing of the
mechanism
• Use aluminum - lighter

Software

Type of Software Description

AUTOCAD • To draw the model in 2 and 3 dimensions

General

Type of Software Description

Microsoft Word • To write the reports and other text documents

Microsoft Excel • To perform data analysis and calculations

Required Tools
1. MultiMate
2. Bread board
3. Vero board
4. Screw driver
5. Pliers/wire cutter
4.0 GATHERING OF DATA AND ANALYSIS

A survey was conducted to analyze the seriousness of this issue and the feasibility of
commencing this project. The survey was conducted among 20 students of Universiti Teknologi
PETRONAS, see Appendix E. The following are the main data obtained:
• 55% wear seat belt when they are in the car, 45% do not

• 100% respondent believes that it is dangerous to not buckle up their seat belt

• Half of them have been in a car accident before and the other half have never experienced
any car accident before
• 90% have been in less than 5 accidents, only 10% have experienced more than 5 accidents.
60% of them did not buckle their seat belt during accident but they did not obtain any
serious injuries
• 70% have never been fined by the police for not wearing their seat belt and 30% have been
fined before
• 60% agree that our current law enforcement in not creating awareness to people to buckle
their seat belt and the other 40% thinks it does
• Majority (80%), agree there should be a better seat belt alarm system be installed in their
cars and only 20% are satisfied with the current alarm system they have

5.0 ECONOMICAL/BUSINESS CONSIDERATION

5.1 Capital Cost of Prototype Model

No. Description Quantity Unit Price (RM) Amount (RM)

1 Power window motor 1 30.00 30.00

2 Power supply 1 47.00 47.00
3 Cardboard 1 5.00 5.00
4 Push-on button 2 4.90 9.80
5 Buckle 1 20.00 20.00
6 Mild steel rod 1 5.00 5.00
7 Mini micro switch 2 0.70 1.40
TOTAL 118.20

5.2 Operational Cost

No. Description Quantity Unit Price (RM) Amount (RM)

1 Laptop 1 2000 2000

2 Fuel 20
TOTAL 2020
 5.3 Actual Production

For actual production, the cost is estimated to be reduced in 10 % for our final product. This is due to
mass production, where the operational, materials and labour costs can be reduced. So we can sell it
within the range of RM150-RM 180 which is affordable for a lot of users and also profitable for us as
a manufacturer.

5.4 Alternatives in Materials

Other than the materials or instruments that we propose earlier, we also have other alternatives just in
case there are problems in getting them.

Materials/Instruments Alternatives
Aluminum
Mild steel
PVC
Plywood Cardboard

6.0 CONCLUSION

Work completed:
• Come out with conceptual design and preliminary sketch
• List of tools and software
• Data gathering on engineering knowledge needed
• Data gathering on existing technology available and other useful knowledge needed
• Calculation on cost and business consideration
• Buy and search required components
• Fabricating electronic circuit
Work planned:
• Fabrication process - construct gear and cut the mild steel rod.
• Build the framework and main device
• Testing the control circuit and mechanical structure
• Testing the device
Basically, the progress of the project is following the Gantt-chart and according to plan.
7.0 APPENDIX
7.1 Survey on Seat-belt Problem
1. Do you buckle your seat belt or not while you are riding in a car?
Pe rce ntage Of Se at Be lt Usage

45%
Wear Seat Belt
Do not Wear Seat Belt
55%

From the pie chart, it can be seen that only 55% would buckle up their seat belt while being in a car.

2. Don’t you think by not wearing a seat belt it can be dangerous to you if you involve in an accident?
Is It Dangerous to Not Wear Seat Belt

0%

Yes
No

100%

Everybody believes its dangerous to not wear a seat belt whether you are driving or just a passenger.

3. Have you been involved in any car accident?

Hav e Be e n in a Car Accide nt

Y es
No
50% 50%

From the chart it shows that half of the respondents have experienced a car accident.

4. Please state how many times have you been in a car accident? Please state did you wear your seat belt
during the accident and did you obtain any serious injuries.

Number Of Accidents
Seat Belt Usage

10%

40% Less Than 5

Wear Seat belt
More Than 5
Do Not Wear Seat Belt
60%
90%
 It shows that 90% respondents have been in less than 5 accidents and only 10% have been in more than 5
accidents. 60% did not buckle their seat belt during the accident but all of them did not obtain any serious
injuries from the accident.

5. Have you been fined from the police for not wearing a seat belt?
Percentage Getting Fined by Police

30%

Yes
No

70%

It seems that majority (70%) of the respondents have never been fined by the police for not wearing their
seat belt.

6. Do you think the law enforcement now days can create awareness to drivers and passengers to buckle
their seat belt while in the car?
Is The Law Enforcement Creating Awareness

40%

Yes
No

60%

From the pie chart above, it is shown that 60% respondent do not think that our current law enforcement
can create any awareness buckle up seat belt while being in a car. Only 40% thinks it does.

7. Should there be a better alarm system installed in your car to warn you to wear your seat belt?
Do You Need A Better Seat Belt Alarm System

20%

Yes
No

80%

Majority respondents (80%), agree that there should be a better seat belt alarm system be installed in their car
so that they will always buckle up. Only 20% are satisfied with the current alarm system that is only a light
indicator in the HUD.