Door Holder

Oct 2024 /
3d printing, servo motor, paper roll
Collaborate with Zongze Chen

︎ Portable and Adaptable

︎ Smart Indicator

︎ Wireless Convenience

Process︎︎︎

Following the 10 rules of Chindogu, Our inital idea was to solve a everyday problem in our life with an reasonable but inefficiency way. Have you ever realized you forgot your keys just as the door closed, but it was already too late to stop it? Forgetting your keys when leaving home is a common everyday problem, and designers have explored various solutions to address it. Our approach features a "foot" that can be attached behind any door, controlled by a remote. If you ever forget your keys, there’s no need to worry—simply toggle the switch on the remote, and our “foot” will hold the door open for you just in time!

We wanted a general representation of a “foot,” so we designed the main body with an iconic, cartoonish foot shape. To create the leg, we measured the average lower leg length and constructed it using a paper roller. The top part is connected to a servo motor. A large suction cup is attached to the side of the motor casing to ensure the device can adhere to most doors. (The second image shows the polished surface of the 3D-printed “foot” after multiple layers of filler primer.)

We developed multiple iterations and tested prototypes using cardboard and 3D printing. Our goal was to design a user-friendly, intuitive controller that connected with the main device in terms of shape, color, and material. So we ended up chose a rounded controller that shares the same rounded angles the cartoonish style as the "foot". We also added a touch of green to both the device and the controller to create a sense of friendliness and helpfulness, as well as liveliness and engagement.

Inside the remote controller, we integrated an Arduino Nano, a 12V battery, a toggle switch, an on/off switch, and an LED indicator. The slots in the upper and lower casing ensure that the two parts fit together smoothly and securely.

We reduced the infill of the "foot" to make it lighter, ensuring that the large suction cup remains stable while the bottom part moves back and forth. We also decreased the moving angle for better control.