Creative Switch

During our 2nd class, we learned about circuit and interesting ways to make a switch. For project, I want to repurpose an existing things that can be easily understood as a switch. I decided to make a zipper switch. It already being used as a way to open and close cloth or bags. It is intuitive for people to repurpose it as a switch. I found a metal zipper with plastic zipper teeth. I tried several ways to make the plastic zipper teeth conductive.

Method One - copper tape:

Because the shop supplies copper tape. It would be an easy way to make a circuit. I put the copper tape inside of the bag and right underneath the zipper teeth, and have 2 stripes sticking out, so when I close the the zipper, the stripes will make contact and complete the circuit. The plan worked; however, it only works for a limited number of times and it’s not consist. I see a problem with that approach and wanted a more reliable method.

Method Two - conductive thread

The soft lab supplies conductive thread, and I thought it would give my zipper a consistent contact. I sew the conductive thread at the end of the zipper, so it would connect the circuit when zipped up. Unfortunately, after several tries, the thread is not give enough contact

Method Three - wire

After trying for a while and not getting a consistent contact, I asked for help and got the idea to connect the wire directly to the zipper. It’s the most consistent!