Arduino Sip N Puff Switch

[kayakdiver] is developing a SIP and PUFF controlled kayak, but in order to start you first need a SIP and PUFF switch. These devices allow the user to lightly sip or puff into a tube to control switches or sensors, and are sometimes mounted in joysticks for control of a computer, or wheelchair, etc, but finding the cost prohibitive the next best thing was to whip up their own.

The design is clean and direct featuring off the shelf tubing and fittings, 2 pressure/vacuum switches, and an Arduino. Each one of the switches can detect pressure or vacuum, so one switch set to each is fed though a Y and up to the mouthpiece, since everything is sealed this has the advantage of only needing pressure and not airflow making it more comfortable for the user over long periods, and keeps down on humidity in the tubes.

7 thoughts on “Arduino Sip N Puff Switch

  1. A washing machine fill switch will do the same thing, and it has NO and NC contacts and is adjustable (for fill level). Dishwasher fill switches have even more contacts.

  2. Seconded on the washer switch- they’re also inherently humidity protected on the sensing port side. And their contacts tend o be snap action with not horrible bounce factors. I have used them as replacements for Milton “Driveway Bell” air switches. Where a car runs over the black rubber hose, air pressure trips the switch. About $100 for the Milton Vs free from a scrapped washer? Same cost factor difference as the Kayak Hack’s switches Vs something from Adaptive etc.

    IIRC one commercial sip/puff is $2k and on -way on – up,if you buy it as a “medical device” with certs etc.

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