Features
Features
Embedded Files
Feature Display
Passive Dual-Mode Routing Mechanism
Passive Dual-Mode Routing Mechanism
A passive mechanical routing mechanism enables the modular diorama to switch between distinct water or light distribution paths without the use of electronics. Flow redirection is triggered solely by the placement or removal of an auxiliary plate, with geometry and constrained rotation enforcing mutually exclusive behavior.
A stepper motor embedded in the base drives a vertical output shaft that serves as the diorama’s primary actuation axis. Motion is selectively transmitted via a coaxial attachment system: close-tolerance cylindrical attachments couple directly to the shaft and rotate with it, while concentric hollow attachments remain mechanically decoupled. This allows rotating and stationary components to coexist along a shared axis, enabling controlled animation of designated elements only.
A removable interface plate enables tool-less reconfiguration of scene components and passive activation of internal mechanisms. Standardized mounting holes support sealed, prefabricated elements while preventing water leakage. The plate also serves as a base for user-generated materials, sealing lower outlets and redirecting flow to dome-mounted effects, allowing additive customization without altering the core structure.
Feature Display
Integrated Light and Water Distribution System
Integrated Light and Water Distribution System
A centralized tubing architecture distributes both lighting and water effects throughout the diorama dome. Shared outlet geometry and silicone optical tubing enable multipurpose light-and-water delivery while maintaining waterproofing and minimizing internal complexity. A cyclical tube layout beneath the main plate supports sequential effect activation using a single pump, while vertically adjustable tubes along the dome allow users to reposition outputs. The architecture is intentionally extensible, supporting future effects such as fog or mist without structural modification.
Integrated Optical Tubing
Light is routed from a centralized lighting module through silicone optical tubes embedded within the dome structure. The tubing provides controlled light guidance while maintaining waterproofing, allowing illumination to be delivered to multiple outlets without exposing electronics to moisture.
Modular Water Distribution Attachment
Water effects are delivered through interchangeable tubing interfaces that connect to the shared internal distribution network. The attachment routes flow to designated outlets along the dome interior, enabling localized environmental effects while remaining compatible with the same geometry used for lighting and future modules.
Flexible light–water tubing within the diorama dome
The silicone tube exits the centralized distribution block and bends smoothly along the interior curvature of the dome shell (marked in red), maintaining continuous flow and optical transmission while conforming to the dome geometry. This routing enables light and water to be delivered to elevated outlets without rigid fittings, reducing stress concentrations and preserving modular reconfigurability.
Feature Display
Interchangeable Modules
Interchangeable Modules
Functional reconfiguration is enabled through standardized, magnetically retained modules that seat into defined bays and passively self-align without exposed fasteners or user-adjustable mechanisms. Retention forces are sufficient to withstand operational loads while still allowing tool-less removal and reconfiguration.
Water Module
Water Module
A self-contained module that stores and circulates water through the shared tube network, providing controlled fluid effects while remaining isolated and modular.
Water Pump
A compact, electrically driven pump housed within the water module that draws water from the internal reservoir and delivers it into the shared tube network. It provides controlled circulation to downstream effects while remaining mechanically isolated from other subsystems. The pump serves as the sole active fluid-driving element, enabling consistent water distribution across interchangeable modules without requiring additional routing hardware or user adjustment.
Light Module
Light Module
A self-contained module that generates and routes illumination into the shared optical tube system, enabling controlled lighting effects through standardized, plug-and-play interfaces.
Light module operating with internal illumination activated.
Optical Collection Dome
A passive, funnel-shaped component that forms the roof of the light module. It captures light generated within the module and channels it upward through a central aperture into the connected optical tube system. The curved geometry increases the effective capture area while reducing stray illumination, enabling consistent light delivery without active optics, adjustment, or internal access.
A bottom-view schematic of the modular diorama base, illustrating the centralized electrical control slice (A) and the continuous circular wiring harness (B) used to distribute power and control signals to each modular interface.
Simplified CAD illustration of the diorama assembly showing (A) drain outlet, (B) central stepper motor and actuation shaft, (C) dome enclosure, (D) auxiliary plate, and (E) lower cylindrical base housing modular effects and electronics.
Proposed Modular Extensions and Future Integration
Proposed Modular Extensions and Future Integration
Beyond the base lighting and water systems, the modular architecture of the diorama platform enables the integration of additional effect and sensing modules in future development phases. These modules are designed to interface directly with the existing structural, electrical, and fluid-routing systems, requiring no fundamental redesign of the core platform.
Future Integration
Fog-Mist Generation Module
Fog-Mist Generation Module
A fog or mist module could be integrated using an ultrasonic mist generator housed within a sealed cartridge. The module would connect to the existing water routing system and share outlet ports already distributed throughout the dome. Electrical power and control signals would be supplied through the standard module interface, allowing mist intensity and activation timing to be managed by the central microcontroller. This module would primarily enhance atmospheric realism and could be layered with lighting effects to simulate weather or environmental conditions.
Future Integration
Supplemental Lighting Module
Supplemental Lighting Module
An additional lighting module could be implemented to supplement the base illumination system with dynamic or directional lighting. This module would interface optically with the existing light-distribution tubing, allowing effects such as colour shifting, pulsing, or projection to be added without altering the dome structure. The modular nature of the system enables lighting behavior to be changed independently of the physical scene, allowing for additional reconfigurability.
Future Integration
Soil Moisture Sensing Module
Soil Moisture Sensing Module
The soil moisture sensing module represents a more technologically intensive extension due to its reliance on active sensing and electrical communication. This module would be directly attached to the existing module bay and electrically connected to the central microcontroller via cabling. The module’s baseplate is subdivided into three removable “slice” sections, allowing selective exposure of the sensor to the scene above.
A fork-style soil moisture probe would be mounted vertically through the open top of the module and extend into a soil-based set piece within the dome. Unlike other sealed modules, this cartridge would incorporate a partially open upper surface to accommodate the sensor while maintaining isolation from internal electronics. Data collected by the sensor could be used to inform dynamic behaviors such as triggering water flow, lighting changes, or user alerts, introducing a feedback-driven interaction loop into the system.
Future Integration
Bubble Generation Module
Bubble Generation Module
A bubble generation module could be integrated as a purely fluid-mechanical effect, drawing from the existing water supply and routing system. The module would house a small blower or motorized ring mechanism to produce bubbles that exit through designated outlets in the dome. As with other modules, activation would be controlled through the centralized control system, allowing bubble effects to be synchronized with lighting or sound modules.
About
About
Discover the development process behind the modular diorama, from early prototypes to system-level design decisions and architectural refinement.
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