Diseño de una estación modular meteorológica para la integración y protección de nodos sensores destinados al monitoreo de variables ambientales en el cantón Baños de Agua Santa

Abstract

This degree project addresses the design of a modular meteorological station for the integration and protection of sensor nodes intended for monitoring environmental variables in the Baños de Agua Santa canton. Faced with operational issues caused by severe climate conditions such as high humidity (87-91%), frequent rainfall reaching 2,755 mm/year, and eventual volcanic ash falls from the Tungurahua volcano, the objective focused on materializing a physical structure that acts as a protective shield for low-cost sensors. Methodologically, a mixed approach with qualitative predominance and a projectapplied orientation was adopted. An analytical-synthetic process was executed, comprising the contextual characterization of the territory, the three-dimensional measurement of the electronic components (DHT22, MQ-135, and GPS sensors, among others), and semi-structured interviews conducted with ten experts from the industrial design and telecommunications fields. As a main result, the systemic and volumetric configuration of a micro-station was developed, dividing it into distinct functional blocks or chunks (designated as Gateway, Urban, and Mirador modules). These subsystems were manufactured via 3D printing using Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA) filament, strategically selected through Ashby's methodology due to its high resistance to UV radiation and weathering. Finally, the prototype's relevance was validated through expert judgment, achieving high approval ratings in criteria such as hydraulic runoff, passive ventilation, modularity, and manufacturing viability, demonstrating the effectiveness of industrial design morphological solutions in safeguarding local technological hardware exposed to aggressive Andean microclimates.