So since I made my introduction to my ideas I started with 3D models and brainstorming which would be the best way to set up this project. After many hours of sitting at the computer starring deep in the nothingness on my computer I think I have found a good way to approach.
The picture immediately below you can see a 3D model of a general shelf of similar shape as to what I would like to create.
The shelf I will be using is roughly 30 inches tall, 21 inches wide, and roughly 10 inches deep. I will create customized shelves that resemble a basket. I am not sure if I will add a handle like item to the front or use them as is to grab them to pull out and push in the shelf. The below picture is a general model of what I want to create with some missing features that I could not seem to model easily or I did not know how to.
So a more detailed description of the above picture because it may seem somewhat complicated at first. As you can see on the left and right sides of the cupboard there are two long all thread rods running the whole length. The top of the two rods will have a GT-2 pulleys and the motor provided in the sponsored kit will be mounted at the top with a belt running to the two rods. The purple bit by the "elevator" will either be metal or I'll make it out of wood and put a nut inside a block. The purple rod coming out of that will have a cable of some sort mounted on it going down to the back corner of the "elevator" to keep it level and take some of the forces off of the rods. The each rod will be held on with two 3D printed blocks (pictured in red at the top and bottom of cupboard).
The most difficult thing I had to try and create is the mechanism to move the arm in and out to grab the shelves. In the model I have it where the arm will grab the side of the shelf to pull out and push the shelf in but thinking about that now I will not have a way to push the shelf back in so I will need to add little handles to the front of the shelves to push them back in. Anyways, the two gray parts on the outer most sides of the arms will have two servo motors mounted on them that are attached by a circular servo horn to the hollow rectangular block which the arm slides in. The servos will hopefully be strong enough to pivot the arm up and down. To slide the arm I am hoping I can 3D a spool type part to mount on a motor which is mounted just on top of the hollow rectangle. The spool will pull on a cable mounted either at the front or the back of the arm to move the arm in or out for grabbing shelf.
Control:
The control for this mechanism is going to be extremely simply being as it has the possibility to be used by elderly folks who may not be up on their technology skills. I want to have three buttons to control this whole system. Two buttons will be for moving the "elevator" up the shelf or down the shelf. The third button will actuate the function to pull the shelf out and when the shelf is down the whole way and the person gets whatever they would like out they push the same button and it will actuate the function to put the shelf away.
Power:
I am unsure of what I will use to power the system right now but I would imagine a wall wart of some sort will be used.
Next Step:
1.) Waiting to receive the kit so I can do an unboxing video.
2.) Look through and see if I can determine which software will be needed
3.) Start building the mock up system