Elisa Krause (elisak2) - ECE 110
Nisha Kolagotla (nishak2) - ECE 110
Introduction
Statement of Purpose
The goal is to create a device that will open and close your window blinds based on the brightness of the room and time of day. This will be especially helpful when you want to sleep and not worry about closing the blinds manually.
Background Research
The first week here, we discovered the sun rises very early in the morning. We woke up at 6am due to the sunlight in our room and lost valuable sleep. We found many commercial products for automatic window blinds. Current models sense the temperature and learn user preferences to adjust the blinds, but we don't think we'll have enough time to implement these features. Also, many attached to the pull chain or replaced the existing blinds altogether, but ours instead will focus on twisting the tilt wand instead.
Block Diagram
System Overview
The photoresistor will sense the light intensity outside the window, altering the amount of current sent to the Arduino. The Arduino will process the amount of current and based on the time of day, send a signal to the motor. The motor will be attached to the tilt wand of the window blinds and will spin the wand, opening or closing the blinds.
Parts
- Photoresistor
- Arduino
- Wires
- Motor
- LEDs
- Resistors
- Battery
- Breadboard
Possible Challenges
- Figuring out the range of sensitivity for the photoresistor
- Building the physical attachment for the motor and tilt wand
- Programming the Arduino
References
Cross Systems, CH-1227 Geneva. - www.cross-systems.com - info@cross-systems.com - Tel. +41 (0)22 308 4860 - Timezone: GMT +01:00. "Motorize Your Blinds, Shades And Automate Your Home With Somfy". Somfy -Electric Motors, Remote Controls And Automation For Rolling Shutters, Awnings, Patio Blinds, Indoor Blinds, Shades And Curtains., 2018, https://www.somfysystems.com/residential/interior/blinds-shades. Accessed 20 Sept 2018.
"How Does A Servo Work?". Servocity.Com, 2018, https://www.servocity.com/how-does-a-servo-work. Accessed 4 Oct 2018.
"Mysmartblinds Automation Kit | Turn Your Ordinary Blinds Into Smart Automated Blinds | Works With Alexa And Google Assistant | Compatible With Ios & Android Devices". Amazon.Com, 2018, https://www.amazon.com/MySmartBlinds-Autoation-automated-Assistant-Compatible/dp/B01M9G5Y7C. Accessed 20 Sept 2018.
Week 3
We came up with the basic design for our circuit. We ordered a motor and arduino as well. We also came up with more specific conditions for when to open and close the blinds.
Week 4
We researched the servo motor, photo transistor and possible ways to vary the pulse width. We also looked up the power rating of the components in our circuit to determine which resistors we should use.
Week 5
We determined how to modify the duty cycle using diodes. We also ordered a trimpot and a MOSFET. We also realized we need to order capacitors to make an oscillator. We figured out how the Schmitt Trigger works as well.
Week 6
We learned how to solder and practiced.
Week 7
We tested our phototransistor and viewed its data to figure out how it works and how sensitive it is to light.
Week 8
We learned how to create a loop and basic PWM signal from our Arduino.
Week 9
We attempted to control our servo motor with a PWM signal from our Arduino.
Week 10
We wrote code to read the voltage drop over the photoresistor and more the servo motor accordingly.
Week 11
We added in another photoresistor and added code to change how the servo responds.
Attachments:
Blinds Block Diagram.pdf (application/pdf)
Blinds Block Diagram.pdf (application/pdf)
Blinds Block Diagram.pdf (application/pdf)
Honors Lab Report.pdf (application/pdf)
Posted by mnwilso2 at Sep 25, 2018 00:14