Project
| # | Title | Team Members | TA | Documents | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GreenCan |
Ifesi Onubogu Matthew Wildenradt Michael Obunike |
Sainath Barbhai | design_document1.pdf final_paper1.pdf other1.docx presentation1.pptx proposal1.pdf video1.pdf video |
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| # Project Title: Project Green Can Team Members: - Ifesi Onubogu (onubogu2) - Michael Obunike (obunike2) - Matthew Wildenradt (miw3) # Problem Crushing cans before recycling saves space, providing more recyclable material per container and making transportation more efficient. However, the average person does not have a safe and effective means of crushing cans before recycling. Our project offers a prototype of a safe communal method of crushing cans. # Solution We intend to make an Aluminum can recycling machine prevents recycling of non-empty Aluminum cans and keeps track of how many cans have been recycled for documentation purposes at larger organizations. The machine will use an IR sensor to tell when an aluminum can has been inserted into the machine. When the IR sensor detects a can, a PCB will send a signal to the motor which will crush the can. Once the can is crushed (this is detected by another IR sensor which detects when the crushing platform is leveled with the bottom of the can), a sliding platform-- driven by the motor-- pushes away the can so it slides into a crushed-can collector. then recycled can count is internally incremented. To ensure only empty cans are crushed, our system will monitor two values: the weight of cans placed into the crushing cubicle and the current drawn fro the motor. If it weight exceeds the weight of an empty can or the current crosses an experimentally determined threshold, a red button will glow (indicating to the user that the machine will not crush the can placed inside, sending the machine into a do not accept state). There will be a collection bin for the crushed cans. Its weight will be monitored such that when the bin is full, no more cans will be crushed. The total weight of recycled cans recycled is internally tracked using an Arduino/PCB register. To ensure the can is actually crushed, we will keep the space where the can is placed small enough that the only way to place the can for crushing is upright. That way, there is nowhere for it to move. Additionally, the platform that sweeps crushed cans away doubles as a divider between the space where the can is crushed and where the second ID sensor is placed to sense the crushing platform. At any point in time, the system is one of four states: not accepting cans (either the coins need to be topped up or the collecting bin is full), ready to accept new cans, waiting to start crushing inserted cans. These will be indicated by LED colors. # Parts needed (we will be providing the funds for purchasing these) -IR sensor (part number: IR; Ean: 0682228946447) -PCB -Arduino Uno -Access to a 3d printer for printing the crushing platform, piston and enclosures -Weight Sensor (Module - SKU-SEN0160) -geared motor (SKU 114090046) -15V battery (NEDA 220) -temperature- insensitive resistor (AP1011RJ-ND) # Solution Components ## Can-Counting Subsystem We use one of the Arduino uno registers to keep track of how many cans have been crushed or the total weight of all cans crushed in between servicing sessions (when the collection bin is emptied and the coin dispenser topped up). The input to these trackers are the IR and/or weight sensor. However, the tracker is reset in between service sessions. This data is kept in case an organization wants to keep track of how many Aluminum cans it recycles. ## Can-Crushing System with built-in protection from recycling full cans Once in the can-crushing state, the opening through which one places the can is shut and a platform comes down to crush the can (if the weight sensor beneath the can does not sense that the can is above 15g (the weight of an average empty can). To the left of the can is a mobile platform that sweeps crushed cans into a slit which opens into the collector bin. This sweeper doubles as a partition between the can-crushing space and there another IR sensor is located to know when the can-crushing platform reaches the base of the enclosure. While crushing the can, if the current drawn by the motor is beyond an experimentally determined threshold, the machine goes into the do not accept state. The current is obtained indirectly by monitoring the voltage across a current-sensitive amplifier and dividing it by the resistance of a temperature-inssentive resistor. ## Collector-bin subsystem The collector bin monitors the weight of the collected crushed cans. Once a threshold is reached that indicates the bin is full, the machine stops accepting cans. # Criterion For Success The machine can successfully crush 12 oz. empty cans each time a can is inserted. The machine counts the mass or number of aluminum cans recycled since service sessions. The machine will reject non-empty cans. The motor will not crush cans unless the can-insertion opening is closed and the crush button is pressed. System stops accepting cans after the collector bin capacity is reached. # link to web board https://courses.engr.illinois.edu/ece445/pace/view-topic.asp?id=71830 |
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