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Design And Construction Of An Automatic Infrared Faucet Controller

Electrical Electronics Engineering | Industrial Physics | Physics

The design and construction of an automatic infrared faucet controller involve the utilization of infrared sensor technology to enhance water conservation and hygiene in various settings. This innovative device integrates an infrared sensor that detects the presence of hands or objects beneath the faucet, triggering the release of water. The system incorporates a microcontroller to process the sensor input and control the water flow through a solenoid valve. Additionally, the controller includes adjustable settings for water temperature and flow duration, offering a customizable and user-friendly experience. The incorporation of this technology not only promotes efficient water usage but also reduces the risk of cross-contamination in public spaces such as restrooms and kitchens. The automatic infrared faucet controller represents a sustainable solution that aligns with modern environmental and hygiene concerns, making it an invaluable addition to contemporary plumbing systems.

This work is an easy-to-use circuit of an automatic infrared (IR) faucet controller suitable for hand hygiene and water conservation at homes, hospitals and offices. With this compact controller you can turn on and off a faucet automatically, preventing water wastage and saving energy costs.

The core part of the faucet controller is an electronic circuitry that determines the opening of the valve. An IR sensor continuously monitors objects like hands in front of the faucet. When you place your hand in front of the faucet, it automatically activates an electromagnetic relay to switch a solenoid valve, and concerted action provides enough water.

Another advantage of this battery-operated faucet controller is that, it can be installed on an existing water tap.

The circuit is constructed using a reflective optical sensor TCRT5000. It includes a 950nm IR emitter and phototransistor in a leaded package (with daylight blocking filter), which blocks visible light to a certain extent.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COVER PAGE

TITLE PAGE

APPROVAL PAGE

DEDICATION

ACKNOWELDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT
AIM OF THE PROJECT
OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT
PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT
LIMITATION OF THE PROJECT
ADVANTAGES OF THE PROJECT
PROBLEM OF THE PROJECT
APPLICATION OF THE PROJECT
RESEARCH QUESTION
PROJECT ORGANISATION

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY
REVIEW OF THE RELATED STUDY

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 CONSTRUCTION METHODOLOGY

3.1 BASIC OF THE SYSTEM

3.2 BLOCK DIAGRAM OF THE SYSTEM

3.3 SYSTEM OPERATION

3.4 CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

3.5 CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION

3.6 DESCRIPTION OF COMPONENTS USED

3.7 POWER SUPPLY UNIT

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 TESTING AND RESULTS

CONSTRUCTION PROCEDURE AND TESTING
INSTALLATION OF THE COMPLET DESIGN
ASSEMBLING OF SECTIONS
TESTING OF SYSTEM OPERATION
COST ANALYSIS

CHAPTER FIVE

CONCLUSION
RECOMMENDATION
REFERENCES

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The author’s prototype on a breadboard is shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1: Author’s prototype

Circuit and working

The circuit diagram of the automatic IR faucet controller is shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2: Circuit diagram of automatic IR faucet controller

It is built around Schottky diode 1N5817 (D1), optical sensor (OS1), PNP transistor S8550 (T1), two NPN S8050 transistors (T2, T3), rectifier diode 1N4007 (D2), 5V-1CO relay, 6V solenoid valve and a few other components.

The circuit is constructed using a reflective optical sensor TCRT5000. It includes a 950nm IR emitter and phototransistor in a leaded package (with daylight blocking filter), which blocks visible light to a certain extent.

It is powered by 4.8V, drawn from a series of four nickel-metal-hydride (Ni-MH) rechargeable cells (1.2V each). External 6V DC power supply connected across connector CON1 is also provided as an alternate for running the circuit.

Power supply is protected by 1N5817 (D1). 6V can be used to recharge the battery pack, with only minor modifications. Switch S1 is used for turning the circuit on and off.

Resistor R1 controls the operating current of the IR inside TCRT5000 (OS1) within safe limits. R2 determines the detection sensitivity of the IR sensor. The IR emits an invisible constant beam of IR light. When a hand or object crosses this beam, some IR light is reflected back to the sensor.

This reflection is detected by the IR receiver (inbuilt phototransistor), which results in a voltage drop across R2. This switches off S8050 (T2). Next, S8550 (T1) and S8050 (T3) support efficient driving of the 5V electromagnetic relay (RL1) when a valid proximity detection is made.

The electromagnetic relay enables and disables the flow of water through the connected solenoid valve. The 10µF capacitor (C1) ensures a turn-off delay of about six seconds, so that the circuit does not stop water flow as soon as the proximity sensor is turned off.

LED1 works as active-state indicator. 1N4007 (D2) adds effective circuit protection, as it provides a path for the dissipation of stored energy (without flowing back) when RL1 is de-energised.

Construction and testing

An PCB layout of the automatic IR faucet controller circuit is shown in Fig. 3 and its components layout in Fig. 4. After assembling the circuit on the PCB, connect 6V across CON1.

Fig. 3: PCB layout of automatic IR faucet controller Fig. 4: Components layout for the PCB

Download PCB and Component Layout PDFs: Click here

Build the circuit with the battery pack in a waterproof enclosure. Make sure that the IR sensor can easily detect hands near the washbasin.

Note that, selection and installation of the solenoid valve depends on specific requirements. If you have a low-voltage (6V) solenoid valve, it may work with the 4.8V battery pack (most 6V types work smoothly with 4.8V). But if you have a high-voltage valve (greater than 6V), connect it to an external power supply. Wiring diagram of solenoid valve is shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 5: Proposed faucet arrangement Fig. 6: Wiring diagram of solenoid valve

A proposed faucet arrangement of the system is shown in Fig. 5. The circuit draws under 50mA current in quiescent state. It goes above 100mA in active state if a low-voltage solenoid valve is also powered by the circuit.