Smart Blinds
Proposal
Overview
The goal of this project is to create a set of blinds that is able to automatically adjust the tilting angles of the slates the with real time temperature and luminous intensity. The blinds will also feature an timing function which will drive the blinds to open and close at certain time according to user's preference. The apparatus will contain a stepper motor to open the shades paired and an Arduino processor will be incorporated to measure the temperature and luminous intensity. In order to achieve the project goal, data obtained by the Arduino sensor will be processed and transmitted to the step motor, while a timing mechanism will work independently to control the motor as well.
Team member
- Xinquan Liu (Toby)
- Sam LaSota
TA: William Berndt Parkinson
Objects
Electronics and programming
- Find the position to place the temperature and luminous intensity sensor so that it will yield the most precise feedback
- Program the Arduino to obtain the correct inputs of temperature and luminous intensity
- Analyze the data obtained and filtered the noise in the signals
- Transform the inputs of temperature and luminous intensity to proper outputs to the step motor
- Analyze the data obtained and filtered the noise in the signals
- Make sure the step motor interact correctly with the Arduino
Mechanics
- Build the frame and the blinds
- Connect and test the step motor on the blinds
- Find the correct tilting angles
- Adjust the step motor to obtain the right tilting angles
- Make sure the right connection between step motor, power source, transistor, and the Arduino
- Find the correct tilting angles
- Obtain a nice appearance of the whole setup
Challenges
- Build the frame and fit in the blinds
- Learn the basis of step motor and its connection
- Generate enough torque to tilt the slates
- Adjust the output of motor to gain the right angle
- Save energy as much as possible
- Find the correlation between the temperature, luminous intensity and the proper tilting angle of the blinds
- Probably will require many experiments and attempts
- Program the Arduino to collect and process the data
- Collect precise and enough data to determine the output from Arduino to the motor
- Filter the noise in the data so that motor will only function when needed
- Transform the input data to the right output signals and transmit them to the motor
Budget
- Blinds
- frame
- Motor
- Driver
