Smart Blinds

Smart Blinds Weekly Log

Proposal

Overview

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The goal of this project is to create a set of blinds that is able to automatically adjust the tilting angles of the slates with real time luminosity. 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 and an Arduino processor will be incorporated to measure the luminosity. In order to achieve the project goal, data obtained by the Arduino sensor will be processed and transmitted to the step motor.

If time allows we will add these additional features:

• temperature input for slate control
• timing function

Team members

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• Xinquan Liu (Toby)
  
• Sam LaSota
  

TA: William Berndt Parkinson

Objectives

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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 stepper motor
    
• Make sure the stepper motor interact correctly with the Arduino
  

Mechanics

• Build the frame and the blinds
  
• Connect and test the stepper motor on the blinds
  
  • Find the correct tilting angles with regard to solar zenith angle
    
  • Adjust the stepper motor to obtain the right tilting angles
    
  • Make sure the right connection between step motor, power source, transistor, and the Arduino
    
• Obtain a nice appearance of the whole setup
  
• Save energy as much as possible

Challenges

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• Build the frame and fit in the blinds
• Learn the basis of stepper motor and its connection
  • Generate enough torque to tilt the slates
  • Adjust the output of motor to gain the right angle
• Find the correlation between the temperature, luminous intensity and the proper tilting angle of the blinds
  • Probably will require many experiments and tests at different times of the day
• 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 the motor will only function when needed
  • Transform the input data to the right output signals and transmit them to the motor

Budget

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• Achim Home Furnishings 1-Inch Wide Window Blinds, 24 by 64-Inch, White $11.99 (Amazon)
  
• Motor and Driver $8.59 (Amazon)
  • 28BYJ-48 DC 5V Stepper Motor
    
  • ULN2003 Driver Test Module Board