As you may well know, automatic control for a water tap can
significantly reduce water consumption to some extent. Besides,
automatic faucets can eliminate cross-contamination by keeping hands and
germs away from commonly-used surfaces.
Presented here is a simple electronic circuit which can control the valve operation by sensing valid-movements with the help of a Passive Infrared (PIR) motion sensing module. In practice, automatic taps are presence sensors and not motion sensors. They employ “Active Infrared” technology which senses “presence” and not “movement” of objects. However, here an unorthodox “Passive Infrared” technology is used to realize the 6VDC powered smart faucet controller circuit!
Smart Valve Controller is a combination of four key components:
The device contains a special filter called a Fresnel lens, which
focuses the infrared signals onto the element. The PIR Sensor requires a
‘warmup’ time in order to function properly. This is due to the
settling time involved in ‘learning’ its environment. this could be
anywhere from 10 to 60 seconds. During this time there should be as
little motion as possible in the sensors field of view. There is a
variable resistor (P1) on the PIR sensor module to control the ‘ON’
delay time for the sensor. Turning this variable resistor clockwise will
give longer ‘ON’ delay time while turning anticlockwise will reduce the
‘ON’ delay time. The PIR sensor has distance range of approximately 3
to 7 meters. It is possible to adjust distance of detection with the
help of the second variable resistor (P2) on the PIR sensor module.
Likewise, there is a 2-position jumper point (JP) is included in the PIR sensor module. The sensor is active HIGH (LOW in idle state) when jumper is in either position. In “retrigger” (H) position, output remains HIGH when sensor is triggered repeatedly. In “normal” (L) position, output goes HIGH then LOW when triggered. Continuous motion results in repeated HIGH/LOW pulses.
The motion sensor with control electronics circuitry is very simple and self-explanatory. Output of the PIR sensor module (SEN1) is here connected to a ‘traditional’ monostable multivibrator (MMV) wired around the ubiquitous timer chip NE555 (IC1) . Output of IC1 controls the solenoid valve through a 6V electromagnetic relay attached to J1.
Two LEDs (LED 1 & LED2) are added as system status indicators. SPDT switch S1 is the “Auto/Manual” Mode Selector. “Push – to – On” switch S2 can be used for manual operation of the faucet. Prototype tested with four 1.5V AA cells (1.5Vx4 = 6V).
Note:
Remember to set delay time & detection range of the system as low as possible by adjusting the preset pots P1 & P2 of the PIR sensor module. Removing the fresnel lens, collimation and screening by means of a piece of a suitable electrical conduit with a length of 2 to 3 cm is not a bad idea to reduce the field of view of the PIR sensor module. Place the jumper (JP) in “Normal” mode!
Why a PIR sensor based design? PIR sensor is small, inexpensive, low power, rugged,is easy to interface with, and is easy to use. When motion is detected the PIR sensor outputs a high signal on its output pin, which can either be read by an MCU or drive a transistor to switch a higher current load.
Their best feature is that they don’t wear out!
Parts:
SEN 1: PIR sensor module
T1: BC547
LED1: 5mm Green
LED2: 5mm Red
D1: 1N4007
IC1: NE555
R1, R2: 1K
R3: 100K
R4: 470R
C1,C2: 100nF
C3: 100uF/16V
S1: SPST On/Off
S2: Push -To – On
J1: 2-Pin male header
Relay: 6VDC /SPST Electromagnetic Relay
Presented here is a simple electronic circuit which can control the valve operation by sensing valid-movements with the help of a Passive Infrared (PIR) motion sensing module. In practice, automatic taps are presence sensors and not motion sensors. They employ “Active Infrared” technology which senses “presence” and not “movement” of objects. However, here an unorthodox “Passive Infrared” technology is used to realize the 6VDC powered smart faucet controller circuit!
Schematic of the Water Valve Controller Circuit
Smart Valve Controller is a combination of four key components:
- motion sensor with control electronics
- solenoid valve
- power source
- and the faucet
The device contains a special filter called a Fresnel lens, which
focuses the infrared signals onto the element. The PIR Sensor requires a
‘warmup’ time in order to function properly. This is due to the
settling time involved in ‘learning’ its environment. this could be
anywhere from 10 to 60 seconds. During this time there should be as
little motion as possible in the sensors field of view. There is a
variable resistor (P1) on the PIR sensor module to control the ‘ON’
delay time for the sensor. Turning this variable resistor clockwise will
give longer ‘ON’ delay time while turning anticlockwise will reduce the
‘ON’ delay time. The PIR sensor has distance range of approximately 3
to 7 meters. It is possible to adjust distance of detection with the
help of the second variable resistor (P2) on the PIR sensor module.Likewise, there is a 2-position jumper point (JP) is included in the PIR sensor module. The sensor is active HIGH (LOW in idle state) when jumper is in either position. In “retrigger” (H) position, output remains HIGH when sensor is triggered repeatedly. In “normal” (L) position, output goes HIGH then LOW when triggered. Continuous motion results in repeated HIGH/LOW pulses.
The motion sensor with control electronics circuitry is very simple and self-explanatory. Output of the PIR sensor module (SEN1) is here connected to a ‘traditional’ monostable multivibrator (MMV) wired around the ubiquitous timer chip NE555 (IC1) . Output of IC1 controls the solenoid valve through a 6V electromagnetic relay attached to J1.
Two LEDs (LED 1 & LED2) are added as system status indicators. SPDT switch S1 is the “Auto/Manual” Mode Selector. “Push – to – On” switch S2 can be used for manual operation of the faucet. Prototype tested with four 1.5V AA cells (1.5Vx4 = 6V).
Note:
Remember to set delay time & detection range of the system as low as possible by adjusting the preset pots P1 & P2 of the PIR sensor module. Removing the fresnel lens, collimation and screening by means of a piece of a suitable electrical conduit with a length of 2 to 3 cm is not a bad idea to reduce the field of view of the PIR sensor module. Place the jumper (JP) in “Normal” mode!
Why a PIR sensor based design? PIR sensor is small, inexpensive, low power, rugged,is easy to interface with, and is easy to use. When motion is detected the PIR sensor outputs a high signal on its output pin, which can either be read by an MCU or drive a transistor to switch a higher current load.
Their best feature is that they don’t wear out!
Parts:
SEN 1: PIR sensor module
T1: BC547
LED1: 5mm Green
LED2: 5mm Red
D1: 1N4007
IC1: NE555
R1, R2: 1K
R3: 100K
R4: 470R
C1,C2: 100nF
C3: 100uF/16V
S1: SPST On/Off
S2: Push -To – On
J1: 2-Pin male header
Relay: 6VDC /SPST Electromagnetic Relay
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