EPS@ISEP | The European Project Semester (EPS) at ISEP

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report [2017/06/26 12:14] – [7.6 Construction of the Prototype] team4report [2017/06/27 19:23] (current) – [7.4. Internal Systems] team4
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-=== 7.4.3 Water Level Warning System === +=== 7.4.3 Flowchart === 
-The team decided to use a float sensor to check the water level on a certain (critical) point. If the water level goes lower than this point, the control system activates a red warning LED light. This red LED light informs the user about the low water level inside the water tank, so they can fill the tank manually with water. The float sensor is fed separately from the Arduino Uno. This way the float sensor is always working, even if the power switch is inactive.  Figure {{ref>floatvalvesystem}} shows how this system works.+Figure {{ref>flowchart}} shows the general flowchart of the different systems that are controlled by the internal system. 
 + 
 +<WRAP centeralign> 
 +<figure flowchart> 
 +{{ :flowchart.jpg?800 |}} 
 +<caption>Flowchart</caption> 
 +</figure> 
 +</WRAP> 
 + 
 +The detailed working of these different systems will be described further in this chapter. 
 + 
 +=== 7.4.4 Water Level Warning System === 
 +The team decided to use a float sensor to check the water level on a certain (critical) point. If the water level goes lower than this point, the control system activates a red warning LED light. This red LED light informs the user about the low water level inside the water tank, so they can fill the tank manually with water. The float sensor is fed separately from the Arduino Uno. This way the float sensor is always working, even if the power switch is inactive. 
 + 
 +To prevent rainwater overflowing the water tank, the team decided to use a floating valve, which blocks the entrance of the water supplie from the rainwater collector. Figure {{ref>floatvalvesystem}} shows the system of the floating valve.
  
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-To prevent rainwater overflowing the water tank, the team decided to make a hole at the top of the water tank. This way, if the water tank is to full, the water will flow out of the tank. +=== 7.4.5 High Temperature System ===
- +
-=== 7.4.4 High Temperature System ===+
 The temperature sensor will sense the temperature and print the value on the monitor. It works together with the rain sensor. When it's not raining and the temperature is below 30°C, the motor will be activated and the summer cover will open. This way the plants warm up and get their solar energy. The opening of the summer cover will be printed on the monitor. When the temperature starts to rise above 31°C and it's still not raining, the motor will turn the other way around and the summer cover will close again. This way, shadow is provided to the plants. The closing of the summer cover will be printed on the monitor as well. The temperature sensor will sense the temperature and print the value on the monitor. It works together with the rain sensor. When it's not raining and the temperature is below 30°C, the motor will be activated and the summer cover will open. This way the plants warm up and get their solar energy. The opening of the summer cover will be printed on the monitor. When the temperature starts to rise above 31°C and it's still not raining, the motor will turn the other way around and the summer cover will close again. This way, shadow is provided to the plants. The closing of the summer cover will be printed on the monitor as well.
  
 The activation of the motor were set on the temperatures 29°C and 32°C to make a kind of hysteresis. To get even more smoothing  and prevent the motor from changing directions all the time. An average of the last ten readings will be made and this average will be used to control the motor. This way, a sudden change is smoothed out and doesn't change everything directly.  The activation of the motor were set on the temperatures 29°C and 32°C to make a kind of hysteresis. To get even more smoothing  and prevent the motor from changing directions all the time. An average of the last ten readings will be made and this average will be used to control the motor. This way, a sudden change is smoothed out and doesn't change everything directly. 
  
-=== 7.4.5 Low Temperature Warning System ===+=== 7.4.6 Low Temperature Warning System ===
 A yellow LED on the outside of The GreenHouse shows the user when the winter cover must be placed on the product. The temperature sensor will provide the control system with the necessary information. When the temperature drops under 5 °C, the yellow LED lights up. This means the customer must place the winter cover on The GreenHouse. The yellow LED light will keep lighting up for the time the winter cover is needed. When the temperature goes over 6 °C, the yellow LED light will stop lighting up, meaning the winter cover is no longer needed. A yellow LED on the outside of The GreenHouse shows the user when the winter cover must be placed on the product. The temperature sensor will provide the control system with the necessary information. When the temperature drops under 5 °C, the yellow LED lights up. This means the customer must place the winter cover on The GreenHouse. The yellow LED light will keep lighting up for the time the winter cover is needed. When the temperature goes over 6 °C, the yellow LED light will stop lighting up, meaning the winter cover is no longer needed.
  
-=== 7.4.6 Heavy Rain System ===+=== 7.4.7 Heavy Rain System ===
 The rain sensor will sense if there is rain and print if it is raining or not on the monitor. It works together with the temperature sensor. If the temperature is below 30°C and it's not raining, the motor will turn and the summercover will open. When the temperature is below 30°C and it's raining, the motor will turn the other way and the summer cover will close. In this temperature situation, the cover should normally be opening so the plants can get their solar energy. But in this case the rain sensor will overrule the temperature sensor and close the summer cover anyway. This way, the plants are protected from to much rain. The rain sensor will sense if there is rain and print if it is raining or not on the monitor. It works together with the temperature sensor. If the temperature is below 30°C and it's not raining, the motor will turn and the summercover will open. When the temperature is below 30°C and it's raining, the motor will turn the other way and the summer cover will close. In this temperature situation, the cover should normally be opening so the plants can get their solar energy. But in this case the rain sensor will overrule the temperature sensor and close the summer cover anyway. This way, the plants are protected from to much rain.
  
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 ==== 7.6 Construction of the Prototype ==== ==== 7.6 Construction of the Prototype ====
- 
 === 7.6.1 Introduction === === 7.6.1 Introduction ===
-The Team started creating the prototype of The GreenHouse at the end of May 2017. In order to stay in the budged, the team decided to reduce the size of the prototype. Through the prototype the team could proof the general concept of the future product and do some testing with the components. +The Team started creating the prototype of The GreenHouse at the end of May 2017. In order to stay in the budget, the team decided to reduce the size of the prototype. Through the prototype the team could proof the general concept of the future product and do some testing with the components.
-7.6.2 Structure +
-First of all the team build the structure of the prototype. Wood got cut into size and assembled with glue and screws. Furthermore the winter cover was built during this process. As the transparent component of the winter cover the team used a double layer of transparent foil. As mentioned before, the size of the prototype had to be reduced (mostly the lengths). +
  
-The new sizes are: +=== 7.6.2 Structure === 
-Height: 21 cm +First of all the team built the structure of the prototype. Wood got cut into size and assembled with glue and screws. Furthermore the winter cover was built during this process. As the transparent component of the winter cover the team used a double layer of transparent foil. As mentioned before, the size of the prototype had to be reduced (mostly the lengths). 
-Width: 30 cm +
-Lengths: 34 cm+
  
-After the structure was done, the team painted it white and isolated the inside with Styrofoam. After that the team built the water tank out of wood and foil. +The new sizes were: 
-The pictures {{ref>building1}}, {{ref>building2}}, {{ref>building3}} and {{ref>building4}} give you an insight of the building process.+  * Height: 21 cm 
 +  * Width: 30 cm 
 +  * Lengths: 34 cm
  
 +After the structure was done, the team painted it white and isolated the inside with Styrofoam. After that the team built the water tank out of wood and foil. Figures {{ref>building1}}, {{ref>building2}}, {{ref>building3}} and {{ref>building4}} give an insight of the building process.
  
 <WRAP centeralign> <WRAP centeralign>
 <figure building1> <figure building1>
 +{{ :img_3315.jpg?300 |}}
 <caption>Building of the winter cover</caption> <caption>Building of the winter cover</caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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 <figure building2> <figure building2>
 +{{ :whatsapp_image_2017-05-30_at_13.21.23.jpeg?300 |}}
 <caption>Wooden structure</caption> <caption>Wooden structure</caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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 <figure building3> <figure building3>
 +{{ :img_3323.jpg?300 |}}
 <caption>Painted product</caption> <caption>Painted product</caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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 <figure building4> <figure building4>
 +{{ :img_3321.jpg?300 |}}
 <caption>Winter cover</caption> <caption>Winter cover</caption>
 </figure> </figure>
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
 +=== 7.6.3 Summer cover ===
 +For the summer cover the team had to built a frame out of aluminum and connected it to the assembled motor inside the box. Furthermore the cover itself is made of a black plastic bag. In the real product will be a couple of frames, in order to give the summer cover a bigger volume. Figure {{ref>building5}} shows the built summer cover. 
 +
 +<WRAP centeralign>
 +<figure building5>
 +{{ :20170626_111744.jpg?300 |}}
 +<caption>Summer cover</caption>
 +</figure>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +=== 7.6.4 Support ===
 +The team made the support out of square iron tubes. Therefore the tubes got cut and welded together. Figure {{ref>building6}} shows the welding.
 +
 +<WRAP centeralign>
 +<figure building6>
 +{{ :elding.jpg?300 |}}
 +<caption>Welding of the support</caption>
 +</figure>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +Figure {{ref>building7}} shows the almost done structure.
 +
 +<WRAP centeralign>
 +<figure building7>
 +{{ :whatsapp_image_2017-06-01_at_12.17.54.jpeg?300 |}}
 +<caption>The support (still in process)</caption>
 +</figure>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +=== 7.6.5 Electronic Box and Sensors ===
 +After the structure was build, the team assembled all the sensors and electronic components. The control system is located in a waterproof electronic box (Tupperware) outside the box. Figure {{ref>building8}} shows the electronic box. 
 +
 +<WRAP centeralign>
 +<figure building8>
 +{{ :20170626_111755.jpg?300 |}}
 +<caption>Electronic box</caption>
 +</figure>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +=== 7.6.6 Conclusion ===
 +The building of the prototype showed the team that the general concept works. The team could learn a lot out of the building process and will use the gained knowledge for the final product. Figures {{ref>building9}} shows the final prototype with an open summer cover.
 +
 +<WRAP centeralign>
 +<figure building9>
 +{{ :20170626_124605.jpg?300 |}}
 +<caption>Final prototype (open cover)</caption>
 +</figure>
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +Figure {{ref>building10}} show the final prototype with a closed summer cover.
 +
 +<WRAP centeralign>
 +<figure building10>
 +{{ :20170626_124618.jpg?300 |}}
 +<caption>Final prototype (closed cover)</caption>
 +</figure>
 +</WRAP>
 ==== 7.7 Test and Results ==== ==== 7.7 Test and Results ====
 === 7.7.1 Introduction === === 7.7.1 Introduction ===
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 == 7.7.5.2 Composition == == 7.7.5.2 Composition ==
-The team filled one glass with a water level scale with water and connected one wick in it. The other end of the wick went to the top. Another bigger glass, filled with tissues, was put on the top of the small one with the wick. The bigger glass minimized the effect of transpiration. Figure 3 shows this setup.+The team filled one glass with a water level scale with water and connected one wick in it. The other end of the wick went to the top. Another bigger glass, filled with tissues, was put on the top of the small one with the wick. The bigger glass minimized the effect of transpiration. The test was done in a normal classroom with a temperature around 26 °C and normal relative humidity. Because of the bigger glass on top of the installation, influences of the air in the classroom where minimized. Figure {{ref>typesofwicks}} shows this composition.
  
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-Through the test, the team could proof, that the irrigation system with wicks actually works. Wick B failed the test, the capillary activity was too weak to bring the water up to the tissues. Wick C seemed to be the best solution for The GreenHouse. Wick C can lead half a liter per day to the root of a plant. This is more than enough to supply the plants with water. +Through the test, the team could proof, that the irrigation system with wicks actually works. Wick B failed the test, the capillary activity was too weak to bring the water up to the tissues. Wick C seemed to be the best solution for The GreenHouse. Wick C can lead half a liter per day to the root of a plant.  Because the plants will only absorb the water they need, wick C was the best option. This way, plants that don’t need much water, will not take much water, but plants that need a lot of water can use the full capacity of the wick. Which in case of wick C is more than sufficient for aromatic plants. 
-==== 7.7 Conclusion ====+==== 7.8 Conclusion ====
 After all the research and discussions on different topics were done and the requirements for the product were set. The team began developing the product. First detailed research was needed to know which different idea's and components were possible. After this more detailed research the team started with raw idea's and drafts about how The GreenHouse would be. When the general structures and ideas were set, a 3D model. After this, the needed components and materials were chosen and a system schematic was developed to know how everything would work and be connected. When the needed materials and components arrived, the team started to build the prototype and write the Arduino code. Before totally finishing the prototype, the team performed some electronic and wick test. This way they were sure everything worked properly and the best type of wick was used. At the end the prototype was finished and could be used as demo to present The GreenHouse.   After all the research and discussions on different topics were done and the requirements for the product were set. The team began developing the product. First detailed research was needed to know which different idea's and components were possible. After this more detailed research the team started with raw idea's and drafts about how The GreenHouse would be. When the general structures and ideas were set, a 3D model. After this, the needed components and materials were chosen and a system schematic was developed to know how everything would work and be connected. When the needed materials and components arrived, the team started to build the prototype and write the Arduino code. Before totally finishing the prototype, the team performed some electronic and wick test. This way they were sure everything worked properly and the best type of wick was used. At the end the prototype was finished and could be used as demo to present The GreenHouse.  
  

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