This page shows the progress of my final projetc.what tasks have been completed, and what tasks remain? what has worked? what hasn’t? what questions need to be resolved? what will happen when? what have you learned?

My plan

1. Automating the seat covers closing and opening. This will happen when the user enters the toilet room.

2. Adding a UV C light based Disinfection system. This will be active when user lefts the toilet.

When Niel gave his first lecture he mentioned sketching a possible final project and mentioned project management techniques and I thought of following the spiral experiment. So I tried to link weekly assignments to the final project and this page is about such project development. But did not use any Gantt chart or other time management tool. But pandemic induced lockdown jeopardized my plan.

What tasks have been completed, and what tasks remain ?

I divided my final project into three phases. In the first phase I want to design the main body(housing)and other mechanical components/parts.In the second phase I want to design the electronic circuits. In the third phase I want to programm and integrate all mechanisms and electronic parts.

Completed the 3D design of project.

I used Fusion 360 to do my design. After understanding the dimensions of a typical toilet seat cover I started designing the main body which is the housing for all circuit boards, DC motors and shafts. Then I imported the STEP files of DC motor, potentiometer and seat cover from grabcad.com I integrated all parts and did some simulation to check for any issues.

Selected 12v DC gear motor with 800 rpm for opening and closing.

Selected ATmega328P as my microcontroller for circuit board.

Fabricated seat covers (top and bottom) in wild card week

Tasks remains

Electronic circuit board designing and making.

Programming the board and integrating all things.

What has worked? what hasn't?

I fabricated the main body and assembled the DC motor , shafts and other parts in the main body. Before going to circuit designing and making it I just checked whether the DC motor could give enough torque to lift the covers.

I powered up the DC motor using the DC power supply but the motor could not produce enough torque to lift the covers. Also I saw some slips.

I have to redesign the entire main body and need to find a mechanism to give good torque and reduced RPM.

What questions need to be resolved?

How to generate good torque from my 12v dc motor?

How to control the opening and closing of covers?

How to control the positions of cover during the opening and closing ?

What will happen when?

I need to present the final project at the earliest , but restrains due to pandemic containment forcing me to reschedule the presentation.

What have you learned?

Learned 3D designing and 2D design

Learned to use laser cutting machine

Learned to use3D printer

Learned to design a circuit board

Learned to produce a circuit board(soldering)

Learned to program a circuit board

Learn to integrate different modules of a project