11. Output devices¶

This week I worked on Output devices. The assignments are below :

Hero shot¶

Choosing my output¶

Regarding my final project, I chose to use a Solenoid.

It converts the electrical power into mechanical motion thanks to magnetics fields inside the solenoid where there is a coil :

Solenoid explanation from TLXTech

BC Robotics Tutorial to control a solenoid with arduino¶

The material necessary :

1 x DN15 Solenoid Valve, or 12V Solenoid Valve – 3/4″
1 x Arduino Uno or compatible microcontroller
1 x Solderless Breadboard
1 x TIP120 Darlington Transistor
1 x 1K Ohm Resistor
1 x 1N4001 Diode
Hookup Wires - recommandation for Premium Male/Male Jumper Wire

The Schematic :

From BC Robotics Tutorial

The preparation of the board :

Transistor description :

Unfortunately, it didn’t work so we used the Theo Gautier Power board and my own PCB that I made for the Electronics design week composed of an ATSAMD11C microcontroller and it worked !! So maybe it was a wrong contact issue with the wires…

First, I needed to solder two wires on my board :

one on Ground
one on a free pin, I chose the 14th to connect my solenoid.

Then prepare your wires by putting some female connector :

Flash your board with this solenoid code to make it click one time :¶

int solenoidPin = 14; //This is the output pin on the Board we are using

void setup() {
  // put your setup code here, to run once:
pinMode(solenoidPin, OUTPUT); //Set the pin as an output
}

void loop() {
  // put your main code here, to run repeatedly:
digitalWrite(solenoidPin, HIGH); //Switch Solenoid ON
delay(1000); //Wait 1 Second
digitalWrite(solenoidPin, LOW); //Switch Solenoid OFF
delay(1000); //Wait 1 Second
}