17. System integration¶
Assignment Overview:¶
- Design and document the system intergration for your final project.
As per Assignment requirement we are supposed to design system intergration and document it.
This assignment was new and has never been done before. System intergration promotes neatness to avoid system errors. At this moment I have arleady started doing my final project.
Project concept:¶
My project is a Solar water sprayer. It has been designed to replace the traditional watering can and pesticide sprayer. This device will be used for watering gardens as well as spraying pesticides by adjusting the Nozzle. It will contain an electric water pump that will be powered by solar. On the other hand it will also contain a soil moisture sensor that will be in the garden to read the moisture during the watering process. The system will be intelligent enough to shut down the pump once the moisture threshhold has been reached.
Workflow:¶
Packaging:¶
Assembling:¶
- Packaging:
Below are the parts that requires proper intergration to avoid system failure due to loose connection or short circuit and more.
- My output board.
My input board.
Soil moisture sensor.
Below is a video demonstrating how the electronics circuit will be connected and required to perform.
The Idea is to assemble them in a safe place and keep them well aligned.
Here I started with designing and 3D printing my electronics enclosure for my input and out boards.
Electronics Management:¶
In this project, I designed two main boards, both using seed xiao RP2040 board that manages the water pump and the soil moisture sensor.
After I was advised that it was better to create fittings and strain reliefs for the electronics management aspect of my final project, I decided to design electronics case along with wire mounts to reduce the likelihood of tangled wires and the incident where traces just ripped off.
I designed the case in fusion 360.
Below the video shows the 3D printing process.
Here is the outcome result.
Below photo shows how I will install the boards. I have created a channel where the boards will enter and fit tightly to keep my boards in place.
Now let’s start connecting things together. Below I began with the cable from the water pump.
Then I installed the power supply cable from solar.
After installing the cables now it’s time to fix the boards into the fixture.
Finally, connect cables to their respective positions.
You can see how it looks after fitting and connecting everything.
Finally, I secured the top cover with screws.
Then after I designed and printed a case for packaging the moisture sensor.
Packaging and assembling the soil moisture sensor.
Below you can see how it looks after all has been carefully installed and aligned.
Files¶
Reflection:¶
Even if the topic was new, I have learned a lot for this week. In fact, it’s such good practice to try and experience new things. I have learned to design fixtures to keep by boards secure enough to prevent unnecessary displacement of parts that can lead to loosen connections, short circuits and general power failures. It significantly helped in keeping the project well organized. It has taught me more about the value of good organization within a project.