Project Information
Project Background
This project was created for our FSE 100 course, Intro to Engineering at Arizona State University in Fall 2020 under the instruction of Dr. Anoop Grewal. Pictured on the right are team members Michael Leef, Darely Arreola German, Rosario Jaimes-Bahena and Briana Gomez. The aims and technologies used in this project include but aren't limited to:
- Arduino
- C++
- Mechanical Gearbox
Abstract
The problem that needed to be solved was minimizing damage in a facility as much as possible in the event of a fire by means of mechanical and electrical configurations. The product developed was an automated fire extinguishing system that would be used to put the fire out quickly and efficiently. It is valuable not only because it will help prevent injuries and damage to the area around the fire but it also removes human error from these types of incidents. The prototype will detect the fire with an IR flame sensor and when it reaches a certain distance from the fire, it will stop and spray the retardant, further preventing the fire from escalating.
Requirements
- Safe
- An Automation
- Mobile
Criteria
- Effective
- Accessible
- Price Conscious
- Long Life Cycle
- Liability Conscious
Mechanical Design
Mechanical Gearbox
A compound gearbox was utilized to ensure that the system had adequate torque and angular velocity to get the system in motion and continue in motion.
Electrical Design
Circuitry
Here, a system of four sensors and three actuators carried the essential functions of the system. Three infrared flame sensors detected the eletromagnetic radiation emitted from the flame or heat source while the two motors drove the system in the appropriate direction. Once close enough, the ultrasonic distance sensor determined a safe distance for the system to eject the flame retardant using the Servo motor.
Coding Logic
The system had been created keeping in mind accessibility and effectiveness. The infrared flame sensors will detect the electromagnetic radiation if it meets a certain threshold. If it is below, the system will not move, looking every millisecond. If it does meet the threshold, depending on which flame sensor recieves the most intense light, the system will steer accordinignly in that direction by stopping either one of the wheels to turn in the respective direction in an attempt to orient itself so that the fire is at the front of the system. Once the system is within about 8 inches from the source, guided by the ultrasonic distance sensor, the wheels will stop, and the Servo motor will spray the flame retardant until the intensity of light no longer meets the threshold.
