Special Circuit :: ECE 445 - Senior Design Laboratory

Special Circuit

A student whose Senior Thesis Project (ECE 499) does not involve the design and construction or testing of electronic devices or hardware is required to complete a Special Circuit Project in the ECE 445 lab during the semester they take ECE 499. In addition, students enrolled in ECE 445 who are not undertaking a hardware dominant project are required to complete the special circuit (although this is strongly discouraged and the course staff will work with your team to make sure you have enough hardware in your project to avoid having to complete the special circuit.)

The special circuit is typically posted in the middle of the semester. Once you sign up for the special circuit (see below), you will be assigned a TA, a locker, and a special circuit which generally takes about 12-15 hours to complete. When you have it designed and built, you will give a functional demonstration to your TA, who will then inform the professor who will inform undergraduate advising that your task is complete. You are NOT required to attend any of the classes, reviews, demos, or presentations associate with the ECE 445 class.

Sign up for Spring 2020 is now open

Sign up for the Special Circuit assignment on the Lab Access page. Instructions for completing the special circuit will then be provided in the near future. Please check this page for updates.

Link to all Special Circuit design problems. 

Automatic Water Bottle Filler

Priyank Jain, Jakub Migus, Abby Mohan

Automatic Water Bottle Filler

Featured Project

# Automatic Water Bottle Filler

Team Members:

- Priyank Jain (priyank3)

- Abby Mohan (ammohan2)

- Jakub Migus (jmigus2)

# Problem

In normal liquid dispensing and water bottle filling systems, the process requires the user’s attention and constant manual activation of the device. This may require the holding of a button, the action of pushing the bottle against a sensor for a specific amount of time, or holding the bottle in front of a sensor until it is full. If the user gets distracted or is unable to provide that attention (blindness or lack of motor function), liquid may spill or the bottle may not be filled enough.

# Solution

Our goal with this project is to make an automatic water bottle filling station. Our device senses when a water bottle is placed underneath it, begins filling the bottle with water once a start button is pressed, determines when the bottle is full and shuts off automatically. After placing the bottle on a platform and pressing a button, the user can walk away knowing their bottle will be filled accurately.

# Solution Components

## Sensing Component

This subsystem utilizes multiple sensors including an ultrasonic sensor to measure the water level and a light-based sensor to determine the height of the bottle.

## Control

This subsystem connects the sensors to the water system. It receives data from the sensors, compares the water level height to the height of the water bottle, then decides to either begin, continue, or stop dispensing water.

## Display/Interface System

An LCD display will show instructions for the user and will display simple messages. A few push buttons will be included for manual filling and selection of desired amount of liquid (ex. Half bottle, full bottle)

## Water System

This subsystem utilizes a water tank attached to a pump and tubing, which transport water to the dispenser.

# Criterion for Success

The device…

- detects a water bottle and accurately measures the height

- monitors the water level in the bottle

- stops filling when a desired water level is reached

If there is no bottle/ the bottle is removed, the device stops filling water.

Project Videos