Introduction: Window Cleaner

By www.technomentis.com
About: Technomentis is a venture to foster innovation and hands on learning for youngsters at formative ages. We explore, create, design, tinker and innovate at Explorato - our makers space.

Cleaning windows, especially of tall office buildings has always induced risk among the cleaners. This project aims at eliminating this risk by cleaning the window automatically. The system is programmed to clean the windows in fixed intervals. A cleaning wipe is pulled by strings attached to a DC motor. A pump is also attached to the system so that it sprays water during the downward stroke of the wipe.

Step 1: Components Required

  1. Arduino UNO R3 x 1
  2. DC motor - 300 RPM x 1
  3. Motor Driver - L293D x 1
  4. 9V DC Adapter x 1
  5. Female DC Jack x 1
  6. Water Cooler pump x 1
  7. 5V Relay Module x 1
  8. Breadboard x 1
  9. Jumper Wires Male - Male (M-M) x 40
  10. Jumper Wires Male - Fe-Male (M-F) x 40

Step 2: Connecting the Motor Driver

Motor Driver:

A motor driver is a module that helps in the operation of certain motors at variable speeds by providing a separate power source other than that from the microcontroller. This protects the microcontroller/ microprocessor from the current surges initiated by the motor. This module consists of a common 3 Male headers which corresponds to +9V/+12V, GND and +5V. The +9V or +12V supply is used to power the motor. +5V is used to operate the L293D IC. This motor driver module can handle a maximum of 2 motors. For each motor, two pins are used to receive signals from the microcontroller/microprocessor and 2 pins are used to connect the DC motor.

Circuit Connections:

  1. Connect an M-M jumper wire from the 5V pin of the Arduino UNO to the breadboard (5V line).
  2. Connect an M-M jumper wire from the GND pin of the Arduino UNO to the breadboard (GND line).
  3. Connect an M-F jumper wire from the 5V pin of the motor driver to the 5V line of the breadboard.
  4. Connect an M-F jumper wire from the GND pin of the motor driver to the GND line breadboard.
  5. Connect an M-F jumper wire from the M1.a pin of the motor driver to the Pin 3 of Arduino UNO.
  6. Connect an M-F jumper wire from the M1.b pin of the motor driver to the Pin 5 of Arduino UNO.

Step 3: Connecting the DC Motor

DC motor:

This is a low rpm DC motor. These motors contain two wires which enables the motor to rotate in either in clockwise or anti - clockwise direction.

Circuit Diagram:

  1. Insert the motor wires into the specified pins of M1 in the motor driver and then tighten the screw.

Step 4: Connecting Female Barrel Jack

Female Barrel Jack:

The Female Barrel Jack is an adapter that fits with a Male Barrel Jack. Generally, wires of a DC adapter terminates with a male barrel jack. Therefore female jack ensures proper connectivity and gives the flexibility for a user to remove and connect an adapter whenever necessary.

Circuit Connections:

  1. Connect the positive pin of the jack to the +12V of the motor driver.
  2. Connect the negative pin of the jack to the GND line on the breadboard.

Step 5: Connecting the Relay and Pump

Relay Module:

A Relay Module is a device used to switch on/off another device based on a control signal. Relay consists of one VCC, GND and Signal pin on one side of the module. On the other side, relay contains 3 pins which says COM (Common), NC (Normally Closed) and NO (Normally Open).

Circuit Connections:

  1. Connect an M-F wire from the VCC pin of the relay to the 5V line of the breadboard.
  2. Connect an M-F wire from the GND pin of the relay to the GND line of the breadboard.
  3. Connect an M-F wire from the signal pin of the relay to Pin 10 of the Arduino UNO.
  4. Cut open the neutral wire of the pump and connect one end to Common point and the other end to NC point

Step 6: Upload the Arduino Sketch

Attachments

Step 7: Reference Images for Construction