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[ T E A M S a c a d e m y ]. A ssistive T echnology. D esign F air 2008. [ LOWELL CATHOLIC ]. [ CHELMSFORD ]. T i n a C h o i J o n H o h r a t h L i n d a S o n S c o t t Y i m. [ LOWELL ]. [ METHUEN ]. Statement of Need.
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[ T E A M S a c a d e m y ] AssistiveTechnology Design Fair 2008 [ LOWELL CATHOLIC ] [ CHELMSFORD ] T i n a C h o i J o n H o h r a t h L i n d a S o n S c o t t Y i m [ LOWELL ] [ METHUEN ]
Statement of Need • Our client needs help determining when his plants need watering. • An automatic watering system would alleviate the troubles of plant care.
Meet The Client • Ed is a blind, 60 year old man who lives by himself • Can make out things faintly out of the corner of his eyes • Many different challenges, one of them being not knowing when he has to water his plants
Requirements and Restraints • Device must be sized conveniently for easy use on plants • Cost must be less than $150 • Device must be efficient and long lasting • Must be easy to use for someone with vision difficulty • Should be user friendly • Product must be SAFE • Reservoir of water should be a reasonable sized to avoid constant refilling
General Design Moisture meter reading triggers a relay circuit to activate an astable circuit
General Design Astable circuit has a set short duty cycle will drive the watering pump
General Design Circuit pauses after a short time (low duty cycle) and waits for water to seep in
General Design When the moisture meter detects saturated soil, astable circuit ceases.
Project Cost Report • Funds used: • Soil moisture meter - $75.89 • Squirt gun water pump – 14.21$ • Electronic parts/Building supplies from Teams - free • Total: $90.10 • Remaining Costs: • Finalized eagle layout – free • Box/Housing equipment - ~$15 • Reserve $20 • Grand Total: $125.10
Acknowledgements Thank your to Professor Rux from the Department of Electrical Engineering at Umass Lowell for reviewing our project and helping to us to sort out ideas Thank you to our ADTF sponsors: Last and not least, a big thank you goes to Mr. Don Rhine and Ms. Janna Thomas for their support and guidance all semester long. We could not have done it without you!