Description:
In this mini-project, I will make an automatic water tap under ₹300 / $5 only. I will use an IR proximity sensor and a 12v solenoid valve to make this automatic infrared water tap. I have not used any microcontroller for this automatic infrared water tap.
Place your hands or dishes under the automatic tap to activate the IR sensor, the water will release from the tap. The water will automatically stop after removing the object.
Here, I have used the Active High IR proximity sensor. But if you use an Active Low IR Proximity sensor then the circuit will be different, so I have shared both circuit diagrams.
If the output pin of the IR sensor becomes LOW when it detects any object then refer the Active Low IR sensor circuit, otherwise, refer the Active High IR sensor circuit.
Circuit for Active Low IR Sensor:
Circuit for Active High IR Sensor:
Component List:
- IR Proximity Sensor – 1no
- 12V Solenoid Valve – 1no
- 220-ohm 0.25watt Resistor – 1no
- 1k 0.25watt Resistor – 1no
- 1N4007 Diode 1no
- TIP122 NPN Transistor – 1no (for Active High IR Sensor)
- TIP32C PNP Transistor – 1no (for Active Low IR Sensor)
- DC connector – 1no
- 12 volt DC Adaptor – 1no
IR Proximity Sensor:
The IR proximity sensor can detect the presence of any nearby objects without any physical contact.
1. The IR emitter LED emits infrared continuously.
2. When any object comes within the range, the infrared falls on that object and some amount of infrared reflects from that object.
3. Then the refected infrared sensed by the IR receiver LED.
4. The voltage across the IR receiver LED changes proportional to the amount of reflected infrared.
5. Then we compare the voltage with the predefined value by the LM358 comparator.
6. If the voltage crosses the predefined limit the output pin of the LM358 IC becomes high.
Thus the IR proximity sensor can detect the presence of the nearby objects without any physical contact.
Tutorial Video:
How the IR controlled Water Tap works?
When someone places a hand under the water tap,
1) The IR proximity sensor detects the hand.
2) Then the output pin of the IR proximity sensor becomes high.
3) The transistor TIP122 turns on, as the output pin of the IR sensor is connected with the base of the NPN transistor (TIP122).
4) So the current can flow through the coil of the solenoid valve and the valve opens.
5) When the hand removed, the output pin of the IR sensor becomes low.
6) Due to no positive pulse at the BASE, the NPN transistor turns off.
7) As no current can flow through the coil of the solenoid valve. So the valve closes.
Solder the components as per circuit
Now connect all the components as per the circuit diagram.
Testing the Automatic Water Tap:
Now, if I place my hand close to the IR proximity sensor the solenoid valve should turn on.
Placing all the component inside:
Now, I will place the circuit inside the housing carefully. Please use proper insulation to avoid any short circuits.
Fitting the Automatic Tap:
As you can see in the picture, the Automatic infrared water tap can be easily mounted with an existing pipeline.
Finally, the Automatic Water Tap is ready to use:
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