android app

CHOSEN PROJECT

Project idea chosen to peruse is the Remotely Activated Kettle. The main reasons for pursuing the Remotely Activated Kettle due to the fact it has a significantly high market seals compared to the other two product as virtually everyone owns a kettle. Through remotely activating a kettle it coexist with the modern world of technology as being integrated into everyday items. Currently through market research only one marketing kettle currently has this feature but is overshadowed and almost unheard-of.  If successfully produce and mass manufactured at lower cost to competitor with greater features could have a positive financial gain to a company.

 

 

PROJECT PLANNING AND RESEARCH

 

1a1.INITIAL SPECIFICATION

 

In the modern world technology is being integrated into everyday items, such as fridges, thermostats, smoke alarm and so on. Therefore why not a kettle, technology is making lives easier for everyone, requiring less effort to complete the most basic of tasks such as switching a kettle on. Our problem that we are trying to solve is how to remotely activate a kettle. The reason for attempting this problem is that there is an opening in the market for such a product and believe we could provide a viable product that would allow for more efficient use of users time.Rather than waiting on a kettle to boil,the user could be completing another task during the boiling time making the most of precious time wasted.

 

1a_2/3.  Specification

 

1. Kettle must be powered by household mains supply of 230v AC

 

2.Must not switch on below min 0.5L water lever and over max 1.7L

 

3.Must switch kettle off once 100°C is met

 

4.Kettle must still be able to be operated manually

 

5.Kettle must be able to be activated via a wireless means

 

 

 

 

2a_1/2.  Sources of information researched(e.g. Magazines, internet. text books)

 

1. The Kettle must be power by household mains supply of 230V AC.

To gain information about this we search on the internet. The search started on a kettle and how it is powered by searching on the internet for ‘How does a kettle powered’ and also through acquiring a previously owned kettle to strip down through the process of reverse-engineering.

Reverse-engineering showed that the basic kettle has no voltage regulation or transformer voltage put-down. Kettle is directly plug to the main socket with a fuses and three wires earth (yellow and green), live (brown) and neutral (blue) that heat the element contact with high current flowing through that ultimately heat the water to boiling point of the kettle. When the optimum temperature is reached (over 100⁰C) the metal element contact disconnect from one and other which in term breaks the circuits and switches the kettle off.

Theses information where of use as sensors such as sensor (the temperatures and water level sensor) and program that will be needed for activation of wireless means runs on DC voltages of around 5V. The information gather does mean we would have to buy or build a transformer step down from 230v AC to lower to 5-12V and a voltage regulator for a DC output of 5V for such components listed above.

 

2. Kettle must not switch on below min 0.5L water lever and over max 1.7L

The relevant thought for the task, there must be a way of measuring the water level efficiently which produces feedback to the relevant Arduino chip. Through measuring the load/ weight of the water through a load senator would be a source of measuring the amount of water in weight format and an Arduino chip to process the information. The Arduino chip makes decision of switching the kettle on or not, dependant of the measurement from the load sensor.

Searching various electronic supplier websites such as rapid, Amazon etc. for a suitable load sensor appliance. A suitable load sensor should be Arduino compatible witch can be power by 5V alike the Arduino chip and other components needed. The load sensor need a variety of weight scale from 2Kg to4Kg minimum a variety to measure 2Kg of differences, ideally 0Kg to 5Kg. This is due as a kettle itself weights around 2.5Kg and the max amount of water it can contain is around 2 Litter. 1 litters weights 1Kg therefore 2Litters weights 2Kg therefore with 2Liters in a kettle the total wright would be around 4- 5kg mark. Therefore the load sensor needs to sense from 0Kg to 5Kg.

There is no logic in purchasing a load sensor with wider ranch than needed (0-5Kg) and thus would cost significantly more and due to the purpose of the load sensor a normal one would be sufficient and no need to spend money on purchasing a highly accurate sensor.

 

 

 

3. Must switch kettle off once 100°C is met

The thought process for the task alike the previous, there must be a way of measuring the waters temperature efficiently which produces feedback to the relevant Arduino chip. Through measuring the temperature of the water through a thermometer like senator would be a source of measuring the temperature of water within the kettle in degrees Celsius and an Arduino chip to process the information. The Arduino chip makes decision of switching the kettle off at 100°C or at a specific temperature, dependant of the measurement from the temperature sensor.

Searching various online electronic supplier websites such as rapid, Amazon etc. for a suitable temperature sensor appliance. A suitable sensor that Arduino compatible witch can be power by 5V alike the Arduino chip and other components needed such as load sensors. The sensor need to withstand temperatures above 100°C that also water resistance.

 

4. Kettle must still be able to be operated manually

The main aspect of the Smart Kettle is to boil the kettle from distant from an external source and not manually.  Yet there could be a time when zed user is in versinity of the kettle and wanted to boil this manually or the external source e.g mobile phone is lost. This manual switch would be an over right that would have it use. This intel’s of a push button that can be implemented and delivered by numerous electronic component suppliers and available online e.g. rapid amazon etc.

 

 

5. Kettle must be able to be activated via a wireless means

The main objective and desire of the smart kettle is it functionality of switching the kettle on to boil water from a distance. This makes the smart kettle a unique in the market and innovative.

Through further research there are many different technology in controlling and operating products from a distance. Technology thought and researched into consists of Infrared (remote control), Wireless and Bluetooth. All possible techniques have their own unique pros and cons.

Infrared; Easily bought or make but need to produce more than one for multiple users thus increase costs. Also like television remotes it need to be within the same room and targeted (points) towards the product. Thus defining the object of remotely activating the kettle out of the proximities of the kitten/room.

Bluetooth;Like the Wireless a chip is installed within the devices can access to remotely activate the kettle. There is no need for multiple construction of remotes like Infrared, only to program the chip to get it own ID and can then connect or paired to multiple devices such as mobile phones, tablets, iPod etc. any device with Bluetooth has the potential to activate the kettle. Unlike Wi-Fi with Bluetooth there is a need to manually connect to the device constantly when in use compared to Wi-Fi.

Wireless; with a wireless chip installed within the devices can access to remotely activate the kettle. There is no need for multiple construction of remotes like Infrared, only to program the wireless chip to connect with the Wi-Fi Router that can be done with Arduino coding. Subsequently after the chip is paired with the Router any devices in the area with access to Wi-Fi can remotely activate the kettle in proximity of the Wi-Fi Router radius. Wi-Fi radius is significantly higher than Bluetooth and can be accessed some time when outside the network. Thus multiple devices such as mobile phones, tablets, iPod etc. have the potential to activate the kettle. Only down-fall seen for this root is the price of Wi-Fi chips that can easy consume 1/3 of the £75 pound budget in developing the idea and product. With Wi-Fi a app is easily developed in compresence to Bluetooth as every app on a smart phone device has use of the phones Wi-Fi is more popularly used and developed and widely used within apps compared to Bluetooth.

The way seen out of the three options is that the wireless (Wi-Fi) option is best. Even though it dearer in cost it has numerous devices that could pair with the chip it-self making the smart kettle more widely and easily accessible. The application can be easily developed and modified with update easier if needed compared to others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2b1. Block Diagram

 

Arduino Code Block diagram system;

 

Input; Sensors (Temperature and load), manual button (switch) and Wi-Fi

Processor; Arduino Chip (processor)

Output; Relay and Wi-Fi

 

These components are processed by the Arduino chip and uses information from inputs to make decision to start or to stop the kettle activity of boiling the water.

Start Kettle activity;

If Water level above min and below max (Load) and (when button is press or signal from Wi-Fi from devices app e.g. phone),= Start Activity

Stop Kettle activity;

If Temperature has reached 100⁰C, = Stop activity and message to user app when kettle is done.

 

Components;

Mains;

The power source for the initial kettle and hole components will comply from the Mains (230-V AC)  or sockets that contains power from the national grid. As this is a constant this will not be mention further in further developments only in content with the power regulator.

 

Power Regulator;

The power from the sockets (230V AC) will be reduced and regulated to 5V DC that is compatible to all components needed this secondary power. Such components as the Processor (Arduino chip), both sensors (Temperature and Load) and the relay.

 

Relay;

The relay is used as a secondary witch. Allowing the 230V AC from the mains that need to power the kettle and will only do so when the processor says when all initial condition is supplemented and will cut-off the power to the kettle when final conditions is achieved.

 

Processor;

The processor is the brains where the Arduino chip is located. The Arduino chip / processor decides if the activity of the kettle is on or off depending on various components reading. It will read all of the components data to make decisions whether the initial or final conditions are achieved to activate or deactivate the kettle. (This will not be mention in further development only in final as this is dependent on numerous components thus will be touched in other sub development as the sensors, relay etc.)

Kettle;

The kettle will be power by the 230V AC from mains through combination of the relay and processor. Yet there will be sensor and measurable component connected to kettle that the components reads to process and make decisions whether to switch the kettle on when a message is send from device or manual button.

Button;

A manual switch to activate the kettle and no need for device such as mobile to switch kettle on. Override or manual button.

Temperature sensor;

Sensor to measure to temperature of the kettles water. When kettle is switched on the processor will read the temperature measurements and when this reaches 100⁰C the kettle will deactivate due to the sensors compiling to the final conditions set by the processor.

Load Sensor;

Sensor to measure the water level of the kettles. The processor will read the load sensor measurements when a input signal from a wireless device or manual button and the water level within the kettle is higher than the minimum (0.5L) and maximum (1.75) the kettle will activate due to the sensors compiling to the initial conditions set by the processor.

Wi-Fi;

The Wi-Fi is sole the Wi-Fi module. Where it receives and informs processor of a message from a device app to activate the kettle and there for the processor will activate the kettle if the initial conditions are true. It does not only receive messages from devices but also send messages to devices informing if the kettle is finished boiling or initial conditions is untrue and need to reduce or fill kettles water level.

 

 

2b_2/3.  Description of how solution works

 

When the user needs to activate the kettle he or she has an option to manually or wirelessly activate the kettle.

Manually;

This entails of manually activating the kettle through pressing a button. Through pressing the button this activates the BCP board and Arduino chip. The Arduino chip checks the initial conditions is achieved; of that the water level (weight) of the water in the kettle is between the minimum and maximum levels this activate the kettle to start boiling. With the use of a relay and the temperature sensor if the initial water level condition is achieved the kettle boils the water until the final conditions are achieved. When the final condition is achieved of the temperature reaching the 100°C this signals the Arduino that the Maximum temperature is achieved therefore bypassing and stopping the Voltage supply to the kettle through the relay.

Wirelessly;

This Wirelesses source of activating the kettle is essentially the same process as the manual. The only difference is that the Arduino chip and BCP board is activated by a wireless signal from a device such as mobile phone through Wi-Fi. When the signal arrives the chip checks the initial conditions is achieved; of that the water level (weight). If initial condition is satisfied this activate the kettle and heats the water until final condition is achieved. When the final condition is achievedthis signals the Arduino therefore bypassing and stopping the Voltage supply to the kettle through the relay.

The Arduino coding (C language) is essential which decides the parameters of the initial and final condition. Such conditions at what level of water would be the minim and maxim amount of water in the kettle needs for the kettle to active. If the initial condition is not satisfied a message will be received on the device from the kettle signing the water level is either too high or low to activate.Also through coding it can be decided at what temperature the kettle will switch off after reaching certain temperature e.g. 100°C , 80°C etc. When the final condition is satisfied message will be sent to the receiving device saying the kettle is boil and ready for use. These conditions can be change through coding.

These conditions and controlled variables as an additional to a kettle creating a smart kettle. The possibilities of activating a kettle from a distance, wirelessly makes the user time efficient. As the kettle would sound a message has finish boiling this means that when activated wirelessly until the final message is received this means the user can use the time for the kettle to boil to other uses and tasks. More time efficient for user.  The controlled conditions such as the water level to activate and temperature to terminate the kettle activity helps for a more efficient sustainable kettle with highly less chance for the element of a kettle to burn out and also reduces the power consumption.