INTRODUCING
ECOMAN
What Is EcoMan?
EcoMan is an automated waste separating machine capable of sorting plastic bottles, aluminium cans packet drinks, and tissue papers. Apart from the metal steel frame, it is made entirely from recycled materials.
Why This Idea?
-
Plenty of Recyclable Items In School
In my school, it's common to see tissue papers, food packaging, plastic bottles and cans lying around on the floor. If these trashes are recycled, we can definitely save a lot of natural resources.
-
Unsystematic Ways of Categorising Waste Materials
Even though my school authority provides the "Three-colour-recycling-bin" to promote recycling. However, the students do not follow the colour code to separate the trashes.
Exterior Design
LCD Display
4 Waste Storage Compartments
Display type of object:
(Plastic bottle, aluminium can, packet drink or others)
Sorting Mechanism:
Guiding slide with gears
Site of Material Detection
Contain:
Laser Diode
IR Diode and Receiver
Ultrasonic Sensor
Slide Door
How Does It Work?
Insert object into the box, close the door and press the button when ready.
Device will scan the object:
-
Laser diode and Light Dependent Resistor(LDR) detects transparency of the object.
-
Infrared (IR) diode and receiver detects shape of object.
-
Ultrasonic sensor detects size of object.
Slide door will open, sorting mechanism will rotate and the object will slide into the right compartment.
A Quick Demonstration
The Physics Involved
TRANSPARENCY
-
Plastic bottle is transparent and hence it allows laser beam to pass through and reach the LDR.
SHAPE
-
Flat surfaces reflect IR rays uniformly while convex surfaces disperse IR rays.
-
Packet Drink - Flat Surface
-
Aluminium Can - Convex Surface
SIZE
-
Large object (Plastic Bottle) reflects most of the ultrasonic wave.
-
Small object (Others) reflects a little ultrasonic wave.
Pseudo Code
If button is pressed
{
check for transparency;
if transparency > threshold;
check for size;
if size > threshold;
{
rotate to right;
open flap;
close flap;
display “Plastic Bottle”;
} else
{
rotate to back;
open flap;
close flap;
display “Others”;
} else
{
check for shape;
if IR > threshold;
{
do not rotate;
open flap;
close flap;
display “Packet Drink”
} else
{
rotate to left;
open flap;
close flap;
display “Aluminium Can”
}
}
You can find the source code here:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1gtqpflbc7cUnGiuZmg64sZHVbHqjd0A_
1. Young Innovate Competition 2015
National Second Runner-Up
2. KL Engineering Science Fair 2015 (KLESF)
Gold Medal
3. ITEX International Exhibition 2016
Gold Medal
Awards Of EcoMan
The Team :)
KOK WEI
Programmer
Sylvester yew yu sheng
Hardware Engineer
