Touchless Hand Sanitizer Dispenser Project
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Product Description
Building a Touchless Hand Sanitizer Dispenser Using Arduino, Ultrasonic Sensor, and Servo Motor
With the world becoming more health-conscious, touchless solutions are growing in popularity, especially in public spaces. One simple yet effective device is a touchless hand sanitizer dispenser. This project utilizes an Arduino Uno R3, an ultrasonic distance sensor, and a servo motor to automate the process of dispensing sanitizer without the need for physical contact. Let’s dive into the details of how to build this project using the components mentioned, including the design concept and its real-world application.
Project Overview
This project is designed to create a contactless hand sanitizer dispenser that uses a HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor to detect the presence of hands and a servo motor to press the dispenser pump, delivering sanitizer without the user needing to touch the bottle. It is powered by an efficient 5V DC power supply, making it suitable for continuous operation in homes, offices, hospitals, and other public areas.
Components Used
Arduino Uno R3 The Arduino Uno R3 is a popular microcontroller board based on the ATmega328P. It's easy to use and supports multiple sensors and actuators, making it the brain of this project. The board reads the distance data from the ultrasonic sensor and controls the servo motor based on the sensor’s input.
HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor The HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor measures distance by emitting ultrasonic waves and detecting the time it takes for them to bounce back after hitting an object. In this project, it senses when a hand is placed within a certain range (e.g., 5-10 cm) below the dispenser, triggering the servo to pump the sanitizer.
MG90S Micro Metal Gear Servo The MG90S is a robust and efficient micro servo motor. It is responsible for pressing the dispenser pump. The servo is programmed to rotate to a specific angle when a hand is detected by the ultrasonic sensor and then return to its original position, ready for the next operation.
25W 5VDC 5A Single Group Switching Power Supply The power supply provides a steady 5V DC output, which is required to power the Arduino, ultrasonic sensor, and servo motor. This ensures that the system runs smoothly without interruptions or power fluctuations. The power supply can convert standard AC power (220V) to DC power, which is perfect for operating the components.
1 Meter Electric Cable (Red & Black Dual Line) The dual-line electric cable is used to connect the components of the project, ensuring a neat and safe wiring system. The red line is typically used for power connections (+5V), and the black line is used for ground (GND), making it easier to identify connections during the setup.
Working Principle of the Touchless Sanitizer Dispenser
The key feature of this project is its touchless operation. The system activates only when a hand is detected within a specific range, preventing unnecessary use of the sanitizer and reducing the spread of germs by eliminating physical contact with the dispenser.
Hand Detection with Ultrasonic Sensor: The ultrasonic sensor emits sound waves beyond human hearing range. When a person’s hand is placed in front of the sensor, it reflects the sound waves back to the sensor. The Arduino calculates the distance based on the time taken for the waves to return. If the distance is within a pre-defined range (e.g., 5 cm), the system activates the servo motor.
Dispensing Sanitizer with the Servo Motor: When the ultrasonic sensor detects a hand, the Arduino sends a signal to the MG90S servo motor. The servo is programmed to rotate to a specific angle, pushing down the sanitizer pump to release a dose of sanitizer. After dispensing, the servo returns to its original position, ready for the next operation.
Power Supply and Continuous Operation: The 25W 5VDC SMPS ensures a steady flow of power, allowing the system to run efficiently over extended periods. The 5A current rating is sufficient for powering both the servo and the ultrasonic sensor without causing voltage drops or instability.
Advantages of a Touchless Hand Sanitizer Dispenser
Hygienic Operation: Since the system is touchless, it significantly reduces the risk of cross-contamination, which is especially crucial in places like hospitals, offices, and public restrooms.
Convenience: Users simply place their hands under the sensor to receive sanitizer. This feature is particularly helpful for children, the elderly, or people with limited mobility who may find it difficult to operate manual dispensers.
Energy-Efficient: The Arduino Uno and MG90S servo motor work efficiently to ensure that power consumption is minimal. The 5V switching power supply is also highly efficient, making this system a low-power solution for frequent use.
Customization: With the help of Arduino, the system can be easily modified to adjust the distance threshold for detecting hands or the amount of sanitizer dispensed by controlling the servo's rotation angle.
Applications
This touchless sanitizer dispenser can be deployed in a variety of settings, including:
Public Places: In malls, airports, or offices, the dispenser can be placed at entrances to ensure that everyone sanitizes their hands upon entry.
Schools and Educational Institutions: Schools can use this project to promote hygiene among students without the risk of spreading germs through a manual dispenser.
Homes: This project can be easily installed in homes, offering an automated and sanitary way for family members and guests to sanitize their hands.
Building Steps (Overview)
Component Setup: Start by connecting the HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor to the Arduino’s digital pins. The sensor’s VCC connects to 5V, GND to ground, Trigger to a digital pin (e.g., pin 9), and Echo to another digital pin (e.g., pin 10).
Servo Motor Connection: Connect the MG90S servo to the Arduino. The VCC connects to 5V, GND to ground, and the signal pin connects to a PWM digital pin (e.g., pin 6).
Power Supply: Use the 5V SMPS to power the Arduino and other components by connecting it to the Arduino’s power jack or the 5V and GND pins directly.
Ultrasonic Distance Measurement: Program the Arduino to read the distance from the ultrasonic sensor. If the distance is less than a threshold value (e.g., 5-10 cm), trigger the servo motor to dispense sanitizer.
Test and Calibrate: After wiring and programming, test the system by placing your hand in front of the sensor. If the sensor detects your hand, the servo should move and dispense sanitizer.
Future Enhancements
LED Indicator: Add an LED that lights up when the sanitizer is dispensed, giving a visual indication that the system is working.
Sound Feedback: A buzzer can be added to provide an audible signal when the sanitizer is dispensed.
Battery Backup: Incorporating a rechargeable battery can allow the dispenser to operate even during power outages, ensuring uninterrupted service in high-traffic areas.
Conclusion
Building a touchless hand sanitizer dispenser with Arduino and basic electronic components is a practical and fun project that serves an important purpose, especially in today’s world. It’s a simple, cost-effective way to improve hygiene practices in any setting. By following the steps outlined in this project, you can create your own sanitizer dispenser that promotes safe and sanitary hand cleaning without any physical contact.
This project not only showcases the versatility of Arduino but also emphasizes how technology can be used to solve everyday problems. With the growing need for touchless solutions, this project is an excellent way to combine engineering skills with real-world applications.