PURCHASING COMPONENTS

Assalamualaikum,

   It's been awhile since I updated this blog since I was busy with my final exam and applying for internship position. For the latest update, currently I have done purchasing both major component that is range sensor and the micro controller.

  Currently I was in my semester break in Kedah therefore I was decided to purchase these component through internet. Therefore once I get back to my campus I could easily access to the component and start developing the product.

  I would like to share the online webpage where is have ended buying the component. It is at ESPresso Lite V2.0 IoT Starter Kit  . 

   This online seller is the authorized dealer of ESPresso Lite in Malaysia. After comparing the price with other online seller, I have found out that the price here was reasonable that is RM148.40. I was decided to purchased this starter kit because its contain the power supply and the OLED Display which is could be user as the display for the container fill level. 

  It were also end up buying the level sensor at the same webpage, it is the Low cost Ultrasonic module which is cost RM5.30 per unit. The link as follows :  Low Cost Ultrasonic Ranging Module .

  This is the only progressed that I managed to made during the first 2 weeks of my semester break. I'll cut short my break and went back to my college to start developing this prototype next week. This the the only update that I could share for now. I hope if there are any reader of this blog that would able to share any information, please do not hesitated to do so. You may email me at wafierahaman@gmail.com or just simply use the comments section at the bottom side of the blog.  Thank you. 

BENEFIT OF THE PRODUCT

What GreenBin will offer ?

        The explanation of the features:

·         Total Containment

 The flagship hopper design keeps waste contained while avoiding pests to gain access, prevents waste overflow and reduces the amount of windblown litter

·      No visible waste, No pest

The garbage container is designed in such way to avoid any spillage around the container. This will keep unwanted animals out of the garbage. In addition to that, there will be no odor and flies which are disease-ridden will no longer be attracted to the garbage.

·      Cleaner and Safer Public Space

There will be no garbage spillage; therefore the container will no longer attract stray dogs or cats. Moreover, there will be no exposed plastic bottles as breeding ground for dangerous mosquitoes such as Aedes that can harm human with Zika Virus and Dengue. 

·       Smart Connected

GreenBin is an 'Internet of Things' based product. It is range sensor that is used to detect the level of the bin and it is able to send and receive data from the bin to the centralize monitoring system. The monitoring system will schedule the garbage collection from these data.

·         Reduced collection cost
    The Centralized Monitoring system will be beneficial to all by optimizing the garbage collection. The system will prompt a garbage collection at the critical garbage containers. Compared to the conventional system where the garbage collection will follow the fixed schedule even when garbage containers are empty, the Green Bin will save cost, time and man power. 

EXPECTED OUTCOME

Prototype of the product

The range sensors that are using to identify the garbage container level are connected with Wi-Fi module. This module will allow communication between the monitoring system and the product. The monitoring system will coordinate the garbage collection by producing work order based on the real-time garbage container fill. Compared the conventional garbage management system that are following the schedule even the garbage container is empty which are less effective and yet costly.

            The design of the product itself is a step-up features making the product one step ahead from other products in the market. The container is installed with flagship hopper design keeps waste contained while deterring pest access and preventing waste overflow and wind-blown litter. Therefore, the stray dogs and cats are not capable to access the container. Besides that, even the trash pickers are not accessible to the container. This will also create a cleaner public space as there is no garbage spill in the area.

            This product will be powered by electric power generated from the solar panel which is low in cost and eco-friendly. The solar panel and batteries is choose in order to supply the electric power in order for the product to run efficiently. The solar panel will generate power sufficiently for the product and the power is stored in the 12v battery that is attached to the container.

COMPONENTS 2 - SOLAR PANEL MODULE

Table below shows the Advantages using Polycrystalline solar panels compared to Polycryatalline solar panel.

The solar panel that will be use is polycrystalline solar panel. Physically, this solar panel has slightly lower heat tolerance than monocrystalline solar panels making it less efficient in generating electric power. In other aspect, polycrystalline price is reasonable compared to monocrystalline. Therefore, considering the budgeting wise, the polycrystalline is the perfect choice for the solar panel that will be used in the product prototype development.  

COMPONENTS 1 - LEVEL SENSOR

Table showing the comparison between Ultrasonic Sensor and Infrared Sensor.

Ultrasonic Sensor	Infrared Sensor
Advantages
The output value is linear with the distance between the sensor and the target.	Infrared sensors can detect infrared light over a large area.
Sensor response is not dependent on the colors, transparency of objects, optical reflection properties, or by the surface texture of the object.
Sensors are designed for contact-free detection.	IR sensor uses non-visible light for detection.
Accurate detection even of small objects.
Able to operate in critical conditions such as dirt and dust.	Cheap in price.
Disadvantages
Ultrasonic sensors must view a high density surface for good results. A soft surface like foam and cloth has low density and absorb the sound waves emitted by the sensor.	This sensor is very sensitive to IR lights and sunlight
Could have false responds for some loud noises such as air hoses	it has a weakness to darker colors such as black
Changes in the environment can affect the response of the sensor (temperature, humidity, pressure, etc.).

The sensor that will be use is Ultrasonic Ranging Sensor (HC SR04). Physically, this sensor has two pins: Trigger and Echo, which used for calculating the distance of the object by generating sound waves and thus calculating the time duration of the echo that generated. This economical sensor provides 2cm to 400cm of non-contact measurement functionality with a ranging accuracy that can reach up to 3mm. Therefore, this sensor is the most suitable sensor to be used in the prototype development.