Building an Automatic Door Opener with TinkerCAD and Arduino

Introduction

An Automatic Door Opener is a practical and innovative project that showcases automation and control systems. This project involves creating a system that opens a door automatically when a certain condition is met, such as detecting an object or a person. Using TinkerCAD and Arduino, we'll build a simple automatic door opener using a servo motor and an ultrasonic distance sensor. This system can be applied in various scenarios, from automated entry systems to robotic doors.

Materials Needed

To build this project, you will need:

• Arduino Uno

• Breadboard

• Servo Motor

• Ultrasonic Distance Sensor (HC-SR04)

• Jumper Wires

• Power Source (e.g., 9V battery or external power supply)

• (Optional) LED for status indication

Step 1: Setting Up the Components

1. Arduino and Breadboard: Open TinkerCAD and create a new circuit project. Drag and drop an Arduino Uno and a breadboard onto the workspace.

2. Servo Motor: This motor will be used to open and close the door.

   • VCC: Connect to the 5V pin on the Arduino.

   • GND: Connect to GND on the Arduino.

   • Signal: Connect to a PWM pin on the Arduino (e.g., pin 9).

3. Ultrasonic Distance Sensor (HC-SR04): This sensor measures the distance to an object.

   • VCC: Connect to the 5V pin on the Arduino.

   • GND: Connect to GND on the Arduino.

   • TRIG: Connect to a digital pin on the Arduino (e.g., pin 7).

   • ECHO: Connect to a digital pin on the Arduino (e.g., pin 6).

4. LED (optional): For visual status indication.

   • Anode (+): Connect to a digital pin on the Arduino (e.g., pin 13) through a current-limiting resistor (e.g., 220Ω).

   • Cathode (-): Connect to GND on the Arduino.

Step 2: Wiring Diagram

Ensure your wiring follows these connections:

• Servo Motor:

  • VCC → 5V on Arduino

  • GND → GND on Arduino

  • Signal → Digital Pin 9 on Arduino

• Ultrasonic Distance Sensor:

  • VCC → 5V on Arduino

  • GND → GND on Arduino

  • TRIG → Digital Pin 7 on Arduino

  • ECHO → Digital Pin 6 on Arduino

• LED (optional):

  • Anode (+) → Digital Pin 13 on Arduino through a 220Ω resistor

  • Cathode (-) → GND on Arduino

Step 3: Writing the Code

With the components connected, let's write the Arduino code to control the servo motor based on the distance measured by the ultrasonic sensor.

#include <Servo.h>

const int trigPin = 7;       // Trigger pin for ultrasonic sensor

const int echoPin = 6;       // Echo pin for ultrasonic sensor

const int servoPin = 9;      // Servo motor control pin

const int ledPin = 13;       // LED pin (optional)

const int openDistance = 10; // Distance in centimeters to open the door

const int closeAngle = 0;    // Servo angle to close the door

const int openAngle = 90;    // Servo angle to open the door

Servo doorServo;             // Create a Servo object

void setup() {

  pinMode(trigPin, OUTPUT);

  pinMode(echoPin, INPUT);

  pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);

  doorServo.attach(servoPin); // Attach the servo to the pin

  doorServo.write(closeAngle); // Start with the door closed

  Serial.begin(9600); // Initialize serial communication for debugging

}

void loop() {

  long duration;

  int distance;

  // Send a pulse to trigger the ultrasonic sensor

  digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);

  delayMicroseconds(2);

  digitalWrite(trigPin, HIGH);

  delayMicroseconds(10);

  digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);

  // Measure the duration of the echo pulse

  duration = pulseIn(echoPin, HIGH);

  // Calculate the distance in centimeters

  distance = duration * 0.0344 / 2;

  // Debugging information

  Serial.print("Distance: ");

  Serial.println(distance);

  if (distance < openDistance) {

    // Open the door if the object is within the openDistance

    doorServo.write(openAngle);

    digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH); // Turn on the LED (optional)

  } else {

    // Close the door if the object is outside the openDistance

    doorServo.write(closeAngle);

    digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW); // Turn off the LED (optional)

  }

  delay(100); // Short delay for stability

}

Step 4: Simulating the Circuit

1. After entering the code, click the "Start Simulation" button in TinkerCAD.

2. Adjust the distance in the simulation to see how the servo motor reacts. The door should open when the distance is less than the specified threshold (openDistance) and close otherwise.

3. Monitor the Serial Monitor for real-time distance readings and debug information.

Step 5: Understanding the Code

• Ultrasonic Sensor Reading: The pulseIn() function measures the duration of the echo pulse, which is then converted into a distance using the speed of sound formula.

• Servo Control: The doorServo.write() function sets the angle of the servo to open or close the door.

• LED Indicator: The LED provides visual feedback of the door's state (optional).

Step 6: Enhancing the System

You can enhance the Automatic Door Opener with additional features:

• Adjustable Threshold: Use a potentiometer to adjust the distance threshold dynamically.

• Multiple Sensors: Add additional sensors for more sophisticated control (e.g., detecting multiple entry points).

• Manual Override: Implement a button or switch to manually control the door.

Conclusion

You have successfully built an Automatic Door Opener using TinkerCAD and Arduino. This project showcases the integration of sensors and actuators to automate a task, demonstrating key concepts in robotics and automation.

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