Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
54 Pancake Flipper
David Lin
James Lu
Jason Kim
Abhisheka Mathur Sekar design_document2.pdf
final_paper1.pdf
other1.jpg
photo1.jpg
presentation2.pptx
proposal2.pdf
Team Members:
- James Lu (jameslu2)
- Jason Kim (jasonsk3)
- David Lin (davidzl2)

# Problem
When flipping pancakes at home, many things can go wrong. For example, the pancake can rip, fold on itself, burn, and deform. There are many tools that automate making pancakes, but they have set sizes for the pancakes. This is an issue for varying appetite sizes.

# Solution

Describe your design at a high-level, how it solves the problem, and introduce the subsystems of your project.
Our design automates the task of flipping pancakes. It is a device that can be used on a home and portable stove. The device has a metal plate that is placed directly on top of a heat source such as a stove. Pancakes are cooked on the metal plate. Using various sensors, an appropriate duration for cooking the pancake is determined to avoid undercooking or burning. After the cooking period, the pancake is flipped, and another timer is set to cook the other side. With automation, pancakes are less prone to ripping, folding, and deforming during the flipping process. This device allows the user to cook a pancake with a size of their choice by letting the user pour the batter manually. The subsystems include the timer, the message system, the pancake measurement system, the temperature sensor, and the flipper.


# Solution Components

## Subsystem 1 Timer

The timer is adjusted according to the size of the pancake, it basically sets a certain amount of time that the pancake needs to be cooked before it gets flipped. By doing so, the system makes sure to avoid overcooking and undercooking.

Possible Timer: DC 5V-36V Timer Module Trigger Cycle Delay Timer Switch Turn On/Off Relay Module with LED Display
## Subsystem 2 Pancake Measurement System
The pancake measurement system provides an estimate for the size of the pancake which is used as an input to calculate how long the pancake batter should be cooked before flipping. In order to obtain an estimate for the size of the pancake, an ultrasonic sensor is moved along the center of the metal plate facing downward onto the pancake. The difference in distance between the sensor and both the pancake and the plate, along with the speed of the sensor as it moves across the center of the plate, is used to calculate the pancake's diameter for size estimation. The calculations will be done in the MCU.

Possible ultrasonic sensor: cusa_t75_18_2400_th
Possible MCU: STM32F303K8T6TR

## Subsystem 3 Temperature Sensor
The temperature sensor measures the temperature of the stove and the surface temperature of the pancake. Once the temperature sensor detects a certain temperature on the stove, the system will notify the display bar to display the message of letting the user pour the batter. Once the pancake is flipped, the temperature sensor will then start detecting for a certain temperature which would tell the user that the pancake is ready. By using the temperature sensor, the system makes sure that the pancake is thoroughly cooked.

Possible temperature sensor: Amphenol JS8746B-0.20 Industrial Temperature Sensors

## Subsystem 4 Display Bar
The display bar tells the user the instructions to make the pancake, such as when to start pouring the batter, when the pancake is ready. The display bar is triggered by the temperature sensor detection, in that way, the system ensures to provide the users with the correct instructions.

## Subsystem 5 Flipper

When it is time to flip the pancake, the MCU will control some servos in order to create a flipping motion.

# Criterion For Success

Describe high-level goals that your project needs to achieve to be effective. These goals need to be clearly testable and not subjective.
Successfully flipping the pancake without folding and ripping
Make sure the pancake is thoroughly cooked by measuring internal temperature.
The ultrasonic sensor subsystem should be able to return the diameter of the pancake.
Timer is adjusted to the size of the pancake.
Display bar displays the correct message at the correct time.

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"Engineering is all about solving real life problems and using the solutions to improve the lives of others. ECE 445 allows you to actually delve deeper into what this really means by providing students the chance to undergo the engineering design process. This requires taking all of the theoretical knowledge, lab experiences, and ultimately, everything that you have ever learned in life, and applying it to your project. Though, there is structure to the course and deadlines in place to measure your team's progress, the actual design, implementation, and success of your project is all determined by you. Unlike any other course that I have taken, I've gained an appreciation for the utilization and benefits of external resources, unforeseen scheduling delays, delegating tasks, and most importantly, teamwork. I consider ECE 445 to be a crash course into real life engineering and a guide to become a successful engineer." -- Lauren White