Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
33 Temperature sensor network for thermostat control
 Haige Chen
Heming Wang
Ryan Finley
 Dongwei Shi design_document1.pdf
final_paper1.pdf
presentation1.pdf
proposal1.pdf
Team Members:
Haige Chen (haigec2) , Heming Wang (hwang236), Ryan Finley (rafinle2)

Problem:
Traditional thermostats collect temperature from one location. This may be insufficient in a place such as a multi-room apartment where different rooms, or different corners of the same room do not get heated/cooled evenly. While some modern HVAC systems can check for these imbalances, it’s not practical for older buildings to replace existing systems. Also, replacing the whole HVAC system could be very costly. Regardless, incidents such as forgetting to close a door or window may cause dramatic disparities in temperature - hiking heating/cooling bills if not warned early.

Solution:
We seek to build a scalable temperature aggregation system as a cheaper add-on (than replacing with newest zoning HVAC) to older HVAC systems to collect and interpret temperature data across multiple rooms in any internal environment. The design would require temperature sensors, Wifi chips, and MCUs integrated on PCBs, and a central hub that gathers all the sensor data.
The user can monitor the temperatures and receive alerts through a phone app in real time. Some alerts may include dramatic changes in a rooms temperature and, depending on the timeframe, “next steps” will be suggested to the customer to assist in fixing the disparity. For example, if the timeframe has been short-term, it may suggest checking for open windows. If long-term, it may suggest checking for obstructions in the heating duct.

We can use two types of actuators to help maintaining the desired temperature better. We can design a fit-all control box that users can install over the HVAC controller that can push buttons to turn up and down temperature setting. This device would require wireless connectivity and control (e.g. pressure sensor at the tip of button-pushing mechanism for feedback). To ensure the box fits most standard controllers, we plan to create an exoskeleton that clips onto the controller box. Also, as a reach goal we plan on automating the opening and closing of a standard 4in x 10in floor register to regulate air-flow, an idea suggested by Prof. Jiang.
An additional reach goal may be to sense movement in a room. This could predict if someone is present and push priority to keep that room at optimal temperature. This could be done using a passive IR sensor that detects human motions.

Technical Specs:
Central hub (MCU, Wifi chip): acts as the server that gathers data from sensors and sends command to actuators. Power supplied by wall.
Sensors (temperature sensor, MCU, wifi chip): measures the temperature in a particular spot in the house and send data back to hub (sparsely, e.g. every 10 minutes). Powered by batteries.
HVAC controller actuator (fit-all case 3D printed, servo motor, wifi chip, MCU): receive command from hub and change HVAC settings by pushing buttons. The mechanical design makes sure it clamps onto all types of HVAC controller, and upon installation, the user can slide the actuators above the buttons and lock them.
Air vent actuator (motor, wifi chip, MCU): receives commands from hub and turn the air vent using a servo.

Modular design/distribution of work
- Communications functionality: make sure different device can talk to each other correctly via wifi
- Sensor: make sure temperature sensor can read correct value
- Actuator: mechanical design; make sure motors and servos work correctly
- Control algorithm: the hub interprets the data and decides what actions to take
- Phone app: user interface for user to see real time data and change settings

Link to idea post: https://courses.engr.illinois.edu/ece445/pace/view-topic.asp?id=31443

Modularized Electronic Locker

Jack Davis, Joshua Nolan, Jake Pu

Modularized Electronic Locker

Featured Project

Group Member: Jianhao (Jake) Pu [jpu3], Joshua Nolan [jtnolan2], John (Jack) Davis [johnhd4]

Problem:

Students living off campus without a packaging station are affected by stolen packages all the time. As a result of privacy concerns and inconsistent deployment, public cameras in Champaign and around the world cannot always be relied upon. Therefore, it can be very difficult for victims to gather evidence for a police report. Most of the time, the value of stolen items is small and they are usually compensated by the sellers (Amazon and Apple are very understanding). However, not all deliveries are insured and many people are suffering from stolen food deliveries during the COVID-19 crisis. We need a low-cost solution that can protect deliveries from all vendors.

Solution Overview:

Our solution is similar to Amazon Hub Apartment Locker and Luxer One. Like these services, our product will securely enclose the package until the owners claim the contents inside. The owner of the contents can claim it using a phone number or a unique user identification code generated and managed by a cloud service.

The first difference we want to make from these competitors is cost. According to an article, the cost of a single locker is from $6000 - $20000. We want to minimize such costs so that we can replace the traditional mailbox. We talked to a Chinese manufacturer and got a hardware quote of $3000. We can squeeze this cost if we just design our own control module on ESP32 microcontrollers.

The second difference we want to make is modularity. We will have a sensor module, a control module, a power module and any number of storage units for hardware. We want to make standardized storage units that can be stacked into any configuration, and these storage units can be connected to a control module through a communication bus. The control module houses the hardware to open or close all of the individual lockers. A household can purchase a single locker and a control module just for one family while apartment buildings can stack them into the lockers we see at Amazon Hub. I think the hardware connection will be a challenge but it will be very effective at lowering the cost once we can massively manufacture these unit lockers.

Solution Components:

Storage Unit

Basic units that provide a locker feature. Each storage unit will have a cheap microcontroller to work as a slave on the communication bus and control its electronic lock (12V 36W). It has four connectors on top, bottom, left, and right sides for stackable configuration.

Control Unit

Should have the same dimension as one of the storage units so that it could be stacked with them. Houses ESP32 microcontroller to run control logics on all storage units and uses the built-in WiFi to upload data to a cloud server. If sensor units are detected, it should activate more security features accordingly.

Power Unit

Power from the wall or from a backup battery power supply and the associated controls to deliver power to the system. Able to sustain high current in a short time (36W for each electronic lock). It should also have protection against overvoltage and overcurrent.

Sensor Modules

Sensors such as cameras, motion sensors, and gyroscopes will parlay any scandalous activities to the control unit and will be able to capture a photo to report to authorities. Sensors will also have modularity for increased security capabilities.

Cloud Support

Runs a database that keeps user identification information and the security images. Pushes notification to end-users.

Criterion for Success:

Deliverers (Fedex, Amazon, Uber Eats, etc.) are able to open the locker using a touchscreen and a use- provided code to place their package inside. Once the package is inside of the locker, a message will be sent to the locker owner that their delivery has arrived. Locker owners are able to open the locker using a touchscreen interface. Owners are also able to change the passcode at any time for security reasons. The locker must be difficult to break into and offer theft protection after multiple incorrect password attempts.

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