Retrofit Touchless Faucet
2020 Personal Project
Mechanical Skills Used:
CAD 3D Modeling, Prototyping, FDM 3D PRinting, Mechanical Assembly
Electrical and Programming Skills Used:
Arduino Coding, Electrical Circuit Analysis, Soldering, Sensor Processing.
Software Used:
Solidworks, Arduino IDE, Cura, G-Code
Ever since the Coronavirus pandemic hit, we have all stepped up our hand-washing game. This means that our hands touch faucet handles several times a day, spreading germs and exposing us to the risk of catching an infection. This issue becomes worse when we consider public restrooms, where the number of people coming into contact with faucets increases exponentially. While motion-sensing faucets have existed for a while, these units can cost hundreds of dollars. It would not be financially feasible to replace every public restroom faucet with these expensive alternatives. So, I created a solution that can keep cost and infrastructure change minimal while being contact-free.
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My device adds touchless functionality to existing hand-operated faucets. A simple wave of the hand turns the tap on and off.
How does it work? The proximity sensor senses when a hand is swiped and sends a signal to an Arduino. This triggers a routine that tells the two servo motors to move a rack and pinion up or down.
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The device can be customized to fit a variety of faucet shapes and sizes. The best part is that it costs under $15! By enabling contactless handwashing at an affordable price, my device can help take an additional step towards stopping the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases.
