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  • home automation
  • dyi
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Related

DIY Smart Cabinet

ashurino
ashurino over 8 years ago

Hey there. I want to build a smart cabinet.

In my cabinet, I have several consoles and a HTPC/Steam Machine.
I want to equip that cabinet with some TMP36 sensors, a fan and maybe motors.

I am not sure what MCU or makerboard I should use.

Programming in Python, JavaScript, C, C++ are no problem to me.

In the end I will make a custom component for home-assistant (home-assistant.io), where I can see the temperature of the cabinet.

 

Here is the logic:
- There are around 2 to 4 tmp36-sensors build into the cabinet. (Inside bottom, Inside top left, Inside top right and one outside)
- Based on the temperature difference, a 4pin fan should be controlled with PWM.
- If the fan is not doing enough of a temperature difference, the cabinet-door should open automatically.

 

Here is the hardware I currently have:
- 4-5 Arduinos
- 1 Arduino Ethernet-Shield with PoE
- 1 Arduino Yûn with PoE
- 2-3 Raspberry Pi 3B
- ~8 TMP36 sensors
- 12V PSU
- Voltage divider 12V for the fan and 5 for the MCU
- The 4pin fan.
- Cables
- 4 pin male connector for the fan
- Barrel connnector

 

Things that are unclear:
- There has to be a case, where the MCU/Makerboard is in, including the custom hardware.
- It needs network access. Preferable wired.

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  • ashurino
    ashurino over 8 years ago in reply to DAB +1 suggested
    I want it to have 2 modes. Mode 1 autonomous: - The MCU/PC detects the temperature in multiple places inside the cabinet and decides how fast a fan should run inside it. - I am also thinking about a motor…
  • ashurino
    ashurino over 8 years ago in reply to DAB +1
    Do you have any idea for a mechanism to open and close the doors, and still allow human interactions with the door?
  • DAB
    DAB over 8 years ago in reply to ashurino +1 suggested
    You have a lot of options. I would go with motors, cables and pulleys. Lever arms enable you to keep the motors small and a few well placed springs will help open and close them. A good PIR or Ultrasonic…
  • DAB
    0 DAB over 8 years ago

    Interesting idea.

     

    What is your end goal for the cabinet?

     

    DAB

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  • ashurino
    0 ashurino over 8 years ago in reply to DAB

    I want it to have 2 modes.

     

    Mode 1 autonomous:

    - The MCU/PC detects the temperature in multiple places inside the cabinet and decides how fast a fan should run inside it.

    - I am also thinking about a motor that openes the door slightly on heavy load.

     

    Mode 2 controlled:

    - I can controlll the speed of the fan on my Home-Automation hub (Home-Assistant).

    - Maybe even opening the door.

     

    When Mode 2 is active AND the temperatures raises. Switch automatically to Mode 1.

     

    The Goal is:

    - Being a lazy gamer and also tinkering around with Home-Automation.

    - Playing games without have to open the door of the cabinet in order to stop it from overheating.

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  • ashurino
    0 ashurino over 8 years ago in reply to DAB

    Do you have any idea for a mechanism to open and close the doors, and still allow human interactions with the door?

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  • DAB
    0 DAB over 8 years ago in reply to ashurino

    You have a lot of options.

     

    I would go with motors, cables and pulleys.

    Lever arms enable you to keep the motors small and a few well placed springs will help open and close them.

     

    A good PIR or Ultrasonic sensor can detect approaching humans.  If your environmental conditions are good, capacitive sensing is also a good choice.

     

    The rest is just mechanical design, circuits and software.

     

    DAB

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  • ashurino
    0 ashurino over 8 years ago in reply to DAB

    That sounds pretty cool!

     

    With human interaction i meant like. Someone forcefully opening the door by hand.

     

    Circuits and software are no problem, but mechanically, I am a newbi. Do you have any suggestions or know similar projects?

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  • DAB
    0 DAB over 8 years ago in reply to ashurino

    You just think in reverse.

    If the doors are manually opened, what do you want to do.

    Options include motor assist.

    Or you can deny access by hold the doors closed and sound an alarm.

     

    For ideas, try looking at the Make Magazine web site or Instructables.

     

    They have lots of projects and tutorials to help new makers solve problems in domains in which they are new.

     

    DAB

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