Decclo/Project_ChickenDoor

An automated door for dem chicks.

Project Chicken Door

A project to make a mechanism that can open and close each day at predefined times.

Mechanics and Power Eletroncis

The project utilizes the following components:

• Mechanics and power electronics:
  • An 100kg AC lift.
  • Bunch of cables that can handle the lift amp draw.
  • Two AC limit switches that can handle the lift amp draw.
  • Some electronics junction boxes for safe cable management
• Fine electronics:
  • Arduino Nano or Uno.
  • DS3231 clock module
  • Keypad shield for Arduino
  • 4x relays

The lift should be connected so that the limit switches prevent the lift from opening/closing the door beyond its maximum, and the relay should be connected to act as a second remote. If you use a DC motor, then you can change the behaviour of the relay into a basic H-bridge in the 'Supp_Func.h' file. A very basic schematic of how I connected the mechanics electronically can be seen in the figure below. .

The door itself was renovated so that it could run up and down without getting stuck. Furthermore, a triangle was welded to the door, as to trigger the limit switches (as can be seen from the first photo).

Control and electronics

A Arduino Nano is used for control, utilizing a DS3231 Real Time Clock module for timekeeping and alarms. The clock and alarms can be set by using the LCD screen. The alarms trigger a high on the SQW, which triggers an interrupt on INT0. A schematic of the controller can be seen below.