As we are becoming environment freaks going for sustainable
use of our natural resources. Water is one which has the top most
priority. Hi-tech brains sat together
with one motto “save water; saving a single drop is a huge milestone”. This
lead to an innovative invention which has unconsciously become a part of our
daily activities and none of us care what is inside while using.
Well I am talking about Automatic Sensor Taps. Along with saving water an insight tells us that there is a
wide instrumentation involved.
The main components are:
- Capacitive proximity sensor
- Solenoid valve
The heart of the automatic tap sensor is the capacitive
proximity sensor which detects both metallic and non-metallic targets without
physical contact. The sensor has a capacitance plate; oscillator; signal level
detector; a solid-state output switching device.
The capacitive proximity sensor generates electrostatic
field and reacts to changes in capacitance caused when the target enters the
electrostatic field. When the target is outside the electrostatic field, the
oscillator is inactive. As the target approaches, a capacitive coupling
develops between the target and the capacitive probe. When the capacitance
reaches a specified threshold detected by the signal level detector, the
oscillator is activated, triggering the solid-state output switching device to
switch state between ON and OFF.
Solenoid valve: A solenoid valve is an electromechanically operated valve. It is normally
closed; and opens up to releases water through the flexible hose as soon as an
output signal is received from the sensor.
Here power supply is connected to
the solenoid valve with a relay in between. The relay is activated by the
sensor signal. Once the relay acting as a switch gets its signal from the
sensor it completes the circuit between the power supply and the solenoid
valve. This leads to the magnetization of the solenoid coil which causes the
plunger to lift the stem from the seat and the inlet water is moved out.
The time duration for which the water flows continuously is
set with the help of 555 timer and if the object is present for time duration
more than that the sensor again activates and which a micro second lags again
the water flows.
So we saw that we just need an insight… there is knowledge
everywhere just open your eyes and see the Hi tech instrumentation…
