PROGRESS REPORT

ENGINEERING TEAM PROJECT

GROUP 83
AUTOMATIC WINDOW

SUPERVISOR : Dr A'fza Bt Shafie

Team Members:

ChE

MOHD RAZMI ZIQRI AHMAD SHUKRI

12375PE

VIRGILIO LEITAO MUANDO

11819EE

SITI MARHAMAH MUSTAFHA

12445ME

NUR FARHANA BINTI ROSLEE

11352CE

MUHAMMAD FARIS BIN CHE SALAM

11492ME

MUHAMMAD FAIQ BIN ROSLI

11162

No.
1

Content
Introduction

Page Number

1.1 Project definition

1.2 Problem statement and identification of potential solutions
1.3 Literature review

3-10

1.4 Design concept

1.5 Justification in choosing design
2

Project planning
2.1 Task listing and distribution

10-13

2.2 Logic of sequence of task

2.3 Feasibility of plan
3

Methodology
3.1 Identification of suitable tools or software
14

3.1.1 Software
3.1.2 Tools / Hardware
4

Data gathering and analysis

4.1 Application of fundamental engineering knowledge

15-16

4.2 Validity & suitability of data

5
Economical / business consideration
5.1 Capital Cost Consideration

16-17

5.2 Operational Cost Consideration

5.3 Alternatives in Materials
6
7

Conclusion

17

References

18

TABLE OF CONTENT

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1

PROJECT DEFINITION

The main objective of the automatic window project is to design a window that has
special features and added value to improve the effectiveness of the already
existing window in the market. The proposed innovation: (1)
i.

To design a working window prototype that can close automatically when the

ii.
iii.

present of water and vise versa.

To design a power window that can help the users to opperate it easily.
To design a window that have the timer as it will close the time setted by

iv.

users.
To construct a conceptual design and analysis of the window in order to
improve its efficiency, physical and chemical characteristics.

1.2
i.

PROJECT DEFINITION AND IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL SOLUTION

Problem: Users forgot to close the window when going out from house and
maybe it will be raining and the water that can enter the house through the
window will destroy or damage the valuable things inside the house.
Solution: The window is designed to close automatically when the sensor

ii.

detect the present of water and the users valuable things will be safe.
Problem: The users forgot to close the window before sleeping.
Thief or strangers will easily enter the the house through the open window
and you can imagine the negative effects to users and the belongings.
Solution: The window is designed with timer which the users can set the

iii.

time and rhe window will close automatically.

Problem: Childrens and disable person are unable to open and close the
window easily because sometime the window is far distance from ground.
Excessive weight of window also can cause the trouble to users.
Solution: The window is designed to have the motor and the remote control
so the user can operate the window easily.

1.3
I.

LITERATURE REVIEW
Valuable belonging get damage due to raining because forget to close the
window.
3

A research study had been conducted and we know that some cases of
damage personal computer at hostels. Besides, the assignments also get wet
after raining due to

forget close the room window before go anyway. The

sensor attached at this automatic window will activated the motor and close
II.

the window automatically.

Lost of belonging
Based on statistics, there are some cases that some valuable properties like
purse, handset and money get stolen due to forget to close the room window
before sleep. The automatic window that also have the timer function will

III.

prevent this thing from happen.

Disability
The children and disabled person cannot operate the normal window because
some windows are far from ground or there are obstacles that cause harms to
users especially when children want to close or open the windows. So we
have the remote control as the users can operate their window from a
distance and less effort. Some window also is so heavy and it may cause
trouble for elderly and disabled person.
1.4

DESIGN CONCEPT

ROOF

FRONT VIEW

TOP VIEW

SIDE VIEW

PERSPEX
FRAME

CONNECTO
R

MOTOR
3D VIEW

ENGINEERING PRINCIPLE ON THE MOTOR OF POWER WINDOW

Our automatic power window is such an easy design that uses the similar motor
that is used in the car power window. But instead of using the motor to move up
and down, we make our window to sliding back and forward. Furthermore, we use
the pulley and wire steel whereas the car power windows use the gear and the steel
to move the window up and down.
The power window motor is a small motor that has an attached pulley (pulley A).
This pulley has a wire steel that connects it with the two others pulley (pulley B and
C).the function of pulley B and C is, they will make the wire steel fixed on its place
and block the connector from keep moving. The connector is located between the
pulley B and C and it is cling to the wire steel. The connector function is to connect
the movement of wire steel and the window.
When the rain starts to drop, our sensor will detect the presence of water and the
circuit will be complete. As we all know water is a good conductor. So it will connect
5

the sensor and make the circuit become complete. As a result, the complete circuit
will switch on the motor. The motor that is connecting with the pulley A will rotate.
The pulley A will rotate to the left or right to pull the wire steel. The wire steel will
moving and the connector also will move since it is attached to the wire steel. The
connector also attached to the window and will make the window sliding from
backward to forward or from forward to the backward.(2)
Wire steel

Motor

Pulley A

Pulley B and C

Connector

The type that we use for the motor is brushed DC since we use direct current for
this simple mechanism. This kind of motor is suitable for simple speed control which
is can be applied to our automatic window prototype. This motor usually mainly
used for driving digital AV equipment and PC peripherals, and for automotive
electronic components. Motor shapes can generally be divided into flat and round
types. From the figure, we use the flat one. The flat type of motor usually use for
feeding and loading.
For motor mechanism, torque must be taking into the consideration. Generally
speaking, torque can be defined as the turning or twisting force generated by an
electrical force in order to make it operate. It unit is rated in N.m in the SI system or
lb.ft in imperial system. There is several formulae on how to calculate or find the
torque.(3)

1. Calculating Torque:
To calculate torque, apply this formula:
T=FxD
T = torque (in lb-ft)
F = force (in lb)
D = distance (in ft)
2. Calculating Full-load Torque:
Full-load torque is the torque to produce the rated power at full speed
of the motor. The amount of torque a motor produces at rated power
and full speed can be found by using a horsepower-to-torque
conversion chart.(4)
To calculate motor full-load torque, apply this formula:
T = HP x 5252
rpm
T = torque (in lb-ft)
HP = horsepower
5252 = constant
rpm = revolutions per minute
In order to find the horsepower, we need to use this formula (current,
efficiency and voltage known) :
HP = V x I x Ef
746
HP = horsepower
V = voltage
I
= current (amps)
Ef. = efficiency
7

We also need to find the motor speed and work that applied. We can use
these formulas:
For work;
W=FxD
W = work (in lb-ft)
F = force (in lb)
D = distance (in ft)
and for speed;
rpm = 120 x F
P
Srpm = synchronous revolutions per minute.
120 = constant
F
= supply frequency (in cycles/sec)
P
= number of motor winding poles

Technically it consists of an AND gate from two (2) sensors which outputs a signal to
Forward the motor and the reverse process is manually done by means of a
mechanical switch. The first sensor is a mechanical sensor (switch) emits a HIGH
signal all the time except when the window is closed. The second switch is a rain
detector switch that emits a HIGH signal only when it detects humidity (rain). The
output of the AND inputs mentioned above is a unique combination that drives the
motor.
In practical terms, the output will only supply current to the motor when the window
is open and there is rain, if either of the conditions is met without the other being
true the circuit will not trigger the motor.

LABEL
Wafer Switch acts as a Microswitch
74S32D OR gate OR gate to sum
the switchs outputs
74LS08 AND gate Main chip AND
gate to multiply the inputs from both
sensors
Probe A test probe used to display
the output

Figure 1.1: MultiSIM Digital Simulation - The schematics of the sensors when the rain is
detected (only while the window is closing).

A HIGH (1) signal sent by a micro switch attached to the window will be sent to the
combinational digital circuit at all at all time but the time when the window hits the
micro switch; this is when the micro switch will send a LOW (0) input to the AND
gate shown in the simulation. The rain detector will be sending LOW signal to the
combinational network except when there is water on the sensor; now there will be
a HIGH (1) input to the AND gate and the output will be HIGH (1) Figure 1.1. This
output will supply power to the motor until the window is totally closed (by the time
the window hits the micro switch).The micro switch will send a LOW (0) signal to the
AND input therefore the AND output will go back to LOW state enabling the motor to
stop (see figure 1.2). The output of the AND gate stays LOW (0) for as long as the
window stays closed. An oscilloscope is used to show the switching time and
response of the Wafer switch used here. (5)

Oscilloscope signal when the Wafer Switch

is pressed

Figure 1.2: MultiSIM Digital Simulation - The sensors circuit when the window is fully closed
(Wafer Switch is at Zero position).

The simulation is however not as the practical circuit will be. Changes will be
needed in order to achieve the desired combination. The 4011B (NAND) chip will be
used to for all the gates needed due to the electrical proprieties of the mentioned
CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) chip. This chip is the only one
available that can take a wide range of voltage supply (VDD) which is 5v to 15v
refer to Appendix 1. The 4010B is a CMOS quadruple2-input NAND gate integrated
Circuit that can replace the 74LSXXD TTL (Transistor-Transistor Logic) gates used in
the simulation. The software used for simulation (MultiSIM) does not include CMOS
Integrated circuits (ICs), therefore the TTL were used to replace them. The main
reason we are not going to use TTL gates in the practical circuit is that TTL gates
have a maximum rating voltage (VCC) of 6volts half of what we are using to
operate the motor. TTL logic gates could, however, be used if we consider the
implementation of relays (electrically operated switch) in the circuit.
In addition there is one switch to manually open/close the window this operation
could be referred as sensors circuit bypass. The bypass operation is done by simply
attaching a Toggle Switch at the output of the sensor which is going to be OR-gated
by the direct OPEN/CLOSE switch. Switching the Toggle switch to LOW (0) position
will allow the OR output to be whichever the other (direct) input is, and thus
discarding whatever the output of the sensors circuit. Additional research on
wireless transmission for OPEN/CLOSE operations is in progress.

10

2.1
2.1

PROJECT PLANNING

TASK LISTING AND DISTRIBUTION

Week
Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Progress / Task Accomplished

First meeting, getting to know each other and task delegation.
Idea brainstorming and idea short-listing.
First meeting with the supervisor, discussion regarding the
selected idea.
Further research and consideration of proposed subject.

Consultation with lecturer about the circuit and the motor that
would be used.
Survey prices for motor
Proposal is build after team meeting where the proposed idea is
made clear.
Proposal approved by supervisor and handed-in to the coordinator.
Fabricate the frame of the window
Further research on the circuit component analysis
Consultation with lecturer, some changes need to be done.

Stage one design of the device and also design analysis is

made.
Do some engineering calculation

Table 2: Task completed

Week

Oncoming Task

Lab test on the window

Complete the circuit
Complete the prototype

Week 8

Testing on the window (working or not)

Any arising problem must be solved.

Week 9

Testing the product and quality control

Modifying and improving the prototype
Prepare slides and poster, practice presentation, final
research
Product testing and finalization.

Week 6
Week 7

Week 10

11

Week 11

Week 12
Week 13
Week 14

Marketing plan; poster, flyers, pamphlet, power point

presentation.
Ready for EDX-short listing team presentation.
Draft and progress with final report.
Project review.
Project touch up and modification. (If enter EDX)
Progress with the final report.
Final report submission.

Table 3: Task to be completed

Department

Specific Task

Chemical

Civil

Electronic & Electrical

Mechanical

Petroleum

Choose the right material

Doing the research regarding the shape and useful of
the prototype
Ensure the product is environmental friendly
Handling manufacturing part
Design the structure of prototype
Decide hardware needed
Check on material strength and also the stability of
the product.
Doing the research on processing the device
Dealing with the electric and electronic component of
the prototype
Lead the team to do the work
Make sure all the tasks is done within time constraint.

Table 4: Task Distribution

2.2

LOGIC OF SEQUENCE OF TASK

Stage 1: Design & Fabrication

Step 1: Deciding the parts needed for the automatic window based on the
objectives of the project.

Step 2: Sketching few sketches of the device manually.

12

Step 3: Decide the most suitable design. Draw the suitable design by using
software.

Step 4: Specifying the appropriate and suitable materials used to fabricate

the window. Calculation done to decide power of the motor used and to
decide the power source needed

Step 5: Finding the materials and stating the cost of each materials.

Step 6: Fabricating a working prototype

Step 7: Testing the prototype. If experiment success, proceed with the

prototype. If experiment fails, go to the fifth step and proceed until final step.
Figure 10 : Step for Design & Fabrication
Stage 2: Presentation & Documentation
Step 1: Prepare information about theory and application on prototype
Step 2: Preparing materials for presentation (e.g. sketches, prototype, board and etc.)

Step 3: Preparing final report

Figure 11 : Step for Design & Fabrication
2.3

FEASIBILITY OF PLAN

Work completed
Group members attended the ETP Seminar II on 4th August 2010 at LH
1 that stressed on how to ensure that our project is still on the track.
Proposal report was submitted to the supervisor, Dr. Afza Shafie on 13th
August 2010. The HSE briefing at workshop was done on 25th August 2010.
The price of hardware for automatic window at the market was
surveyed. We suddenly got the motor from previous group which is still
13

workable and decided to reuse it. Some of the electrical devices we got from
the lab. Other devices to be put on the window were surveyed as well. The
first draft of the design of the automatic window using CATIA was done.
Meetings with the supervisor are done weekly to make some improvement
and consider factors involving fabrication. The frame of the window was
already being fabricated. The perspex had being attached into the frame.
The circuit is successfully work at the beginning, but need to put some
additional component because we had changed the battery from 9V to 12V
due to some additional improvisation of automatic window.
Appointments were arranged with lecturers and technicians to enquire
about the components needed and how to fabricate the prototype. From the
discussion, the solutions that will work on the project design were obtained.
Work in progress and planning
Currently, the circuit and the sensor are still on progress. The base and
the roof of the window are planned to be built in the short time.

3.0 METHODOLOGY
3.1

IDENTIFICATION OF SUITABLE TOOLS OR SOFTWARE

LIST OF SOFTWARE NEEDED

List of Software Needed
AutoCAD 2006
1. OR
AutoCAD 2007
Catia

: For technical drawing.

: For technical drawing.
: For technical drawing.

Microsoft Office : For writing reports,

presentations and
14
compilation of paperwork.

2. Catia

: For 3-D technical drawing.

3. Microsoft Office

: For writing reports, presentations and compilation of

paperwork.

LIST OF HARDWARE NEEDED

Aluminium

The frame of the device

To transfer the device from one place to
another
To convert electricity to rotational
motion

Pulleys
Motor
Perspex

As the material to replace glass

Battery 12v 3.2 Amp

Power supply

Pulley

Transition of movement

Circuit:
- wire
- switches

To connect the circuit

To connect and disconnect the
subsystems in the device
To make the window will close by
itself when we set the time

timer

Box

To make the roof of the frame

4.0 DATA GATHERING AND ANALYSIS

4.1 APPLICATION OF FUNDAMENTAL ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE.
The important key of this project are:
i.
ii.

Choose or use the affordable and cheap material so that everyone can
afford to have it at their home.
Implement the electronic device such as timer, sound buzzer, sensor
and receiver and transducer in order to improve the automatic window.

15

iii.

Improve the function of automatic window such as close when sensor

detects the rain and open when it is dry (detects the sunlight). Also we
can control the window with our desire by using remote control.
Specification

Description

Aesthetical
value

Attractive, interesting and valuable

Cost

Cheap and affordable to all

Design

The connection between the sensor, motor and

the pulley

Function

Close and open the window automatically or using

remote control

Material

Easy to deal with (fabrication purpose), cost

efficient and high availability.
Table: Specification of the Project

FEATURES

NORMAL WINDOW

Movement
mechanis
m
Timer

manually

PROJECT
automatic

The time can be set. For example

at 7 pm,
the window will close
automatically.
Cost
Cheaper (depend
Higher than the normal window
on material).
but still can take into the
consideration.
Target
All people
Focus on disable person which is
lack of movement and the busy
career person which is backing
home late.
Table: Comparison between normal window and the projects

4.2

none

VALIDITY AND SUITABILITY OF DATA.

After taking all the consideration, we are now working hard completing the
automatic window prototype. Based on the data from the table above, we want to
16

modify the normal window to the automatic one and we believe it can be in the
market one day.
It really helpful many people especially the disable person and just need less energy
or in other word, reducing the time usage.(6) For the normal window, there is no
timer and there is one for the automatic window. It can be set to any desire time to
close or open the window. In the term of cost, the normal one may cheaper but it
also depend on the material that customer use. The cost for automatic window may
be higher than the normal because cost for the electrical components such as
sensor and motor but it still can be consider cheap and affordable to all people. It no
needs the complex electrical or mechanical circuit which is costly for build this
prototype. So that the main reason we choose to continue on this project.

5.0 ECONOMICAL / BUSINESS CONSIDERATION

5.1 CAPITAL COST
NUMBER

ITEM

AMOUNT

PRICE(RM) PER
UNIT

TOTAL(RM)

1.

Aluminium for
frame

50.00

50.00

2.

Perspex

(from lab 21)

3.

Motor

(inovate from
previous ETP
project)

4.

Battery

45.00

45.00

5.

Metal for base

structure of
prototype

(from lab 21)

TOTAL

95.00

17

5.2 OPERATIONAL COST

No Description
.
1.

Price (RM)

Charging batery

Total

5.3 ALTERNATIVES IN MATERIAL

Materials

Descriptions

Frame of window/ prototype

Another alternative for frame of

window is wood, but we choose
aluminium because aluminium
cheaper and lighter.

Window

Another alternative for window is

glass, but we choose perspex
because perspex is lighter and
easy to get from lab and with no
cost.

6.0 CONCLUSION
As a conclusion of this progress report, about one-third of the task to complete
this project was accomplished. Based on what we have done so far, our progress is
greater than expected progress as in our Gantt chart. We are now in the beginning
of the fabrication of prototype process. The motor is able to move the window from
one end to the other and smoothly with a delayed push of a button. We learned
many skills such as designing prototype, wiring the circuit and sensor, cutting
Perspex and other tools that we use for this project and we are able to work
together as a team throughout the project. The sensor runs smoothly and remote
control is still in the process of research.(7)
Besides that, we are still doing feasibility studies during prototype construction
in order to produce an efficient window that is affordable by all people, while still
caters all the functions that we intend to put at the window. After the prototype
construction, we will conduct the quality test control. From time to time, we will
always check and test the efficiency of the window to make sure that our window
18

especially the motor and the circuitry are always working as they suppose to.
Finally, we will proceed to the presentation of our prototype.

6.0 REFERENCES
1) Retrieved August 30, 2010, from
http://www.scribd.com/doc/18138277/Final-Year-Project-in-automaticgate-system
2) Retrieved August 30, 2010, from
http://www.1aauto.com/1A/WindowMotors
3) Motor engineering; selecting by shape-rectangular; Retrieved 29th
August 2010, http://www.nmbtc.com/brush-dcmotors/engineering/select-flat.html.
4) Motor formulas (2010) ; Retrieved 31st August 2010, www.electoolbox.com/Formulas/Motor/mtrform.htm
5) Philips Semiconductors (1995); Data Sheet HEF4011B Gates Quadruple
2-input

NAND

gate;

Retrieved

August

31st,

2010

http://www.alldatasheet.com/datasheetpdf/pdf/17678/PHILIPS/4011B.html
6) Garvin, S. L. (1998). Better doors and windows for the elderly and
disabled. Structural Survey , 2324.
7) Retrieved August 30, 2010, from http://www.autogates.com.my/

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from

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