How to Make Your Own Contactless Sanitizer Dispenser: A Step-by-Step Guide
In the wake of the global pandemic, ensuring personal hygiene has become more critical than ever. While manual sanitizer dispensers have served their purpose, they present a significant risk of contamination through touch. To mitigate this, contactless or touch-free sanitizer dispensers have gained immense popularity. These dispensers utilize sensors to detect hand movements and dispense sanitizer automatically, reducing the risk of transmission. Regent Electronics presents an easy and cost-effective way to build your own IR sensor-based touch-free sanitizer dispenser.
Objective
The primary goal of this project is to create an automated, touch-free hand sanitizer dispenser that uses an IR sensor to detect hand presence and activate the dispenser, thereby reducing the need for physical contact.
- Prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses.
- Ensure hygiene and personal safety.
- Easy to implement and cost-effective.
Applications
- Public spaces: Schools, offices, hospitals, airports, and restaurants, where minimizing contact is essential.
- Transport: Ideal for places like buses and trains, where high-touch surfaces can spread germs.
- Home: Provides a convenient, safe way to maintain personal hygiene without manual effort.
- Other industries: Factories and shops where contact with communal items should be minimized.
Components Required
Hardware Components
- Arduino UNO: The 8-bit microcontroller board, central to controlling the system and processing the sensor input.
- Relay Module: This electrical switch controls the activation of the mini-pump.
- 3-6V Mini Submersible Water Pump: A small pump that dispenses sanitizer when triggered by the IR sensor.
- BC547 Transistor: A standard NPN transistor used to amplify current and control the pump.
- Jumper Wires: These are used to connect the various components on the breadboard without requiring soldering.
- Breadboard: A board used for making temporary connections between components.
- IR Sensor: The Infrared sensor detects the presence of a hand and triggers the pump. It includes an IR LED emitter and a photodiode receiver.
Software Requirements
- Arduino IDE: An open-source software platform for writing and uploading the code to the Arduino board.
How the Contactless Hand Sanitizer Dispenser Works
The touch-free sanitizer dispenser operates using an infrared sensor that detects the presence of a hand. When the sensor detects your hand within its range, it triggers the Arduino Uno board to activate the relay, which in turn powers the mini water pump to dispense the sanitizer. This setup eliminates the need for manual operation, ensuring a safe and hygienic way to sanitize hands.
Flow Chart
- Hand Detected: IR sensor detects the presence of a hand.
- Activate Pump: The Arduino triggers the relay to turn on the water pump.
- Dispense Sanitizer: Sanitizer is dispensed automatically.
- Pump Off: The pump turns off once the hand is removed from the sensor.
Circuit Diagram
(Include a simple diagram showing the connection between Arduino, IR sensor, relay module, and mini-pump.)
Arduino Code
cpp
CopyEdit
int IR_pin = 2;
int Relay_pin = 8;
void setup() {
pinMode(IR_pin, INPUT); // IR sensor
pinMode(Relay_pin, OUTPUT); // mini-pump
Serial.begin(9600);
}
int readPin = 1;
void loop() {
readPin = digitalRead(IR_pin);
if (readPin == HIGH) {
digitalWrite(Relay_pin, LOW); // Pump OFF
Serial.println(“Pump is OFF”);
delay(500);
} else {
digitalWrite(Relay_pin, HIGH); // Pump ON
Serial.println(“Pump is ON”);
delay(500);
}
}
Serial Output
- Pump is OFF: When no hand is detected.
- Pump is ON: When the hand is detected.
Conclusion
The contactless hand sanitizer dispenser is an excellent solution for ensuring hygiene and preventing the spread of viruses and bacteria. By utilizing an IR sensor, this device offers a touch-free and convenient way to dispense sanitizer. With its simple and affordable design, it’s a perfect project for individuals and institutions looking to improve public health and safety, especially in light of the ongoing pandemic.
Why Choose Regent Electronics for Your DIY Projects?
- Quality Components: We provide reliable, high-quality electronic components for your DIY projects.
- Affordable Kits: Get all the necessary parts to complete your touch-free sanitizer dispenser at a cost-effective price.
- Easy-to-Follow Guides: We offer step-by-step instructions to help you build your devices with ease.
Shop Now at Regent Electronics and Start Building Your Own Contactless Sanitizer Dispenser!