I have designed the UI interface, but I have not yet considered which components to use to simulate the functionality of the washing machine.
I just figured I’d use a Raspberry Pi to do it.
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Hi Lance,
Were you looking to simulate and model a washing machine, or hack a washing machine to make it “smarter”?
Washing machines can be broken down into functional components, they are:
- motor drivers for the drum
- switches for the door
- heater elements for the water
- temperature sensors for the water
- water level sensors
- motor drivers for the pumps
- an audio driver for any speaker or chime
- some sort of Human Machine Interface - which you have already designed the UI for.
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I am trying to simulate some of the functions I want by using simple components. For example, I want to use motors to simulate speed control and LEDs to simulate prompting the washing machine to finish washing.
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Hi Lance,
Sounds like an excellent plan for a model. I’d recommend some brushed DC micro gearmotors as the easiest to do speed control for, or perhaps a continuous rotation servo. LEDs are easily driven directly by any microcontroller.
Were you planning to use a microcontroller to control the hardware system? Did you have one in mind?
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Hi, Yes, I am planning to use a microcontroller. I have used many microcontrollers.
Is there a link to the brushed DC micro gearmotors you mentioned, I would like to check it out.
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