Rilland Carl DG.

Agcaoili TKL/HXY

Fully Automated Four-Layered Window

Machines are made to make life simple, and engineers are tasked to develop those types of
machines and automation. While engineers are tasked to solve worldwide problems, I, an
undergrad student of engineering, was assigned to solve problems on a much smaller scale. I
personally wanted to focus on a problem that people are overlooking for it appears to be a “not
that serious” kind of problem. The irony is that I spent countless hours in my room thinking of a
problem that is being overlooked by people, not realizing that I too was overlooking it, literally,
looking through my window.

A window is a basic house feature that people usually forget to close. I myself am having
trouble closing the window whenever it is needed and leaving the window is a huge problem,
especially when it is raining because the rain will eventually reach the inside of the house,
making your belongings wet. But those are just the lighter side of things, moving on the more
serious side. A window is not only a house feature that lets you view the scenery outside. It also
provides security, and leaving it open makes your house vulnerable. It might result in losses of
precious and expensive belongings from a thief barging in through the window, and in extreme
cases, death. Last 2015, I woke up to notice that my neighborhood was full of police officers. It
turns out that that night, our neighbor, a 15-year old girl, was raped and killed together with her
mom. And according to the CCTV footage, the suspects went through their left-opened window.
And it is really frustrating because the father was an OFW and was scheduled to come home the
next month, and the suspects used and waited for every single circumstance, including the left-
opened window. Now let us assume that all of us, including the 15-year old girl, are people who
are responsible enough to always remember whether or not to close the window, will the result
be any different? No, because a window needs to be closed by someone and that someone is
unlikely not to leave the house and stay awake all the time, and of course the most crucial thing,
windows are breakable. And in conclusion, as simple as the inability to not always close the
window should be considered a major problem that results in drastic challenges and therefore
needs a solution.

As a solution, I propose to change the traditional window to a fully automated four-layered

window which will provide automation and better security to the user. The set-up will be
composed of three sensors and two actuators. The sensors include 10k B3950 NTC (Thermistor),
Rilland Carl DG. Agcaoili TKL/HXY

K-0135 (Water Sensor), and CFAK (Capacitive Proximity Sensor). At the same time, the
actuators include PS1927P02 (Piezoelectric Speaker), C34-L60 (DC Motor), C42-L70 (DC
Motor), C42-L90 (DC Motor). The microcontrollers that will be used in this set-up are the
Arduino Uno and computers to input the program. The data sheets of the sensors and actuators
are included on the reference page.

Glass Panel

Shades

Metal Panel

Screen
Rilland Carl DG. Agcaoili TKL/HXY

Figure 1. Four Layers of the Fully Automated Window.

DC motors will be attached to every layer of the window except for the screen. Basically, all
layers (except for the screen) will move according to the signals from the sensors. Each layer
will have a corresponding sensor and DC motors assigned to it.

Shades

Since the shades are being used to block the sunrays when it becomes too bright, the
appropriate sensor to be used for the shades are the 10k B3950 NTC (Thermistor). The
thermistor will be placed in front of the center of the screen. C34-L60 are the DC motors to be
used for the shades, it will further be discussed as to why it is an appropriate DC motor at the
succeeding paragraphs. The C34-L60 (DC motor) is connected to a pulley system in which the
upper right corner of the shades is attached. CFAK (Capacitive Proximity Sensor) will be
attached to the left and right side of the window border. Additionally, a tiny piece of metal will
be attached to the right side of the shades.
Rilland Carl DG. Agcaoili TKL/HXY

Figure 2. Block diagram of the interconnectivity of the components of the shades.

Pulley System

C34-L60
(DC motor)
Screen

Tiny piece Wall

of metal

CFAK 12
(Capacitive
Proximity Sensor) CFAK 12
10k B3950 NTC
(Capacitive
(Thermistor)
Proximity Sensor)

Shades

Figure 3. Front view of the set-up of the shades.

The way it works is that the shades will be normally folded when the thermistor sends a LOW
signal. But if the thermistor gets hit by direct sunlight, it will increase its temperature. And when
it hits a temperature of 35 ℃ and above, it will then send a HIGH signal. The HIGH signal will
trigger a counterclockwise rotation of the DC motor, expanding the shades. As the curtain
expands, the separation distance between the tiny piece of metal and the capacitive proximity
sensor (at the right side of the window frame) decreases. And if the separation distance decreases
to 3 mm the capacitive proximity sensor will detect the metal, stopping the counterclockwise
rotation of the DC motor.
Rilland Carl DG. Agcaoili TKL/HXY

C34-L60
(DC motor)

Figure 4. Mechanism of the shades at temperatures ≥ 35℃ with ¿ 3mm separation distance
between the tiny piece of metal and the capacitive proximity sensor (at the right side of the
window frame).
Rilland Carl DG. Agcaoili TKL/HXY

C34-L60
(DC motor)

Figure 5. Mechanism of the shades at temperatures ≥ 35℃ with ≤ 3mm separation distance
between the tiny piece of metal and the capacitive proximity sensor (at the right side of the
window frame).

If the temperature of the thermistor drops down from 35 ℃, the signal will now return to
LOW. The LOW signal will trigger a clockwise rotation of the DC motor, folding the shades. As
the curtain folds, the separation distance between the piece of metal and the capacitive proximity
sensor (at the left side of the window frame) decreases. And if the separation distance decreases
to 3 mm the capacitive proximity sensor will detect the metal, stopping the clockwise rotation of
the DC motor.
Rilland Carl DG. Agcaoili TKL/HXY

C34-L60
(DC motor)

Figure 6. Mechanism of the shades at temperatures ¿ 35 ℃ with ¿ 3mm separation distance

between the tiny piece of metal and the capacitive proximity sensor (at the left side of the
window frame).
Rilland Carl DG. Agcaoili TKL/HXY

C34-L60
(DC motor)

Figure 7. Mechanism of the shades at temperatures ¿ 35 ℃ with ≤ 3mm separation distance

between the tiny piece of metal and the capacitive proximity sensor (at the left side of the
window frame).
Rilland Carl DG. Agcaoili TKL/HXY

Glass Panel
Since its closing and opening will be controlled by rainfall, the appropriate sensor to be used
for the glass panel is K-0135 (Water Sensor). The water sensor will be placed to rainwater in the
water gutter or in a catching system with a small opening. C42-L70 are the DC motors to be used
for the glass panel, it will further be discussed as to why it is an appropriate DC motor at the
succeeding paragraphs. The C42-L70 (DC motor) is connected to a pulley system in which the
top side of the glass panel is attached. CFAK (Capacitive Proximity Sensor) will be attached to
the left side of the hollow in the wall (where the panels will be hidden) and to the right side of
the window frame. Additionally, a tiny piece of metal will be attached to the left and right side of
the glass panel.

Figure 8. Block diagram of the interconnectivity of the components of the glass panel.
 Rilland Carl DG. Agcaoili TKL/HXY

C42-L70 Pulley System

(DC motor)

Glass
Panel
CFAK 12 Tiny piece
(Capacitive of metal
Proximity Sensor)

CFAK 12
(Capacitive
Proximity Sensor)
Hollow Wall
Wall

Figure 9. Front view of the set-up of the glass panel.

The way it works is that the glass panel will normally be hidden in the hollow wall when the
water sensor sends a LOW signal. But if the water sensor detects water, it will then send a HIGH
signal. The HIGH signal will trigger a counterclockwise rotation of the DC motor, moving the
glass panel to the right. As the glass panel moves, the separation distance between the tiny piece
of metal (at the right side of the glass panel) and the capacitive proximity sensor (at the right side
of the window frame) decreases. And if the separation distance decreases to 3 mm the capacitive
proximity sensor will detect the metal, stopping the counterclockwise rotation of the DC motor.
Rilland Carl DG. Agcaoili TKL/HXY

C42-L70
(DC motor)

Figure 10. Mechanism of the glass panel when water is detected with ¿ 3mm separation distance
between the tiny piece of metal (at the right side of the glass panel) and the capacitive proximity
sensor (at the right side of the window frame).
Rilland Carl DG. Agcaoili TKL/HXY

C42-L70
(DC motor)

Figure 11. Mechanism of the glass panel when water is detected with ≤ 3mm separation distance
between the tiny piece of metal (at the right side of the glass panel) and the capacitive proximity
sensor (at the right side of the window frame).

If there is no more water detected, the signal will now return to LOW. The LOW signal will
trigger the clockwise rotation of the DC motor, moving the glass panel to the left. As the glass
moves, the separation distance between the tiny piece of metal (at the left side of the glass panel)
and the capacitive proximity sensor (at the left side of the window frame) decreases. And if the
separation distance decreases to 3 mm the capacitive proximity sensor will detect the metal,
stopping the clockwise rotation of the DC motor.
Rilland Carl DG. Agcaoili TKL/HXY

C42-L70
(DC motor)

Figure 12. Mechanism of the glass panel when water is not detected with ¿ 3mm separation
distance between the tiny piece of metal (at the right side of the glass panel) and the capacitive
proximity sensor (at the right side of the window frame).
Rilland Carl DG. Agcaoili TKL/HXY

C42-L70
(DC motor)

Figure 13. Mechanism of the glass panel when water is not detected with ≤ 3mm separation
distance between the tiny piece of metal (at the right side of the glass panel) and the capacitive
proximity sensor (at the right side of the window frame).

Metal Panel

This panel will highly focus on security. The appropriate sensors to be used must be able to
detect movement, hence, the use of CFAK (Capacitive Proximity Sensor). The proximity sensor
will be attached underneath a pressure plate system near the outer side of the window while the
tiny piece of metal will be attached underneath the loose plate which is supported by a spring.
Rilland Carl DG. Agcaoili TKL/HXY

Figure 14. Set-up of the pressure plate system.

C42-L90 are the DC motors to be used for the metal panel, it will further be discussed as to
why it is an appropriate DC motor at the succeeding paragraphs. The C42-L90 (DC motor) is
connected to a pulley system in which the top side of the metal panel is attached. CFAK
(Capacitive Proximity Sensor) will be attached to the left side of the hollow in the wall (where
the panels will be hidden) and to the right side of the window frame. Additionally, a tiny piece of
metal will be attached to the left and right side of the glass panel.
 Rilland Carl DG. Agcaoili TKL/HXY

Figure 15. Block diagram of the interconnectivity of the components of the metal panel.

C42-L90 Pulley System

(DC motor)

Metal
Panel
Tiny piece
CFAK (Capacitive
of metal
Proximity Sensor)

CFAK (Capacitive
Proximity Sensor)
Hollow Wall
Wall

Figure 16. Front view of the set-up of the metal panel.

The way it works is that the metal panel will normally be hidden in the hollow wall when the
proximity sensor sends a LOW signal. But if someone steps on the pressure plate system and
triggers the sensor, it will then send a HIGH signal. The HIGH signal will trigger a
counterclockwise rotation of the DC motor, moving the metal panel to the right. As the metal
panel moves, the separation distance between the tiny piece of metal (at the right side of the
metal panel) and the capacitive proximity sensor (at the right side of the window frame)
decreases. And if the separation distance decreases to 3 mm the capacitive proximity sensor will
detect the metal, stopping the counterclockwise rotation of the DC motor.
Rilland Carl DG. Agcaoili TKL/HXY

Figure 14. Set-up of the pressure plate system.

If there is no more pressure applied on the pressure plate system, the signal will now return to
LOW. The LOW signal will trigger the clockwise rotation of the DC motor, moving the metal
panel to the left. As the metal panel moves, the separation distance between the tiny piece of
metal (at the left side of the glass panel) and the capacitive proximity sensor (at the left side of
the window frame) decreases. And if the separation distance decreases to 3 mm the capacitive
proximity sensor will detect the metal, stopping the clockwise rotation of the DC motor.
Rilland Carl DG. Agcaoili TKL/HXY

Thermistor is the most appropriate temperature sensor to use since it has a very high
resolution and accuracy. Although the temperature range is quite small, the important thing is
that the temperature that we needed is within the temperature range. In the Philippines, the
average temperature range is between 21 ℃ to 32 ℃ , and it is within the temperature range of
10k B3950 NTC, which is −55 ℃ to 125 ℃. 5 V is also enough input voltage to power up the
sensor. Hence 10k B3950 NTC is a good choice for a thermistor in this set-up.

K-0135 is a very appropriate water sensor to use since it needs 5 V input voltage, has a
decent detection area, and it is analog.

For the capacitive proximity sensors, there are a lot of good choices, but in this set up I
choose the nominal sensing distance as the main criteria in choosing. The proximity sensor must
have a very small nominal sensing distance since we want the pressure plate to be hidden,
therefore the use of CFAK, which has a nominal sensing distance of 0-5 mm. Although it needs
Rilland Carl DG. Agcaoili TKL/HXY

an input voltage of 10-30 V it can be easily solved by adding an external supply. I also
considered the optical proximity sensor as a possibility to detect human movement, but the
disadvantage is that it could only work during the night time and thieves do not have a schedule
when to rob.

For the piezoelectric speaker, the sound pressure and frequency are the main criteria that I
have considered. For an alarm, it has to make the noisiest sound possible, so I went for the
PS1927P02 which has a high sound pressure and frequency. An external supply is needed for
this type of piezoelectric speaker since it needs 10 V input voltage, unlike the other types, but it
is waterproof, which makes it the most appropriate type since it will be placed outside and rain is
a possibility.

For the DC motor, C42-L90 has been chosen since it has a decent amount of torque with a
peak torque that ranges from 7.768-24.716 Nm. It has an input voltage of 90 V, so it needs a
huge supply. Glass and metal panels are heavy, and it requires more torque to be moved. It is
also considered an appropriate DC motor since it has interchangeable direction of rotations, and
the rpm can be controlled by PWM signals.

The main problem that I think this set-up will encounter is the electrical noise. It might result
to unwanted movement because the signals are inaccurate because of the noise. This can be
solved by adding a low pass filter to the set-up to eliminate the high-frequency noise. Weather
can also be a problem since not all components of the set-ups can handle extreme weather
conditions, and almost all of them are placed outside. A protective cover or case will help the
components to last longer while being exposed to extreme weather. And lastly, any sudden
movement might trigger the capacitive proximity sensors such as animals, so it might be a little
annoying when there are a series of false alarms.
Rilland Carl DG. Agcaoili TKL/HXY

REFERENCES
https://components101.com/resistors/ntc-thermistor-10k
https://curtocircuito.com.br/datasheet/sensor/nivel_de_agua_analogico.pdf
https://docs.rs-online.com/c7f9/0900766b813f94cb.pdf
https://www.mouser.com/datasheet/2/400/ef532_ps-13444.pdf
https://www.moog.com/content/dam/moog/literature/MCG/moc23series.pdf
Rilland Carl DG. Agcaoili TKL/HXY