DAR ES SALAAM INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.

(NTA LEVEL 6)

PROJECT 2

ORDINARY DIPLOMA IN BIOMEDICAL EQUIPMENT

ENGINEERING.

PROJECT TITTLE : DESIGNING OF A DIGITAL WEIGHT

MEASURING SYSTEM FOR PARALYZED AND SPINAL CORD
INJURED PATIENTS AT TEMEKE REGIONAL REFERRAL
HOSPITAL.

PROJECT TYPE : PROBLEM SOLVING.

PRESENTED BY : CLEMENT CHEDIEL MAWA.

ADMISSION NO : 190321121823

SUPERVISOR : DR CONSALVA MSIGWA.

COURSE : OD19BEE.

YEAR OF STUDY : 2021\2022.

 DECLARATION.
I CLEMENT CHEDIEL MAWA.A student of Dar es salaam Institute of Technology (DIT), in Electrical
Engineering Department with registration number 190321121823.Ordinary Diploma in Biomedical
Equipment Engineering (BEE). I declare that the work presented in this report is my own, except where
explicitly indicated otherwise it has not been copied elsewhere

Students Name: CLEMENT CHEDIEL MAWA.

Signature………………………….

Date……………………………….

Supervisors Name: DR. CONSALVA.

Signature………………………….

Date……………………………….

i
 ABSTRACT.
Temeke Regional Referral Hospital receives many patients with different diseases and other vital medical
conditions including spinal cord injured patients and paralyzed patients. This kind of patients cannot move
by themselves from one place to another, so once they lie on the hospital bed it’s difficult to measure their
weight on standing scales due to their medical condition, Since the patient weight is very important
parameter to consider in dose prescription. Therefore, over dosage and under dosage mostly occurs to spinal
cord injured patients and paralyzed patients. The Digital weight measuring system can measure the weight
of paralyzed and spinal cord injured patients without disturbing them and records it.

In this Digital weight measuring system the strain gauge load cell is used to measure the weight of the
patient and It converts the pressure exerted on it into appropriate voltage levels which are then amplified
by Hx711 Amplifier Module. The amplified voltage level is filtered and converted into digital data in the
microcontroller (NodeMCU) which is then displayed on a 20*4 LCD (Liquid Crystal display) and allows
the recording of patient’s weight. The patients weight obtained will be used by Doctors in dose prescription.

The Digital weight measuring system can measure the weight of paralyzed and spinal cord injured patients
without disturbing them and records it and hence assist the Doctors in dose prescription. The prime goal of
this project is to provide high precision patient weight that will be used by Doctors in dose prescription.
Therefore, right amount of system can be given to the paralyzed and spinal cord injured patients, Low cost
weight measuring system with user friendly functionalities.

ii
 DEDICATION.
This project is dedicated to experts of Biomedical technology and all students in Electrical Engineering
department to emphasis them to do their best in designing Engineering projects for final year.

iii
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
Before all I thank God and appreciate his Grace, I would like to acknowledge my supervisor Dr.
CONSALVA MSIGWA for his advice and direction towards achievement of this project report. I would
like also to acknowledge all lectures and colleagues of Electrical department of DAR ES SALAAM
ISTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (DIT).

Lastly many thanks to my Lovely Family and my friends for their encouragement to me to reach where I
have reached.

iv
 TABLE OF CONTENTS.
DECLARATION. ............................................................................................................................................................ i
ABSTRACT. ................................................................................................................................................................. ii
DEDICATION.............................................................................................................................................................. iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT............................................................................................................................................... iv
LIST OF SYMBOLS. .................................................................................................................................................... vii
LIST OF TABLES........................................................................................................................................................ viii
LIST OF FIGURES........................................................................................................................................................ ix
ABBREVIATIONS ......................................................................................................................................................... x
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.0.0. GENERAL INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 1
1.1.0. PROBLEM STATEMENT..................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2.0 OBJECTIVES ....................................................................................................................................................... 2
1.2.1 MAIN OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................................. 2
1.2.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES ........................................................................................................................................ 2
1.3.0 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT. ....................................................................................................................... 2
1.4.0 METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................................................................ 2
1.4.1 Literature review........................................................................................................................................... 3
1.4.2 Data collection .............................................................................................................................................. 3
1.4.3 Data Analysis ................................................................................................................................................. 3
1.4.4 Circuit designing............................................................................................................................................ 3
1.4.5 Building prototype ........................................................................................................................................ 3
1.4.6 Testing prototype.......................................................................................................................................... 3
1.4.7 Report writing ............................................................................................................................................... 3
2.0 INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................................ 4
2.1.0 EXISTING SYSTEM. ............................................................................................................................................. 5
2.1.1 Principle of operation ................................................................................................................................... 5
2.1.2 BLOCK DIAGRAM OF EXISTING SYSTEM ........................................................................................................ 5
2.1.3 ADVANTAGE OF EXISTING SYSTEM ............................................................................................................... 5
2.1.4 DISADVANTAGES OF EXISTING SYSTEM ........................................................................................................ 5

v
2.2.0 PROPOSED SYSTEM ........................................................................................................................................... 5
2.2.1 BLOCK DIAGRAM PROPOSED OF SYSTEM ..................................................................................................... 6
2.2.2 Principle of operation ................................................................................................................................... 6
2.2.3 ADVANTAGE PROPOSED OF SYSTEM ............................................................................................................ 6
2.2.4 DISADVANTAGES PROPOSED OF SYSTEM ..................................................................................................... 6
3.0.0. INTRODUCTION TO DATA COLLECTION............................................................................................................ 7
4.0.0. ANALYSIS INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................ 9
4.1.0. Control unit. ..................................................................................................................................................... 9
4.2.0. Display unit. ................................................................................................................................................... 10
4.2. Different display units and their qualities .................................................................................................... 11
4.2.2. Qualitative analysis of display unit. ............................................................................................................ 11
4.3. Specifications of a 20x4 LCD display. ............................................................................................................ 11
4.3.0. Storage Unit. .................................................................................................................................................. 12
4.4.0. Push Button. .................................................................................................................................................. 12
4.4.1. Technical specifications of normally open push button switch. ................................................................. 13
4.5.0. Indicating Unit (LED). ..................................................................................................................................... 13
4.6.0. Sensing Unit (Load Cell). ................................................................................................................................ 14
4.7.0. HX711 Module. .............................................................................................................................................. 15
4.8.0. Mechanical Weight. ....................................................................................................................................... 16
4.9.0. Power Supply (Dc Source). ............................................................................................................................. 16
5.0.0. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS................................................................................................................................ 18
5.1.0. CIRCUIT SIMULATION. .................................................................................................................................... 18
5.2.0. PROTOTYRE TESTING. .................................................................................................................................... 19
6.0.0. CONCLUSION. ................................................................................................................................................ 20
6.1.0. RECOMMENDATION. ..................................................................................................................................... 20
6.2.0. SUGGESTION. ................................................................................................................................................. 20
REFERENCE LIST ....................................................................................................................................................... 22
APPENDICES. ............................................................................................................................................................ 23
1.SYSTEM CODE. ...................................................................................................................................................... 23

vi
 LIST OF SYMBOLS.
NAME OF DEVICE. SYMBOL.

Resistor.

Capacitor.

Ground.

PNP Transistor.

NODEMCU.

vii
 LIST OF TABLES.
Table 3.1: Table of primary data collected...................................................................................7

Table 3.2: Data collection table....................................................................................................8

Table 4.1: NodeMCU ESP8266 Specifications & Features…………………………………….10

Table 4.2: Different analysis of display unit……………………………………………………11

Table 4.3: Specifications of a 20x4 LCD display……………………………………………….11

Table 4.4: Specifications of HX711 Module…………………………………………………….15

Table 5.1: The designed system cost…………………………………………………………….21

viii
 LIST OF FIGURES.
Figure 2.1: Digital weight scale......................................................................................................4

Figure 2.2: Block diagram of existing system.................................................................................5

Figure 2.3: Block diagram of proposed system................................................................................6

Figure 4.1: Schematic Diagram of the Digital weight measuring system……….…....………..…10

Figure 4.2: An ESP8266 Node Micro controller………………………………………...………..11

Figure 4.3: A 20X4 LCD display…………………………………………………………..….….13

Figure 4.4: Push Button……………………………………………………………………….…..13

Figure 4.5: Light Emitting Diode (LED)……………………………………………………...…..14

Figure 4.6: s A load cell………………………………………………………………….……….15

Figure 4.7: HX711 Module………………………………………………………………….……17

Figure 4.8: Schematic Diagram of the Digital weight measuring system……….…....………..…18

Figure 4.9: Circuit Simulations……….…....………..……………………………………………18

Figure 5.1: System prototype……………………………………………...……………….……..19

Figure 5.2: Testing prototype…………………………………………………………………..…19

ix
 ABBREVIATIONS
V represents - Voltage.

D.C represents - Direct Current.

MCU represents - Microcontroller units.

LCD represent - Liquid Crystal display.

MB - Megabytes.

KB - Kilobytes.

ESP8266 - Espressif.

x
 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0.0. GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Temeke Reginal Referral Hospital is located at Temeke District in Dar es Salaam, the Hospital receives
many patients with different variety of medical cases, among the vital medical cases are patients who
paralyzed whole body and spinal cord injured ones. This kind pf patients require a lot of care due to their
medical condition, therefore their body weight should be measured with a good weight measuring device
that cannot bring any disturbances or injuries to the patients. Due to lack of appropriate weight measuring
system that can sweets the condition of this patients the doctors at Temeke Hospital fail to take their weight,
hence ending with predicting their weight that can cause wrong dose calculation, hence over dosage and
under dosage can occur.

Weight is an important factor in correct dosing - fluids prescriptions and the risk of fluid overload in
underweight patients and failure to reach therapeutic levels with antibiotic prescribing in heavier patients
are two areas which may reveal interesting results if studied with respect to patient weight and dosing.

In this work, I aimed to study design and development of a patient management system. The system will
enable easy accessibility as the bed nor the patient have to move between the rooms. In order to provide
these facilities, patient weight measurement system is designed by placing weight scale system (load cells)
under the bed. Then, this measured patient weight can be displayed on a digital display (LCD), therefore
the displayed weight can be used properly by doctors to provide correct dose prescriptions to this kind of
patients, hence overcoming organ distress, death or under recovery due to over dosage and under dosage.

1.1.0. PROBLEM STATEMENT

At Temeke Regional Referral Hospital there is lack of appropriate digital weight measuring system which
is required to measure the weight which is needed by doctors to calculate the amount of dose to be given
to Paralyzed and Spinal cord injured patients. The lack of this system fails the doctors to get the right patient
weight for correct dose prescription that can cause over dosage or under dosage that may leads to organ
distress, under recovery or sometimes death of the patients.

Therefore, there is need to design a digital weight measuring system that can sweets the medical conditions
of Paralyzed and Spinal cord injured patients and provide the correct patient weight while laying on their
bed, hence correct dose prescription by doctors.

1
1.2.0 OBJECTIVES
1.2.1 MAIN OBJECTIVES
The main objective is to design a digital weight measuring system that can measure the weight of a
paralyzed and spinal cord injured patients without causing any disturbance to their conditions

1.2.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

 To design a sensing unit of a digital weight measuring system.

 To design a storage unit of a digital weight measuring system.

 To simulate the designed circuit of the system.

 To build the prototype of the designed system.

 To test the prototype of the designed system.

1.3.0 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT.

• The designed system will enable to measure accurately the weight of the spinal cord patient without
causing any disturbance or physical stress to the patient.

• The system will be able to record and store the measured weights of several patients and can be
retrieved when required.

• The designed system will be simple to use and environmental friendly to both patients and users.

1.4.0 METHODOLOGY
These are specific procedures or techniques which will guide to the accomplishment of the project. The
following are procedures arranged in manner that will lead into successful completion of this project; -

1. Literature review
2. Data collection
3. Data analysis
4. Circuit designing
5. Building prototype
6. Testing prototype
7. Report writing

2
1.4.1 Literature review
This part involves studying of different academic/scholarly articles, books and other ready
published sources with the aim of exploring more about the existing techniques on weighting scales,
their advantages and disadvantages.

1.4.2 Data collection

This part involves the collection of data from the field of study via observation, measurement and
interview.

1.4.3 Data Analysis

In this part the collected data is well evaluated and analyzed to make the data suitable to be used in
designing of the digital weight measuring system that will perform intended to measure the weight
of the patient without disturbing the patient.

1.4.4 Circuit designing

In this part involve selection of suitable electronic components such as LCD, NodeMCU, Load cell
and other components, drawing circuit diagram.

1.4.5 Building prototype

This part involves collecting components and assembling components together to construct the
proposed system.

1.4.6 Testing prototype

This part involves testing functionality of the constructed system in order to evaluate its
performance.

1.4.7 Report writing

This part involves the process of writing a project book report which will indicate the activities to
be done during the project to provide the basis of the project.

3
 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE REVIEW

Literature review was through studying the existing digital weight scale machine at Temeke Regional
Referral Hospital and other different internet browsing on the existing digital weight scale machine.

Digital weight measuring system is digital system which is designed for determining the weight or mass of
an object. The weight of an object is commonly measured using metric units in grams (g) and kilogram
(kg) increments, however imperial measurements including pounds (lbs) and ounces (oz) are often used.

Figure 2.1: Digital weight scale.

The oldest evidence for the existence of measuring systems (weight scales) dates to c. 2400 – 1800 B, C,
E. in Asia. By 1940s various electronic devices were being added to designs to make readings more
accurate.

A digital weight scale is one of the most precise digital instruments. It uses force sensors to measure the
load offered by an object. Weigh scales are used in a multitude of applications ranging from point of sales
terminals to industrial measurement equipment. Weight is an important factor in correct dosing - fluids
prescriptions and the risk of fluid overload in underweight patients and failure to reach therapeutic levels
with antibiotic prescribing in heavier patients are two areas which may reveal interesting results if studied
with respect to patient weight and dosing

4
2.1.0 EXISTING SYSTEM.
The existing system at Temeke Regional Referral Hospital is not favorable to measure the weight of
Paralyzed and Spinal cord injured patients, since the system require the patient to stand on its measuring
plate to be measured, that cannot be tolerated by spinal cord injured and paralyzed patients due to their
serious medical conditions.

2.1.1 Principle of operation

A transducer comprising of a potentiometer and voltage source was used to convert the mechanical energy
as sensed by the spring into electrical signal. An ADC located in a microcontroller is then programmed to
generate a digital signal representation of the analogue quantity. The microcontroller was then programmed
to produce the measured weight on one hand and the mass on the other. Both the mass and weight are then
displayed side by side on an LCD. For the circuits to operate a power supply is provided and fed to all the
sections requiring it.

2.1.2 BLOCK DIAGRAM OF EXISTING SYSTEM

MECHANICAL LOAD CELL ADC WEIGHT

WEIGHT CALIBRATION

MASS
CALIBRATION
POWER SUPPLY DISPLAY

(LCD)

Figure 2.2: Block diagram of existing system.

2.1.3 ADVANTAGE OF EXISTING SYSTEM

• The system is costless as compared to proposed system which require many electronic components.
• The existing system is simple and easy to construct as compared to proposed system.

2.1.4 DISADVANTAGES OF EXISTING SYSTEM

• The existing system does not provide accurate results as the spring starts getting loose, when the
spring is exposed to multiple stresses and hence the degree of accuracy becomes less.
• The existing system is not favorable to paralyzed and spinal cord injured patients.
2.2.0 PROPOSED SYSTEM
The proposed system consists of strain gauge load cells, Liquid crystal display (LCD), Light Emitting Diode
(LED), Microprocessor unit and Storage unit where the measured weight can be stored.
5
2.2.1 BLOCK DIAGRAM PROPOSED OF SYSTEM

Figure 2.3: Block diagram of proposed system.

2.2.2 Principle of operation

Mechanical weight measured from the patient .is converted into electrical signals by load cells locate under
the patient bed. NodeMCU as microprocessor which is programmed so that it can process the received
electrical signals from load cells to generate a digital signal representation of the analogue quantity. The
measured weight is then displayed on LCD in kilograms (Kg). The measured weight can be stored in in
storage chip for future use.

2.2.3 ADVANTAGE PROPOSED OF SYSTEM

• The system will provide accurate readings, since there no any spring losses.
• The proposed system will be favorable to measure the to measure the weight of paralyzed and spinal
cord injured patients without causing any disturbances, hence comfortability of that patients .

2.2.4 DISADVANTAGES PROPOSED OF SYSTEM

• The system is expensive as compared to existing system which require few electronic components
• The proposed system is complex and west much time to construct as compared to existing system

6
 CHAPTER THREE

DATA COLLECTION

3.0.0. INTRODUCTION TO DATA COLLECTION.

Data collection is defined as systematic gathering of data for a particular purpose from various sources,
including questionnaires, interviews, observation, existing records, and electronic devices. Data collection
have been divided into two parts; primary and secondary data collection. Finding out information on the
existing system, the need for the proposed system and parameter required for the proposed system are also
considered in this part.

Mostly data collected were obtained by using Existing records method, at Temeke Regional Referral
Hospital

3.1. Table of primary data collected.

S/N PATIENTS TOTAL NUMBER NUMBER NUMBER OF PATIENTS
NUMBER OF OF PATIENTS WHO DIED

OF PATIENTS PATIENTS WHO

PATIENTS INCREASED INCREASED MAITAINED
IN (2020- IN WEIGHT IN WEIGHT THE

2021) WEIGHT
1. SPINAL 15 7 2 3 3
CORD
INJURED
PATIENTS
2. PARALYZED 32 7 10 13 2
PATIENTS

7
3.2. Data collection table.

S/N PARAMETERS REMARKS’

1. Liquid crystal display (LCD) 20X4 Display format

2. Load cell 200kg

3. Power supply 9v – 24v
4. Light Emitting Diode (LED) 500 -570 nm (Green)

5. Microprocessor NodeMCU Input voltage limit 7v – 12v

7. Frequency 50Hz -60Hz

8
 CHAPTER FOUR

DATA ANALYSIS AND DESIGN.

4.0.0. ANALYSIS INTRODUCTION.

This chapter contains analysis of data collected, with the aim of obtaining useful information which will
help in drawing conclusion on what to be used in the system design. Data analysis helps to decide on the
type of software and hardware to be used and afterwards design of the proposed system. All data analyzed
according to block diagram of the proposed system as below.

Figure 4.1. Schematic Diagram of the Digital weight measuring system.

4.1.0. Control unit.

The control unit being the main controller, two units will be need for this case as indicated on the proposed
block diagram. For the case of keyboard, a simple microcontroller is needed so as support to enter
information of patient. There are number of Node such ESP8266, ESP12, ESP12 and ESP32. Node
microcontroller is an open-source based firmware and development board. Node microcontroller has 128
KB RAM and 4MB of Flash memory to store data and programs. Its high processing power with in-built
Wi-Fi / Bluetooth and Deep Sleep Operating features make it ideal for internet of things projects. Based on
the requirement of control unit part, an ESP8266 NodeMCU will be suitable because of its specifications
below;

9
4.1. NodeMCU ESP8266 Specifications & Features.

Specifications Features
Operating voltage 3.3V

Input voltage 7- 12V

Digital I/O pins 16

Analog input pins (ADC) 1

UARTs 1

Size Small Sized module

Flash memory 4 MB

Clock speed 63KB

Figure 4.2. An ESP8266 Node Micro controller.

4.2.0. Display unit.

Display is where the output of proposed system will be display. The input to this unit is an output from the
control unit whereas the output expected is a display of the required parameters. The main parameters in
the proposed system are age, name of patient, weight of patient and number of patients.
In order to select the suitable display unit, the comparison between different display units available is as
shown in the Table below.

10
4.2. Different display units and their qualities
Parameter 16x2 Display 16x4 Display 20x4 Display

Characters per line 16 16 20

Number of lines 2 4 4

Operating voltage(V) 3.5-5.5 5 4.8 -5.2

Brightness High High Moderate

Dimension(mm) 80x36 86x68 120x86

4.2.2. Qualitative analysis of display unit.

To acquire the viewing distance of the LCD screen based on where the driver will sit. The minimum
recommended screen height is given by;

Height of screen (Hs) = ((𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑋⁄ (150 × ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑜𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑥𝑡))

Thus,

Viewing distance= 150 × ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑜𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑥𝑡 × ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑜𝑓𝑠𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑛

According to parameters, 20x4 LCD display will be used so as to display all needed information. 20×4
display meets the requirements in terms of its characters per line, number of lines, operating voltage etc.

4.3. Specifications of a 20x4 LCD display.

Specification Features

Characters per line 20

Number of lines 4

Operating voltage(V) 5

Brightness Moderate

Dimension(mm) 120x86

11
 Figure 4.3. A 20X4 LCD display.

4.3.0. Storage Unit.

Storage unit is where all information about patient will be stored. In this proposed system smartphone will
be used since it is the one which will operate as a server. Also, it will be used to enter information of patients
such as age, weight, name and number of patient through interface. The interface which will be used is the
blinky app so as to communicate with the NodeMCU.

4.4.0. Push Button.

The push button is just an initiator (switch) of the proposed system. There is more than one type of push
button switch such as normally closed and normally open push button switch.

Figure 4.4. Push Button.

12
In this proposed system, normally open push button switch will be used so as to avoid the system to start
operating without being commanded by user. User has to decide whether he/she is in need to measure
parameter (weight) of the patient.

4.4.1. Technical specifications of normally open push button switch.

• -mode of operation: tactile feedback.
• -power rating: MAX 50mA 24V DC.
• -insulation resistance: 100Mohm at 100V.
• -operating force: 2.55+-0.69N.
• -contact resistance: MAX 100Mohm.
• -operating temperature range: 20℃. to 70℃.

Therefore, normally open push button switch will be used in the proposed system as per its requirements.

4.5.0. Indicating Unit (LED).

Light emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that convert electrical energy to light energy Light
emitting diode are used to indicate whether the proposed system is operating or not.

Figure 4.5. Light Emitting Diode (LED).

Most common LEDs require a forward operating voltage of between approximately 1.2 to 5V with forward
current rating of about 10 to 30mA. In this proposed system green LED will be used as the indicator to
show that the system is working.

13
4.6.0. Sensing Unit (Load Cell).
There are different types of load cell such as compression weigh module, tension weigh module, strain
gauge load cell, single point load cell.

Figure 4.6. A load cell.

Compression weigh and tension weigh module enable quick and safe conversion of tanks, hoppers and
conveyors into a scale. Built-in features ensure that safety, performance and precision are maintained.

Strain gauge load cells are used in multiples weighing system, tank scales and conveyors scale.

Single point load cells are used individually in weighing systems, bench scales and filling and packaging
machine.

As per proposed system, single point load cell will be used in this project because one bed in hospital is
used for one patient and not more than one.

A simple formula is usually used to convert the measured mv/V output from the load cell to the measured
force:

Measured Force = A * Measured mV/V + B (offset).

14
It’s important to decide what unit your measured force is – grams, kilograms, pounds, etc.

This load cell has a rated output of 1.0±0.15mv/v which corresponds to the sensor’s capacity of 20kg. To

find A we use

Capacity = A * Rated Output

A = Capacity / Rated Output

A = 20 / 1.0

A = 20

Since the Offset is quite variable between individual load cells, it’s necessary to calculate the offset for
each sensor.

Measure the output of the load cell with no force on it and note the mv/V output measured by the
PhidgetBridge.

Offset = 0 – 20 * Measured Output.

4.7.0. HX711 Module.

HX711 is a precision 24-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) designed for weigh scales and industrial
control applications to interface directly with a bridge sensor

4.4. Specifications of HX711 Module.

Specifications Features

Operation temperature range. -40 ~ +85℃.

Operation supply voltage range. 2.6 ~ 5.5V.

Current. normal operation < 1.5mA, power down < 1Ua.

15
In the designed system Hx711 Module amplifies the low voltage output of the load cell and seeds it to the
NodeMCU, so that the NodeMCU eventually calculate data obtained from load cell.

Figure 4.7. HX711 Module.

4.8.0. Mechanical Weight.

It is just anything that can be sensed by load cell. In this proposed system, patient in hospital will be used
as mechanical weight.

4.9.0. Power Supply (Dc Source).

In-order to work with any components basic requirement is power supply. From the analyzed list of
components, a 5V power supply will be required since it is the maximum range obtained. Therefore, 5V,
2A adaptor will be used in the proposed system.

So mathematically

𝑣 𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑝 = 1.4𝑣
𝑣 𝑟𝑒𝑔 = 𝑣 𝑟𝑒𝑐 ≅ 7𝑣

𝑣𝑠𝑒𝑐 = 𝑣𝑟𝑒𝑐 + 𝑣𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑝

𝑣𝑠𝑒𝑐 = 7𝑣 + 1.4𝑣

𝑣𝑠𝑒𝑐 = 8.4𝑣

This is peak value

16
So,𝑣𝑠𝑒𝑐 × 𝑣𝑠𝑒𝑐

𝑣𝑠𝑒𝑐(𝑟𝑚𝑠) = √2 × 8.4𝑣

𝑣𝑠𝑒𝑐(𝑟𝑚𝑠) = 6𝑣

Where

𝑣 𝑟𝑒𝑔 = 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟

𝑣𝑠𝑒𝑐 = 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑟

𝑣 𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑝 = 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑝 𝑖𝑛 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑟

This means we used a transformer with 6v secondary voltage.

𝑣𝑝 220𝑣
𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑠 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 = =
𝑣𝑠 6𝑣

𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑠 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 = 36.667 ≅ 37

From these points, for the 5V DC power supply design, transformer of current rating 1A and a secondary
voltage of 6V (RMS) selected.

17
5.0.0. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS.
5.1.0. CIRCUIT SIMULATION.

Figure 4.7. Schematic Diagram of the Digital weight measuring system.

Figure 4.8: Circuit simulation.

18
 Figure 5.1: System Prototype.

5.2.0. PROTOTYRE TESTING.

Figure 5.2: Testing prototype.

19
 CHAPTER FIVE

6.0.0. CONCLUSION.
This digital weight measuring system represents a sustainable and traceable measurement patients’ weight.
This system provides ease of weighing of paralyzed and spinal cord injured patients. Therefore, the right
dose will be provided to the patients with respect to their measured weight.

6.1.0. RECOMMENDATION.
This Digital weight measuring system has to be used to measure the weight of paralyzed and spinal cord
injured patients at Temeke Regional Referral Hospital, since it is quite precise, easily and simple to use and
environmental and user friendly.

6.2.0. SUGGESTION.
The load cell (sensing unit) are quite sensitive to environmental conditions and they may easily be affected
by different factors such as temperature, dust and humidity. Therefore, the load cells should be placed in
containers where the correct measurements can be taken that will reduce the influence of environmental
factors.

20
5.1. The designed system Cost.

S/N DEVICE QUANTITY COST IN Tshs

1 NodeMCU 1 25000/=

2 Hx711 Module 1 20000/=

3 Liquid Cristal Display (LCD) 20x4 1 25000/=

size.

4 Load Cell (Strain gauge). 1 35000/=

5 Light Emitting Diode (LED). 1 200/=

6 Push button. 1 1000/=

7 Veroboard. 1 4000/=

8. Jumper wires. 1 4000/=

9. Solder wire. 1 3000/=

10. The wood housing. 1 10000/=

11. Other materials 3 30000/=

TOTAL COST 157,200/=

21
 REFERENCE LIST
• Fagbemi, S. Momoh, M. &Saidu, I. 2014/01/01, Digitalization of an Analogue
Weighting Scale Using Microcontroller, IOSR Journal of Environmental Science,
Toxicology and Food Technology.
• Sander, L. A Short History of weighting. Birmingh, England: W. &T. Avery, Ltd.
(1947, revised 1960)
• Petruso, Karl M. ̋ Early weights and weighting in Egypt and the Indus valley˝, M
Bulletin (Boston Museum of Fine Arts.), Vol. 79, (1981), pp. 44-51

22
 APPENDICES.

1.SYSTEM CODE.

#include <HX711.h>
#include <LiquidCrystal.h>
const int rs=D0, en=D3, d4=D5, d5=D6, d6=D7,
d7=D8; //most commonly d7 = 2
LiquidCrystal lcd(rs, en, d4, d5, d6, d7);

#define DOUT D2
#define CLK D1

HX711 scale;

float calibration_factor = -97343; //-106600 worked for

my 40Kg max scale setup 56343
long zero_factor = 0; void
setup() { Serial.begin(9600);
scale.begin(DOUT, CLK);
lcd.begin(20, 4);
lcd.print("WEIGHT SCALE LOADIND...");
delay(3000);
lcd.clear();
scale.set_scale();
scale.tare(); //Reset the scale to 0

zero_factor = scale.read_average(); //Get a baseline reading

Serial.print("Zero factor: "); //This can be used to
remove the need to tare the scale. Useful in permanent
scale projects.
Serial.println(zero_factor);
}

void loop() {
scale.set_scale(calibration_factor); //Adjust to this calibration
factor

Serial.print("Reading: ");
Serial.print(scale.get_units(), 3);
Serial.print(" kg"); //Change this to kg and re-adjust
the calibration factor if you follow SI units like a sane
person Serial.println();
Serial.print("Zero factor: ");
Serial.print(zero_factor);
showResult("CLEMENT", String(scale.get_units(),
3), 22);
23
}

void showResult(char name[], String weight, int age){

lcd.clear();
lcd.print("PAT: ");
//lcd.print(name);
//lcd.print("'S WEIGHT");
lcd.setCursor(0,1);
lcd.print("AGE: ");
//lcd.print(age);
//lcd.print(" years");
lcd.setCursor(0,2);
lcd.print("WEIGHT: ");
lcd.print(weight);
lcd.print(" kg");
delay(2000);
}

24