Statistics

Based on statistics obtained, the chart above was tabulated. With constant research on my project has driven me to further improve on my designs of the project. Most of the statistics are as below:-

• In 2004, there were 3,308 unintentional drowning in the United States, an average of nine people per day.

• It is estimated that for each drowning death, there are 1 to 4 nonfatal submersions serious enough to result in hospitalization. Children who still require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the time they arrive at the emergency department have a poor prognosis, with at least half of survivors suffering significant neurologic impairment.
• 19% of drowning deaths involving children occur in public pools with certified lifeguards present.

• A swimming pool is 14 times more likely than a motor vehicle to be involved in the death of a child age 4 and under.

• Children under five and adolescents between the ages of 15-24 have the highest drowning rates.

• Of all preschoolers who drown, 70 percent are in the care of one or both parents at the time of the drowning and 75 percent are missing from sight for five minutes or less.

• The majority of children who survive (92 percent) are discovered within two minutes following submersion, and most children who die (86 percent) are found after 10 minutes. Nearly all who require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) die or are left with severe brain injury.

Research

The project has been completed with the help of sources indicated below during my research period. All necessary information which has been collected are stated below:-

1. http://www.safetyalarms.com/
 This website has provided me the idea of designing Project Swim-SA. Furthermore , this page shows detailed analysis of products used in the prevention of drowning kids.

2. http://www.sonarguard.com/#
 This page given me ideas on how to modify my circuit with a much more sustainable alarm system.

3. http://www.jclahr.com/science/psn/zero/winding/gravity_sensor.html
 The sensor in this page, provided the basic knowledge of allowing me to attempt to use a sensor which could be able to detect the changes in water level motion.

4. http://www.electronics-manufacturers.com/products/sensors-transducers-detectors/piezoelectric-transducer/
 From this site I manage to obtain knowledge on the workings of a piezoelectric transducer and using it to replace the original gravity sensor which was initially being applied to the circuit.

5. http://www.ndted.org/EducationResources/CommunityCollege/Ultrasonics/EquipmentTrans/piezotransducers.htm
 The information present in this webpage gave me the knowledge on how i could use the piezoelectric transducer to produce the output wanted in my circuit.

6. http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/LM7555.html#30
 The timer based IC-circuit that is the parts of my project circuit, this page shows the simple configuration that I needed to construct my IC7555 on.

Discussion

The main component of Project Swim-SA is the Piezoelectric Transducer which supports a weight. In the scenario of the box oscillating up and down , this motion will cause the weight attached to the transducer to push against the plate. When this occurs, the piezo element generates a small voltage output.

The piezo element is the main component of the swimming pool alarm as its function depends on its ability to detect the movement.

The signal from the piezo detector is amplified by IC1a and filtered so that only frequencies below about 2Hz pass through.

The output from the filter only changes for slower movements.

The signal is squared up by the following Schmitt trigger (IC1b) and has an adjustable threshold to allow setting the sensitivity to pool movement.

The Schmitt trigger output is a low frequency square wave which changes with the piezo detector output. The signal drives a charge pump which requires at least two pulses from the Schmitt trigger before the output from the charge pump is low enough to trigger the following timer. This requirement before triggering the timer reduces the likelihood of false alarms.
The timer produces a high signal for about 50 seconds which drives the siren driver (Q1) and siren. The siren should be sufficiently loud to attract attention.

The circuit is housed in a sealed box to prevent water getting in.

However, the siren is exposed to the outside air so that it can be heard. It has also been designed to be as loud as possible to attract attention.

After referring to some calculations, the cover has been designed to look like a light house as based on theory this design would help amplify the sound as it reaches the air as sound is channelled through a small tunnel will maximize the sound output level.

The user is only required to switch on the device and place it at the source which he/she would be monitoring. (Source = Swimming Pool)

Conclusion

In conclusion, Project Swim-SA is a simple designed device which is also very effective at what it does.

The main objective of Project Swim-SA is to save lives and with this greatly reduce the drowning rates in the world. As drowning rates in the world has always been a large problem which the community face, this device is the solution to the problems.

With the technology present in this device will give us a chance to further improve our lifestyle towards modern technology. In this report it was also described that the Piezoelectric Transducer is capable of generating voltages at a low level, but imagine the feats which could be acco\\mplished when this device is largely produced for the generation of our power sources in the world.

Through the works of the Project, I’m certain that I have gained a vast amount of knowledge and experience which would benefit me in my coming years of education.

Finally, I would like to again thank everyone whom has been a great help to me in many ways throughout the process of my final project. Not forgetting Mr. Dennis Koh Mui Siang whom played a major role providing me with guidance and perseverance which led to the success of my project.

Project Progress Summary

8.1 Project Reports
• Project Synopsis
• Project Brief
• 1st Progress Report
• 2nd Progress Report
• Final Project Report


8.2 Construction of the Project
• Choosing Project Title
• Approval by Supervisor
• Detailed Research on Project
• Analysing the circuit of the project
• Purchasing Components.
• Test of components on circuit board.
• Troubleshooting
• Designing the PCB board
• Designing of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Housing and Construction
• Soldering Components on PCB board.
• Testing the Completed Circuit Board
• Writing and Submission of Reports.
• Oral Presentation and Poster Presentation.
• Data Recording


8.3 Research and Presentation
• Research on the project title
• Research on the circuit of the project
• The study of the components which would be used for the project
• Preparation of PowerPoint slides for oral presentation
• Research on Circuit Operation
• Gathering of Information for Poster Presentation.
• Designing the poster and the summary

Gaant Chart

Click Image to Enlarge.

References

The circuit idea was obtained from an online webpage called “Silicon Chip”
Following is the list of electronic reference books which are fundamental to my circuit components and operation;

1) Low Voltage Wiring: Security/Fire Alarm Systems ,Terry Kenedy , 1996,Mc Graw-Hill
2) Intruder Alarms , Gerard Honey , Mc Graw Hill
3) Modern Control Engineering , Ogata Katsuhiko , Prentice Hall.
4) Digital Logic State Machine Design Third Edition by David J.Comer, Saunders College Publishing, 1995.
5) Management of Knowledge in Project Environments , Patrick Fong , Prentice Hall
6) Swimming Pool Inspection, Safety, Maintenance , Show Me How Videos
7) Electrical & Electronic Technology Eighth Edition by I Mckenzie Smith with John Hiley and Keith Brown, Prentice Hall 2002.
8) Power Electronics by Marvin J.Fisher, PWS-Kent Publishing Company, 1991.
9) Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory Eighth Edition International Edition by Robert L.Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky, Prentice Hall, 2002.
10) Digital Fundamentals Eighth Edition International Edition by Thomas L.Floyd, Prentice Hall, 2003.
11) Modern Control Systems by Nise Norman,Cummings Publishing Co.

To obtain data sheets for the ICs and components that was used in my circuit, I have browsed the following websites;

1) http://datasheetcatalogue.com
2) http://www.rsmalaysia.com
3) http://www.farnell.com
4) http://focus.ti.com/docs/prod/folders/print/tl062.html
5) http://www.chipdocs.com/datasheets/datasheet-pdf/SGSThomson-Microelectronics/TL062.html
6) http://www.edaboard.com/ftopic327824.html
7) http://www.fairchildsemi.com
8) http://www.hobbyengineering.com
9) http://everything2.com/title/555+Timer
10) http://www.semtech.co.uk
11) http://www.eztechsystems.com
12) http://www.linxtechnologies.com/
13) http://www.mistersoft.org/freelancing/getafreelancer/2009/06/Electronics-Wireless-Simple-transmitter-and-reciever-schematic-446072.html
14) http://www.epanorama.net/wwwboard/messages/8300.html
15) http://www.play-hookey.com/digital/experiments/rtl_schmitt.html
16) http://www.electronics-tutorials.com/filters/low-pass-filters.htm
17) http://www.safetyalarms.com/
18) http://www.sonarguard.com/#
19) http://www.jclahr.com/science/psn/zero/winding/gravity_sensor.html
20) http://www.electronics-manufacturers.com/products/sensors-transducers-detectors/piezoelectric-transducer/
21) http://www.ndted.org/EducationResources/CommunityCollege/Ultrasonics/EquipmentTrans/piezotransducers.htm
22) http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/LM7555.html#30