Design and Construction of Double Clap Switch

1.1 Introduction

The Double Clap Switch primary purpose of switch is to provide means for connecting two or more terminals in order to permit the flow of current across them, so as to allow for interaction between electrical components, and to easily isolate circuits so as to terminate this communication flow when need be. The motivating force behind this design is based on the desire to alleviate the problem faced by the aged and physically challenged persons in trying to control some household appliances. It also takes into considerations the illiterates that may have problems operating some “complex” hand-held Remote Control Units (RCUs).

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

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1.2 Background of Study

In the present modern world, switching circuits have become an indispensible part of our life. Right from your mobile phone to the various security systems, they can be seen everywhere. Even the horn of your motor car is a kind of switch used to warn people and vehicles in front of its presence. The sole purpose of an switch is to activate or deactivate a device. They may be in the form of a visual indicator, for example a flashing light, but switching circuit in the form of an audible tone or siren is more widely accepted as it is able to wake up even the unaware and the oblivious. This work is on sound activated switch. Clap activation or deactivation switching is all about automating real life devices using clap signals.

The word “switch” is a very common name found in almost all aspects electrical/electronic engineering. Switches can be found in information technology computers, telecommunications, power electronics, power systems, instrumentation etc.

They have been defined by various people or organizations in different ways. Some of the definitions of switches are listed below;

1. As a device that is used to break or stop the flow of charges in a circuit.
2. As a device used to connect two or more computers together.
3. A device used to interrupt the flow of electrons in a circuit.

All the above definitions are correct, but for this project we are going to define a switch as a device which can be used to control the action of an electrical load, by allowing or obstructing the flow of the electrical signal sent it. Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Design and Construction of Double Clap Switch.

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1.3 Statement of the Problem

In the industries like the petroleum or chemical industries, some production processes have been started or stopped due to accidental switching of machinery leading to injury or death. This can cause financial strain on a company. In the radioactive process, manual switching poses great health hazards to the operator due to the side effects of exposure to the radioactive elements.

Manual switching is an uphill task for the disabled and the aged due to movement constraints. Sometimes, we are victims of electric shocks from our devices when we try to switch them ON/OFF due to leaking currents from the electric switches.

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1.4 Aim and Objective of Study

The aim of the study is to Design and Construct a Double Clap Switch. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To constructed device will be able to switch on and off using double clap signals
2. To design a system that will provide means for connecting two or more terminals in order to permit the flow of current across them, so as to allow for interaction between electrical components, and to easily isolate circuits so as to terminate this communication flow when need be.
3. To eliminate the stress in walking from end to end, or room to room of a building to switch devices ON/OFF.
4. To provide a remote switching helps to safe guard operators and equipment.
5. To ensure a reliable and safe method of switching domestic and industrial devices.

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1.5 Significance of Study

This project’s completion will be of great benefit to our ever demanding and developing society. Some of these benefits include;

1. Accidental switching of devices will be reduced to a minimum in our industries and homes.
2. Walking from point to point to switch switches will be a thing of the past.
3. This project will possess the LOCK and UNLOCK functions, which will prevent unintentional switching any time the user wishes
4. Our industries and homes will become friendlier to disabled people.

This study will be of immense benefit to researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

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1.6 Scope of the Study

The scope of this work is defined by the following points

1. The switching interface in this project is of the general purpose type as it is not restricted to only one type of load.
2. The double clap signal accepted by the computer, will not be limited to just one person.
3. It will not be limited to low voltage, low current AC/DC applications of 240V maximum operating voltage.
4. The type of control this project employs is the simple ON/OFF control of devices

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1.7 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).

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1.8 Organisation of Research Work

The various stages involved in the development of this project have been properly put into five chapters to enhance comprehensive and concise reading. In this project thesis, the project is organized sequentially as follows:

Chapter one of this works is on the introduction to solar power inverter. In this chapter, the background, significance, objective limitation and problem of a clap switch were discussed.

Chapter two is on literature review of a double clap switch. In this chapter, all the literature pertaining to this work was reviewed.

Chapter three is on design methodology. In this chapter all the method involved during the design and construction were discussed.

Chapter four is on testing analysis. All testing that result accurate functionality was analyzed.

Chapter five is on conclusion, recommendation and references.

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