The paper presents a design and development of a
multi-station automated hand-washing system (MSAHWS) that
could be integrated into overall solution strategies for combating
the threat of SARS-Cov-2 infections and minimizing the health
and economic devastation the virus spread can inflict. The
researchers seek to create a system that uses a single
micro-controller and caters to several users, each of them being
served independently of each other. The MSAHWS development
follows a four-part methodology: formulation of the sanitary,
operational, manufacturing and economic requirements; design,
modeling, and simulation of the micro-controller-based control
system; MSAHWS hardware prototype development; and system
test and data collection. The MSAHWS design and development
focuses on a double-station system that uses a single Arduino
Uno, an ultrasonic sensor for each station, 4 FET’s, 4 liquid
pumps, a water tank, a soap reservoir, a power supply and a frame
to house the system. The non-contact system eliminates possible
viral transmission from one person to another via the hand
washing machine yet ensures the required cleanliness of the
hands. The system is first simulated in PROTEUS to test its
functionality and responses based on the demanded or required
criteria. A prototype is then built to test and verify the system’s
actual operation and responses and thence to make the necessary
adjustment of parameters to realize an acceptable performance
level. Tests show that all the requirements are met. Photos of the
built and tested prototype, a diagram of the initial system design
concept, a screen capture of the control system software model, a
schematic diagram of the control system, a sketch with
dimensions of the hand washing machine frame or housing, and
the flowchart on which the Arduino script is developed. The
operation and user-interaction of the actual system is also
described. The control system program is written such that the
resulting hand washing activity complies with the WHO standard
on hand washing duration and makes entirely possible a complete
and hygienic hand washing activity with soap and water. The
system is envisioned for strategic deployment in public and private
areas like public markets, banks, hospitals, schools, offices,
residences, and many others.
Revised Manuscript Received on August 05, 2020.
* Correspondence Author
Jolan Baccay Sy, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Wollo
University, Kombolcha Institute of Technology, Kombolcha Ethiopia.
E-mail: [email protected]
Marlon Gan Rojo School of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
Wollo University, Kombolcha Institute of Technology, Kombolcha Ethiopia.
Email: [email protected]
Eunelfa Regie Calibara School of Electrical and Computer
Engineering, Wollo University, Kombolcha Institute of Technology,
Kombolcha Ethiopia. E-mail: [email protected]
Alain Vincent Comendador, School of Mechanical and Chemical
Engineering, Wollo University, Kombolcha Institute of Technology,
Kombolcha, Ethiopia. Email: [email protected]
Wubishet Degife School of Mechanical and Chemical Engineering,
Wollo University Kombolcha Institute of Technology, Kombolcha, Ethiopia.
E-mail: [email protected]
Asefa Sisay Yimer Lecturer, Department of Electrical and Computer
Engineering, Kombolcha Institute of Technology, Wollo University,
Ethiopia.
The paper has shown that it is possible to control multiple hand
washing stations, each acting independently of each other, using a
single micro-controller and a proper control system
programming.
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