Time Switch_1

This is a project which will use simple methods to design a time switch. Time switch is the name I have given to the product. What this time switch(TS) does is, it will switch off or switch on a device/ or many devices which is/are connected to AC power after a given interval. It is a very simple task, but I want to design one myself and use it for my needs. I should provide that this equipment is already available in the market.

To start with I needed a logical design to track my progress as well as to make the designing process efficient. I prefer modularizing the design and implementing one by one in order to reduce the complexity of the design. This logical design may be and will be changed according to the practical scenarios that I will be facing later in my designing stages (which is the case in almost all the designs which are done by individuals).

Following is my initial logical design,

Figure 1 : Initial logical design of the TS.

The figure itself is self explanatory so I will not go in detail about it. To understand the process correctly, some prior knowledge is needed on PIC based micro-controllers, relays, rectifiers, etc.. If you don't have any knowledge on these things, don't panic because problem based learning is the best way to do. Just google what you don't understand.

Figure 1 is the design that we are going to make, next task will be to generate a design flow. The flow for this particular design can be different from one person to the other, due to his/her personal knowledge. Some of the steps can be skipped, or else some additional steps maybe required. But the intention should be to generate milestones along the way so that you can track where you are. Moreover, the flow should be in such a manner that you will be able to modularize the process. Now the design and the flow both are modularized, so you can easily design one by one and finally integrate them together (which becomes the hardest task in almost all the cases).

Figure 2: Design flow of the TS

Figure 2 is what I think the best way to develop the product, and there can be many subprocesses for each step. I will keep these as milestones and develop the project.

:)