Code #1871
PROJECT: GPLS Green Pressure Lighting System
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Abstract: Today, hospitals, offices, call centers; universities and other such institutions are the epitome of energy consumption. In such places, lighting is required through out the day and hence lights in rooms, corridors and washrooms are often kept switched on even when they are not required. In modern, high-end buildings a very efficient system is used involving motion and pressure sensors which control the brightness of the light bulbs. Though this idea is relatively effective, the high cost and maintenance involved make it unfeasible in a country such as India. Therefore, we would like to propose an alternative concept which is not only costeffective but also eco-friendly.
Introduction: Since most of the afore-mentioned institutions are open round the clock, their energy requirement is very large. Thus, to combat this issue and minimize wastage of electricity, we propose an eco-friendly lighting system which automatically switches off the lights when they are not required. Our lighting system is activated by the pressure exerted by an individual on the floor. An open circuit will run across the entire length of the corridor underneath the floor boards. The weight of the person will bring two carbon brushes in contact, hence completing the circuit. When the person steps away from the corridor, the circuit will break, switching off the lights.
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Table Of Contents
Serial No.
Topic
Page No.
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Experimental Methods And Techniques Used
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Results and Discussions
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3
Advantages
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4
Conclusions
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Acknowledgments and References
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EXPERIMENTAL METHODS AND TECHNIQUES USED: 1) MATERIALS USED: Chinese Recycled Plastic flooring:
It is manufactured from a combination of plastic, natural fiber and some additives using special equipments. It is highly resistant to cracking and splitting. It is water proof, prevents rotting and moisture, is anti-acid, alkali and pest resistant. It is environment friendly, fully recyclable and contains no other hazardous chemicals. Since it is lightweight and flexible, it is ideal for the 1 st level flooring.
Carbon Brushes:
A brush is a device which conducts current between stationary wires and moving parts, most commonly used in a rotating shaft. Typical applications include
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electric motors, alternators and electric generators. Here in our model, the carbon brushes work as the conducting material between the wires and the metallic strip. When the floor comes down due to applied pressure, the metallic strip comes in contact with the carbon brushes, hence facilitating the movement of current and thereby switching on the lights.
Rubber Pads/ Polyethylene Foam:
Rubber Pads of about 1-2 cm thickness will line the underside of the Plastic flooring. The elasticity and shock-absorbing qualities of the material make it favorable as an intervening material in our Lighting System. The padding will compress as a person steps on the floor, bringing the metallic strip and the carbon brushes in contact. Once the person steps off the designated area, the rubber pads will resume their original thickness.
Metallic strip:
On the bottom part of the flooring, is attached a thin metallic strip, which protrudes below the floor. Made of copper, this rectangular plate acts as the
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perfect conducting material, completing the circuit, thereby enabling the lights to be turned on. The carbon brushes and metallic wires together provide, shock proof transportation of the current.
2) Construction: The entire floor of the passage is divided into two layers. The upper layer is constructed with Chinese Recycled Plastic-Wood flooring. This rests upon a coat of soft foam or a strip of rubber padding which runs along the periphery of the underneath of the flooring. The main function of the foam/rubber is to act as a buoyant base that allows the whole floor to move up and down gradually by approx. 1 cm.
On
the underside of the level, a long and thin metallic strip is embedded along the 4
centre, suspended above the actual floor below. Resting on the concrete floor, a circuit system is present with several terminals made of carbon brushes, spaced about 25cm from each other, connected in parallel(as shown in the figure).This circuit system is connected to the lights overhead which in turn switches on when the circuit is complete. When pressure is applied on the floor, by an individual, the flexible Chinese Plastic-Wood floorboard depresses by about 1 – 2 cm. The metal strip acts as a conductor that completes the circuit. When there is no pressure, the floor gradually returns back to its original level. The flow of electricity is broken and the lights are switched off.
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3) THE WORKING:
The main circuit below consists of several carbon brush terminals (spaced about 25cm from each other) connected in parallel underneath the primary flooring. The metallic strip, embedded below the primary flooring, acts as a conductor or a switch to connect the terminals. This circuit is then connected to the main circuit overhead, which is connected to the lights. Thus, when pressure is applied by the weight of a person on the primary floor, the metallic strip depresses along with the floor, coming in contact with the carbon brushes below. This completes the circuit below, thereby activating the lights. When a person steps off the designated walkway, due to the absence of any external force on the floor, the floor returns to its original level. Thus, the metallic strip is also moved upwards along with the floor, leaving the circuit incomplete, and thereby deactivating the lights.
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RESULTS/DISCUSSIONS: Over-illumination is the excessive use of light. Specifically within the United States, over-illumination is responsible for approximately two million barrels of oil per day in energy wasted. Over 30 percent of all energy is consumed by commercial, industrial and residential sectors. Energy audits of existing buildings demonstrate that the lighting component of residential, commercial and industrial uses consumes about 20 to 40 percent wastage This data also demonstrates that about 30 to 60 percent of energy consumed in lighting is unneeded or gratuitous.
ADVANTAGES: 1. According to our calculations, this flooring system will conserve up to 45% of energy. 2. The cheap and recyclable materials used in our system reduce the impact on the environment and ensure its sustenance. 3. It follows the ideal of demand-and-supply; the lights are activated ONLY when explicitly required. 4. The cost of the construction and maintenance can be kept at a minimum making it a viable option for institutions of differing economic capacities
CONCLUSION: 7
In today’s energy-hungry world, we are in a race to innovate and discover the cheapest and most effective alternative for the rapidly depleting resources. In the process, man has also learnt to use technology to reduce the consumption of energy. In this spirit, we too have endeavored to create a cost-effective lowmaintenance and eco-friendly lighting system that will surely help many institutions to cut costs. Due to the basic engineering and lack of very expensive components, this system can be widely adopted and used in various developing countries. In relevance to our home country, India, a vast and diverse land with many hospitals, offices, schools, government buildings and residential complexes, resources are unnecessarily being wasted. We target such institutions and believe that such small changes in the present can make a major difference in the long run.
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ACKNOWLEDMENTS: We would like to thank KERA UAE for giving us the opportunity to attempt to bring a positive change in this world. To our school and our teachers, we are ever grateful, for their feedback and constant support throughout our research. We thank our parents for their constant encouragement.
REFERENCES: 1. www.howstuffworks.com 2. www.wikipedia.com
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