Garage Laser Beam

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Lockzi
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Joined: 07 Oct 2016, 22:27

Garage Laser Beam

#1 Post by Lockzi » 07 Oct 2016, 23:00

Hello,

long time lurker, first time poster.

My question is not regarding programming nor harware so much, rather actual application.

I have wired everything up but am asking for the communites response regarding how to permanent fixate the following:
Right hand side of the garage port: Laser (about 1 meter up) and Photoresistor (by the floor)
Left hand side of the garage port: Mirror.


My idea is that if the laser beam is broken, the door should not close.
By leveraging the distance back and forth the left and right side with an angle I am allowing about 50 cm in height ( in the middle) to detect if the cars rear bumper (or anythign else in that matter).

Everything is set up, but how should I apply this in real world practice regarding fixate laser pointer, mirror, and photoresistor?

If the laserpointer moves just like 0.3 cm down, it may still hit the mirror but the mirror would not reflect the dot onto the photoresistor and thus yield the the resistance above minimum value to alow the door to move.
Any input if appriciated.

kr0815
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Posts: 136
Joined: 18 Nov 2015, 18:24

Re: Garage Laser Beam

#2 Post by kr0815 » 08 Oct 2016, 10:32

Better buy a light barrier, something like this:


http://www.ebay.de/itm/Einweg-Lichtschr ... Swu4BVt357

Except the problem to adjust the laser, i doubt that the laser pointer will last long, they are not made for 24/7 usage

Martinus

Re: Garage Laser Beam

#3 Post by Martinus » 08 Oct 2016, 11:25

Lockzi wrote:My idea is that if the laser beam is broken, the door should not close.
Sure you want to automate this kind of detection? Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEOGSYFqLx8

Lockzi
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Posts: 6
Joined: 07 Oct 2016, 22:27

Re: Garage Laser Beam

#4 Post by Lockzi » 08 Oct 2016, 15:50

Martinus wrote:
Lockzi wrote:My idea is that if the laser beam is broken, the door should not close.
Sure you want to automate this kind of detection? Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEOGSYFqLx8
Thanks for the reply Martinus.

That is exactly why I want this detection. To prevent it from happening.

Lockzi
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Posts: 6
Joined: 07 Oct 2016, 22:27

Re: Garage Laser Beam

#5 Post by Lockzi » 08 Oct 2016, 15:53

kr0815 wrote:Better buy a light barrier, something like this:


http://www.ebay.de/itm/Einweg-Lichtschr ... Swu4BVt357

Except the problem to adjust the laser, i doubt that the laser pointer will last long, they are not made for 24/7 usage
Good point regarding the lasers lifetime, I did not spend enough time thinking this through.
Maybe I could jack into a light barrier. I'll look into it! Thanks.

CoolWombat
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Joined: 31 Oct 2015, 08:00

Re: Garage Laser Beam

#6 Post by CoolWombat » 11 Oct 2016, 13:26

Another option is to use a HC-SR04 module as it is also supported by ESP Easy.

Lockzi
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Posts: 6
Joined: 07 Oct 2016, 22:27

Re: Garage Laser Beam

#7 Post by Lockzi » 11 Oct 2016, 13:31

CoolWombat wrote:Another option is to use a HC-SR04 module as it is also supported by ESP Easy.
I have one of those in my tinkerbox, the problem is the wide angle used by that ultra sonic sensor I would like to pin down if something is in the way of a 1-10 cm line from the door over a distance of about 4 meters.

Image

CoolWombat
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Joined: 31 Oct 2015, 08:00

Re: Garage Laser Beam

#8 Post by CoolWombat » 12 Oct 2016, 12:09

You got a point there. If your car is too close to the door when it is properly parked, it will still be triggering the sensor. Maybe try one of these cheap photo electric switch -
http://tiny.cc/m4yufy
http://tiny.cc/96yufy

Or maybe switch the laser ie: turn on laser, check sensor and if there is no obstruction, close garage door and continue to monitor sensor. Once door is closed, turn off laser.

Lockzi
New user
Posts: 6
Joined: 07 Oct 2016, 22:27

Re: Garage Laser Beam

#9 Post by Lockzi » 12 Oct 2016, 18:06

I've purchased a IR Transmitter and IR Reciever and will start with that.

However, the Laser Point is a nicer solution indeed, and especially if the Laser and photosensor are on the same side.
The problem however is then still the same. How should I fixate the laser, mirror and photosensor.
The distance from laser to mirror is about 4 meters, and putting it in this setup makes the total distance about 8,5 meters.
One single degree wrong on either laser or mirror would put it too much off from hitting the sensor.

The reason for why I want it to bounce is because of the height between the two beams in the middle.

Illustration:
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14762882133475.png (51.8 KiB) Viewed 8513 times

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