TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION....................................................................................2

OBJECTIVES............................................................................................3

PROBLEM STATEMENT......................................................................3

LITERATURE REVIEW.........................................................................4

METHODOLOGY....................................................................................5

BENEFITS/CONTRIBUTIONS...............................................................6

WORK PLAN.............................................................................................6

BUDGET......................................................................................................7

CONCLUSION...........................................................................................8

REFFERENCE...........................................................................................9

1
INTRODUCTION

Adjustable height sink (AHS) is a large bowl or basin with running water used for washing

purposes that is adjustable in height [1]. This AHS is also suitable for users with different heights and

ages as well as to accommodate those with disabilities. The additional ergonomic design of the sink

allows wheelchair to fit underneath.

There are many types of AHS already available in the market. However, all existing products

apply mechanical systems to adjust the height of the sink. None of them have the ability to adjust the

height automatically. Furthermore, these products are not locally made and too expensive to be

purchased by local citizen.

In this study, the height of the sink will be adjusted automatically whenever a person comes

approaching the sink. The height of the sink is adjusted based on the person’s height. The range of

height is varied in a range applicable for both normal and disabled person especially those with

wheelchair.

The adjustable height sink includes three main components: sensor, microcontroller and

geared motor. The sensor will detect the height and distance of the person from the sink. The

microcontroller will process the signal detected by the sensor and run the motor. The geared motor

will change the height of the sink accordingly.

In this study, analysis will be done on the sensor’s sensitivity in detecting the height and the

distance between the sink and the person. Further analysis will be done on the suitability of the motor

which will be used to increase or decrease the height of the sink.

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OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study is to develop an automatic adjustable height sink that is:

1. Suitable for persons with different heights and ages.

2. Suitable for disabled persons.

3. Locally made.

4. Low cost.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

In Malaysia, there is no AHS manufactured locally and available in normal market. All

premises still equipped with normal sink without the height adjustable function. Normal scenarios

could be seen where a child standing on the tip of his toes just to reach the water tap to wash his

hands. Yet this scenario would be dangerous if there is a person sitting on a wheelchair having a hard

time reaching out his hands to the tap. This person might fall off from the wheelchair and suffer from

injury.

Nowadays, AHS has been widely used in highly developed country such as U.S, U.K, Japan,

and South Korea. In South Korea, the new technology of AHS offers height adjusting using water

pressure in the water line [2]. There is no electricity involved in the design. It operates very fast,

smooth and noiseless.

However, the major drawback to all commercial designs of AHS is that the height is not

automatically adjusted. For example, if a normal adult has used the sink with maximum height. It

would be difficult for certain people especially those with wheelchairs to lower the sink from such

3
height. It becomes more troublesome when the push button is located at the side of the tap. It is not

very convenient for the disabled and kids.

LITERATURE REVIEW

There are situations where sink needs to be adjusted in height. The ability of vertically adjustable sink

is crucial for people with different level of heights. This is also true for persons with mobility

impairments, especially those who use wheelchairs.

There is a study which proposed AHS that met the specifications required by the standards (ANSI

4.32.5.5 and UFAS 4.34.6.5) [3].

4
METHODOLOGY

In this research, there are 3 main components.

• IR sensor

• Geared motor

• Microcontroller

IR sensor that will use for this research is from GP2D12 type. It is distance sensor. This

sensor will be placed at top of the sink (2meters on the top, parallel with the sink). This sensor is

coming with servo motor. This servo motor will always moving while sensor, detect height or distance

of the users. The signal will be sent to microcontroller, and the microcontroller wills so all the

calculations. To make sure sensor working well, analysis and testing have to be done. This testing will

make sure sensor will not always read users height that only wants to walk in front of it.

Motor that is used for AHS, is geared motor. This motor move constant compare to power

window motor. Geared motor is smoother. But geared motor need track to make it move. And it will

make it look not good due to the motor track. To overcome it, a slice of glass or plastics to cover it.

AHS also have to face unstable move if the calculation is not correct. Pneumatic system will be

analyze to overcome this problem

In this research, lots of method will be used. This method will go through analysis to make it

almost perfect and can be commercialized. Thus, all those method must have safety element.

The most important part in this research it microcontroller. Microcontroller command

language is easier to write than microprocessor. Microcontroller is also more applicable to use. At

5
first, PIC is a device that include in the research. But, PIC is too expensive. So, microcontroller is the

perfect device for AHS. Furthermore, microcontroller is mobile

BENEFITS/CONTRIBUTIONS

Contribution and benefits if the AHS is existed to the world is, it can take our quality of life to the nest

level, especially to disables and kids. It is because, kids who want to wash their hands, do not have to

lift by their parents. For disables, they can easily wash their hand due to AHS will automatically adjust

it height to the suitable height. AHS, also can prevent accident and injury because kids who want to

wash their hands will not hanging at the sink. As we know, the probability of the sink will fall to the

ground if the children hanging at the sink. Thus, there will be less sprinkled water around the sink.

This will make the place a cleaner place to be

WORK PLAN

The time frame allocated for this research study is 12 month. This project will start on January 2011

and completed on January 2012. All those works will be stated on table that is paste below.

6
BUDGET

ESTIMATION ON THE OVERALL COST OF THE PROJECT

A) Software

1. Commercial Reliability Software (Student Demo version

B) Stationary

1. Paper RM30.00

2. Ink Printer RM50.00

3. Photocopy RM20.00

4. Binding RM50.00

C) Others

1. Traveling Expenses RM100.00

2. Project Prototype RM100.00

Total RM350.00

7
CONCLUSION

The research study will produce a sink that make peoples life easier generally. New way of life will be

begin. This way of life will produce a better future especially for medical department.

AHS is developing for put our way of life at a level up and better than we had today. Furthermore lots

of doctors ask for this kind of technology. Some of doctors at PPUM have been asked whether they

need this technology or not? And surprisingly they said “yes”, they need it. From AHS, maybe there

will be new technology will be produce. Could be we will have adjustable height desktop

8
REFFERENCES

1. Anonymous. (2000). Sink. Retrieved on 15th August 2010 from Dictionary.com website:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sink

2. Anschell, W. (2010). Adjustable height pedestal sink. Retrieved 13th July 2010 from Youtube

website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydW1cP9bVcM

3. Chun, M.P. (2008). Automatic continuously height adjustable table. Retrieved on 15th August

2010 from Patentdocs website: http://www.faqs.org/patents/app/20080245279

4. Mastor Surat, NurAkmal Goh Abdullah & Mazlan Mohd Tahir. (2009). Guidelines on access

for disabled persons to public buildings. Fakulti Alam Bina: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

5. Anonymous. (n.d.). Pressalit care adjustable height sink. Retrieved on 15 th August 2010 from

MAX-Ability website: http://www.max-ability.com/accsink.htm

6. Anonymous. (n.d.). Usable kitchens. Retrieved on 15th August 2010 from website:

http://www.family-friendly-fun.com/images/accessiblekitchen.pdf

7. Klawitter, B.A. & Vagle, W.D. (1999). Height adjustable sink and vanity. Retrieved on 15th

August 2010 from PatentStorm website: http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5867847.pdf

8. Barnett, R.H. Cox, S. & O’Cull, L. (n.d). Embedded C programming and the microchip PIC:

DELMAR CENGAGE Learning.