Electromagnetic Locking System

Code name Mjölnir ​2.0

By Patrick Heslip, Jack Tarleton, and Colin McCloskey

Idea:

For our project, we decided to design and create a locking system by using

electromagnetism. By using electromagnetism, we can release the electromagnets by

using a fingerprint scanner. Only the

person who has the correct fingerprint

can unlock the lock. Our main use for

this would be for bike locks. This way,

instead of having to memorize a

number, which can be guessed and

broken in to, the person would have to

have a fingerprint that correctly matches your own fingerprint.

Source of Idea:

Only Thor is able to wield his hammer. It is

up to the hammer to decides who is worthy.

Because it is not possible to create a

machine that determines “worthiness,”

Sufficiently Advanced, a youtuber, recreated

a model of Thor’s hammer that uses electromagnets. He made it so that only the person

whose fingerprints matches the fingerprint scanner can pick up the hammer. We are

going to be using this model make a similar project where the only person who can

unlock the bike lock is the person whose fingerprint matches the fingerprint scanner.

Basics of Electromagnetism:

An electromagnet is a magnet that runs on electricity. Unlike a permanent

magnet, the strength of an electromagnet can easily be changed by changing the

amount of electric current that flows through it. The poles of an electromagnet can even

be reversed by reversing the flow of electricity. An electromagnet works because an

electric current produces a magnetic field. The magnetic field produced by an electric

current forms circles around the electric current

Materials:

● Fingerprint Scanner

● Arduino Pro Mini 5V

● Sparkfun Fingerprint Scanner

● TTP223 Capacitive Touch Sensor

● 4N35 Optocoupler

● 3.7 V 150 mAH Lithium ​Battery

● 4 AA Battery Holders

● 4 12V 1.2AH SLA Batteries

● Crydom CMX60D10 60V 10A Solid State Relay

● 1n400X diodes
 ● 2 Drawer Pulls

● Microwave Oven Transformer​1

● Scrap Wood

● Glues, Epoxies, Washers, Screws, Bolts, Heat Shrink, Tape, Magnets, Wires,

Etc.

Cost of Materials: ​$180

https://docs.google.com/a/students.nusd.org/spreadsheets/d/1oxMVrpFyMlpC6B0xiKE6

u4e9OfXg_Pzc3pyM5OR3qDc/edit?usp=sharing

Design Idea:

For our design, we are thinking of making an electromagnet that is able to

connect to any metal pole for easy implementation. There are many different uses for

this electromagnet. It

could be used to go

around a bike tire or

base of a bike so that

the bike would be

secure within the lock.

You would be able to

take the lock off once

you put your finger on

the fingerprint scanner. Another idea we had was using our electromagnetic lock for

safety purposes. We thought it could be a way to lock a cabinet or piece of furniture

down so that it wouldn’t move. This would be helpful in case of an earthquake, which

are common in California. The furniture would stay in place and keep the people in the

house safe from those objects that could fall in an earthquake. If you ever needed to

move the furniture, you can just put your finger on the scanner and the cabinet will be

able to move.

Focus Audience:

Our target audience is avid bike users and people who want earthquake safety.

This will be a higher end locking system that is heavy duty. The bike lock idea appeals

to the masses since bikes are used around the world and on a daily basis. The cabinet

locking since is a more specific market since there aren’t that many earthquakes in most

areas, but it is a more realistic price point for a product like that. Both ideas would be

great to market in California since we have both earthquakes and many bike users here.

We also have a fairly wealthy population in California which is the target market for us.

Since our cost for manufacturing right now is $180, it will be an expensive product for

people to buy. We are looking into ways to cut the cost down and slim the design down

in order to reach a lower price point. We especially need to slim down the size for a bike

lock since it needs to be able to fit in a backpack or somewhere on the bike.

Time Frame:
We have a few months to tinker around with our ideas until we need to create a

prototype. We will need to focus our product ideas into one specific thing in order to

start building a prototype. Once we start the building process we will have a few more

months to perfect our design before the end of the semester when our product needs to

be finished.

Feasibility:

We believe our project to be very feasible both economically and in manufacturing. Our

project requires few materials that can actually be purchased at a very reasonable price.

Our prototype has already achieved half the funding needed after only a few days. The

lock itself would operate on an even smaller level meaning materials would be cheaper.

Meanwhile the earthquake locking system may prove to be a bit harder due to the fact

that the floor would have to be made of something magnetic and the locking system

itself would be very heavy. As we progress further into the prototyping we hope to gain

greater knowledge as to the relative weight and power of our electromagnets. Therefore

our feasibility will either increase or be scrapped.