instructables

How to Make a Vibration Sensor

by NEW PEW

While browsing Instructables I came across teebee918's project where he made 2 di erent types of "motion" sensors. I
continued on the principle of one of the sensors. This sensor consists of a spring on which an iron ball is mounted. When
this ball moves it hits a conductive ring around the ball, causing the sensor to make contact.

The contact time of this sensor is very short. Connecting a lamp or alarm to it to be alerted when the sensor moves is
therefore di cult. By connecting a simple circuit with an IC555 timer as a basis (as in the Touch on Touch o Instructable)
this issue solves. When the sensor registers movement, the output becomes active. The output must be reset with a reset
button.

The combination of these 2 projects makes a complete sensor. You can use a vibration sensor for various applications.
They are used, among other things, for detecting wear on engines. This sensor is not that precise and is nice for hobby
purposes or simple projects.

Video tutorial

//www.youtube.com/embed/bHDKrFj6U5Y

Supplies:

555 timer
Tactile switch
LED (any color)
330 Ohm resistor
9V battery
9V battery clip
Spring (from a pen)
Iron ball (from ball bearing)

How to Make a Vibration Sensor: Page 1

Step 1: 555 Timer

In this project I am going to manually control the " ip op" circuit in the 555 timer. The "vibration sensor" turns on the ip
op circuit causing the output to go high and the LED to light, the push button resets the ip op circuit causing the
output to drop and the LED to turn o .

To keep it clear, I have added an image of the 555 timer schematic operation and pin assignment. Also a simple wiring
diagram.

How to Make a Vibration Sensor: Page 2

Step 2: Connect the LED

To visualize whether the output of the 555 timer is high, I to the GND later in this project, I have chosen to attach it
mounted an LED. The timer output is pin 3, which gives a directly to pin 3.
positive voltage when high. The LED will be between pin
3 and pin 1 (GND). Solder the 330 Ohm resistor to pin 3. Then mount the
LED between pin 3 and 1, with the anode (+) to pin 3
To protect the LED there is of course a resistor in and the Cathode (-) to pin 1.
between. In principle, it does not matter in front of or
behind the LED, but because there will be connections

How to Make a Vibration Sensor: Page 3

Step 3: The Reset Button
How to Make a Vibration Sensor: Page 4
To reset the ip op circuit in the 555 timer, a tactile switch is placed between pin 5 and 6. When this switch is pressed,
control voltage is applied to the threshold connection, causing the internal ip op circuit to reset.

Solder the tactile switch between pin 5 and 6.

Step 4: Install the Spring

To enable the internal ip op circuit in the 555 timer, and therefore it is not certain whether they conduct.
connect the trigger connection (pin 2) to the GND (pin 1)
connection. The vibration sensor part is attached to Now solder the other side of the spring to pin 2. Make
these 2 pins. sure that the spring is as straight up as possible.

To start, mount the iron ball to the spring by soldering it The rst part of the vibration sensor is ready, I will show
to it. I chose soldering because with gluing it is not the other part in the next step.
certain whether the spring and the ball touch each other

How to Make a Vibration Sensor: Page 5

Step 5: The Ring

How to Make a Vibration Sensor: Page 6

A ring of conductive material is placed around the ball. I
have opted for I chose a piece of copper wire that I still
had lying around here. I made the rounding by twisting
it around a round object (solder tin holder). You can of
course also use a marker or something similar for this.
GND connection (pin 1).
The vibration sensor part is now ready. When you shake
the sensor, the ball hits the ring and the 555 timer
switches on the output.

Place the ring around the ball and connect it with the

How to Make a Vibration Sensor: Page 7

Step 6: Allmost Ready

The sensor is almost ready. Only the power supply has to be mounted. This is of course possible with a variable power
supply, but I opted for a 9V battery.

Mount the red cable from the battery clip to pin 8 (+ Vcc) of the 555 timer.

Mount the black cable from the battery clip to pin 1 (GND).

How to Make a Vibration Sensor: Page 8

Step 7: Ready

Ready! Connect the 9 volt battery and the circuit can be

tested. shake the device turns the LED on, the tactile
button turns the LED o . Remember a simple circuit has
been added as an image to make it even clearer.
The 555 timer is very fragile. When soldering, make sure
you don't let it get too hot, it can break it.
I hope you liked this Instructable and it helps you
understand the 555 timer. It has made a lot of sense to
me and I plan to do more projects with it because it has
so many possibilities.

Video tutorial

//www.youtube.com/embed/bHDKrFj6U5Y

How to Make a Vibration Sensor: Page 9

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