Engineering Limits Craft Real-Life Lockbox
In the realm of art, constraints often spark creativity rather than stifle it. iconic works such as Picasso's blue period, Gadsby by Ernest Vincent Wright, Tetris, and the Volkswagen Beetle are testament to this phenomenon. A similarly impressive example can be found in the world of electronics, where a lockbox project by [Peter] challenges the use of microcontrollers and revels in the employment of passive components only.
This lockbox, resembling a small container, houses a keypad and related locking circuitry within its interior. Upon entering the correct sequence of push buttons, the box unlocks the concealed drawer. The combination is programmed through a series of hidden switches connected via diodes to a chain of relays. With each correct button press, a relay is activated, setting the stage for the next press. When the final correct button is pushed, a solenoid is powered, releasing the lock mechanism and opening the drawer. An incorrect button press disables a relay, halting the sequence and resetting the system.
The project showcases several ingenious tricks to accomplish these tasks without the aid of a microcontroller. It employs capacitors to deliver precise timing to the relays, ensuring they don't all activate simultaneously. The woodworking also stands out, as the circuit components become visible when the lid is opened, while the combination switches remain hidden. While relays being used for logic is not a novel concept, they can be harnessed for complex tasks, including replacing transistors in single-board computers, albeit with significant operational differences.
Relays hold potential for automation and control, reliability, fault tolerance, protection, and safety. They can be integrated with AI systems to improve automation and prediction. However, they are typically not ideal for replacing transistors in single-board computers due to factors like speed, power consumption, signal integrity, and size. Nevertheless, relays can complement these systems to boost control and safety features.
This lockbox project, built without using a microcontroller in the realm of electronics, demonstrates the use of relays and passive components, showcasing creativity and innovation in technology. The ingenious use of capacitors for precise timing and wooden craftsmanship, hiding switches while revealing circuit components, illustrates the project's impressive diy approach in the world of electronics.
