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timingbydata
a project by jens wunderling
documentation blog
watch movie
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laptops have all kinds of interfaces to send and receive data and control electronic devices, but no suitable interface to control a high-voltage appliance like, for example, a coffee machine.
the classic interface for these devices is a mechanical switch, which is not easily connectible to a laptop
the main problem is that kinetic energy has to be produced for the operation of a switch. the only device on a laptop that generates kinetic energy is the CD-Rom Drive which is able to eject a CD.
The Eject mechanism isnt strong enough to operate a switch on its own, so a coupling device has to be built which operates on light touch.
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the best solution for this problem is the usage of a relay, which is triggered by a sensitive dip switch and is able to switch on and off regular household current.
the dip switch is placed under the slot-in Drive of the laptop, so the ejected CD touches it. The low current which now can flow freely then operates the relay which connects any desired device to the high voltage current.
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the CD can be ejected manually by giving the right command, but using a standard burning software, a timing function can be created. the time depends on the amount of data which is burned on the CD as well as the preselected writing speed.
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