ISSN 2319-8885

Vol.03,Issue.21
September-2014,
Pages:4249-4255
www.semargroup.org,
www.ijsetr.com

Design of Liquid Mixer Control System

MAY HTOI PAN1, NU NU WIN2
Dept of Mechatronic Engineering, Mandalay Technological University, E-mail: mayhtoipan@gmail.com.

Abstract: The mixing machine is widely used in many juice factories and liquid mixing industries. The mixer system is used in
drinking liquid products such as juice and chocolate etc. This research describes design of liquid mixer control system with
keypad. The mixer can produce the juice with centrifugal pump by pressing keypad data. This system is to control the mixer by
using PIC microcontroller. The keypad is used for the requirement data for the specified amount of the liquid and displayed on
the LCD screen. The description of this system is to implement the hardware components for the mixing process and to control
DC motor with relay driving circuit. Relay and transistor have been used to drive for the pump of the control system. The control
program is written in micro-c programming language. Simulation test is also implemented with the help of Proteus Software.

Keywords: Display Module, Motor Driver, Transfer System, Control Unit, Data Input.

I. INTRODUCTION II. HARDWARE CONFIGURATION

Nowadays, automated machines are in demand for they The layout design of the mixer control system includes:
make numerous activities not only easier but also  Keypad
efficiently. There are three types of mixer: liquid and liquid  PIC 18F4550 microcontroller
mixer, solid and liquid mixer, solid and solid mixer. This  LCD module
mixer is suitable for mixing liquid-liquid materials. It‟s  Level Sensors
strong for high viscous materials. These machines require  Centrifugal pump
minimal human intervention to do its job. The mixers are  Brushed DC motor
used in industries to produce the perfect liquid or juice for
many customers. Mixer can provide for industries to reduce A. Keypad
the need for human work in the production of goods and A keypad is a set of buttons arranged in a block or "pad"
services. The mixers may take the drink sweeter, or sourer. which usually bear digits, symbols and usually a complete
Some mixers change the consistency of the drink, making it set of alphabetical letters as shown in Fig.2. [1]
thicker or more watery. Drink mixers may also be used
strictly for decorative purpose by changing the colour or
appearance of the drink. The whole process is explained on
the block diagram of the system in Fig.1.
PWM

Transistor driver Four pumps of

four dispensers

LCD
TX RX module
Sub main
controller controller
Ultra-sonic level PIC PIC
sensors 18F4550 18F4550
Stirrer Mix for desired
Desired frequency liquid

Fig.2. Keypad [1].

Keypad
Mixing
Container The keypad is used to type of the desired amount of the
liquid data. The keypad has 16 keys for the desire system. If
the one key was pressed, the two pin of the keypad is
Fig.1. Block diagram of mixer control system.

Copyright @ 2014 SEMAR GROUPS TECHNICAL SOCIETY. All rights reserved.

 MAY HTOI PAN, NU NU WIN
produced 5V dc. Then the controller checks input pin and micro-controller‟s pins (RB4, RB5, RB6 and RB7). The
decides the char value for LCD. In this system, the microcontroller changes these pins in digital 1 and 0 by the
maximum desired amount of the liquid is 3liters in mixing way of it output pins. So character values 0 to 255 are
container. So the 700mili-liter of liquid is maximum for received in the LCD. The character values have desired
each dispenser. The keypad is limited in 3 digits amount of constant symbols in our electronic world such as the symbol
liquid in 700 values. The 0-9 number is pressed for the of the digit 48 is „0‟ and 65 is „A‟. So the microcontroller
desired amount of liquid. The „*‟ key is the confirm data send 1 and 0 digit data to LCD and the LCD shows these
after the type of all amount of liquid. digit data in character in sentence. The complementary
circuit diagram for the LCD connected with microcontroller
is shown in below Fig.5:

1 2 3 A RD0
1 5V
RD1
4 5 6 B RD2
RD3 To main RB2
RD4 controller RB3
7 8 9 C RD5 From main
RB4
8 RD6 RB5 controller
* 0 # D RD7 RB6
RB7
16 1
4× 4 Keypad
Fig.3. Keypad to controller.
The „#‟ key is the clear command data after all data are GND
typed in wrong. After the mixing process, the „A‟ key is for
16× 2 LCD
the produce function of liquid from mixing container to Fig.5. Circuit diagram of LCD.
user. The “B‟ key is used in stop key if the user wants to
stop the flow of the desired liquid in mixing container to C. Level Sensor
user‟s cup. The circuit of the keypad is shown in Fig.3. The level sensors of the containers are constructed by
ultra-sonic level sensors and transistors is shown in Fig.6.
B. LCD Module The ultra-sonic sensors are driven by the PIC controller with
A liquid-crystal display (LCD) is a flat panel display, PWM function.
electronic visual display, or video display that uses the light
modulating properties of liquid crystals. The LCD connects
with the 6 pins of micro-controller, 2 pins for back-light Distance Water
LED and 2 pins for power supply is as shown in Fig.4. [5] Sensor surface
The LCD module is used for displaying of the levels of the
four dispensers and process of the mixing tank.

Echo PWM (frequency)

Fig.6. Level sensor.

The PWM pin of the microcontroller is produced desired

frequency to data pins of the ultra-sonic sensors. The sensor
emits frequency to the button of the dispenser and checks
Fig.4. LCD module [5]. the time of the feedback frequency. Then the
microcontroller calculates the time for the levels of the four
The display process and user taking process are shown in dispensers. The sample circuit diagram for the level sensor
LCD step by step. The data four pins are connected to is shown in below Fig.7:
International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Technology Research
Volume.03, IssueNo.21, September-2014, Pages: 4249-4255
 Design of Liquid Mixer Control System
AC-220V
5V Pump
470 Ω

12V
Level sensor 12V
Relay
From Sub-controller
PWM pin
945 C
470 Ω TIP 41C
To Sub - Controller From main
controller 470 Ω
( For level - 1 data )

GND

Fig.9. Pump with relay driver circuit.

The max current limit of the controller is 25mA.

GND The load current of the transistor is 10mA.
Fig.7. Level sensor circuit diagram. So the suitable resistor for the transistor is, R = V
R
D. Centrifugal Pump 5V
The transfer of energy from the mechanical rotation of R=
10mA
the impeller to the motion and pressure of the fluid is
R = 500Ω
usually described in terms of centrifugal force, especially in
(470 Ω nearly)
older sources written before the modern concept of
centrifugal force as a fictitious force in a rotating reference
The flow-rate of the dispenser‟s pump is depended on the
frame was well articulated is shown in Fig.8. At the pump
condition of the pipe. So the calculation of the dispenser‟s
was driven, the water move by the force of the fan of dc
pump is required for the program. The flow-rate calculation
motor to the tap of the pump. Then the desired amount of
of the dispenser‟s pump is shown in below:
the liquid moved from dispensers to mixing container. [4]
The flow-rate of the pump, Q = 79LPH
= 22ml per second
= 9s (200ml)

The diameter of the pipe, d = 9mm

The area of the pipe, A =  d²

4
= 0.785 × 0.81cm²
= 0.635cm²

The flow-rate of the pump, Q = AV

The velocity of water flow in pipe, V = Q

A
Fig.8. Centrifugal pump [4]. 0.022LPS
=
0.635cm²
This type of pump is used for moving of liquid from one
=
22cm³/s
dispenser to another. And then give out the desired liquid 0.635cm²
for user in time. The control circuit for the pump is shown = 35cm/s
in below Fig.9: = 1ft/s
The base current of the transistor TIP41C, I = V = 3s (For 3ft)
B R
5V The flow-rate of the mixing container‟s pump is
=
470  depended on the condition of the pipe. So the calculation of
= 10mA the mixing container‟s pump is required for the program.

International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Technology Research

Volume.03, IssueNo.21, September-2014, Pages: 4249-4255
 MAY HTOI PAN, NU NU WIN
The flow-rate calculation of the mixing container‟s pump is The load current of the motor, I = 1.5A
shown in below: The power supply voltage of the motor, V =12V (DC)
So the internal resistance of the motor, R =
V
The flow-rate of the pump, Q = 299LPH
I
= 83ml per second
= 2.4s (200ml) = 12
1.5
The diameter of the pipe, d = 9mm = 8Ω
The load power of the motor, P = VI
The area of the pipe, A =  d² = 12 × 1.5
4 = 18W
= 0.785 × 0.81cm²
= 0.635cm² The rotation per minute of the motor is, 2000 rpm
So the rotation per second of the motor is, = 2000
The flow-rate of the pump, Q = AV 60
= 33 rps
The velocity of water flow in pipe, V = Q
A 12V
=
0.083LPS
0.635cm² Stirrer
83cm³/s motor
=
0.635cm²
= 131cm/s TIP 41C
= 4.3ft/s From main
=0.18s (For 0.8ft) controller 470 Ω
E. Brushed DC motor GND
The brushed DC electric motor generates torque directly
from DC power supplied to the motor by using internal
commutation, stationary magnets (permanent or Fig.11. Stirrer motor circuit diagram.
electromagnets), and rotating electrical magnets is as shown
in Fig.10. [2] The brushed DC motor is used to mix the III. SYSTEM OPERATION
desired liquid in the mixing container after getting the When the user types the data by keypad, the output pins
required liquid from four dispensers. of the keypad are changed 1(5V). These pins are connected
to the 8 input pins of the controller (PORTD). So the
controller checks the input value of PORTD register and
sets the char value for LCD. For the various data of LCD,
the controller changes the char data by the four parallel data
pins to LCD is as shown in Figs.12 and 13.
AC Pump-1

12V
Relay-1
5V TIP 41C

GND
VDD AC Pump-2
5V 5V
MCLR RA0
10K Ω RA1
RA2 12V
RB7 Relay-2
RA3
RB6
RB5 RB0
470 Ω GND
RB4
RB3 Pump-3
RB2 AC
16 1 Crystal 4MHz Main Controller
PIC 18F4550
12V Relay-3
CLKI
GND CLKO
16× 2 LCD
From Sub-
RC7/RX
GND Controller GND Pump-4
1 2 3 A RD0 AC
1 RD1
Fig.10. Brushed DC motor [2]. 4 5 6 B
RD2
RD3 12V Relay-4
RD4
7 8 9 C RD5
RB1
The motor drive pin of the controller set 1 to the transistor. * 0 # D
8
RD6
RD7 VSS Pump-5
5V
So the collector of the transistor is connected to the emitter. GND 12V
4×4 Keypad Stirrer
At this time, the motor has 12V and ground (due to GND 470 Ω
Motor AC Relay-5

switching of the transistor). So the stirrer motor is rotated GND TIP41C

GND
and mixed the specified amount of liquid. The design and
circuit diagram of the stirrer motor is as shown in Fig.11 Fig.12. Main control circuit configuration of the system.
International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Technology Research
Volume.03, IssueNo.21, September-2014, Pages: 4249-4255
 Design of Liquid Mixer Control System
Level sensor - 1 Level sensor - 2 Level sensor - 3 Level sensor - 4 Level sensor - 5 Start
5V 5V 5V 5V
5V

470 Ω 470 Ω 470 Ω 470 Ω Show the whole process on LCD

470 Ω

GND GND GND GND GND

NO
Receive data from
GND GND GND GND GND keypad = 1?
C945
YES

The controller drives the pumps

of the four Dispensers
470 Ω

Desired amount of liquid is filled

to the mixing container

470 Ω
The Stirrer motor starts to mix for
GND final liquid
RB5
RB7

RB3
RC2
RB4
RB6

5V
NO
Sub-Controller VSS Keypad A = 1 ?
VDD
PIC 18F4550
GND
CLKO
CLKI

YES

MCLR TX The controller drives pump from

the mixing container to user

5V
Crystal 4MHz NO
10K Ω To Main Keypad B = 1 ?
Controller
GND YES

Fig.13. Sub control circuit configuration of the system. Mixing liquid = 1 ?

YES

If the controller received the desired amount of liquid NO

from the keypad typing, the controller sends the digital
End
value 1 to the required output pins. The output pins are
connected to the five centrifugal pumps and stirrer motor. Fig.14. Program flow chart of mixer control system.
So the output voltage 5V is driven to the transistor and the
transistor was driven the connected relay. And the relays are V. EXPERIMENT RESULT
joined the ground pins of the desired devices (pumps). But The mixer control system is constructed in the aluminium
the stirrer motor is driven by the transistor only. The frame. The four dispensers are set in the lower level of the
welcome screen and amount of four dispensers are shown frame. And the mixing container and the control circuit
on LCD by the four parallel data pins of the controller. The board are set in the higher level of the frame. They are
PIC controller is started to drive the four pumps (transfer the connected with the plastic pipe. The wire for the power
liquid to mixing container) when the button “*” is pressed. control system is connected all pumps and sensors of the
If the keypad is read the button “A”, the pump in the mixing system as shown in Fig.15.
container is driven for one cup and then the keypad is read
the button “B”, the pump is stopped.

IV. SOFTWARE CONFIGURATION

If the program is started the PIC waits for LCD to show
the welcome screen and prepared for the data input screen.
Then the PIC ready to accept the data of keypad is as shown
in Fig.14. If the keypad data is received the PIC drives the
four pumps to transfer by relay driver. When each liquid
ratio is reached to the mixing container, the stirrer motor
starts to mix. Then the user‟s cup is placed under the tap of
mixer pump‟s pipe, PIC drives the user pump and sends the
specified juice to user‟s cup when the keypad A is pressed.
If the specified amount of juice is filled to cup, the PIC
stops the pump when the keypad B is pressed. When the
mixing liquid is empty, the PIC waits for next new data or
previous data. Fig.15. Design of mixer control system.
International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Technology Research
Volume.03, IssueNo.21, September-2014, Pages: 4249-4255
 MAY HTOI PAN, NU NU WIN
This is the initial state of the mixer control system. The VI. SIMULATION RESULT
loading of the welcome screen and prepare to show the The simulation result of this mixer control system is
mixing process as shown in Figs.16 and 17. loaded by the proteus 7.7 software. This state is known the
function of the system without test in outside and suitable
for test region of system and result as shown bellow Figs.19
and 20.

Fig.16. Welcome screen of the system.

Fig.19. Simulation of main controller.

Fig.17. User taking on condition of the system.
If the user‟s cup is placed under the tap of mixer pump‟s
pipe, PIC drives the user pump and sends the specified juice
to user‟s cup when the keypad A is pressed. The control
circuit is designed by the PCB software as shown in Fig.18.
After the producing of printed circuit board (PCB), the
circuit components are set on the board.

Fig.18. Control circuit of the system. Fig.20. Simulation of sub-controller.

International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Technology Research
Volume.03, IssueNo.21, September-2014, Pages: 4249-4255
 Design of Liquid Mixer Control System
VII. CONCLUSIONS
The hardware design and software implementation of the
mixer control system is described. The desired
programming software is used in micro-c for PIC controller.
This system is mixed for the specified juice in good
accuracy. This system can produce the hundred numbers of
juices in moment and low power required for the machine.
This machine is very suitable for the juice testing industries.
The keypad of the system is the best efficiency for the
system, changeable data of the amount of the desired
number of liquid and nice display on LCD module. These
are reliable parts of the system for comparing to other.

VIII. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Special thanks are due to her supervisor Dr. Nu Nu Win
(Associate Professor) and Dr. Wut Yi Win (Associate
Professor and Head), Department of Mechatronic
Engineering from Mandalay Technological University, for
their kindness and guidelines for this paper. The author
wishes to thank her teachers as they give suggestions her
through this paper. The author would like to express her
special thank to her parents for their noble support and
encouragements. The author greatly would like to express
her thanks to all persons whom will concern to support in
preparing this paper.

IX. REFERENCES
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1358378-GB-A). keypad function- Patent GB1358378(A).
DTI Data Networks LLC. Retrieved 18 March 2010.
[2] A United States Patent Office (29 January 1974). "Patent
3789194"(http://www.freepatentsonline.com /3789194.
html). RELATING TO DC motor. Freepatentsonline.com.
Retrieved 6 March 2010.
[3] A "An Efficiency Analysis of the Kirby Lester
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[4] Lander, Cyril W. (1993). "8 D.C. pump Control". Power
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International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Technology Research

Volume.03, IssueNo.21, September-2014, Pages: 4249-4255