Hej guys...i'm making a toy for the semester project in my university.
I'm using an air pump (the kind that people use for acquarium) for blowing in a balloon. Then the user has to squeeze the balloon. So i need a pressure sensor and a valve (to take the air out).
i've seen something online, for example this one and i don't know yet for the valve.
I'd like to know if there is a component (easy to control by arduino) all in one. I thought also about some pump that can reverse its function, but i'd find out where to buy it. Or if you have any other suggestion in this case.
Since I used to live in Silicon Valley, where I found solenoid valves pulled from retired pneumatic equipment for $3-5 apiece, that would be my first choice. But they're expensive if you can't go surplus shopping, so you might need to look for alternatives. Maybe something like an electric valve designed for sprinkler systems? The seal would probably be good enough for your purposes.
If you go with the "reversing pump" (which will probably be much more expensive, because they're not being made by the millions for fish fans), you'll need to come up with a way to make sure it doesn't try to suck out the balloon with the air. It's simpler and cheaper to just provide a way for the air to leak out on its own (like a valve).
I don't think that the average aquarium pump will inflate a balloon; the pumps do a moderate volume but usually aren't up to the pressure needed to start the balloon inflating.
Lots of "pneumatic valves" on eBay; it's common to run all sorts of industrial automation on air, so they're pretty standard components. I'd bet that the mech-E department at your school could find one for you to use...
Before using arduino..i've done several testes with just the balloon.
I've also done a small hole in the tube in order to let the air out. But this i can fix with a common balloon valve by hand.
It's true that it is not so fast...but it's good for a small toy where i want "suspence" and surprise. I just think to choose a better balloon
I don't get almost any help from the university...beacuse my department is very far from the main part.
