Material Storage Level Controller Circuit

The post discusses a simple material storage level controller circuit which can be used for automatically activating and deactivating a storage filling motor whenever the storage container is filled to its stipulated threshold level. The idea was requested by Mr Sladjan.

Circuit Objectives and Requirements

1. I need help with the engine control filling storage where the material level controlled by photo resistor and a laser beam.
2. When the photoresistor see the light it is necessary to start the engine and the fill storage until the level of the material is cut the laser beam and the photoresistor remain without light then turn off the motor and the laser beam.
3. After a certain time interval (3 - 5 min) turn on the laser beam and check the level again at the storage material.
4. I searched on the site, but I could not find something similar.

The Design

The material storage level indicator circuit as requested above can be built using the following simple configuration:

The functioning of the circuit can be understood as given below:

When power is first switched ON, the supply powers the 555 circuit and simultaneously also switches ON the motor, and the laser through the relay N/C contacts causing a low resistance on the receiving LDR device.

The low resistance from the LDR inhibits the BC557 from conducting and the situation locks in this condition, until the space between the Laser/LDR begins filling with the relevant material.

As the material begins filling, at some point of time it reaches the threshold level between the LDR/laser communication beam, and interrupts the beam.

As soon as this happens, the LDR resistance becomes high allowing the BC557 to conduct and trigger the IC 555 stage which is actually wired as a standard monostable multivibrator circuit.

The IC 555 triggers into action and in the course activates the relay. The relay contacts change position from N/C to N/O, which instantly cuts-off power to the laser and LDR network and the motor, as requested by the user.

The situation is sustained until the set time of the monostable lapses and the relay reverts to its earlier N/C position. The circuit now attains its original standby position and activates the motor, until the storage is full again.

The proposed material storage level controller circuit can be further enhanced with an alarm indication by suitably attaching a 12V alarm circuit with the N/O contact of the relay so that whenever the storage is full, the relay disables the laser and also activates the associated alarm.

The value of C can be determined with respect to the 100k resistor from this IC 555 calculator software.