I need some electronics help (PIC's)

[black2002ls]

My fiance's vet clinic participates in the bras for the cause event every year. Whenever they attempt something that requires technology, I get asked to help. A few years ago it was a motion sensor that activated a dog barking. This year, they want to inflate a couple of balloons with the push of a button. Basically, push button boobs. With that, it needs to do it repeatedly and not pop the balloons!

So, I need an air pump to inflate them, then I need a way to control the pump, with a single push of a button that will inflate them, then turn off the pump and allow them to deflate.

My initial thought was to use micro switches. Ballons inflate, hit the micro switch and kill the pump, though this could lead to a very conspicuous design.

Next up is using a PIC to control the pump. Essentially using it to activate the pump at the push of a button, timing the pump, and then shutting it off, allowing the balloons to deflate. I guess I would also need some logic in there to prevent the pump from being ran before the balloons deflate. Also, I will need something in the air lines that will allow them to inflate without losing air, and then allow them to deflate.

It has been 8 or 9 years since my electronics courses, so my memory is a bit fuzzy where PIC's are concerned.

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[Big A]

Pics are needed indeed.

[black2002ls]

PIC not Pic

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[ceyko]

Pics or GTFO!

[Ruffdaddy]

Arduino seems the easiest

[Z06killinsbf]

In for boob pics

[Ruffdaddy]

I would use a hidden chamber/bladder with the correct volume of air to fill both. Make the air a closed system so theres no risk of over inflation.

Use an actuator to drive the air chamber volune into the baloons with position sensors or similar to indicate full stroke.

[black2002ls]

Arduino seems the easiest

I thought about the arduino, was hoping I could find a chip and interface for less $$$

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[Ruffdaddy]

Even better, make a 5-7 position switch to control inflation to different cup sizes.

[black2002ls]

I would use a hidden chamber/bladder with the correct volume of air to fill both. Make the air a closed system so theres no risk of over inflation.

Use an actuator to drive the air chamber volune into the baloons with position sensors or similar to indicate full stroke.

Officially past my experience!

Even better, make a 5-7 position switch to control inflation to different cup sizes.

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[Ruffdaddy]

I thought about the arduino, was hoping I could find a chip and interface for less $$$

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An arduino is like 35 of you purchase it already assembled...you want cheaper?

[black2002ls]

An arduino is like 35 of you purchase it already assembled...you want cheaper?

Its been a while since I looked at buying one. I was probably recalling the kits at radio shack for ~$100.

$35 is no problem. Just didn't want to be $100's into this!

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[whitetrash]

Wire the pump on a closed circuit and and an electric valve on an open circuit so whichever position it's in it operates the both the way needed. Push button pump on valve closed, release pump off valve open

[jakesford]

Just use an air compressor, the tank will let you run it without a pump going all the time. Then all you need is a couple of solenoids, a simple timer circuit (or arduino), and a single relay. Just have the fill & dump solenoids operate opposite of each other using the NC/NO contacts on a relay.

[Sleeper]

How fast do they need to deflate? Could always design it so they shrink down when pulling a vaccume. Then spring back when you let air back in