DC motor Direction Control | Direction Control using Arduino

DC motor Direction Control | Direction Control using Arduino

Title: DC Motor Direction Control Using Arduino and L293D Motor Driver

DC motors are widely used in electronics and robotics projects due to their simplicity and effectiveness. Controlling the direction of a DC motor is an essential task in many applications such as robotic arms, car wheels, and conveyor belts. In this article, we’ll explore how to control the direction of a DC motor using an Arduino Uno, L293D motor driver, and push buttons.

Project Overview

The goal of this project is to change the rotation direction of a DC motor using two push buttons. One button will rotate the motor clockwise and the other will rotate it in the opposite direction (anti-clockwise). The Arduino reads the button inputs and sends the appropriate signals to the motor driver, which then controls the motor's direction.

Required Components

Arduino Uno board

• Arduino Uno board

L293D Motor Driver IC

• L293D Motor Driver IC

DC motor (5V to 12V)

• DC motor (5V to 12V)

Two push buttons

• Two push buttons

Two 10K ohm resistors

• Two 10K ohm resistors

Breadboard and jumper wires

• Breadboard and jumper wires

Power supply (9V battery or adapter)

• Power supply (9V battery or adapter)

Working Principle

The L293D is a dual H-Bridge motor driver IC that allows you to control the direction and speed of two DC motors. It works by receiving logic inputs from the Arduino and controlling the direction of current flow to the motor accordingly.

In this project:

Button 1 is used to rotate the motor clockwise

• Button 1 is used to rotate the motor clockwise

Button 2 is used to rotate the motor anti-clockwise

• Button 2 is used to rotate the motor anti-clockwise

The Arduino checks the state of both buttons. If Button 1 is pressed, the Arduino sends signals to the L293D to rotate the motor in one direction. If Button 2 is pressed, the signals reverse, causing the motor to spin in the opposite direction.

Circuit Connections

DC Motor: Connect the motor terminals to Pin 3 and Pin 6 of the L293D.

• DC Motor: Connect the motor terminals to Pin 3 and Pin 6 of the L293D.

Motor Inputs: Connect Pin 2 and Pin 7 of the L293D to Arduino digital pins (e.g., pin 8 and 9).

• Motor Inputs: Connect Pin 2 and Pin 7 of the L293D to Arduino digital pins (e.g., pin 8 and 9).

Push Buttons: Connect each push button to digital pins (e.g., pin 2 and 3) and use 10K pull-down resistors to prevent floating signals.

• Push Buttons: Connect each push button to digital pins (e.g., pin 2 and 3) and use 10K pull-down resistors to prevent floating signals.

Enable Pin: Connect Pin 1 (Enable) of L293D to 5V to enable motor movement.

• Enable Pin: Connect Pin 1 (Enable) of L293D to 5V to enable motor movement.

Power Supply: Connect a 9V battery or external power supply to power the motor, while the Arduino is powered via USB.

• Power Supply: Connect a 9V battery or external power supply to power the motor, while the Arduino is powered via USB.

Arduino Code Overview

The Arduino code uses digitalRead() to detect button presses and digitalWrite() to send HIGH or LOW signals to the L293D inputs.

Example Logic:

cpp

CopyEdit

if (digitalRead(button1) == HIGH) {
digitalWrite(motorPin1, HIGH);
digitalWrite(motorPin2, LOW);
}
else if (digitalRead(button2) == HIGH) {
digitalWrite(motorPin1, LOW);
digitalWrite(motorPin2, HIGH);
}

cpp

CopyEdit
if (digitalRead(button1) == HIGH) {
  digitalWrite(motorPin1, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(motorPin2, LOW);
}
else if (digitalRead(button2) == HIGH) {
  digitalWrite(motorPin1, LOW);
  digitalWrite(motorPin2, HIGH);
}

Applications

Robotic vehicles

• Robotic vehicles

Smart automation systems

• Smart automation systems

Electric wheelchairs

• Electric wheelchairs

Garage doors and gates

• Garage doors and gates

DIY rotating devices

• DIY rotating devices

Conclusion

This DC motor direction control project using Arduino is simple yet highly useful. It introduces you to interfacing input buttons, motor drivers, and controlling mechanical movement with microcontrollers. Once mastered, this knowledge can be extended to more complex applications such as remote-controlled cars, sensor-based motion, and programmable robotic arms.