Automatic Bike Turning Indicator

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The automatic bike turning signal system based on a microcontroller (MCU) available in the market is expensive and difficult to program. Here is a simple and inexpensive circuit that you can build yourself. The circuit is used to indicate left or right turns for a bike or two-wheeler. Two identical circuits are needed, one for left and one for right

Circuit and working for Automatic Bike Turn Indicator

Circuit diagram of the bike turn indicator is shown in  The circuit consists of ADXL335 accelerometer sensor, voltage regulator 7805 (IC1), LM393 comparator IC (IC2), two NE555 timer ICs (IC3 and IC4) and a few other components.

ADXL335 is a small, thin, low-power, complete 3-axis (X, Y and Z directions) accelerometer with signal-conditioned voltage outputs. Only Y direction of ADXL335 is used in this project. The device measures acceleration with a minimum full-scale range of ±3 volts. It can measure static acceleration of gravity in tilt-sensing applications, as well as dynamic acceleration resulting from motion, shock or vibration.

Dual comparator LM393 is an 8-pin IC with pins 1, 2 and 3 forming one comparator and pins 5, 6 and 7, another comparator. The two comparators are used to monitor left turn and right turn indicator signals. Two NE555 timer ICs (IC3 and IC4) configured in a monostable multivibrator are used; one for left signal and the other for right signal. Here, 9V-12V battery is converted to +5V DC using voltage regulator IC (IC1).

Left signal

When the bike handle is turned to the left, it gives a tilt angle output in the form of 1.2V to 2.6V voltage. Inverting terminal (pin 2) of IC2 is connected to ADXL335 sensor’s Y signal, and non-inverting terminal (pin 3) is connected to preset (VR1). Pin 1 of IC2 outputs the left tilt angle signal.

Set reference voltage 2.2V at pin 3 using preset (VR1). Initially, when the bike handle turns 90 degrees towards right, comparator voltage levels at pin 3 will be 2.2V, and at pin 2 will be around 2V. Hence, comparator output will be in high (5V) state. This high output signal is fed to pin 2 of IC3. Because of this output of IC3 will be low.

Whenever the bike handle turns left, voltage at pin 2 of IC2 will be 2.6V. This results in low output at pin 1. The low output signal is connected to trigger pin 2 of IC3. The low signal at pin 2 makes output pin 3 of IC3 high. Transistor T1 conducts and LED1 glows. Output of monostable IC3 is a generated pulse width given by the following relationship:

t=1.1×R2×C4 seconds

Right signal

When the bike handle moves towards right direction, it gives tilt angle output in the form of 2.6V to 1.2V voltage (decreases from high to low). Inverting terminal pin 6 of IC2 is connected to preset (VR2), and non-inverting terminal pin 5 to ADXL335 sensor Y signal.

Set reference voltage at the inverting terminal to 1.6V using VR2. Initially, when bike handle turns 90 degrees, voltage levels at pin 6 will be 1.6V and at pin 5 will be 2V. This means that comparator output will be in high (5V) state. This output is fed to pin 2 of IC4, which makes its output pin 3 low.

Whenever the bike handle turns right, voltage level at pin 5 of IC2 will be 1.2V. This is lower than the reference voltage (1.6V) at pin 6. This makes output pin 7 of IC3 low. The low output triggers monostable multi-vibrator IC4. This makes output pin 3 of IC4 high, transistor T2 to conduct and LED2 to glow.

Monostable output pulse is given by the following relationship:

t=1.1×R3×C7 seconds

Construction and testing

The PCB layout for the Automatic bike turn indicator is shown and its components layout .  Assemble the components on the PCB as per the circuit diagram.

Connect a 9V-12V power supply to the circuit. Adjust voltages at pins 3 and 6 of IC2. The bike signal turn indicator is ready for use.