ADAPTABLE FOAM-SHEETS REMOVAL ASSISTIVE DEVICE

Abstract

An adaptable foam-sheets removal assistive device comprises of a platform 1 developed to be positioned on a ground surface, plurality of wheels arranged underneath the platform 1 to move the platform 1 over the surface in proximity to a vertical support, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 2 installed on the platform 1 and paired with a processor to determine positon of a foam sheet on the vertical support, a plate integrated on the platform 1 by means of a hydraulically operated hollow rod to extend/retract for positioning the plate in proximity to the detected foam sheet, a motorized cutter 3 integrated on the plate by means of a robotic link to position the cutter 3 in proximity to the evaluated distances, followed by actuation of the cutter 3 to rotate for cutting the foam sheet from the distances, and a tactile sensor is embedded on the cutter 3 for determining hardness of the foam sheets.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an adaptable foam-sheets removal assistive device that is capable of evaluating particular distances of a foam sheet and cutting the foam sheet, thereby handling the whole process with minimal human intervention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Foam sheets are typically made of various types of foam materials, such as polyethylene, polyurethane, or polystyrene. They come in different thicknesses, densities, and colors, and are commonly used for insulation, cushioning, packaging, crafting, and various other applications. They are lightweight, flexible, and often easy to cut or shape, making them versatile for a wide range of uses. While applying the foam-sheets, excess foam is removed to level the surface and remove any uneven or protruding areas.

[0003] Traditionally, foam-sheets are removed using a combination of manual and mechanical techniques. Excess foam is trimmed manually using tools such as a utility knife, saw, or specialized foam cutting tools. Sandpaper are also used to gently remove any rough or uneven areas for achieving smooth surface. While traditional methods may offer many benefits, but they also pose some challenges and drawbacks. Manual trimming or sanding of foam-sheet is labor-intensive and time-consuming, especially for large surfaces. Also sanding of foam-sheets generate dust and debris, which may pose health hazards if enhaled.

[0004] US20060179790A1 discloses about an invention which includes a wheeled frame having a pair of handlebars at its rear for steering by a walking attendant. A first cutting blade is secured to the front of the wheeled frame and is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis. A pair of second cutting blades is secured to the front of the wheeled frame on opposite sides of the first cutting blade. Each one of the second cutting blades is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis. A prime mover is secured to the frame for rotating the first cutting blade and the second cutting blades.

[0005] Conventionally, many devices have been developed that are capable of assisting a user in removing foam sheets from a vertical support. However, these devices are incapable of cutting and removing the foam sheets in an automated manner, and fails in reducing manual efforts as well as consumption of time in the overall process. Additionally, these existing devices also lack in smoothening the uneven surface of the vertical support after removal of the foam sheet.

[0006] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of removing foam sheets from a vertical support in an automated manner by performing cutting of the foam sheet. In addition, the developed device should also detect texture of the vertical support after removal of the foam sheets and therefore smoothen the uneven surface of the vertical support after removal of the foam sheet.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of providing a means to evaluate particular distances of a foam sheet and perform cutting of the foam sheet, thereby handling the whole process in an automatic manner.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of extracting debris of the cut foam sheets for collecting the dispensed debris for detecting texture of the vertical support after removal of the foam sheets.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is reliable in nature.

[0011] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention relates to an adaptable foam-sheets removal assistive device that is capable of evaluating particular distances of a foam sheet and perform cutting of the foam sheet in an automated manner. Additionally, the proposed device also provides reliability to the user.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an adaptable foam-sheets removal assistive device comprises of a platform developed to be positioned on a ground surface, plurality of wheels arranged underneath the platform to move the platform over the surface in proximity to a vertical support, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit installed on the platform and paired with a processor to determine positon of a foam sheet on the vertical support, a plate integrated on the platform by means of a hydraulically operated hollow rod to extend/retract for positioning the plate in proximity to the detected foam sheet, a motorized cutter integrated on the plate by means of a robotic link to position the cutter in proximity to the evaluated distances, followed by actuation of the cutter to rotate for cutting the foam sheet from the distances, and a tactile sensor is embedded on the cutter for determining hardness of the foam sheets.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of a vacuum pump installed on the frame for extracting debris of the cut foam sheets that are dispensed through a conduit arranged in the hollow rod, in a waste chamber integrated on the platform for collecting the dispensed debris, an ultrasonic sensor is embedded on the plate for detecting texture of the vertical support after removal of the foam sheets, a buffing pad integrated on the plate by means of a robotic gripper to positon the buffing pad in proximity to the vertical support in case the detected texture corresponds to an uneven surface, the buffing pad rotate for smoothening the uneven surface of the vertical support, a weight sensor embedded on the chamber for monitoring weight of the collected debris, a speaker installed on the platform to produce audio signals for notifying the user to remove the debris, and a battery is configured with the device for providing a continuous power supply to electronically powered components associated with the device.

[0015] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view adaptable foam-sheets removal assistive device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0018] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0019] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0020] The present invention relates to an adaptable foam-sheets removal assistive device that is capable of evaluating particular distances of a foam sheet and perform cutting of the foam sheet in an automated manner. Additionally, the proposed device is also capable to extract debris of the cut foam sheets for collecting the dispensed debris for detecting texture of the vertical support after removal of the foam sheets.

[0021] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of an adaptable foam-sheets removal assistive device, illustrated comprising a platform 1 developed to be positioned on a ground surface, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 2 installed on the platform 1 and a motorized cutter 3 integrated on the plate.

[0022] The device disclosed herein comprises of a platform 1 developed to be positioned on a ground surface and plurality of wheels arranged underneath the platform 1 to move the platform 1 over the surface in proximity to a vertical support. The platform 1 is constructed from sturdy and robust material which includes, but is not limited to stainless steel, aluminum, and high-grade engineered plastics like polycarbonate or reinforced nylon. These materials offer strength and rigidity to the platform 1 making it resistant to mechanical stress and pressure. The surface of the platform 1 is coated with material like Teflon or other low-friction coatings to improve wear resistance and reduce friction. Vibration-dampening materials are integrated into the platform 1 to minimize noise and shaking of the platform 1 during operations, thereby enhancing user comfort and machine longevity.

[0023] The wheels herein are a circular object that revolves on an axle to enable the body to move easily over the ground surface. The hub motor is an electric motor that is integrated into the hub
of the wheels. The hub motor is comprises of a series of permanent magnets and
electromagnetic coils. When the motor is activated, a magnetic field is set up
in the coil and when the magnetic field of the coil interacts with the magnetic
field of the permanent magnets, a magnetic torque is generated causing the
stator of the motor to turn and that provides the rotation motion to the wheels
for maneuvering the platform 1. An artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 2 is installed on the platform 1 and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of the platform 1, respectively to determine position of a foam sheet on the vertical support.

[0024] The imaging unit 2 consists of multiple high-resolution cameras for capturing multiple images from different angles and perspectives and providing comprehensive coverage of the vertical support. The imaging unit 2 captures multiple images of the vertical support from various angles simultaneously. Before analysis, the captured image goes through pre-processing steps to enhance image quality which includes adjusting brightness and contrast and removing any distortions. The processed images are then sent to the processor linked with the imaging unit 2. The processor processes the captured images of the vertical support by means of an artificial intelligence protocol encrypted within the microcontroller to determine position of a foam sheet on the vertical support.

[0025] The microcontroller uses artificial intelligence protocol like Convolution Neural Network (CNN) for detecting distinctive patterns or characteristics in the image like the length, breadth, and thickness of the vertical support. Once potential features are detected, the microcontroller localizes them by identifying their positions within the image. This involves finding their coordinates or regions of interest where these features are located. The microcontroller also uses techniques like object recognition, edge detection, and shape analysis to accurately determine position of a foam sheet on the vertical support.

[0026] Upon detecting the position of the foam sheet, an inbuilt microcontroller actuates a hydraulically operated hollow rod arranged on said platform 1 to extend/retract for positioning a plate attached with said rod in proximity to the detected foam sheet. The rod mentioned above basically consist of multiple cylindrical sections with one section sliding inside the other. The sections are basically made of materials that may include but are not limited to metals and lightweight alloys. The rod as mentioned herein are powered by a hydraulic unit that utilizes compressed oil to extend and retract the rod.

[0027] The oil cylinder of the hydraulic unit contains a piston that moves back and forth within the cylinder. The cylinder is connected to one end of the rod. The piston is attached to the rod and its movement is controlled by the flow of compressed oil. To extend the rod the piston activates the oil valve to allow compressed oil to flow into the chamber behind the piston. As the pressure increases in the chamber, the piston pushes the rod to the desired length. By controlling the flow of compressed oil and the position of the piston, the rod's length is adjusted.

[0028] A motorized cutter 3 is integrated on the plate by means of a robotic link, and the microcontroller evaluates particular distances of the sheet that are to be cut, based on which the microcontroller actuates the link to position the cutter 3 in proximity to the evaluated distances followed by actuation of the cutter 3 to rotate for cutting the foam sheet from the distances. The motorized cutter 3 is equipped with a sharp cutting tool, such as a blade or a rotary cutter 3, which is driven by an electric motor. The motorized cutter 3 is positioned at the end-effector of a robotic link. The robotic link is equipped with multiple joints and actuators that allows the robotic link to move in multiple dimensions and orient the motorized cutter 3 with great precision. Once the robotic link positions the motorized cutter 3 in close proximity to the vertical support, the microcontroller actuates the motor inside the motorized cutter 3 to rotate which in turn drives the motorized cutter 3.

[0029] The cutter 3 makes a precise and controlled cut, cutting the foam sheet from the distances. A tactile sensor is embedded on the cutter 3 for determining hardness of the foam sheets, based on which said microcontroller regulates actuation of the cutter 3 for cutting the sheet. The tactile sensor employs various sensing units, such as resistive, capacitive, or piezoelectric, to detect changes in pressure or force applied to the sensor. The tactile sensor is designed with a flexible and deformable structure to conform to the contours of the sheet. This flexibility allows the sensor to make effective contact with the surface, ensuring accurate readings. Multiple sensing elements are arranged in an array to provide spatial information about the applied pressure across the sensor surface by the sheet.

[0030] This array allows for more detailed and nuanced readings, especially on irregular surfaces. The microcontroller converts this force into an electrical signal, typically resistance or capacitance, which is proportional to the applied force. The raw data collected by the sensor is processed by the microcontroller to extract meaningful information about the hardness of the sheet. Based on the detected hardness of the workpiece, the microcontroller regulates actuation of the cutter 3 for cutting the sheet. Further, a vacuum pump is installed on the platform 1 for extracting debris of the cut foam sheets that are dispensed through a conduit arranged in the hollow rod, in a waste chamber integrated on the platform 1 for collecting the dispensed debris.

[0031] The vacuum pump uses an electric motor that spins a fan and creates a negative pressure region with a strong suction force that pulls the debris or any small particles and stores it inside a waste chamber integrated with the cleaning unit. An ultrasonic sensor is embedded on the plate for detecting texture of the vertical support after removal of the foam sheets. The ultrasonic sensor emits high-frequency waves toward the vertical support and measures the time it takes for the waves to bounce back after hitting the surface of the vertical support. The sensor is typically oriented in a way that it detects the texture of the vertical support. The ultrasonic sensor collects a significant amount of data by scanning the entire surface of the vertical support and forms a 3D point cloud.

[0032] The ultrasonic sensor sends the data to a microcontroller which processes the acquired data and detects the texture of the vertical support. The acquired data is sent to the microcontroller which processes the information and actuates a buffing pad integrated on the plate by means of a robotic gripper that is actuated by the microcontroller to position the buffing pad in proximity to the vertical support, in case the detected texture corresponds to an uneven surface. And the microcontroller synchronously actuates the buffing pad to rotate for smoothening the uneven surface of the vertical support, thereby assigning the user in removal of the foam sheets while smoothening out the vertical.

[0033] Further, a weight sensor is mapped on the waste chamber to detect weight of the collected debris. The weight sensor is securely mounted on the chamber where the removed debris are expected to be placed. The weight sensor is typically a load cell or strain gauge sensor. The debris exert a downward force to the weight sensor due to their weight. The weight sensor detects this force and converts it into an electrical signal, typically in the form of voltage variations. The raw electrical signal is weak and noisy. Therefore, it goes through signal conditioning circuitry to amplify, stabilize, and filter the signal. This conditioned signal is then sent to the microcontroller and the microcontroller continuously monitors the weight of the debris as it is being collected.

[0034] When in case the monitored weight of the debris exceeds a threshold limit, the microcontroller actuates a speaker mounted on the platform 1 for notifying the user to remove the debris. The speaker consists of audio information, which is in the form of recorded voice, synthesized voice, or other sounds, generated or stored as digital data. This data is often in the form of an audio file. The digital audio data is sent to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC).

[0035] The DAC converts the digital data into analog electrical signals. The analog signal is often weak and needs to be amplified. An amplifier boosts the strength to a level so that the speaker drives effectively. The amplified audio signal is then sent to the speaker. The core of the speaker is an electromagnet attached to a flexible cone. These sound waves travel through the air as pressure waves and are picked by the user's ear. The speaker is connected to the microcontroller and when the monitored weight exceeds a threshold value, the microcontroller actuates the speaker to produce audio signals for notifying the user to remove the debris from the chamber.

[0036] In the device discussed above, there is a battery associated with the device that supplies current to all the components that need electric power to perform their functions and operation in an efficient manner. The battery utilized here is generally a dry battery which is made up of Lithium-ion material that gives the device a long-lasting as well as an efficient DC (Direct Current) current which helps every component to function properly in an efficient manner. The device is battery-operated and does not need any electrical voltage to function. Hence the presence of the battery leads to the portability of the device i.e., the user is able to place as well as move the device from one place to another as per the requirements.

[0037] The present invention works best in the following manner, where the platform 1 as disclosed in the invention is positioned on a ground surface and configured with wheels to move the platform 1 over the surface in proximity to a vertical support. The imaging unit 2 installed determine position of a foam sheet on the vertical support, and rod is actuated by the microcontroller to extend/retract for positioning the plate in proximity to the detected foam sheet, and synchronously the cutter 3 integrated on the plate by means of a robotic link, is actuated by the microcontroller and evaluates particular distances of the sheet that are to be cut, based on which the microcontroller actuates the link to position the cutter 3 in proximity to the evaluated distances, followed by actuation of the cutter 3 to rotate for cutting the foam sheet from the distances. The vacuum pump extracts the debris of the cut foam sheets that are dispensed through a conduit arranged in the hollow rod in a waste chamber for collecting the dispensed debris. The ultrasonic sensor detect the texture of the vertical support after removal of the foam sheet said microcontroller actuates the robotic link to position the buffing pad in proximity to the vertical support, in case the detected texture corresponds to an uneven surface, the microcontroller actuates the buffing pad to rotate for smoothening the uneven surface of the vertical support, thereby assigning the user in removal of the foam sheets while smoothening out the vertical.

[0038] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) An adaptable foam-sheets removal assistive device, comprising:

i) a platform 1 developed to be positioned on a ground surface, wherein plurality of wheels arranged underneath said platform 1 to move said platform 1 over said surface in proximity to a vertical support;
ii) an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 2 installed on said platform 1 and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of said frame, respectively to determine positon of a foam sheet on said vertical support, wherein a plate integrated on said platform 1 by means of a hydraulically operated hollow rod that is actuated by an inbuilt microcontroller to extend/retract for positioning said plate in proximity to said detected foam sheet;
iii) a motorized cutter 3 integrated on said plate by means of a robotic link, wherein said microcontroller evaluates particular distances of said sheet that are to be cut, based on which said microcontroller actuates said link to position said cutter 3 in proximity to said evaluated distances, followed by actuation of said cutter 3 to rotate for cutting said foam sheet from said distances;
iv) a vacuum pump installed on said frame for extracting debris of said cut foam sheets that are dispensed through a conduit arranged in said hollow rod, in a waste chamber integrated on said platform 1 for collecting said dispensed debris, wherein an ultrasonic sensor is embedded on said plate for detecting texture of said vertical support after removal of said foam sheets; and
v) a buffing pad integrated on said plate by means of a robotic gripper that is actuated by said microcontroller to positon said buffing pad in proximity to said vertical support, in case said detected texture corresponds to an uneven surface, wherein said microcontroller actuates said buffing pad to rotate for smoothening said uneven surface of said vertical support, thereby assigning said user in removal of said foam sheets while smoothening out said vertical support.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a weight sensor embedded on said chamber for monitoring weight of said collected debris, in case said monitored weight exceeds a threshold value, said microcontroller actuates a speaker installed on said platform 1 to produce audio signals for notifying said user to remove said debris.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a tactile sensor is embedded on said cutter 3 for determining hardness of said foam sheets, based on which said microcontroller regulates actuation of said cutter 3.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is configured with said device for providing a continuous power supply to electronically powered components associated with said device.

Documents