AN AUTOMATED ROBOTIC DEVICE FOR POTHOLE DETECTION, SURFACE PREPARATION, AND FILLING OPERATIONS

Abstract

AN AUTOMATED ROBOTIC DEVICE FOR POTHOLE DETECTION, SURFACE PREPARATION, AND FILLING OPERATIONS The present disclosure provides an automated robotic device for pothole detection, surface preparation, and filling operations. The said robotic device comprises of a base unit housing the power and control systems; a processing unit comprises of a microcontroller, a storage unit and a display unit; a tracked system for providing additional stability and ensuring smooth movement over rough terrain and potholes; a mixed slurry filling reservoir; a wireless transmission module; a multifunctional robotic arm; a multi-functional assembly comprises of a drilling and cleaning tools; a nozzle system; a sensor unit to detect potholes and analyze their dimensions, and a flag mechanism. The said robotic device is capable of performing pothole repairing with high precision and consistency, ensures proper and correct filling of the slurry which may last longer, improves road conditions and minimizes road accidents caused by potholes. The said device repairs potholes much faster than existing systems and devices due to integration of a plurality of assemblies and tools on/near the robotic arm that improves accessibility and rigorous monitoring and repairing of detected potholes.

Specification

Description:[0023] The following description describes various features and functions of the disclosed device and methods with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, similar symbols identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative aspects described herein are not meant to be limiting. It may be readily understood that certain aspects of the disclosed system, method and apparatus can be arranged and combined in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated herein.
[0024] These and other features and advantages of the present invention may be incorporated into certain embodiments of the invention and will become more fully apparent from the following description and claims or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
[0025] Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
[0026] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention.
[0027] It is to be understood that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0028] It should be emphasized that the term "comprises/comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.
[0029] In accordance with the present invention, an automated robotic device is disclosed for pothole detection, surface preparation, and filling operations. The said robotic device houses multiple components which work together to smoothly complete the pothole repairing process without any hindrance. The said robotic device is capable of performing pothole repair with high precision and consistency, ensures proper and correct filling of the slurry which may last longer, improves road conditions and minimizes road accidents caused by potholes.
[0030] As per Figure 1 of the present invention, the said robotic device includes a base unit which is the main body of the said device that houses the power supply module and control systems. The said base is designed for stability and mobility across uneven surfaces such as roads with potholes. The base is equipped with six wheels for improved traction and mobility, allowing the robotic device to navigate on complex road surfaces.
[0031] The present invention further includes a processing unit comprises of a microcontroller, a storage unit and a display unit. The said processing unit processes and analyses sensed and captured data to sensors and AI camera respectively and sends a control signal to the components of the said robotic device to imitate their respective function.
[0032] The present invention further includes a tracked system which is mounted at the base of the robotic device. The said tracked system provides additional stability and ensures smooth movement over rough terrain and potholes. Further, the said track system enables the robotic device to climb over small obstacles and maintain stability while performing the pothole repair operations.
[0033] The present invention further includes a mixed slurry filling reservoir which is placed in the main body of the said robotic device for storing slurry material. By integrating the said slurry filling reservoir, it eliminates the need of a separate filling reservoir/tank thus providing quick filling of slurry once potholes are detected by the said device.
[0034] Further, the present invention utilizes Matter Protocol to communicate the repair status, repair location, and the urgency of dangerous potholes to the municipal corporation for record-keeping and further action.
[0035] The present invention further includes a multifunctional robotic arm mounted on the top of the base unit, equipped with multiple degrees of freedom allowing the robotic arm to reach and manipulate the pothole area. The existing pothole repairing systems and devices have stationary components and lack moving arm/component like the present invention. The said robotic arm performs multiple operations like drilling the surface, smoothing the pothole edges, and positioning the filling nozzle accurately over the pothole.
[0036] The present invention further includes a multi-functional assembly mounted at the end of the said robotic arm, containing a drilling tool which cleans and prepares the pothole, while a smoothing tool of the said assembly ensures the surface is even and ready for the slurry application.
[0037] The present invention further includes a nozzle system mounted near the end of the said robotic arm for dispensing the mixed slurry into the pothole after the surface preparation. Further, the nozzle is designed to provide controlled, precise filling of the pothole based on its depth and size.
[0038] The said device is equipped with a sensor unit which is integrated into the base unit and robotic arm. The said unit comprises one or more artificial intelligence cameras, LiDAR, and accelerometers so as to detect potholes and analyze their dimensions. The said sensors help in guiding the robotic arm and ensuring accurate operation during drilling and filling processes. The data of the sensors and cameras is transmitted to the processing unit of the said device for accurately detecting depth and size of the pothole.
[0039] Further, to prevent collision of vehicles and people nearby the repairing road, the said device includes a flag mechanism mounted at the rear end of the robotic arm which automatically raises a safety flag after the pothole repair is completed, marking the repaired area thus preventing accidents while the slurry sets.
[0040] The following lines provide a brief explanation of a method working of the said device:
[0041] when the said robotic device reaches an inspection area, the said AI camera mounted on the robotic arm continuously scans the road surface and captures a plurality of images of the inspected area and transmits captured images to the said processing unit for further analyses. Further, the said sensor of the device collects data of the detected pothole including size, depth, and severity of each detected pothole and transmits the data to the processing unit. The said processing unit processes the input data to determine depth, size and requirement of filling material. Once all dimensions and information of the inspecting pothole is obtained, the said microcontroller then sends a control signal to the robotic arm to initiate its function. The said multifunctional robotic arm utilises its drilling tool to cleanly drill the edges of the pothole, preparing it for filling which is then followed by activation of action of the said smoothing tool that makes the surface flat and even for slurry filling application. Further, the said a nozzle system receives a signal from the microcontroller to fill the pothole with a slurry dispensing out of the said reservoir in controlled manner and the said microcontroller immediately stops dispensing of the slurry filling dispensing from the nozzle system by closing the valve of the said nozzle. After the patching is completed by the said device, a safety flag is raised on the robotic device to mark the repaired area, signalling to road users to proceed with caution around the recently repaired spot until fully cured. Further, the device is equipped with LED lights and audible warning module which get activated by the said system during ongoing pothole repairing process so as to prevent accidents before the repair is completed. Further, the device sends an immediate alert to the municipal corporation in real time through matter protocol, if dangerous potholes are identified by the said system that pose significant risk.
, Claims:1. An automated robotic device for pothole detection, surface preparation, and filling operations, comprising:
a base unit housing the power and control systems, the said base unit is equipped with a plurality of wheels for improved traction and mobility, allowing the robotic device to navigate on complex road surfaces;
a processing unit comprises of a microcontroller, a storage unit and a display unit;
a tracked system mounted at the base of the robotic device for providing additional stability and ensuring smooth movement over rough terrain and potholes, the said track system enables the robotic device to climb over small obstacles and maintain stability while performing the pothole repair operations;
a mixed slurry filling reservoir placed in the main body of the said robotic device for storing slurry material;
a wireless transmission module for transmitting the data and alerts to the user as well as municipal authority;
characterized in that:
a multifunctional robotic arm mounted on the top of the base unit, equipped with multiple degrees of freedom allowing the robotic arm to reach and manipulate the pothole area, the said multifunctional robotic arm comprises of:
a multi-functional assembly comprises of a drilling and cleaning tools, mounted at the end of the said robotic arm for performing the dual tasks of drilling and surface smoothing, the said drill tool cleans and prepares the pothole, while the smoothing tool ensures the surface is even and ready for the slurry application;
a nozzle system mounted near the end of the said robotic arm for dispensing the mixed slurry into the pothole after the surface preparation, the nozzle is designed to provide controlled, precise filling of the pothole based on its depth and size;
a sensor unit integrated into the base unit and robotic arm, comprises of a plurality of artificial intelligence cameras, LiDAR, and accelerometers to detect potholes and analyze their dimensions, the said sensors help in guiding the robotic arm and ensuring accurate operation during drilling and filling processes;
a flag mechanism mounted at the rear end of the robotic arm; and
the sensor unit continuously scans the road surface by means of the said AI cameras LiDAR and accelerometers to detect potholes and calculate the size, depth, and severity of each detected pothole, and once a pothole is detected by the said robotic device, the said multifunctional robotic arm utilizes its drilling tool to cleanly drill the edges of the pothole, preparing it for filling following by action of the said smoothing tool which makes the surface flat and even for slurry filling application, the said microcontroller then sends a control signal to the said slurry filling reservoir to dispense a pre-prepared filler material by means of the said nozzle system in controlled manner thus, ensuring accurate filling based on the pothole's size and depth, and after the patching is completed, a safety flag is raised on the robotic device to mark the repaired area, signalling to road users to proceed with caution around the recently repaired spot until fully cured.
2. The robotic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said robotic arm performs multiple operations like drilling the surface, smoothing the pothole edges, and positioning the filling nozzle accurately over the pothole by means of integrated tools and assemblies thus eliminating the need of using separate components which are otherwise stationarily configured on or in the main body of the robotic device.
3. The robotic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flag mechanism automatically raises a safety flag after the pothole repair is completed, marking the repaired area to prevent accidents while the slurry sets.
4. The robotic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device sends an immediate alert to the municipal corporation in real time, if dangerous potholes are identified by the said system that pose significant risk.
5. The robotic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is equipped with LED lights and audible warning module which get activated by the said system during ongoing pothole repairing process so as to prevent accidents before the repair is completed.
6. A system for automatic pothole detection, surface preparation, and filling operations, the said system comprising:
a processing unit comprises of a microcontroller, a storage unit and a display unit;
a wireless transmission module for transmitting the data and alerts to the user as well as municipal authority;
a robotic device comprises of a base unit housing the power and control systems; a tracked system mounted at the base of the robotic device for providing additional stability and ensuring smooth movement over rough terrain and potholes; a mixed slurry filling reservoir placed in the main body of the said robotic device for storing slurry material; a multifunctional robotic arm mounted on the top of the base unit, equipped with multiple degrees of freedom allowing the robotic arm to reach and manipulate the pothole area, a multi-functional assembly comprises of a drilling and cleaning tools; a nozzle system mounted near the end of the said robotic arm for dispensing the mixed slurry into the pothole after the surface preparation; a sensor unit integrated into the base unit and robotic arm, comprises of a plurality of artificial intelligence cameras, LiDAR, and accelerometers to detect potholes and analyze their dimensions, the said sensors help in guiding the robotic arm and ensuring accurate operation during drilling and filling processes; a flag mechanism mounted at the rear end of the robotic arm; and
wherein the sensor unit continuously scans the road surface by means of the said AI cameras LiDAR and accelerometers and transmit the data to the said processing unit of the system which analyses the data by applying machine learning models to detect potholes and calculate the size, depth, and severity of each detected pothole, and once a pothole is detected by the said system based on the analysed data, the said system sends a control signal to the robotic device to activate its function, the said multifunctional robotic arm utilizes its drilling tool to cleanly drill the edges of the pothole, preparing it for filling following by action of the said smoothing tool which makes the surface flat and even for slurry filling application, the said slurry filling reservoir dispenses a pre-prepared filler material by means of the said nozzle system in controlled manner thus, ensuring accurate filling based on the pothole's size and depth.

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