AUTOMATED CABLE DISPENSING DEVICE

Abstract

An automated cable dispensing device, comprising a housing 101 accessed by a user to insert multiple wire rolls over a shaft 102 installed within housing 101, an imaging unit 103 installed over housing 101 to determine wire rolls dimensions, plurality of sliding units 104 installed on shaft 102 to translate plurality of pneumatic pins 105 configured with sliding units 104 to position a plate 106 configured with pin 105 for gripping rolls, a display panel 107 installed over housing 101 enabling user’s input commands, a robotic arm 108 installed within housing 101 to engage the wire(s) on a motorized clamp 109 installed within housing 101, plurality of motorized pop out ball 110 installed with the clamp 109 to engage wires out of housing 101 and a motorized cutter 111 installed within housing 101 for detaching the wires.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated cable dispensing device that is capable of securely accommodating multiple wire rolls of various colors and dispensing of the wire of particular color along with length of the wire, as per the requirement of a user in an automated manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Wires are conductive strands or cables made typically of metal, such as copper or aluminum, encased in insulation material. They serve a fundamental role in electrical and electronic components by facilitating the flow of electric current from one point to another. Wires are used to connect various components within circuits, devices, and systems, enabling the transmission of power, signals, and data. In electrical wiring applications, such as in buildings or vehicles, wires are utilized to distribute electricity for lighting, appliances, machinery, and other electrical devices.

[0003] The wire dispensing was primarily a manual process involving basic tools and equipment. In smaller-scale operations, wires were often dispensed by hand, with workers measuring, cutting, and spooling the required lengths manually. Larger-scale operations might have utilized simple mechanical devices such as hand-operated spool holders or wire racks to facilitate dispensing. However, these methods were often labor-intensive, time-consuming, and prone to inaccuracies. Thus, there is a need to develop a device that aids in dispensing wires of different color as per the requirement, while ensuring accuracy and user convenience.

[0004] CA2931464A1 discloses a hand cart for dispensing wire is provided. The hand cart comprises a cart body extending vertically between a bottom portion and a top portion, and a plurality of wheels connected to the bottom portion of the cart body. The hand cart may support multiple racks, each rack having bins to house wire containers. The racks may have a dispensing cone for directing wire as it is pulled out of the wire containers. The cart is equipped with a brake assembly connected to the bottom portion of the cart body, the brake assembly having an engaged configuration in which the assembly extends to a surface on which the wheels rest and engages the surface to prevent the hand cart from changing location, but allowing it to be pivoted about the brake assembly. Though, CA'464 allows dispensing of wire, however the device is store only a single type of cable and so the device lacks in dispensing wires of different type and color as per the user's requirement.

[0005] WO2011030220A2 discloses a cable dispensing system includes multiple parallel coils of flexible non-insulated cables separated by multiple parallel insulating discs. The insulating discs have hubs to which the inner portions of the coils are fixedly coupled. The insulating discs and coils are disposed within a housing, which is rotatably coupled to the multiple parallel insulating discs and fixedly coupled to each outer portion of the multiple coils. The cables comprising the coils are routed from the inner portions through tunnels, which extend through the insulating discs in paths parallel to the axis of the parallel insulating discs. When cords attached to the housing are extended, the coils become wound, creating an electrical short between adjacent loops of the spiral coil. The shorter conductive path reduces the amount of energy that is lost as heat. Though, WO'220 allows dispensing of wire, however the device store only a single type of cable and so the device lacks in dispensing wires of different type and color as per the user's requirement.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices and systems have been developed for dispensing cables, however these devices and systems are able to dispense of a single type and color of cables and are not able to accommodate multiple cables of varying types and color for later dispensing as per the requirement.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is able to accommodate cables of varying types and color along with dispensing these cables as per the type and color of the cables that the user requires.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that securely accommodate multiple wire rolls of various colors and dispensing of the wire of particular color along with length of the wire, as per the requirement of a user in an automated manner.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that monitor presence of any cracks in the wire for notifying the user regarding the detected cracks on the pipe in order to replace the pipe.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is durable, user-friendly and easy-to-operate.

[0012] 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

[0013] The present invention relates to an automated cable dispensing device that securely accommodate multiple wire rolls of various colors and dispensing of the wire of particular color along with length of the wire, as per the requirement of a user in an automated manner.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an automated cable dispensing device comprises of a housing developed to be positioned over a fixed surface, wherein the housing is positioned over the fixed surface by means of plurality of suction cups, a cavity is crafted over the housing that is accessed by a user to insert multiple wire rolls of various colors within the housing and insert over a shaft installed within the housing, the imaging unit is installed over the housing to determine dimensions of each of the wire roll, plurality of circular motorized sliding units are installed over outer periphery of the shaft that are actuated by the microcontroller to provide translation to plurality of pneumatic pins configured with the sliding units in order to position equidistantly and the microcontroller then actuates the pins to extend and position a plate configured with each of the pin in contact with inner periphery of the roll, resulting in gripping of the roll, a touch interactive display panel is installed over the housing and accessed by the user to provide input regrading dispensing of wire(s) of particular colors along with length of the wire that is to be dispensed, a color sensor is installed within the housing and synced with the imaging unit to determine colors of wires of the rolls and based on which the microcontroller actuates particular sliding units gripping the specific rolls to translate the pins along the sliding units to rotate the specific rolls in view of unwrapping the wires of the user-specified colors, a robotic arm is installed within the housing and actuated by the microcontroller to grip free end(s) of the unwrapped wire(s) and engage with a motorized clamp installed within the housing in a sequential manner.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of multiple motorized pop out balls are installed over inner periphery of the clamp that are actuated by the microcontroller to provide translation to the engaged wires of the user-specified color out of the housing by means of an outlet crafted over the housing, an ultrasonic sensor is installed within the housing and synced with the imaging unit to monitor length of the unwrapped wire(s) and as soon as the monitored length matches the user-specified length, the microcontroller actuates a motorized cutter installed within the housing by means of an extendable robotic link to cut the unwrapped wire(s) in view of detaching the wire(s) from respective roll(s), a crack detection sensor is installed within the housing and synced with the imaging unit to monitor presence of any cracks in the unwrapped wire and in case of detection of any crack, the microcontroller actuates the speaker installed over the housing to produce a voice command to notify the user regarding the detected crack.

[0016] 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

[0017] 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 a perspective view of an automated cable dispensing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] The present invention relates to an automated cable dispensing device that is capable of securely accommodating multiple wire rolls of various colors and dispensing of the wire of particular color along with length of the wire, as per the requirement of a user in an automated manner.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, a perspective view of an automated cable dispensing device is illustrated, comprising a housing 101 positioned over a fixed surface, a shaft 102 installed within the housing 101, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 103 installed over the housing 101, plurality of circular motorized sliding units 104 installed over outer periphery of the shaft 102, plurality of pneumatic pins 105 configured with the sliding units 104, a plate 106 configured with each of the pin 105, a touch interactive display panel 107 installed over the housing 101, a robotic arm 108 installed within the housing 101, a motorized clamp 109 installed within the housing 101, plurality of motorized pop out ball 110 installed over inner periphery of the clamp 109, a motorized cutter 111 installed within the housing 101 and a speaker 112 installed over the housing 101.

[0023] The proposed device herein comprises of a housing 101 developed to be positioned over a fixed surface, wherein the housing 101 is designed to provide structural support and protection to its internal components. The housing 101 is constructed using durable and lightweight materials such as ABS plastic, polycarbonate, or aluminum but are not limited thereof, ensuring longevity and ease of handling.

[0024] The housing 101 is positioned over the fixed surface by means of plurality of suction cups (at least two suction cups) arranged beneath the housing 101. The suction cups are made of elastic, flexible material and has a curved surface that creates a negative pressure inside with respect to ambient pressure which facilitates the ability to affix and provides stability to the housing 101 attached on the fixed surface. A cavity is crafted over the housing 101 that is accessed by a user to insert multiple wire rolls of various colors within the housing 101 and insert over a shaft 102 installed within the housing 101.

[0025] An artificial intelligence based imaging unit 103 is installed over the housing 101 to determine dimensions of each of the wire roll. The imaging unit 103 comprises of an image capturing arrangement including a set of lenses that captures multiple images of the wire rolls, and the captured images are stored within a memory of the imaging unit 103 in form of an optical data. The imaging unit 103 also comprises of a processor that is integrated with artificial intelligence protocols, such that the processor processes the optical data and extracts the required data from the captured images. The extracted data is further converted into digital pulses and bits and are further transmitted to an inbuilt microcontroller associated with the device. The microcontroller processes the received data and determines dimensions of each of the wire roll.

[0026] Plurality of circular motorized sliding units 104 (at least two motorized sliding units) are installed over outer periphery of the shaft 102 that are actuated by the microcontroller to provide translation to plurality of pneumatic pins 105 (at least two pneumatic pins) configured with the sliding units 104 in order to position equidistantly. The circular motorized sliding units 104 include sliding rack and rail, such that the pins 105 are mounted over the racks that are electronically operated by the microcontroller for moving over the rails. The sliding units 104 are powered by a DC (direct current) motor that is actuated by the microcontroller by providing required electric current to the motor. The motor comprises of a coil that converts the received electric current into mechanical force by generating magnetic field, thus the mechanical force provides the required power to the rack to provide sliding movement to the pneumatic pins 105 in order to position equidistantly.

[0027] The microcontroller then actuates the pins 105 to extend and position a plate 106 configured with each of the pin 105 in contact with inner periphery of the roll, resulting in gripping of the roll. The pneumatic pins 105 are powered by a pneumatic unit consisting of a pneumatic cylinder, air compressor, air valve, cylinder and piston that work in collaboration for providing the required extension/retraction to the pins 105. The pneumatic unit is operated by the microcontroller. Such that the microcontroller actuates valve to allow passage of compressed air from the compressor within the cylinder, the compressed air further develops pressure against the piston and results in pushing and extending the piston. The piston is connected with the pins 105 and due to applied pressure the pins 105 extends and similarly, the microcontroller retracts the pins 105 by closing the valve resulting in retraction of the piston. Thus, the microcontroller regulates the extension/retraction of the pins 105 to extend and position the plate 106 in contact with inner periphery of the roll, resulting in gripping of the roll.

[0028] A touch interactive display panel 107 is installed over the housing 101 and accessed by the user to provide input regrading dispensing of wire(s) of particular colors along with length of the wire that is to be dispensed. The display panel 107 consists of tiny wires that complete a circuit when connected by the touch of the user while providing the input data. The input data is registered within a database of the microcontroller for processing the input data given by the user.

[0029] A color sensor is installed within the housing 101 and synced with the imaging unit 103 to determine colors of wires of the rolls. The color sensor is a type of photoelectric sensor comprising of an emitter, receiver and a transducer such that the emitter emits lights towards the wire rolls present within the wire rolls which after hitting the wire rolls are bounced back towards the sensor and received by the receiver. The transducer further processes the received light and thus, detecting color of the wire rolls. The transducer further converts the detected data into an electric data that is received by the microcontroller for processing and detecting color of the wire rolls and based on which the microcontroller actuates particular sliding units 104 gripping the specific rolls to translate the pins 105 along the sliding units 104 to rotate the specific rolls in view of unwrapping the wires of the user-specified colors.

[0030] A robotic arm 108 is installed within the housing 101 and actuated by the microcontroller to grip free end(s) of the unwrapped wire(s) and engage with a motorized clamp 109 installed within the housing 101 in a sequential manner. The robotic arm 108 is able to perform the designated task with high efficiency and accuracy, wherein the robotic arm 108 consists of mechanical joints and actuators, which are controlled by the microcontroller. The actuators allow various degrees of freedom and movement and the joints are actuated by a DC (Direct Current) motor, providing the necessary force and motion to grip free end(s) of the unwrapped wire(s) and engage with the motorized clamp 109 in the sequential manner.

[0031] Plurality of motorized pop out balls 110 (at least two pop out balls) are installed over inner periphery of the clamp 109 that are actuated by the microcontroller to provide translation to the engaged wires of the user-specified color out of the housing 101 by means of an outlet crafted over the housing 101. The motorized pop-out ball 110 consists of a spherical body connected to a motorized mechanism within the housing 101. When activated by the microcontroller, these mechanisms drive the ball 110 outward from their resting positions, creating a protrusion within the clamp's 109 inner space. This action provides a gripping force on the engaged wires, securely holding them in place. As the balls 110 extend, they push the wires towards the outlet crafted over the housing 101, facilitating their smooth translation out of the housing 101 and thereby enabling the user to acquire wires of the user-specified colors.

[0032] An ultrasonic sensor is installed within the housing 101 and synced with the imaging unit 103 to monitor length of the unwrapped wire(s). The ultrasonic sensor works by generating ultrasonic waves, wherein the waves hit the unwrapped wire(s) and are diffracted back. The diffracted waves are received by a receiver integrated within the sensor. The pattern of the received waves gets converted into an analog value which is further converted into an electrical signal, wherein the electrical signal is send to the microcontroller. The microcontroller then processes the received signal from the sensor, thus monitoring length of the unwrapped wire(s).

[0033] As soon as the monitored length matches the user-specified length, the microcontroller actuates a motorized cutter 111 installed within the housing 101 by means of an extendable robotic link to cut the unwrapped wire(s) in view of detaching the wire(s) from respective roll(s). The motorized cutter 111 is powered by a DC (direct current) motor that is capable of converting the electric current provided from an external force into mechanical force for providing the required power to the cutter 111, thus cutting the unwrapped wire(s) from respective roll(s).

[0034] A crack detection sensor is installed within the housing 101 and synced with the imaging unit 103 to monitor presence of any cracks in the unwrapped wire. The crack detection sensor used herein is preferably a laser-based crack detection sensor consists of a laser emitter and a receiver. The emitter emits a focused beam of laser light on the cracks in the unwrapped wire. If there is a crack present, the laser beam encounters an interruption or deflection, which is then detected by the receiver. This disruption in the laser beam's path indicates the presence of a crack. The sensor then relays this information to the microcontroller, which processes the data for monitoring presence of any cracks in the unwrapped wire and in case of detection of any crack, the microcontroller actuates the speaker 112 installed over the housing 101 to produce a voice command to notify the user regarding the detected crack.

[0035] The device is associated with a battery for providing the required power to the electronically and electrically operated components including the microcontroller, electrically powered sensors, motorized components and alike of the device. The battery within the device is preferably a lithium-ion-battery which is a rechargeable battery and recharges by deriving the required power from an external power source. The derived power is further stored in form of chemical energy within the battery, which when required by the components of the device derive the required energy in the form of electric current for ensuring smooth and proper functioning of the device.

[0036] The present invention works best in the following manner, where the housing 101 is developed to be positioned over the fixed surface, wherein the housing 101 positioned over the fixed surface by means of plurality of suction cups. The cavity is crafted over the housing 101 that is accessed by the user to insert multiple wire rolls of various colors and insert over the shaft 102 installed within the housing 101. The imaging unit 103 is installed over the housing 101 to determine dimensions of each of the wire roll. Plurality of circular motorized sliding units 104 are installed over outer periphery of the shaft 102 that are actuated by the microcontroller to provide translation to plurality of pneumatic pins 105 configured with the sliding units 104 in order to position equidistantly and the microcontroller regulates the extension/retraction of the pins 105 to extend and position the plate 106 in contact with inner periphery of the roll, resulting in gripping of the roll. The color sensor is installed within the housing 101 and synced with the imaging unit 103 to determine colors of wires of the rolls based on which the microcontroller actuates particular sliding units 104 gripping the specific rolls to translate the pins 105 along the sliding units 104 to rotate the specific rolls in view of unwrapping the wires of the user-specified colors. The robotic arm 108 is actuated by the microcontroller to grip free end(s) of the unwrapped wire(s) and engage with the motorized clamp 109 in a sequential manner and plurality of motorized pop out balls 110 are installed over inner periphery of the clamp 109 to provide translation to the engaged wires of the user-specified color out of the housing 101 by means of an outlet crafted over the housing 101. The ultrasonic sensor is synced with the imaging unit 103 to monitor length of the unwrapped wire(s) and as soon as the monitored length matches the user-specified length, the microcontroller actuates the motorized cutter 111 to cut the unwrapped wire(s) in view of detaching the wire(s) from respective roll(s). The crack detection sensor is synced with the imaging unit 103 to monitor presence of any cracks in the unwrapped wire and in case of detection of any crack, the microcontroller actuates the speaker 112 to produce a voice command to notify the user regarding the detected crack.

[0037] 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 automated cable dispensing device, comprising:

i) a housing 101 positioned over a fixed surface by means of plurality of suction cups arranged beneath said housing 101, wherein a cavity is crafted over said housing 101 that is accessed by a user to insert multiple wire rolls of various colors within said housing 101 and insert over a shaft 102 installed within said housing 101;

ii) an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 103 installed over said housing 101 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing images of said rolls, wherein based on said captured images, a microcontroller linked with said processor, determines dimensions of each of said roll;

iii) plurality of circular motorized sliding units 104 installed over outer periphery of said shaft 102 that are actuated by said microcontroller to provide translation to plurality of pneumatic pins 105 configured with said sliding units 104 in order to position equidistantly, wherein said microcontroller actuates said pins 105 to extend and position a plate 106 configured with each of said pin 105 in contact with inner periphery of said roll, resulting in gripping of said roll;

iv) a touch interactive display panel 107 installed over said housing 101 and accessed by said user to provide input regrading dispensing of wire(s) of particular colors along with length of said wire that is to be dispensed;

v) a color sensor installed within said housing 101 and synced with said imaging unit 103 to determine colors of wires of said rolls and accordingly determines specific rolls of said user-specified colors, where said microcontroller actuates particular sliding units 104 gripping said specific rolls to translate said pins 105 along said sliding units 104 to rotate said specific rolls in view of unwrapping said wires of said user-specified colors; and

vi) a robotic arm 108 installed within said housing 101 and actuated by said microcontroller to grip free end(s) of said unwrapped wire(s) and engage with a motorized clamp 109 installed within said housing 101 in a sequential manner, wherein plurality of motorized pop out ball 110 installed over inner periphery of said clamp 109 that are actuated by said microcontroller to provide translation to said engaged wires of said user-specified color out of said housing 101 by means of an outlet crafted over said housing 101, thereby enabling said user to acquire wires of said user-specified colors.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an ultrasonic sensor is installed within said housing 101 and synced with said imaging unit 103 to monitor length of said unwrapped wire(s).

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein as soon as said monitored length matches said user-specified length, said microcontroller actuates a motorized cutter 111 installed within said housing 101 by means of an extendable robotic link to cut said unwrapped wire(s) in view of detaching said wire(s) from respective roll(s).

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a crack detection sensor is installed within said housing 101 and synced with said imaging unit 103 to monitor presence of any cracks in said unwrapped wire and in case of detection of any crack, said microcontroller actuates a speaker 112 installed over said housing 101 to produce a voice command to notify said user regrading said detected crack.

5) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.

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