AUTOMATED PLASTIC ROOFING SHEET INSTALLATION DEVICE

Abstract

An automated plastic roofing sheet installation device, comprising a cuboidal body 1 installed on rooftop of a building/ house installed with plastic roofing sheets, plurality of telescopically operated rods 2 for supporting body 1, a touch interactive display panel 3 receives input regarding a surface area over which user desired to install roofing sheet, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4 determines the location of surface area with respect to body 1, plurality of motorized wheels 5 for moving body 1 towards determined location, an IR (Infrared) sensor detect edges of roofing sheet, a robotic gripper 8 gripping edge of roofing sheet, a robotic link 9 installs nails by a nail installation unit 10.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated plastic roofing sheet installation device that is capable of carrying out installation of plastic roofing sheet in an automated manner in order to protect the roof securely. Additionally, the proposed device is capable of detecting the hardness of the roofing sheet and accordingly securing the roofing sheet over the rooftop in an appropriate manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Plastic roofing sheets are made out of polycarbonate, which is a durable thermoplastic material. Aside from their excellent chemical composition and ability to withstand high temperatures for long periods of time, plastic roofing sheets are also extremely versatile and can be used for a variety of different structures. Plastic roofing is resistant to hail, wind, fire, and extreme temperature changes.

[0003] Generally, the plastic roofing sheets are installed using manual methods that involve determining the length of the sheet to cut as well as affixing the sheet on poles or wall. all these processes are done in manual manner that is time consuming as well as requires lot of physical efforts of the user. The extra sheet is sometimes cut due to manual oversight that gets wasted.

[0004] US7776177B2 discloses about an invention that provides a method for affixing covering products to building structures is described. The covering product includes a thermoplastic membrane, a layer in which a fabric that includes an adhesive coating, and a release liner. The layer is affixed to a primary surface of the membrane. After the covering product is transported to the building structure, the release liner is removed, and the covering produce is adhered to the building structure.

[0005] CN100529293C discloses about an invention that provides self supporting roofing plate for pitched roofs having purlinless roofing construction is disclosed. The roofing plate has a principal upright wall on its rear portion and is characterized by further having means for resisting increase in a predetermined bending angle existing between the principal upright wall and a top wall of the plate. The means are a second upright wall extending non-interruptedly adjacent the principal upright wall thus forming double upright walls with a gap in between along the entire longitudinal dimension of the plate and with the top wall from above the gap; integral mini ribs located at the boundary region between the top wall of the plate and the principal upright wall, acting as struts connecting between mid portions of the principal upright wall and corresponding mid portions of the top wall; integral mini ribs located at the boundary region between the principal upright wall and between a horizontal flange bent from its lower end, acting as struts connecting between mid portions of the principal upright wall and corresponding mid portions of the flange; or at least one or two thereof. This particular roofing plate allows for the rafters of the purlinless construction to be spaced apart up to as twice as allowed when using best known prior art products, thus significantly reduces costs and labor of the complete roofing construction. A roofing method is also disclosed, using the roofing plate, and also disclosed a supporter for use in the method.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices have been developed that are capable of installing the roofing sheet. However, these devices are incapable of carrying out installation of plastic roofing sheet in an automated manner. additionally, these devices fail to detecting the hardness of the roofing sheet and accordingly securing the roofing sheet over the rooftop in an appropriate manner.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of carrying out installation of plastic roofing sheet in an automated manner in order to protect the roof securely. In addition, the proposed equipment is capable of detecting the hardness of the roofing sheet and accordingly securing the roofing sheet over the rooftop in an appropriate manner.

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 is capable of carrying out installation of plastic roofing sheet in an automated manner in order to protect the roof securely.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of detecting the hardness of the roofing sheet and accordingly securing the roofing sheet over the rooftop in an appropriate manner.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is portable and reliable in nature.

[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 plastic roofing sheet installation device that is capable of carrying out the installation of plastic roofing sheet in an automated manner view of protecting the roof securely. The proposed device detects the hardness of the roofing sheet in order to secure the roofing sheet over the rooftop.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an automated plastic roofing sheet installation device comprises of a cuboidal body developed to be installed on rooftop of a building/ house installed with plastic roofing sheets, plurality of telescopically operated rods are arranged underneath the frame for supporting the body over surface of the roof, a touch interactive display panel arranged on the body that is accessed by a user for providing input regarding a surface area to install roofing sheet, the body is installed with an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit integrated with a processor for capturing as well as processing multiple images in vicinity of the body, to determine the location of the surface area with respect to the body, plurality of motorized wheels arranged underneath the rods fabricated with multiple grooves, each of the grooves are arranged with an extendable link integrated with a suction cup that are actuated or de-actuated for moving the body towards the determined location and an IR (Infrared) sensor mapped on the body an robotic gripper installed on the body to detect edges of the roofing sheet.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of a robotic gripper installed on the to extend for gripping edge of the roofing sheet, a robotic link configured with a nail installation unit assembled on the body for positioning the installation unit over the gripped roofing sheet after successful positioning of the installation unit as detected by the imaging unit, the microcontroller directs the nail installation unit for installing multiple nails on the roofing sheet to secure the roofing sheet on the surface of rooftop, a tactile sensor is mapped in the gripper to detect hardness of the roofing sheet and a battery is associated with the device for powering up electrical or electronically operated components associated with the device.

[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 an isometric view of an automated plastic roofing sheet installation 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 plastic roofing sheet installation device that is capable of carrying out installation of plastic roofing sheet in an automated manner in order to protect the roof securely. Additionally, the proposed device is capable of detecting the hardness of the roofing sheet and accordingly securing the roofing sheet over the rooftop in an appropriate manner.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of an automated plastic roofing sheet installation device is illustrated, comprising a cuboidal body 1, plurality of telescopically operated rods 2 are arranged underneath the frame 1, plurality of motorized wheels 5 arranged underneath the rods 2 and fabricated with multiple extendable link 6 integrated with a suction cup 7, a touch interactive display panel 3 arranged on the body 1, body 1 is installed with an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4, a robotic gripper 8 installed on body 1, and a robotic link 9 configured with a nail installation unit 10, assembled on the body 1.

[0023] The proposed device comprises of a cuboidal body 1 which is installed on rooftop of a building/ house installed with plastic roofing sheets. The body 1 is developed a protective exterior of the device and the components associated with the device are mounted in and over the body 1. The body 1 is preferably made up of stainless steel that offers a corrosion resistant, strength and durability to the device and is easy to maintain. Under the body 1 plurality of telescopically operated rods 2 are arranged underneath for supporting the body 1 over surface of the roof.

[0024] Initially the user is required to access a touch interactive display panel 3 arranged on the body 1 for providing input regarding a surface area over which the user desired to install roofing sheet. The touch interactive display panel 3 mapped herein consists of multiple tiny electrically active wires. When user touch the mapping illustrated over the panel 3, the wires are pressed together and circuit is completed. Which results in flow of voltages across the circuit. That voltage flow is detected by a microcontroller linked with the panel 3 in form of electric signals. Further the signals are processed by the microcontroller to determine the user's input regarding a surface area over which the user desired to install roofing sheet.

[0025] After receiving the input via the panel 3, the microcontroller directs an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4 to determine the location of the surface area with respect to the body 1. The imaging unit 4 comprises of a processor and a camera which on actuation capture the multiple image of the vicinity of the body 1. The camera is comprised of a lens and a digital camera sensor, wherein the camera lens takes all the light rays rebounding around the vicinity of the body 1 and utilizes the lenses to transmit them to a single point for creating a sharp image. When all of those light rays rebound back and meet together on a digital camera sensor, create a digital image of the vicinity of the body 1 by performing various operations like pre-processing, feature extraction and classification which is transmitted to the processor. The processor further extracts all the required information from the digital images and transmit to microcontroller, which further processes the information shared by the processor in order to determine the location of the surface area with respect to the body 1.

[0026] Plurality of motorized wheels 5 arranged underneath the rods 2 and fabricated with multiple grooves and each of the grooves are arranged with an extendable link 6 integrated with a suction cup 7. After receiving the location, the microcontroller actuates a hub motor integrated with each wheels 5 for moving the body 1 towards the determined location. 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 to rotate the wheels 5 for moving the body 1 towards the determined location. As soon as the body 1 reaches at the determined location, then the microcontroller directs an IR (Infrared) sensor mapped on the body 1 a robotic gripper 8 installed on the body 1 to detect edges of the roofing sheet and accordingly the microcontroller directs robotic gripper 8 installed on the to extend for gripping edge of the roofing sheet.

[0027] The robotic gripper 8 contains robotic link 9 and an end effector which is installed at free end of the link 9. The robotic link 9 is made of several segments that are attached together by joints also referred to as axes. Each joint of the segments contains a step motor that rotates and allows the robotic link 9 to complete a specific motion in translating the equipped effector towards the edge of roofing sheet. Further, the step motor, is a kind of motor which rotates in small, precise steps, unlike other motors which rotates continuously. The step motor comprises of a rotor and stator.

[0028] The rotor is the rotating part of the motor, and the stator is the stationary part. The stator consist of multiple conducting coils of wire which are arranged in a specific manner. When current flows through the coils, the magnetic field is setup around the coil and that cause the rotor to move in precise steps to translate the link 9 towards the roofing sheet for positioning the end effector in contact with roofing sheet. Further the end effector comprises of a pair of jaws assembled with each other by means of another step motors which enables the opening/closing of the jaws in order to grip roofing sheet.

[0029] Followed by actuation of a robotic link 9 installed on the body 1 for positioning a nail installation unit 10, assembled on the link 9 over the gripped roofing sheet. Post positioning of the installation unit 10, as detected by the imaging unit 4, the microcontroller directs the nail installation unit 10 for installing multiple nails on the roofing sheet to secure the roofing sheet on the surface of rooftop. The nail installation unit 10 comprises a motor, a chuck, and a spindle. The motor's shaft is coupled to the spindle and which further attached with the chuck. The chuck is used here for holding the nails in a place in a secured manner. When the installation unit 10 is actuated by the microcontroller, then the motor provides power to the spindle, which rotates the nails and gets penetrated in the surface for securing the sheet on the surface of the rooftop.

[0030] Simultaneously, a tactile sensor is mapped in the gripper 8 to detect hardness of the roofing sheet. The tactile sensor employed herein is composed of an elastic body 1, ferrous probe, TMR (tunnel magneto resistive) element, and a permanent magnet. When the elastic body 1 embedded with ferrous probe touches the object under the certain size of force, deformation is produced in elastic body 1. Correspondingly, the ferrous probe is forced forward to be displaced and as a result the background magnetic field is distorted. The distorted magnetic field was detected by TMR elements and transmitted to the microcontroller in form of electrical signal. After processing the received signal, the microcontroller determine the hardness of the roofing sheet and based on which the microcontroller regulates operation of the nail installation of the secure the roofing sheets over the rooftop.

[0031] A battery is associated with the device to supply power to electrically powered components which are employed herein. The battery is comprised of a pair of electrode named as a cathode and an anode. The battery use a chemical reaction of oxidation/reduction to do work on charge and produce a voltage between their anode and cathode and thus produces electrical energy that is used to do work in the device.

[0032] The present invention works well in the following manner where a cuboidal body 1 which is installed on rooftop of a building/ house installed with plastic roofing sheets. Under the body 1 plurality of telescopically operated rods 2 are arranged underneath for supporting the body 1 over surface of the roof. Initially the user is required to access a touch interactive display panel 3 arranged on the body 1 for providing input regarding a surface area over which the user desired to install roofing sheet. After receiving the input via the panel 3, the microcontroller directs an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4 to determine the location of the surface area with respect to the body 1. After receiving the location, the microcontroller actuates a hub motor integrated with each wheels 5 for moving the body 1 towards the determined location. As soon as the body 1 reaches at the determined location, then the microcontroller directs an IR (Infrared) sensor mapped on the body 1 a robotic gripper 8 installed on the body 1 to detect edges of the roofing sheet and accordingly the microcontroller directs robotic gripper 8 installed on the to extend for gripping edge of the roofing sheet. Followed by actuation of a robotic link 9 installed on the body 1 for positioning a nail installation unit 10, assembled on the link 9 over the gripped roofing sheet. Post positioning of the installation unit 10, as detected by the imaging unit 4, the microcontroller directs the nail installation unit 10 for installing multiple nails on the roofing sheet to secure the roofing sheet on the surface of rooftop. Simultaneously, a tactile sensor is mapped in the gripper 8 to detect hardness of the roofing sheet and based on which the microcontroller regulates operation of the nail installation of the secure the roofing sheets over the rooftop.

[0033] 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 individuals skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) An automated plastic roofing sheet installation device, comprising:

i) a cuboidal body 1 developed to be installed on rooftop of a building/ house installed with plastic roofing sheets, wherein plurality of telescopically operated rods 2 are arranged underneath said frame for supporting said body 1 over surface of said roof;
ii) a touch interactive display panel 3 arranged on said body 1 that is accessed by a user for providing input regarding a surface area over which said user desired to install roofing sheet, wherein said body 1 is installed with an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4 integrated with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of said body 1, respectively to determine the location of said surface area with respect to said body 1;
iii) plurality of motorized wheels 5 arranged underneath said rods 2 and fabricated with multiple grooves, wherein each of said grooves are arranged with an extendable link 6 integrated with a suction cup 7 that are actuated/de-actuated by an inbuilt microcontroller for moving said body 1 towards said determined location;
iv) an IR (Infrared) sensor mapped on said body 1 an robotic gripper 8 installed on said body 1 to detect edges of said roofing sheet, wherein based on which said microcontroller actuates a robotic gripper 8 installed on said to extend for gripping edge of said roofing sheet; and
v) a robotic link 9 configured with a nail installation unit 10, assembled on said body 1 for positioning said installation unit 10 over said gripped roofing sheet, wherein after successful positioning of said installation unit 10, as detected by said imaging unit 4, said microcontroller directs said nail installation unit 10 for installing multiple nails on said roofing sheet to secure said roofing sheet on said surface of rooftop.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a tactile sensor is mapped in said gripper 8 to detect hardness of said roofing sheet, based on which said microcontroller regulates operation of said nail installation of said secure said roofing sheets over said rooftop.

3) 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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