AUTOMATED ROOF LIFTING SYSTEM

Abstract

An automated roof lifting system, comprising a housing 101 positioned over a ground surface, a touch interactive display panel 103 embedded over the housing 101 to enable a user to provide input regarding a height at which a wooden roof positioned, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 104 embedded over the housing 101 to determine positioning of the foundation in proximity, a pair of motorized extendable grippers 105 arranged over the housing 101 each via an L-shaped hydraulic rod 106 to position the grippers 105 in proximity to the roof, a primary robotic arm is assembled over the housing 101 to withdraw one of the hydraulic lift, a secondary robotic arm is coupled over the housing 101 to withdraw one of the screw and a motorized screw driver 203 integrated with the housing 101 via a robotic link to get positioned over the aligned screws.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated roof lifting system that is capable of lifting a wooden roof over a wooden foundation in an automated manner by determining positioning of the foundation, thereby handling the whole process with minimal human intervention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Lifting roof for construction, makes the process much easier and safer, which allows workers to transport materials, tools, and equipment up and down the building without having to carry them manually. It helps with lifting heavy materials like roofing tiles or shingles up to the roof, which is quite a task if done manually. With a lift, workers easily transport these materials to the desired height, saving time and effort. Additionally, it saves time and reduces the risk of accident that occurs while carrying heavy loads up ladders or scaffolding.

[0003] Traditionally, there are a few methods that have been used for roof construction without lifts. One common method is using scaffolding, which involves setting up temporary platforms and walkways around the building to access the roof. Workers manually carry the materials up the scaffolding to the desired height. Another method is using ladders, where workers climb up and down with the materials. This is quite labor-intensive and time-consuming, especially for larger or multi-story buildings.

[0004] US7090286B1 discloses a cableless power lift assembly for raising and lowering the roof structure or camper top of a pop-up camper includes an elongated drive housing mounted to the base of a pop-up camper and a pair of aligned left and right threaded screw drives mounted in the drive housing for rotatable movement therein. A motor is attached to the left and right screw drives for rotatably driving the screw drives to raise the camper top upon actuation of said motor in a first direction and lower the camper top upon actuation of the motor in an opposite second direction. In addition, collapsible lifting apparatus is also provided for moving the camper top between a generally horizontal lowered or collapsed position and a generally horizontal raised or extended position. In a preferred embodiment, an air conditioning unit is mounted in the camper top. Although US'286, discloses a cable-less power lift assembly that aids in extending and retracting the roof structure or camper top of a pop-up camper. However it is incapable of monitoring positioning of the foundation, where the roof is to be lifted as well as monitoring distance of the foundation from the roof to lift the roof as per the user-specified height.

[0005] Conventionally, there exists many systems that are capable of lifting a wooden roof or raising and lowering the roof structure, however these existing systems are fails in providing a means for monitoring positioning of the foundation, where the roof is to be lifted. In addition, these existing systems are also lacks in monitoring distance of the foundation from the roof to lift the roof as per the user-specified height.

[0006] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a system that is capable of raising or lowering the roof structure by monitoring positioning of the foundation, where the roof is to be lifted. Furthermore, the developed system should also potent enough of determining distance of the foundation from the roof to lift the roof as per the user-specified height.

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 system that is capable of providing a means to lift a wooden roof over a wooden foundation in an efficient and automated manner by monitoring positioning of the foundation, thereby reducing the physical effort and time consumption of the user.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to develop a system that is capable of monitoring distance of the foundation from the roof and accordingly lift the roof in accordance with the user-specified height.

[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a system 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 automated roof lifting system that is capable of automatically lifting a wooden roof over a wooden foundation by monitoring positioning of the foundation, thereby reducing the physical effort and time consumption of the user.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an automated roof lifting system, comprising a housing positioned over a ground surface via multiple motorized omni-directional wheels embedded underneath the housing to provide translation to the housing over the ground surface, a touch interactive display panel embedded over the housing to enable a user to provide input regarding a height at which a wooden roof positioned over a wooden foundation present in proximity is to be lifted, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit embedded over the housing for capturing images of surroundings to determine positioning of the foundation in proximity, a laser measurement sensor attached over the housing to determine dimension of the roof and foundation, wherein based on the detected dimensions, the microcontroller evaluates number of hydraulic lifts to be installed between the roof and foundation, a pair of motorized extendable grippers arranged over the housing each via an L-shaped hydraulic rod to extend and position the grippers in proximity to the roof and multiple hinge joints are mounted with each of the grippers to regulate shape of the grippers in accordance with the detected dimensions to grip the roof from one side in a secured manner.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed system further comprises of a chamber attached within the housing and stored with multiple hydraulic lifts, wherein a primary robotic arm is assembled over the housing to withdraw one of the hydraulic lift from the chamber and accordingly align between the foundation and roof, an container attached with the housing and stored with multiple screws, a secondary robotic arm is coupled over the housing to withdraw one of the screw from the container and align with cavities crafted over the hydraulic lift, a motorized screw driver integrated with the housing via a robotic link to get positioned over the aligned screws, an ultrasonic sensor embedded over each of the hydraulic lift to monitor distance of the foundation from the roof, a tilt sensor is embedded over the housing to monitor tilt angle of the housing, a speaker installed over the housing to produce a voice command to notify the user regrading tilting of the housing, an impact sensor is installed over each of the hydraulic lifts to monitor impact experienced by the hydraulic lifts, an air compressor arranged with each of the hydraulic lifts to inflate a linked inflatable member that absorbs the impact and a battery is associated with the system for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with the system.

[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 of an automated roof lifting system; and
Figure 2 illustrates an inner view of an automated roof lifting system.

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 automated roof lifting system that is capable of lifting a wooden roof over a wooden foundation by determining positioning of the foundation. Furthermore, the proposed device is also reliable in nature.

[0021] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view and inner view of an automated roof lifting system is illustrated, comprising a housing 101 positioned over a ground surface by means of plurality of motorized omni-directional wheels 102 installed beneath the housing 101, a touch interactive display panel 103 installed over the housing 101, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 104 installed over the housing 101, a pair of motorized extendable grippers 105 installed over the housing 101 each by means of an L-shaped hydraulic rod 106, a chamber 201 arranged within the housing 101, a container 202 arranged with the housing 101 and motorized screw driver 203 configured with the housing 101.

[0022] The system disclosed herein, comprising a housing 101 developed in a such manner that it positioned over a ground surface with the help of multiple motorized omni-directional wheels 102 (ranges 4-6) attached underneath the housing 101, wherein the wheels 102 actuated by an inbuilt microcontroller to provide necessary movement to the housing 101 on the ground surface.

[0023] The wheels 102 move independently on the surface and smaller wheels 102 create a lateral force that allows the wheel to move in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The wheel's design enables it to move on any type of surface with high agility and versatility. After translating the housing 101 over the ground surface, the microcontroller activates a touch interactive display panel 103 embedded over the housing 101 in order to allow a user for providing input regarding a required height at which a wooden roof placed over a wooden foundation present in vicinity is to be lifted.

[0024] The touch interactive display panel 103 as mentioned herein is typically an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen that presents output in a visible form. The screen is equipped with touch-sensitive technology, allowing the user to interact directly with the display using their fingers. A touch controller IC (Integrated Circuit) is responsible for processing the analog signals generated when the user inputs details regarding the required height at which a wooden roof placed over a wooden foundation present in vicinity is to be lifted. A touch controller is typically connected to the microcontroller through various interfaces which may include but are not limited to PI (Serial Peripheral Interface) or I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit)

[0025] Based on user provided input, the microcontroller activates an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 104 installed over the housing 101 for capturing images of surroundings for determining positioning of the foundation in proximity. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 104 is constructed with a camera lens and a processor, wherein the camera lens is adapted to capture a series of images of the surrounding present in proximity to the housing 101. The processor carries out a sequence of image processing operations including pre-processing, feature extraction, and classification.

[0026] The image captured by the imaging unit 104 is real-time images of the housing 101's surrounding. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 104 transmits the captured image signal in the form of digital bits to the microcontroller. The microcontroller upon receiving the image signals compares the received image signal with the pre-fed data stored in a database and constantly determines positioning of the foundation in proximity and accordingly actuates the wheels 102 to position the housing 101 in proximity to the foundation.

[0027] After positioning the housing 101 in proximity to the foundation, the microcontroller activates a laser measurement sensor installed over the housing 101 to determine dimension of the roof and foundation. The laser measurement sensor mentioned herein works in sync with the imaging unit 104 to monitor dimension of the roof and foundation. The laser measurement sensor activates and emits a focused and narrow beam toward the mouth portion of the roof and foundation. When the laser beam strikes the surface of the roof, it gets reflected back towards the sensor.

[0028] The receiver of the primary laser sensor captures the reflected light and employs a time-of-flight measurement principle to determine the dimensions of the roof and foundation. Based on the detected dimensions, the microcontroller analyzes the number of hydraulic lifts to be embedded between the roof and foundation, wherein a pair of motorized extendable grippers 105 assembled over the housing 101 each via an L-shaped hydraulic rod 106 that are also actuated by the microcontroller to get extend and position the grippers 105 in vicinity to the roof.

[0029] The abovementioned rod 106 is linked with a hydraulic unit which comprises an oil compressor, cylinders, oil valves and piston that works in collaboration for extension/retraction of the rod 106. The oil compressor pressurizes hydraulic fluid to provide the necessary force for the hydraulic unit to operate. The hydraulic cylinders convert the pressurized hydraulic fluid's energy into linear motion. As the fluid enters the cylinder, it pushes against a piston inside, causing the rod 106 connected to the piston to extend/retract. Oil valves regulate the flow of hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic unit and controls the extension/retraction of the rod 106.

[0030] The piston located inside the hydraulic cylinder is directly linked to the rod 106s. When the pressurized fluid enters the cylinder, it pushes the piston, causing the connected rod 106 to extend for positioning the grippers 105 in vicinity to the roof. Simultaneously, multiple hinge joints are embedded with each of the grippers 105, wherein the joints are actuated by the microcontroller to modulate shape of the grippers 105 in accordance with the detected dimensions to grip the roof from one side securely.

[0031] The hinge joint consist of a pair of leaf that are connected with each other via a rod 106, wherein the rod 106 is coupled with a motor that is interlinked with the microcontroller for regulating the shape of the grippers 105. The grippers 105 typically consists of two opposing arms or fingers that mimic a human hand-gripping motion. These arms are usually made of durable materials like metal or plastic to provide strength and flexibility. The gripper design incorporates springs to securely hold the roof from one side securely.

[0032] Electric motors and servo motors are used to control the robotic gripper's movement. These motors provide the necessary force and precision to manipulate and hold the roof from one side. The motors are connected to the gripper arms through an arrangement of gears and linkages, allowing for controlled gripping of the roof from one side securely.

[0033] At the same instant of time, the microcontroller actuates the rod 106s to get extend and uplift the roof up-to a pre-defined height, wherein a chamber 201 attached inside the housing 101 and stored with multiple hydraulic lifts (ranges 4-6). Furthermore, a primary robotic arm is assembled over the housing 101 and that is directed by the microcontroller for withdrawing one of the hydraulic lift from the chamber 201 and position it between the foundation and roof in accordance with the analyzed number of hydraulic lifts.

[0034] The robotic arm generally consists of two opposing arms or fingers that mimic a human hand-gripping motion. These arms are usually made of durable materials like metal or plastic to provide strength and flexibility. The robotic arm design incorporates springs to withdraw one of the hydraulic lift from the chamber 201 and align between the foundation and roof. The motors provide the necessary force and precision to manipulate and position the hydraulic lift. The motors are connected to the arm arms through an arrangement of gears and linkages, allowing for controlled aligning of the hydraulic lift between the foundation and roof.

[0035] Herein, the hydraulic lifts are wirelessly connected with the microcontroller via a communication module. Further, a container 202 coupled with the housing 101 and having multiple screws. After aligning the hydraulic lift between the foundation and roof the microcontroller actuates a secondary robotic arm assembled over the housing 101 to grip one of the screw from the container 202 and position it with cavities crafted over the hydraulic lift in a sequential manner.

[0036] At the same instant of time, the microcontroller actuates a robotic link integrated with a motorized screw driver 203 to position the screw driver 203 over the aligned screws in a sequential manner. The robotic link is equipped with multiple joints and actuators that allows the robotic link to move in multiple dimensions and orient the screw driver 203 with great precision. Simultaneously the microcontroller actuates the motorized screw driver 203 for rightly closing the aligned screws as means of affixing the hydraulic lift with the roof and foundation.

[0037] The motorized screw driver 203 typically consists of a motor, a gear unit, a power source, and a screwdriver bit. When the microcontroller activates the screw driver 203, the motor generates rotational force. This force is transmitted to the screwdriver bit through a series of gears. As the motor spins, the gears amplify the rotational force and transmit it to screwdriver bit. The screwdriver bit engages with the screw heads of the switches, providing the necessary torque to close the switch in order to affix the hydraulic lift with the roof and foundation.

[0038] After affixing the hydraulic lift with the roof and foundation, the microcontroller actuates an ultrasonic sensor installed over each of the hydraulic lift for determining distance of the foundation from the roof. The ultrasonic sensor emits high-frequency waves toward the foundation and roof and measures the time it takes for the waves to bounce back after hitting the surface of the foundation and roof. The sensor is typically oriented in a way that it measures the distance of the foundation and roof.

[0039] The ultrasonic sensor collects a significant amount of data by scanning the entire surface of the foundation and roof and forms a 3D point cloud, which represents the shape of then foundation and roof. The ultrasonic sensor sends the data to a microcontroller which processes the acquired data and detects the distance of the foundation and roof. The acquired data is sent to the microcontroller which processes the information and actuates the hydraulic lifts to get extend to lift the roof as per the user-specified height. The hydraulic lifts mentioned herein is powered by a hydraulic unit which comprises an oil compressor, cylinders, oil valves and piston that works in collaboration for extension/retraction of the lifts for lifting the roof as per the user-specified height.

[0040] Further, the microcontroller actuates a tilt sensor embedded over the housing 101 for determining tilt angle of the housing 101. The tilt sensor used herein is preferably an optical angle sensor that use light beams and optical detectors to measure changes in light reflection or transmission caused by the angle of the housing 101. As the angle changes, the amount of light reflected or transmitted varies, allowing the sensor to calculate the angle. The tilt sensor provides an output signal that represents the detected tilt angle of the housing 101.

[0041] In case the detected tilt angle exceed a predefined value, the microcontroller actuates a speaker assembled on the housing 101 for producing a voice command as means of notifying the user regrading tilting of the housing 101. The speaker is capable of producing clear and natural sound and is capable of adjusting its volume based on ambient noise levels. 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.

[0042] This data is often in the form of an audio file. The digital audio data is sent to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). 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 it 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.

[0043] Simultaneously, the microcontroller actuates an impact sensor embedded over each of the hydraulic lifts for detecting the impact experienced by the hydraulic lifts. The impact sensor mentioned herein works on the principle of inertia and when a sudden change in velocity occurs, such as collision or abrupt stop, inertia causes a mass inside the sensor to resist the change, resulting in mechanical displacement or deformation, which is then converted into an electrical signal. The electrical signal generated by the transducer is usually weak and needs to be amplified. Filtering techniques are employed to distinguish between genuine impacts and noise or vibration. The microcontroller process the data and readings from the impact sensor for determining impact that user experience by the hydraulic lifts.

[0044] In case of detection of impact the microcontroller actuates an air compressor attached with each of the hydraulic lifts for inflating an inflatable member linked with the air compressor for absorbing the impact. The air compressor which extracts the air from surrounding and increases the pressure of the air by reducing the volume of the air and which is further injected in the members. Further, the inflatable members are laminated of multiple thin polymeric films, when air is inserted in the inflatable member by means of air compressor, the films are puffed and the member becomes soft and that absorbs the impact.

[0045] A battery is associated with the system 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 system.

[0046] The present invention works well in following manner, where the proposed system, comprising the housing 101 positioned over the ground surface via multiple motorized omni-directional wheels 102 to provide translation to the housing 101 over the ground surface, the touch interactive display panel 103 to enable the user to provide input regarding the height at which the wooden roof positioned over the wooden foundation present in proximity is to be lifted, the artificial intelligence based imaging unit 104 for capturing images of surroundings to determine positioning of the foundation in proximity, the laser measurement sensor to determine dimension of the roof and foundation, wherein based on the detected dimensions, the microcontroller evaluates number of hydraulic lifts to be installed between the roof and foundation, the L-shaped hydraulic rod 106 to extend and position the grippers 105 in proximity to the roof and multiple hinge joints to regulate shape of the grippers 105 in accordance with the detected dimensions to grip the roof from one side in the secured manner. Further, the chamber 201 having multiple hydraulic lifts, wherein the primary robotic arm to withdraw one of the hydraulic lift from the chamber 201 and accordingly align between the foundation and roof, the container 202 having multiple screws, the secondary robotic arm to withdraw one of the screw from the container 202 and align with cavities crafted over the hydraulic lift, the motorized screw driver 203 via the robotic link to get positioned over the aligned screws, the ultrasonic sensor to monitor distance of the foundation from the roof, the tilt sensor to monitor tilt angle of the housing 101, the speaker to produce the voice command to notify the user regrading tilting of the housing 101, the impact sensor to monitor impact experienced by the hydraulic lifts, the air compressor to inflate the linked inflatable member that absorbs the impact and the battery for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with the system.

[0047] 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 roof lifting system, comprising:

i) a housing 101 positioned over a ground surface by means of plurality of motorized omni-directional wheels 102 installed beneath said housing 101, wherein said wheels 102 actuated to provide translation to said housing 101 over said ground surface;
ii) a touch interactive display panel 103 installed over said housing 101 to enable a user to provide input regarding a height at which a wooden roof positioned over a wooden foundation present in proximity is to be lifted, wherein based on user-input a microcontroller linked with said display panel 103 actuates an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 104 installed over said housing 101 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing images of surroundings, based on which said microcontroller linked with said processor, determines positioning of said foundation in proximity and accordingly actuates said wheels 102 to position said housing 101 in proximity to said foundation;
iii) a laser measurement sensor installed over said housing 101 and synced with said imaging unit 104 to determine dimension of said roof and foundation, wherein based on said detected dimensions, said microcontroller evaluates number of hydraulic lifts to be installed between said roof and foundation;
iv) a pair of motorized extendable grippers 105 installed over said housing 101 each by means of an L-shaped hydraulic rod 106 that are actuated by said microcontroller to extend and position said grippers 105 in proximity to said roof, wherein plurality of hinge joints are installed with each of said grippers 105 that are actuated by said microcontroller to regulate shape of said grippers 105 in accordance with said detected dimensions to grip said roof from one side in a secured manner followed by re-actuation of said rod 106s to extend and lift said roof up-to a pre-defined height;
v) a chamber 201 arranged within said housing 101 and stored with plurality of said hydraulic lifts, wherein a primary robotic arm is installed over said housing 101 and commanded by said microcontroller to withdraw one of said hydraulic lift from said chamber 201 and align between said foundation and roof in a sequential manner in accordance with said evaluated number of hydraulic lifts;
vi) a container 202 arranged with said housing 101 and stored with multiple screws, wherein a secondary robotic arm is installed over said housing 101 and commanded by said microcontroller based on output of said imaging unit 104 to withdraw one of said screw from said container 202 and align with cavities crafted over said hydraulic lift in a sequential manner;
vii) a motorized screw driver 203 configured with said housing 101 by means of a robotic link that is actuated by said microcontroller to position said motorized screw driver 203 over said aligned screws in a sequential manner simultaneous to actuation of said motorized screw driver 203 to close said aligned screws in view of affixing said hydraulic lift(s) with said roof and foundation; and
viii) an ultrasonic sensor installed over each of said hydraulic lift that are actuated by said microcontroller to monitor distance of said foundation from said roof, wherein based on said detected distance, said microcontroller actuates said hydraulic lifts to extend in a coordinated manner to lift said roof in accordance with said user-specified height.

2) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hydraulic lifts are wirelessly connected with said microcontroller by means of a communication module.

3) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a tilt sensor is installed over said housing 101 to monitor tilt angle of said housing 101 and in case said monitored tilt angle exceeds a threshold value, said microcontroller actuates a speaker installed over said housing 101 to produce a voice command to notify said user regrading tilting of said housing 101.

4) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein an impact sensor is installed over each of said hydraulic lifts that are actuated by said microcontroller to monitor impact experienced by said hydraulic lifts and in case of detection of impact said microcontroller actuates an air compressor arranged with each of said hydraulic lifts to inflate a linked inflatable member that absorbs said impact.

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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