AUTOMATED TILE INSTALLATION DEVICE

Abstract

An automated tile installation device comprises of a housing 1 positioned over a ground surface layered with multiple tiles, a touch interactive display panel 2 installed over the housing 1 to enable a user to provide input regrading shape in accordance to which the tiles are to be installed over the surface, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit installed over the housing 1 determines dimensions of the tiles and evaluates portions of the tiles that are to be cut for aligning the tiles in accordance with the user-specified shape, a pair of extendable robotic grippers 3 installed with the housing 1 to grip successively positioned tiles in a secured manner to restrict movement of the tiles, a motorized cutter installed over the housing 1 via a primary robotic link to cut the evaluated portions of the tiles to enable the grippers 3 to remove the cut portions.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated tile installation device that is capable of installing tiles over a ground surface in accordance with a user-specified shape, thereby handling the whole process with minimal human intervention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] During the construction process, the floor is often laid with tiles. These tiles are thin, flat pieces of durable material used to cover surfaces such as floors, walls, or countertops. They are typically made from materials like ceramic, porcelain, glass, stone, or metal. Tiles come in various shapes, sizes, colors, and textures, allowing for a wide range of design possibilities. They are commonly used in bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas of the home or commercial spaces due to their durability, ease of maintenance, and aesthetic appeal. Tiles may be installed individually or in patterns to create decorative effects, and they provide a practical and stylish solution for enhancing the appearance and functionality of interior and exterior spaces.

[0003] Traditionally, the tiles are usually installed manually by workers using different construction tools and adhesive materials like mortar. In the process of installing tiles, each time a tile is installed, it is necessary to move the tile back and forth for the next installation. During this process of moving back and forth, the tile installation efficiency becomes low, and makes the whole process labor intensive and time-consuming. Also some tiles are cut manually using tile cutter to fit in the user specified design and shape, which has chances of damaging of the tiles if it gets cut improperly.

[0004] CN208733941U discloses about an invention which includes an elastic clamping strip, it's both sides have open -ended " C " shape inner chamber respectively, tile strip forms to having open -ended " C " shape inner chamber, and the cover is established respectively in " C " shape inner chamber of elastic clamping strip both sides, the one end of two tile is overlapped respectively and is established in " C " shape inner chamber of tile strip. Wherein the intensity of elastic clamping strip is less than the intensity of tile strip, elastic clamping strip produce structural distortion when installation tile for the clamp force is applied to its relative both sides orientation tiles. The utility model discloses adaptability is extensive, prevent wind the leak protection effectual for the assembly of tile is all very simple and convenient with the dismantlement, especially to the widely different irregular tile of shape, the utility model discloses greatly reduced its the assembly degree of difficulty.

[0005] MY170735A discloses about an invention which includes a frame configured to define an area for mortar or tile fastener to be poured and tiles to be arranged. The tile installer further comprising a spreader having a blade configured to spread and level the mortar or tile fastener evenly, and a tile spacer having an inner side and an outer side configured to provide uniform spacing between two tiles, wherein the thickness of the tile spacer defines the distance between two tiles. When in use, a tile is fitted between the tile spacer with at least one side of the tile touches the inner side of the tile spacer and one side of a consequent tile touches the outer side of the tile spacer.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices have been developed that are capable of assisting a user in installing tiles. However, these devices are incapable of carrying out the whole installation process in an automated and effective manner, and fails in reducing manual efforts as well as consumption of time in the overall process. Additionally, these existing devices also lack in automatically monitoring and correcting alignment of the tiles over the surface in accordance with the user-specified shape.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of installing tiles over a ground surface in an automated and effective manner according to the user-specified shape. In addition, the developed device should also monitor and corrects alignment of the tiles over the surface in accordance with the user-specified shape, to properly install the tiles.

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 providing a means to install tiles over a ground surface in accordance with a user-specified shape, thereby handling the whole process in an automated manner.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of monitoring alignment of the tiles over the surface and in case the monitored alignment mismatches the user-specified shape, then accordingly correcting alignment of the tiles in accordance with the user-specified shape.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is 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 tile installation device that is capable of installing tiles over a ground surface in an automated manner according to the user-specified shape. Additionally, the proposed device also provides reliability to the user.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an automated tile installation device comprises of a housing positioned over a ground surface layered with multiple tiles, by means of plurality of motorized omnidirectional wheels that actuates to provide translation to the housing over the surface, a touch interactive display panel installed over the housing to enable a user to provide input regrading shape in accordance to which the tiles are to be installed over the surface, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit installed over the housing determines dimensions of the tiles and evaluates portions of the tiles that are to be cut for aligning the tiles in accordance with the user-specified shape, a pair of extendable robotic grippers installed with the housing to grip successively positioned tiles in a secured manner to restrict movement of the tiles, a motorized cutter installed over the housing via a primary robotic link to cut the evaluated portions of the tiles to enable the grippers to remove the cut portions and align the cut tiles as per the user-specified shape in a sequential manner, and a multi-sectioned container arranged over the platform and stored with water, sand and cement.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of a motorized iris lid is installed at bottom portion of each of the section to enable dispensing of a regulated amount of the water, sand and cement within a chamber arranged beneath the container, a motorized stirrer installed in the chamber to mix the water, sand and cement to produce a mortar mixture, an electronic nozzle linked with the chamber via a conduit and installed over the housing by means of a secondary robotic link to position the nozzle in between the surface and tile to dispense a regulated amount of the mixture to affix the tiles over the surface in accordance with the user-specified shape, a laser sensor is installed over the housing and synced with the imaging unit to monitor alignment of the tiles over the surface, the grippers correct alignment of the tiles in accordance with the user-specified shape, a tertiary robotic link installed over the housing to position a trowel configured with the tertiary link over the affixed tiles to level the tiles as monitored via a LiDAR sensor installed over the housing, and a battery is associated with the device for powering up electrical and 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 tile 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 tile installation device that is capable of installing tiles over a ground surface in an automated manner according to the user-specified shape. Additionally, the proposed device also monitors and automatically corrects alignment of the tiles over the surface in accordance with the user-specified shape.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of an automated tile installation device illustrated, comprising a housing 1 positioned over a ground surface, a touch interactive display panel 2 installed over the housing 1 and a pair of extendable robotic grippers 3 installed with the housing 1.

[0023] The device disclosed herein, comprises of a housing 1 positioned over a ground surface layered with multiple tiles, by means of plurality of motorized omnidirectional wheels that actuated by an inbuilt microcontroller to provide translation to the housing 1 over the surface. The wheels move independently on the surface without changing the orientation of the wheels. The rollers and smaller wheels 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.

[0024] Herein, a touch interactive display panel 2 installed over the housing 1 that is actuated by the microcontroller to enable a user to provide input regrading shape in accordance to which the tiles are to be installed over the surface. The touch interactive display panel 2 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. 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] Further, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit installed over the housing 1 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing images of the tiles, wherein based on the captured images, a microcontroller linked with the processor, determines dimensions of the tiles.

[0026] The artificial intelligence based imaging unit is constructed with a camera lens and a processor, wherein the camera lens is adapted to capture a series of images of the tiles. The processor carries out a sequence of image processing operations including pre-processing, feature extraction, and classification. The image captured by the imaging unit is real-time images of the tiles. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit transmits the captured image signal in the form of digital bits to the microcontroller.

[0027] The microcontroller upon receiving the image signals compares the received image signal with the pre-fed data stored in a database and constantly determines dimensions of the tiles and according evaluates portions of the tiles that are to be cut for aligning the tiles in accordance with the user-specified shape.

[0028] Simultaneously, a pair of extendable robotic grippers 3 installed with the housing 1 and actuated by the microcontroller to grip successively positioned tiles in a secured manner to restrict movement of the tiles, wherein upon gripping of the tiles, the microcontroller actuates a motorized cutter installed over the housing 1 via a primary robotic link to cut the evaluated portions of the tiles to enable the grippers 3 to remove the cut portions and align the cut tiles as per the user-specified shape in a sequential manner.

[0029] Therefore, a multi-sectioned container arranged over the platform and stored with water, sand and cement, wherein a motorized iris lid is installed at bottom portion of each of the section that is actuated by the microcontroller to enable dispensing of a regulated amount of the water, sand and cement within a chamber arranged beneath the container.

[0030] Further, a motorized stirrer installed in the chamber that is actuated by the microcontroller to mix the water, sand and cement to produce a mortar mixture, wherein upon aligning the cut tiles, the microcontroller actuates an electronic nozzle linked with the chamber via a conduit and installed over the housing 1 by means of a secondary robotic link to position the nozzle in between the surface and tile followed by actuation of the nozzle to dispense a regulated amount of the mixture to affix the tiles over the surface in accordance with the user-specified shape.

[0031] Herein, a laser sensor is installed over the housing 1 and synced with the imaging unit to monitor alignment of the tiles over the surface and in case the monitored alignment mismatches the user-specified shape, the microcontroller directs the grippers 3 to correct alignment of the tiles in accordance with the user-specified shape.

[0032] 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.

[0033] The present invention works well in following manner, where the proposed device comprises of the housing 1 positioned over the ground surface layered with multiple tiles, by means of plurality of motorized omnidirectional wheels that actuates to provide translation to the housing 1 over the surface, the touch interactive display panel 2 to enable the user to provide input regrading shape in accordance to which the tiles are to be installed over the surface, the artificial intelligence based imaging unit determines dimensions of the tiles and evaluates portions of the tiles that are to be cut for aligning the tiles in accordance with the user-specified shape, the pair of extendable robotic grippers 3 to grip successively positioned tiles in the secured manner to restrict movement of the tiles, the motorized cutter via the primary robotic link to cut the evaluated portions of the tiles to enable the grippers 3 to remove the cut portions and align the cut tiles as per the user-specified shape in the sequential manner, and the multi-sectioned container and stored with water, sand and cement. Further, the motorized iris lid is to enable dispensing of the regulated amount of the water, sand and cement within the chamber, the motorized stirrer to mix the water, sand and cement to produce the mortar mixture, the electronic nozzle via the conduit by means of the secondary robotic link to position the nozzle in between the surface and tile to dispense the regulated amount of the mixture to affix the tiles over the surface in accordance with the user-specified shape, the laser sensor to monitor alignment of the tiles over the surface, the grippers 3 correct alignment of the tiles in accordance with the user-specified shape, the tertiary robotic link to position the trowel configured with the tertiary link over the affixed tiles to level the tiles as monitored via the LiDAR sensor, and the battery for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with the device.

[0034] 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 tile installation device, comprising:

i) a housing 1 positioned over a ground surface layered with multiple tiles, by means of plurality of motorized omnidirectional wheels that actuates to provide translation to said housing 1 over said surface, wherein a touch interactive display panel 2 installed over said housing 1 to enable a user to provide input regrading shape in accordance to which said tiles are to be installed over said surface;
ii) an artificial intelligence based imaging unit installed over said housing 1 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing images of said tiles, wherein based on said captured images, a microcontroller linked with said processor, determines dimensions of said tiles and according evaluates portions of said tiles that are to be cut for aligning said tiles in accordance with said user-specified shape;
iii) a pair of extendable robotic grippers 3 installed with said housing 1 and actuated by said microcontroller to grip successively positioned tiles in a secured manner to restrict movement of said tiles, wherein upon gripping of said tiles, said microcontroller actuates a motorized cutter installed over said housing 1 via a primary robotic link to cut said evaluated portions of said tiles to enable said grippers 3 to remove said cut portions and align said cut tiles as per said user-specified shape in a sequential manner;
iv) a multi-sectioned container arranged over said platform and stored with water, sand and cement, wherein a motorized iris lid is installed at bottom portion of each of said section that is actuated by said microcontroller to enable dispensing of a regulated amount of said water, sand and cement within a chamber arranged beneath said container; and
v) a motorized stirrer installed in said chamber that is actuated by said microcontroller to mix said water, sand and cement to produce a mortar mixture, wherein upon aligning said cut tiles, said microcontroller actuates an electronic nozzle linked with said chamber via a conduit and installed over said housing 1 by means of a secondary robotic link to position said nozzle in between said surface and tile followed by actuation of said nozzle to dispense a regulated amount of said mixture to affix said tiles over said surface in accordance with said user-specified shape.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a laser sensor is installed over said housing 1 and synced with said imaging unit to monitor alignment of said tiles over said surface and in case said monitored alignment mismatches said user-specified shape, said microcontroller directs said grippers 3 to correct alignment of said tiles in accordance with said user-specified shape.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a tertiary robotic link installed over said housing 1 and actuated by said microcontroller to position a trowel configured with said tertiary link, over said affixed tiles to level said tiles as monitored via a LiDAR sensor installed over said housing 1.

4) 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.

Documents