SCREW OPENING AND CLOSING ASSISTIVE DEVICE

Abstract

A screw opening and closing assistive device, comprising an elongated body 1 having a cylindrical shaped hollow body 1 positioned over a screw inserted within a surface, that is to be opened or close, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 5 determines dimensions of head portion of screw, a proximity sensor determines distance of screw from member 3, plurality of hydraulic pins 6 retract accommodating head portion within member 3, an optical sensor monitors alignment of screw, two inverted L-shaped telescopic rods 7 position a suction cup 8 in contact with surface for affixing body 1 with surface thereafter rods 7 extend and retract in a manner to regulate alignment of pins 6 with screw, an electromagnet gets affixed with screw and a motorized ball and socket joint 9 rotate in a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction to open and close screw.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a screw opening and closing assistive device that is capable of being utilized for opening/closing a screw in an automated manner as per command given by user and also adjustable in accordance to the dimension of the screw head of the screw.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Screw opening and closing mechanisms are fundamental in various fields from construction to manufacturing and everyday household items. A screw operates by converting rotational motion into linear motion allowing it to fasten or unfasten objects by either tightening or loosening. The threading on a screw's shaft engages with corresponding threads in a nut or a pre-tapped hole creating a secure connection when rotated clockwise and disengaging when rotated counterclockwise. This simple yet effective mechanism enables precise control over the application of force making screws versatile for a wide range of tasks. From assembling furniture to securing components in machinery screws offer reliable fastening solutions.

[0003] Traditional methods of screw opening and closing rely primarily on manual tools such as screwdrivers and wrenches. With screwdrivers users apply rotational force to turn the screw either clockwise to tighten or counterclockwise to loosen, Wrenches provide additional leverage particularly useful for larger screws or when more torque is required. While these methods have been effective for centuries they come with several drawbacks. Firstly, manual operation is time consuming and physically demanding for repetitive tasks or in tight spaces where maneuverability is limited. Additionally, improper tools or technique lead to stripped screw heads making removal difficult and potentially damaging the screw or surrounding materials. So, there is need for such device that is capable of being utilized for opening/closing a screw in an automated manner as per command given by user and also adjustable in accordance to the dimension of the screw head of the screw.

[0004] CN102041802A discloses an open-close machine for hydraulic gates, in particular to a vertical screw open-close machine. The vertical screw open-close machine mainly comprises an engine, a variable transmission system, a lead screw, a nut, a base and a handle, wherein the upper end of the lead screw is fixedly connected with a transmission component. The vertical screw open-close machine is characterized in that the lead screw is arranged in the engine and is not protruded out from the engine; and the nut is provided with a mechanical device and is connected with a connecting component and a gate by mechanical facilities matched with the nut. The vertical screw open-close machine has the advantages that the problem that the lead screw is overlong is solved; the open-close machine is easy to manufacture, store, transport and install; and because components and parts of the open-close machine are arranged in a shell of the open-close machine, the open-close machine is easy to maintain, the equipment service life is prolonged, and the gate opening height is improved. The open-close machine provided by the invention concurrently has the operating characteristics of a winch open-close machine, is wide in application range, and completely can replace an expensive winch open-close machine on medium and small sized gates which are opened and closed infrequently, therefore, the open-close machine can be used for remarkably saving the hydraulic investment.

[0005] CN219527553U discloses an opening and closing devices, and discloses a novel screw type opening and closing device which comprises two supporting plates, the cross section of each supporting plate is in a C shape, the structures on the two supporting plates are the same and are arranged in a mirror image mode, and a gate is connected between the two supporting plates in a sliding mode. According to the novel screw type opening and closing device, when a second motor is started to enable the tail end of a protruding block to face a limiting groove, the protruding block does not make contact with the limiting groove, and the limiting groove is not in contact with the limiting groove; furthermore, when the gate moves up and down, the positioning frame cannot be driven to move up and down, the filtering plate can filter circulating water flow, algae and impurities in water are filtered out, an intercepting net does not need to be additionally arranged, manual operation is not needed for fixing and evacuating the intercepting net, convenience is achieved, and manpower is saved.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices are exist that are capable of opening/closing a screw. However, these devices fail in being utilized for opening/closing a screw in an automated manner and easy to use and provides comfort to user while operating. These devices do not adjustable in accordance to the dimension of the screw head of the screw.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of being utilized for opening/closing a screw in an automated manner and easy to use and provides comfort to user while operating. The device also adjustable in accordance to the dimension of the screw head of the screw.

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 being utilized for opening/closing a screw in an automated manner.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is easy to use and provides comfort to user while operating.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is reliable in nature and also adjustable in accordance to the dimension of the screw head of the screw.

[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 a screw opening and closing assistive device that is capable of being utilized for opening/closing a screw in an automated manner and easy to use and provides comfort to user while operating.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a screw opening and closing assistive device comprises a an elongated body having proximal and distal end, a T-shaped handle is attached with the proximal end that is gripped by the user to position a cylindrical shaped hollow member configured with the distal end over a screw inserted within a surface that is to be opened or close, a microphone installed over the body to receive voice command of a user regrading opening or closing of the screw, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit installed over the body determines dimensions of head portion of the screw, a proximity sensor installed over the member to monitor distance of the screw from the member, multiple hydraulic pins installed within the member to retract in accordance with the detected dimensions of head portion of the screw in view of accommodating the head portion within the member, an optical sensor installed over the member to monitor alignment of the screw.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed devices also comprises a pair of inverted L-shaped telescopic rods installed with the body to extend and position a suction cup configured with each of the rod in contact with the surface for affixing the body with the surface followed by reactivation of the rods to extend and retract in a manner to regulate alignment of the pins with the screw, an electromagnet installed with each end of the pins and actuated by the microcontroller to get energized in order to affix the screw with the pins, a motorized ball and socket joint installed between the member and body to rotate in a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction to open and close the screw, respectively, the handle is layered with a cushioned member to provide comfort to the user while gripping the handle, a force capacitive sensor installed with the pins to monitor pressure applied over the screw while opening/closing the screw based on which the microcontroller actuates the electromagnets to regulate magnetic intensity of the electromagnets to grip the screw in secured manner.

[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 a screw opening and closing assistive 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 a screw opening and closing assistive device that is capable of being utilized for opening/closing a screw in an automated manner as per command given by user and also adjustable in accordance to the dimension of the screw head of the screw.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of a screw opening and closing assistive device is illustrated, comprising an elongated body 1 having proximal and distal end, a T-shaped handle 2 is attached with the proximal end, a cylindrical shaped hollow member 3 configured with the distal end, a microphone 4 installed over the body 1, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 5 installed over the body 1, plurality of hydraulic pins 6 installed within the member 3, a pair of inverted L-shaped telescopic rods 7 installed with the body 1, a suction cup 8 configured with each of the rod 7, and a motorized ball and socket joint 9 installed between the member 3 and body 1.

[0023] The proposed device comprises of an elongated body 1 having proximal and distal end. At proximal end a T-shaped handle 2 is attached that is gripped by the user to position a cylindrical shaped hollow body 1 configured with the distal end over a screw inserted within a surface that is to be opened or close. The handle 2 is layered with a cushioned member 3 to provide comfort to the user while gripping the handle 2. Initially the user is required to access a microphone 4 installed over the body 1 to feed voice command of a user regrading opening or closing of the screw.

[0024] The microphone 4 works by converting sound waves into electrical signals. The microphone 4 is designed to detect variations in air pressure caused by user's voice in the surrounding and transform those pressure fluctuations into electrical signals that is further processed, stored, or transmitted to the microcontroller. Whenever, the user speaks, it creates a series of compressions and rarefactions in the surrounding medium, which constitute sound waves. The microphone 4 typically consists of a diaphragm, a magnet, and a coil. The diaphragm is a thin, flexible membrane that vibrates in response to the changes in air pressure caused by sound waves in the housing. When the diaphragm vibrates, it moves the coil relative to the magnet, inducing an electric current in the coil due to electromagnetic induction. As the coil moves within the magnetic field of the sensor, it generates a varying electrical voltage proportional to the diaphragm's motion. This voltage represents the electrical analog of the sound waves and is often referred to as the audio signal. The electrical signal is amplified and converted into an analog electrical signal which is processed by the microcontroller. After processing the microcontroller fetches the user's voice input.

[0025] After receiving the an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 5 installed over the body 1 and integrated with a laser sensor for capturing and processing images of the screw, based on which the microcontroller, determines dimensions of head portion of the screw. The imaging unit 5 comprises of a processor and a camera which on actuation capture the multiple image of the screw. The camera is comprised of a lens and a digital camera sensor, wherein the camera lens takes all the light rays rebounding around the screw 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 screw by performing various operations like pre-processing, feature extraction and classification which is transmitted to the processor.

[0026] 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 to determine dimensions of head portion of the screw. Further a proximity sensor is installed over the member 3 gets actuated by the microcontroller to monitor distance of the screw from the member 3. As soon as the monitored distance recedes a threshold value, the microcontroller actuates plurality of hydraulic pins 6 installed within the member 3 to retract in accordance with the detected dimensions of head portion of the screw for accommodating the head portion within the member 3.

[0027] The retraction of the pins 6 are powered by a hydraulic unit which includes a hydraulic pump, solenoid valve and hydraulic piston-cylinder. The hydraulic pump used herein extract the hydraulic oil from a reservoir and pressurized the fluid mechanically. The hydraulic pump is consist of two main parts including a motor and a propeller. The motor rotates the propeller which uses the energy from the motor drive to draw in hydraulic oil from the reservoir and compress to elevated pressure. The compressed hydraulic oil is then sent through a discharge tube into the cylinder across the solenoid valve.

[0028] As per the signal from the microcontroller, the solenoid valve opens and allows the entering of the pressurized oil in the cylinder. The solenoid valve comprise of a gate and a magnetic coil, which on energizing generates the magnetic force which tries to push the gate to open and allow the flow of oil in the jack The pressurized oil within the cylinder tend to pushes out the piston out from the cylinder which results in extension hydraulic pins 6. Similarly on evacuation of the compressed oil, the pins 6 retracts in accordance with the detected dimensions of head portion of the screw in view of accommodating the head portion within the member 3.

[0029] Further, an optical sensor installed over the member 3 gets actuated by the microcontroller to monitor alignment of the screw. In case of detection of misalignment of the pins 6, the microcontroller actuates a pair of inverted L-shaped telescopic rods 7 installed with the body 1 to extend and position a suction cup 8 configured with each of the rod in contact with the surface. The extension/retraction of rods 7 are powered by a pneumatic unit associated with the device and includes an air compressor, air valves, and a piston. The air compressor used herein extract the air from surrounding and increases the pressure of the air by reducing the volume of the air.

[0030] The air compressor is consist of two main parts including a motor and a pump. The motor powers the compressor pump which uses the energy from the motor drive to draw in atmospheric air and compress to elevated pressure. The compressed air is then sent through a discharge tube into the cylinder across the valve. The compressed air in the cylinder tends to pushes out the piston to extend which extends the rods 7 for positioning suction cup 8 for affixing the body 1 with the surface followed by reactivation of the rods 7 to extend and retract in a manner to regulate alignment of the pins 6 with the screw.

[0031] Thereafter the microcontroller energizes an electromagnet installed with each end of the pins 6 to affix the screw with the pins 6. The electromagnet consists of a conducting coil which on energizing generates the magnetic field around the coil and due to strong ferrous property of the chassis of the screw, the electromagnet gets adhered with the screw. Upon affixing of the screw, the microcontroller actuates a motorized ball and socket joint 9 installed between the member 3 and body 1 to rotate in a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction to open and close the screw, respectively.

[0032] The ball and socket joint 9 comprises of a cup-shaped cavity coupled to a ball-shaped head, and it is constructed in a manner that provide a wide range of motion, as well as the provide the movement in all directions and rotate about its central axis which is governed by a motor embedded in the cavity. On actuation the motor provides the rotational motion to the joint 9 to open and close the screw, respectively.

[0033] During the application of pressure over the screw, the microcontroller directs a force capacitive sensor installed with the pins 6 to monitor pressure applied over the screw while opening/closing the screw and accordingly the microcontroller actuates the electromagnets to regulate magnetic intensity of the electromagnets to grip the screw in secured manner. 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.

[0034] The present invention works well in the following manner where an elongated body 1 having proximal and distal end. At proximal end a T-shaped handle 2 is attached that is gripped by the user to position a cylindrical shaped hollow body 1 configured with the distal end over a screw inserted within a surface that is to be opened or close. Initially the user is required to access a microphone 4 installed over the body 1 to feed voice command of a user regrading opening or closing of the screw. After receiving the an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 5 installed over the body 1 and integrated with a laser sensor for capturing and processing images of the screw, based on which the microcontroller, determines dimensions of head portion of the screw. Further a proximity sensor is installed over the member 3 gets actuated by the microcontroller to monitor distance of the screw from the member 3. As soon as the monitored distance recedes a threshold value, the microcontroller actuates plurality of hydraulic pins 6 installed within the member 3 to retract in accordance with the detected dimensions of head portion of the screw for accommodating the head portion within the member 3. Further, an optical sensor installed over the member 3 gets actuated by the microcontroller to monitor alignment of the screw. In case of detection of misalignment of the pins 6, the microcontroller actuates a pair of inverted L-shaped telescopic rods 7 installed with the body 1 to extend and position a suction cup 8 configured with each of the rod in contact with the surface. Thereafter the microcontroller energizes an electromagnet installed with each end of the pins 6 to affix the screw with the pins 6. Upon affixing of the screw, the microcontroller actuates a motorized ball and socket joint 9 installed between the member 3 and body 1 to rotate in a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction to open and close the screw, respectively. During the application of pressure over the screw, the microcontroller directs a force capacitive sensor installed with the pins 6 to monitor pressure applied over the screw while opening/closing the screw and accordingly the microcontroller actuates the electromagnets to regulate magnetic intensity of the electromagnets to grip the screw in secured manner.

[0035] 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) A screw opening and closing assistive device, comprising:

i) an elongated body 1 having proximal and distal end, wherein a T-shaped handle 2 is attached with said proximal end that is gripped by said user to position a cylindrical shaped hollow member 3 configured with said distal end over a screw inserted within a surface, that is to be opened or close;
ii) a microphone 4 installed over said body 1 to receive voice command of a user regrading opening or closing of said screw, wherein based on said user input voice command, said microcontroller actuates an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 5 installed over said body 1 and integrated with a laser sensor for capturing and processing images of said screw, based on which said microcontroller, determines dimensions of head portion of said screw;
iii) a proximity sensor installed over said member 3 and synced with said imaging unit 5 to monitor distance of said screw from said member 3, wherein as soon as said monitored distance recedes a threshold value, said microcontroller actuates plurality of hydraulic pins 6 installed within said member 3 to retract in accordance with said detected dimensions of head portion of said screw in view of accommodating said head portion within said member 3;
iv) an optical sensor installed over said member 3 and synced with said imaging unit 5 to monitor alignment of said screw, wherein in case of detection of misalignment of said pins 6, said microcontroller actuates a pair of inverted L-shaped telescopic rods 7 installed with said body 1 to extend and position a suction cup 8 configured with each of said rod in contact with said surface for affixing said body 1 with said surface followed by reactivation of said rods 7 to extend and retract in a manner to regulate alignment of said pins 6 with said screw; and
v) an electromagnet installed with each end of said pins 6 and actuated by said microcontroller to get energized in order to affix said screw with said pins 6, wherein upon affixing of said screw, said microcontroller actuates a motorized ball and socket joint 9 installed between said member 3 and body 1 to rotate in a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction to open and close said screw, respectively.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handle 2 is layered with a cushioned member 3 to provide comfort to said user while gripping said handle 2.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a force capacitive sensor installed with said pins 6 to monitor pressure applied over said screw while opening/closing said screw based on which said microcontroller actuates said electromagnets to regulate magnetic intensity of said electromagnets to grip said screw in secured manner.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said telescopic rods 7 are linked to a pneumatic unit, including an air compressor, air cylinders, air valves and piston which works in collaboration to aid in extension and retraction of said rods 7.

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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