Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated sapling plantation device that is capable of efficiently and automatically planting saplings into the soil in view of reducing manual operation and providing the user an easy way of planting saplings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Generally, the process of plantation involves planting and growing new plants or trees in a specific area. This is usually achieved by manual operation where the person finds an accurate place to plant the saplings of different types of plant or trees. Then digs the soil and places the sapling along with providing water to the sapling after the completion of the process. However, this method of planting saplings is not reliable and results into some inefficient plantation of saplings also the method include manual operation that leads to certain injuries to the person performing plantation. Hence, a device needs to be developed that is capable of automatically planting the saplings into the soil while reducing physical efforts and he risk for injuries to the person performing plantation.

[0003] Conventionally, the process of plantation is done with the help of some machineries that includes harrows, tractors and cultivators. The harrows agitate the soil in preparation for plantation process. The cultivators on the other hand prepare a perfect seedbed for the plantation of different types of saplings. However, these machines do not provide a means for automated working and leads to the risk of injuries to the user.

[0004] CN205430955U discloses about an invention that includes a novel portable planting machine, including automobile body, wheel, handrail, operation board, pneumatic cylinder group, backup pad, reduction gear, motor, drill bit, car hopper, rotating basis, work arm, bracing piece, arm and tongs, the automobile body downside is provided with the wheel, and the left side is connected with the handrail, the handrail right side is provided with the operation board, and the operation board right side is provided with pneumatic cylinder group, pneumatic cylinder group upside is provided with the backup pad, and the backup pad upside is provided with the reduction gear, the reduction gear upside is provided with the motor, the backup pad downside is provided with the drill bit, pneumatic cylinder group right side is provided with the car hopper, the upper right side of automobile body is provided with the rotating basis, and rotating basis upside connection work arm, work arm left side downside is provided with the bracing piece, and upper left side is connected with the arm. Novel portable strong effect planting machine convenient to carry, easy operation has very strong flexibility, has practiced thrift a large amount of manpower and materials, the fine work burden that has alleviateed. CN’955 disclose about an invention that includes a novel portable planting machine, including automobile body. However, the above cited art lacks in providing a means for storing the different types of plants that reduces the efficiency of the device while the process of plantation.

[0005] CN106718649B discloses about an invention that includes an automatic tree planting machine, which comprises a base, a moving wheel, an excavating mechanism and a planting mechanism, wherein the excavating mechanism comprises a lifting component and an excavating component, the lifting component comprises a supporting rod, a first motor, a power shaft and a lifting block, the planting mechanism comprises a driving component and a planting component, the planting component comprises a planting mechanism, a cam and a plurality of throwing units, each throwing unit comprises a slide rail, a first spring, a boosting block and a clamping unit, each clamping unit comprises two clamping plates and a second spring, the novel automatic tree planting machine realizes the lifting of the lifting block through the first motor and the power shaft, pits are dug on the mud through a drill bit driven by the second motor, the automatic pit digging function of the tree planting machine is realized, the tree planting efficiency is improved, a plurality of tree seedlings can be carried by the planting mechanism, the planting mechanism is driven to rotate through the third motor, the boosting block is pushed through the cam, so that the throwing units can accurately throw the tree seedlings into the pits, the efficiency of tree planting is improved, the cost is reduced. CN’649 discloses about an invention that includes an automatic tree planting machine for making planting operation easy and efficient. However, the above cited art lacks in providing a means for watering the plants after the plantation process is completed required for efficient growth of the tree.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices have been developed that is capable of planting plant saplings in the ground surface. However, the above cited art gave some limitations pertaining to lacks in providing a means for watering the tree after the plantation process is completed required for efficient growth of the tree along with providing a means for storing the different types of plants that reduces the efficiency of the device while the process of plantation.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of planting plant saplings in an automated manner that also includes a means for storing different types of plants and watering plants after the completion of plantation process.

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 plating a sapling into the ground surface in an automated manner to reduce manual operation and providing an ease to the user while the whole operation.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of providing a means for accurately digging the soil from the ground surface so that the saplings can be planted efficiently.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of providing a means to water the sapling after the completion of the plantation process of saplings to provide the slings with efficient amount of moisture for facilitating the growth of the saplings.

[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 sapling plantation device that is capable of planting the saplings into the soil in an automated manner to eliminate the need of manual operation along with providing subsequent amount of water to the sapling after the plantation process is completed.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an automated sapling plantation device a body developed to be positioned on a ground surface, plurality of motorized wheels are arranged underneath the body to move the body over the surface, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit integrated in the body and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of the body, respectively to generate a 3-dimensional mapping of surroundings of the body, that is displayed on a touch interactive display panel installed on the body for enabling a user to select an area where a sapling is to be planted, a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor embedded in the body for determining distance of the selected area from the body, a circular frame arranged with sad body by means of a pair of telescopically operated rods that are actuated by an inbuilt microcontroller to extend/retract for positioning the frame over the selected area, plurality of flaps arranged on inner periphery of the frame by means of a motorized hinge joint that are actuated by the microcontroller to provide converging/diverging movement to the flaps for positioning the flap at an optimum angle with respect to the selected area.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of a hydraulic unit integrated in between the rods and frame that are actuated by the microcontroller to apply push force onto frame, for penetrating the flaps into the selected area, the microcontroller directs the hinge joint for moving the flaps upwards, in view of uplifting the selected area, in a manner that a cavity is formed at center portion of the uplifted area, a chamber installed on the body for storing multiple saplings of varying types, a robotic arm is installed on the body for acquiring a grip of a user-desired sapling from the chamber to positon the gripped sapling into the cavity, followed by retraction of the hydraulic unit to allow the cavity to close, thus planting the sapling in the selected area, an electronically controlled nozzle arranged with the body and configured with a container stored with water, for spraying the water over the planted sapling, to ensure optimal moisture required for efficient growth, as monitored by a moisture sensor embedded in the, a depth sensor is embedded in the flap for monitoring penetration depth of the flaps into the soil, based on which the microcontroller regulates actuation of the hydraulic units.

[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 sapling plantation 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 sapling plantation device that is capable of providing a means for planting saplings into the soil that leads to reduced manual operation and labor cost.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of an automated sapling plantation device is illustrated, comprising a body 101 having plurality of motorized wheels 102 are arranged underneath the body 101, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 103 integrated in the body 101, a touch interactive display panel 104 installed on the body 101, a circular frame 105 arranged with sad body 101 by means of a pair of telescopically operated rods 106, plurality of flaps 107 arranged on inner periphery of the frame 105 by means of a motorized hinge joint 108, a hydraulic unit 109 integrated in between the rods 106 and frame 105, a chamber 110 installed In the body 101, a robotic arm 111 is installed on the body 101, an electronically controlled nozzle 112 arranged with the body 101 and configured with a container 113.

[0023] The device herein includes a body 101 having plurality of motorized wheels 102 initially positioned on the ground surface by a user upon positioning the body 101 on the ground surface, the motorized wheels 102 provide movement to the body 101 as per the requirement of user The motorized wheels 102 are providing the body 101 a movement so that the user moves the body 101 in any desired direction for plantation of saplings. The motorized wheels 102 comprise of a central hub with a main wheel surrounded by smaller free-rolling rollers at the wheel’s axis that aids the body 101 to move smoothly in various directions, such as forward, backward, or sideways, as per the requirement of user for facilitating efficient plantation of saplings on the ground surface.

[0024] As soon as the body 101 is positioned on the ground surface, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 103 integrated in the body 101 captures multiple images of the ground surface and surroundings. The captured images are further processed by a processor paired with the imaging unit 103 by performing various type of image processing surrounding of the body 101. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 103 comprises of a lens, an image sensor and a processor. Light from the surrounding of the body 101 strikes on the lens which is detected by the image sensor. The image sensor converts the photons of the light into an electrical signal. The image sensor transmits the signal to a microcontroller that interprets the signal by performing pre-processing, feature extraction and classification. After processing he images of the surrounding the microcontroller generates a 3-dimensional mapping of the surrounding.

[0025] The mapping generated by the microcontroller is transmitted to a touch interactive display panel 104 installed on the surface of the body 101, the display panel 104 then displays the 3-D map to the user. The user interacts with the display panel 104 by selecting an area to provide an input command to the body 101 where the user desires to plant a respective sapling. The touch interactive display panel 104 generates, reflect and receive ultrasonic waves to detect the touch points of the user by the means of a transmitting transducers, receiving transducers, and reflectors. When the user touches the screen, an ultrasonic wave is generated that is absorbed by the transducer. The waves are converted into an electric signal to transmit the signals to the microcontroller. The microcontroller then localizes the touch made by the user and detects the area where the user is desiring to plant the saplings.

[0026] As per the located area by the user for planning saplings, the microcontroller actuates a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor embedded in the body 101 to detect and calculate the distance between the body 101 and area selected for plantation. The LiDAR sensor operates by emitting laser pulses towards the area selected by the user and measuring the time it takes for the pulses to reflect back from the selected area. By calculating the time delay, the microcontroller determines the precise distance between the body 101 and the user selected area.

[0027] In continuation to detecting the distance of selected area from the body 101, the wheels 102 actuate the body 101 to move towards the selected area, upon reaching the selected area the miroctroller actuates a circular frame 105 arranged with the body 101 by means of a pair of telescopically operated rods 106. The telescopically operated rods 106 are powered by a pneumatic unit including an air compressor, air cylinder, air valves and piston. The air compressor generates a high pressure air, which is directed through air valves to control the flow of air compressed into air cylinder, the air pressure acts on the pistons that allows the rods 106 to extend or retract. As the rods 106 extends or retracts, the circular frame 105 is positioned over the selected area.

[0028] On positioning the frame 105 over the selected area, the microcontroller directs plurality of flap arranged on inner periphery of the frame 105 by means of a motorized hinge joint 108 to position the flaps 107 with respect to the selected area at an optimum angle. The motorized hinge joint 108 provides a converging or diverging movement to the flaps 107 by the means of a motor. The motor includes a shaft wrapped in a coil of wire. When an electric current is passed through a conductor placed normally in the magnetic field, a force acts on the conductor thus initiating a fluctuation to produce a mechanical energy. The energy actuates the hinge joint 108 to move in a manner that the flaps 107 converge or diverge to position the flaps 107 at an optimum angle at the selected area.

[0029] Upon placing the flaps 107 with respect to the selected area, the microcontroller actuates a hydraulic unit 109 integrated in between the rods 106 and frame 105 for pushing the flaps 107 forcefully in view of inserting the flaps 107 into the respective area. The hydraulic unit 109 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 to provide a force to the flaps 107. The hydraulic pump is consisting of two main parts including a motor and a propeller.

[0030] 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. 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 comprises 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 tends to push out the piston from the cylinder which results in pushing the flaps 107 in a manner to insert them into the ground surface.

[0031] A depth sensor embedded in the flap monitors the penetration process of the flaps 107 into the soil and measures the depth of the penetration to generate a proper cavity into the soil. The depth sensor sends a short pulse of light into the soil and records the time the pulse took to reflect back from the soil. Based on the time taken by the pulse to get reflect, the microcontroller measures and monitors the penetration depth of the flap while inserting the flaps 107 into the soil.

[0032] On pushing the flaps 107 into the ground surface, the microcontroller directs the hinge joint 108 for moving in such a way that the flaps 107 uplifts from original position and thus allow the flap to move in an upward direction. This movement of the flaps 107 in upward direction creates a cavity on the ground surface at the center portion of the uplifted area.

[0033] As soon as the flaps 107 create a cavity on the selected area the microcontroller actuates a robotic arm 111 installed on the body 101 to extend in a direction towards a chamber 110 installed on the body 101 that is stored with multiple saplings of different types and grips the sapling as per the user desires and further positioning the sapling into the cavity created. The robotic arm 111 comprises of multiple joints and hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor is actuated when the high pressure hydraulic fluid is introduced into the cylinder of the hydraulic pump, the fluid pressure acts on the piston, resulting in pushing the piston in forward direction. The piston further pushes the robotic arm 111 in the forward direction towards the chamber 110 and grips the sapling from the chamber 110 as per the user’s requirement. After gripping the saplings from chamber 110 the robotic arm 111 places the sapling into the cavity created in proximity to the body 101 at the selected area. In continuation, the microcontroller directs the hydraulic unit 109 to retract and aid the cavity to close.

[0034] A container 113 stored with water is installed with an electronically controlled nozzle 112 that is actuated by the microcontroller to open and spray water over the planted sapling for efficient growth of the saplings. The electronic nozzle 112 converts the pressure energy of the water stored in the container 113 into kinetic energy. The electronically controlled nozzle 112 comprises a solenoid vale, a nozzle opening and a pump. The electronic motor actuates the opening of the solenoid valves that allows the pump to flow the pressurized water from the nozzle opening over the planted saplings.

[0035] To ensure an optimal moisture required for the growth of sapling is monitored by a moisture sensor embedded in the body 101. The moisture sensor detects the presence of moisture over the sapling and the soil by estimating the amount of water. The moisture sensor measures the water content by transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves generated by the electric current flow. The electromagnetic waves in the sensor propagates through the soil, ensuring that the higher the moisture content, slower the propagation speed. The waves are then reflected from the soil and received by the receiver. The reflected waves is further converted into electrical signals and transmitted to the microcontroller, the microcontroller interprets the signal and detects the presence of moisture at an exact amount necessary for the growth of saplings.

[0036] The device is controlled with the power supplied through the battery that provides electricity to all the electrical and electronic components configured with the device. The battery includes of an anode (negative charge) and a cathode (positive charge), the electrolyte which is Potassium hydroxide and Lithium hexafluorophosphate, the separator and the current collectors. To accept and transmit energy the battery is connected to an external circuit. Electrons move through the circuit, while ions move through the electrolyte synchronously thus generating providing energy to the device.

[0037] The proposed device works best in the following manner where the body 101 having multiple wheels 102 is providing the body 101 movement in user specified direction is initially positioned on the ground surface. The AI based imaging unit 103 then captures and processes multiple images of the surrounding to generate the 3-dimensional mapping and display the mapping over the touch interactive display panel 104 so that the user selects the area where the user desires to plant the sapling. The LiDAR sensor then determines the distance from the body 101 to the sleeved area and moves the body 101 towards the area, after which the circular frame 105 is positioned over the selected area by the means of the pair of telescopically operated rods 106. In continuation the flaps 107 are positioned at an optimum angle with respect to the selected area and the hydraulic unit 109 applies push force onto frame 105, for penetrating the flaps 107 into the selected area. The flaps 107 are then uplifted by the hinges joint in view of creating a cavity onto the soil. The robotic arm 111 finally grab the sapling from the chamber 110 and place the saplings in the cavity, thus planting the sapling in the selected area.

[0038] 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 sapling plantation device, comprising:

i) a body 101 developed to be positioned on a ground surface, wherein plurality of motorized wheels 102 are arranged underneath said body 101 to move said body 101 over said surface;
ii) an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 103 integrated in said body 101 and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of said body 101, respectively to generate a 3-dimensional mapping of surroundings of said body 101, that is displayed on a touch interactive display panel 104 installed on said body 101 for enabling a user to select an area where a sapling is to be planted;
iii) a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor embedded in said body 101 for determining distance of said selected area from said body 101, wherein a circular frame 105 arranged with sad body 101 by means of a pair of telescopically operated rods 106 that are actuated by an inbuilt microcontroller to extend/retract for positioning said frame 105 over said selected area;
iv) plurality of flaps 107 arranged on inner periphery of said frame 105 by means of a motorized hinge joint 108 that are actuated by said microcontroller to provide converging/diverging movement to said flaps 107 for positioning said flap at an optimum angle with respect to said selected area;
v) a hydraulic unit 109 integrated in between said rods 106 and frame 105 that are actuated by said microcontroller to apply push force onto frame 105, for penetrating said flaps 107 into said selected area, wherein said microcontroller directs said hinge joint 108 for moving said flaps 107 upwards, in view of uplifting said selected area, in a manner that a cavity is formed at center portion of said uplifted area; and
vi) a chamber 110 installed on said body 101 for storing multiple saplings of varying types, wherein a robotic arm 111 is installed on said body 101 for acquiring a grip of a user-desired sapling from said chamber 110 to positon said gripped sapling into said cavity, followed by retraction of said hydraulic unit 109 to allow said cavity to close, thus planting said sapling in said selected area.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an electronically controlled nozzle 112 arranged with said body 101 and configured with a container 113 stored with water, for spraying said water over said planted sapling, to ensure optimal moisture required for efficient growth, as monitored by a moisture sensor embedded in said.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a depth sensor is embedded in said flap for monitoring penetration depth of said flaps 107 into said soil, based on which said microcontroller regulates actuation of said hydraulic units 109.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is configured with said device for providing a continuous power supply to electronically powered components associated with said device.