Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated black cotton soil compacting device for constructional purpose that is capable of providing a means to efficiently prepare and compact black cotton soil by analyzing soil properties, improving quality with stabilizing agents such as lime and husk, and uniformly compacting for enhanced structural stability.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Black cotton soil compaction plays a crucial role in enhancing its structural stability, load-bearing capacity, and suitability for construction and agricultural applications. Proper compaction minimizes void spaces, increases density, and improves resistance to moisture infiltration, addressing the soil's natural tendency to swell and shrink with changes in water content due to its high clay and montmorillonite composition. This process reduces the risk of foundation instability, cracking, and soil erosion, making it essential for durable infrastructure such as roads, buildings, and embankments. Compaction also improves the soil's shear strength, reduces permeability, and facilitates uniform load distribution, ensuring better support for structures. In agriculture, compacting black cotton soil helps create an even base for seedbeds, minimizes waterlogging, and ensures effective root anchorage.

[0003] Traditionally, the user uses tools for compacting black soil includes hand tampers, roller compactors, and vibrating plates. Hand tampers are simple manual tools used for small-scale tasks to compact soil by applying downward force, while roller compactors are heavy machines equipped with steel or pneumatic rollers that exert pressure over larger areas to achieve uniform compaction. Vibrating plates, often powered by engines, use vibration and weight to compact the soil effectively, especially in confined spaces. However, these traditional tools require significant physical effort or machinery, lack precision, and may not adequately address the unique characteristics of black cotton soil, such as its high shrink-swell potential.

[0004] CN208870020U discloses an utility model discloses a black cotton soil trades fills construction control system, including the mounting panel, the lower extreme equidistant four bracing pieces that are equipped with of mounting panel, the one end of mounting panel is fixed with the backup pad, the one end of backup pad is fixed with two fixed plates, is equipped with elevating gear between two fixed plates, elevating gear's one end is equipped with two loading boards, be equipped with first opening in the backup pad, the both ends of backup pad all are equipped with first spout, install first slider in the first spout, the one end of two first sliders is fixed with the install bin jointly, and the one end of two loading boards all runs through first opening and extends to one side of backup pad. The utility model provides a when changing the black cotton soil and filling out, the problem that every kind of material highly cannot control is changed and is filled out, can be better when changing highly controlling every kind of material, prevent because the high deviation that appears of material when changing and filling out, lead to later stage road to go wrong, facilitate the use.

[0005] US3737244A discloses a compactor more specifically a soil compacting device to expedite compaction of soil backfill in ditch work. The device consists of a wheel having a concave rim, adapted to be drawn by a towing vehicle in operative position in a ditch being backfilled. The compaction wheel is designed to have a vibratory action and includes mechanism for adjusting vibration frequencies and amplitudes to attain maximum density. For adjusting the vibrating action an adjustable eccentric is operatively associated with a revolving center shaft of the wheel.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices are disclosed in prior art that provides a way to compact black soil by primarily relying on repetitive force or vibration to compress soil and improve its stability but often lack in automation and fail to analyze the soil's specific properties, such as moisture content, pH levels, and the ratio of silt and sand, and also lacks in mixing of soil stabilizers like lime and husk with soil, resulting in inconsistent soil quality.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of compacting black soil as per soil properties such as moisture content, pH levels, and silt-sand ratios and automated dispensing of soil stabilizers like lime and husk for thorough mixing to ensure uniform compaction for seamless operation on construction sites.

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 compacting black cotton soil for constructional purposes by soil handling, monitoring soil properties, dispensing of stabilizing agents like lime and husk, ensuring precise compaction to provide enhanced soil quality.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of detecting characteristics such as moisture content, pH, and texture, for adjusting the soil composition by adding optimal amounts of lime and husk to achieve precision in compaction.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of minimizing human intervention by implementing automated soil collection, treatment, and compaction, thereby enhancing operational accuracy and reducing labor-intensive process.

[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 black cotton soil compacting device for constructional purpose that is capable of compacting black cotton soil while maintaining the required soil quality.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an automated black cotton soil compacting device for constructional purpose, comprises of a body developed to be positioned on a ground surface, multiple motorized wheels are arranged underneath the body for moving the body on the surface, a touch interactive display panel arranged on the body for providing input regarding a kind of construction structure to be built on an area of the surface, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit installed on the body and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of the body, respectively to detect the user-specified area on the surface, a pair of robotic arms installed on lateral sides of the body, each integrated with a bucket for accommodating an adequate portion of soil from the surface and transfer the accommodated portion of soil in a top open chamber mounted on the body in order to accommodate the soil in the body, a sensing module includes a pH sensor, tactile sensor, and moisture sensor integrated in the body for monitoring moisture content, pH and ratio of silt, sand in the soil, a pair of storage tanks are arranged on the body, each integrated with an electronically controlled nozzles to dispense the evaluated optimum amount of lime and husk stored in the tanks over the accommodated soil, multiple motorized stirrers integrated in the chamber to rotate for mixing the dispensed husk and lime with the soil, an extendable hammer installed on the body and integrated with a plate for thumping movement over the soil in view of compacting the soil, and a battery is associated with the device for supplying power to electrical and electronically operated components associated with the device.

[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 black cotton soil compacting device for constructional purpose.

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 black cotton soil compacting device for constructional purpose that is capable of efficiently collecting the black soil and identifying the soil properties for dispensing of stabilizing agents like lime and husk in the soil with precise compaction ensuring enhanced soil quality for constructional purposes.

[0021] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of an automated black cotton soil compacting device for constructional purpose is illustrated, comprising a body 101 having multiple motorized wheels 102 arranged underneath the body 101, a touch interactive display panel 103 arranged on the body 101, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 104 installed on the body 101, a pair of robotic arms 105 installed on lateral sides of the body 101, each integrated with a bucket 106, a top open chamber 107 mounted on the body 101, a pair of storage tanks 108 arranged on the body 101, each integrated with an electronically controlled nozzles 109, multiple motorized stirrers 110 integrated in the chamber 107, an extendable hammer 111 installed on the body 101 and integrated with a plate 112, and a sensing module 113 is integrated in the body 101.

[0022] The proposed device comprises of a body 101 made up of any material that includes but not limited to metallic material, alloy, alike and utilize to place on a ground surface layered with black cotton soil. The body 101 is encased with various components associated with the device arrange in sequential manner that aids in compacting black cotton soil for constructional purpose. Upon securing the body 101 over the surface, the user activates the device manually by pressing a switch button associated with the device and integrated with the body 101. The button mentioned herein is a type of a switch that is internally connected with the device via multiple circuits that upon pressing by the user, the circuits get closed and starts conducting electricity that tends to activate the device and vice versa. After activation of the device by the user, a microcontroller associated with the device generates commands to operate the device accordingly.

[0023] After activating of the device, the microcontroller activates a touch interactive display panel 103 assembled on the body 101 to give access to the user to give input commands regarding a kind of construction structure to be built on an area of the surface. The display panel 103 mentioned herein works by using LCD (liquid crystals) that are manipulated by electric currents to control the passage of light through the display unit. When an electric current is applied, the liquid crystals align in a way that either allows light to pass through or blocks it, creating the images and colors that is being visible in the LCD of the display panel 103 regarding the regarding the kind of construction structure to be built on an area of the surface that is further register as input and saved in database of the microcontroller to process the input given by the user.

[0024] Upon processing the input, the microcontroller directs an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 104 integrated with the body 101 to determine user-specified area on the surface. The imaging unit 104 mentioned herein comprises of comprises of a camera and processor that works in collaboration to capture and process the images of the surrounding of the body 101 to evaluate the user-specified area on the surface. The camera firstly captures multiple images of the surrounding, wherein the camera comprises of a body, electronic shutter, lens, lens aperture, image sensor, and imaging processor that works in sequential manner to capture images of the surrounding.

[0025] After capturing of the images by the camera, the shutter automatically opens due to which the reflected beam of light coming from the surrounding due to light is directed towards the lens aperture. After that the reflected light beam passes through the image sensor. The image sensor now analyzes the beam to retrieve signal from the beams which is further calibrate by the sensor to capture images of the surrounding in electronic signal. Upon capturing images, the imaging processor processes the electronic signal into digital image. When the image capturing is done, the processor associated with the imaging unit 104 processes the captured images by using a protocol of artificial intelligence to retrieve data from the captured image in the form of digital signal.

[0026] The detected data in the form of digital signal is then transmitted to the linked microcontroller based on which the microcontroller acquires the data to detect the user-specified area on the surface. Based on detecting the user-specified area on the surface, the microcontroller generates commands to actuate multiple motorized wheels 102 are arranged underneath the body 101 for moving the body 101 towards the user specified area. Each of the wheels 102 are coupled with a motor that is activated by the microcontroller to provide circular motion to the wheels 102 for moving the body 101 towards the user-specified area. After that, the microcontroller actuates a pair of robotic arms 105 synced with the imaging unit 104 installed on lateral sides of the body 101 for accommodating an adequate portion of soil from the surface in a bucket 106 equipped with each of arms 105 and transfer the accommodated portion of soil in a top open chamber 107 mounted on the body 101 in order to accommodate the soil in the body 101.

[0027] The robotic arm 105 mentioned herein comprises of shoulder, elbow and wrist. All these parts are configured with the microcontroller. The elbow is at the middle section of the arm 105 that allows the upper part of the arm 105 to move the lower section independently. Lastly, the wrist is at the tip of the upper arm 105 of the arm 105 and the bucket 106 attached to the end effector work as hand for accommodating the soil and transfer in the open top camber to accommodate the soil in the body 101 . Herein, a sensing module 113 synced with the imaging unit 104 is integrated in the body 101 for detecting moisture content, pH and ratio of silt, sand in the soil. The sensing module 113 includes a pH sensor, tactile sensor, and moisture sensor that works in collaboration to detect the moisture content, pH and ratio of silt, sand in the soil. The pH sensor works by measuring the hydrogen ion concentration in the soil sample to determine its acidity or alkalinity. The pH sensor consists of an electrode probe, typically made of glass, that generates a voltage based on the hydrogen ion activity in the soil. This voltage is compared against a reference electrode within the sensor, creating a potential difference that the sensing module 113 interprets to provide a pH reading of the soil. The pH sensor is linked to the microcontroller, enabling real-time data transmission for detecting the pH in the soil.

[0028] The tactile sensor mentioned herein works by utilizing pressure-sensitive elements to measure the soil's mechanical properties, such as texture and compaction. When the sensor comes into contact with the soil, the sensor detects variations in force and pressure distribution. These signals are converted into electrical outputs, which the sensing module 113 processes to determine the ratio of silt, sand, and clay present in the soil. The tactile sensor's real-time data transmission to the microcontroller ensures accurate analysis of soil composition. Also, the moisture sensor works by utilizing capacitive or resistive sensing principle to measure the water content in the soil.

[0029] The moisture sensor generates an electrical signal that varies based on the dielectric constant of the soil, which changes with its water content. A pair of electrodes embedded in the sensor measures the resistance or capacitance between them, where lower resistance or higher capacitance indicates higher moisture levels. The sensing module 113 processes these signals and transmits real-time data to the microcontroller to detect the moisture content in the soil. Based on detecting the moisture content, pH and ratio of silt, sand in the soil, the microcontroller evaluate an optimum amount of lime and husk required for maintaining a required standard of the soil for specific agricultural needs as per the kind of construction type input by user over the panel. For instance, if the pH sensor detects acidic soil with a pH below 5.5, then the microcontroller calculates the amount of lime needed to neutralize acidity, ensuring a pH balance ideal for crops such as wheat or corn.

[0030] Similarly, if the tactile sensor detects high sand content with low compaction, indicating poor water retention, then the microcontroller determines the amount of husk required to improve organic matter and moisture-holding capacity. For example, if sandy soil with a moisture content below 10% and a sand-to-clay ratio of 70:30 is detected, the microcontroller recommends adding 2 kg of husk and 500 g of lime per square meter to enhance soil texture and fertility. After the evaluation of the optimum amount of lime and husk, the microcontroller actuates an electronically controlled nozzle 109 integrated with each of a pair of storage tanks 108 are arranged on the body 101 to dispense the evaluated optimum amount of lime and husk stored in the tanks 108 over the accommodated soil.

[0031] The nozzle 109 mentioned herein includes solenoids, piezoelectric actuators, or motor-driven mechanisms that converts electrical signals into mechanical motion. The nozzle 109 is controlled by a control unit that sends electrical signals to the actuation mechanism. The control unit includes a pulse width modulation (PWM) or analog voltage control. The primary function of the nozzle 109 is to control the opening and closing of the nozzle’s orifice or aperture. Upon receiving the appropriate electrical signal by the actuation mechanism, it initiates the motion that opens or closes the nozzle 109. This action controls the flow of the lime and husk through the nozzle 109.

[0032] The nozzle 109 allows precise control over the flow rate and direction of the lime and husk. By modulating the actuation mechanism according to the desired parameters, the nozzle 109 is capable to regulate the flow and provide accurate dispensing of the lime and husk over the accommodated soil. After that the microcontroller actuates multiple motorized stirrers 110 integrated in the chamber 107 to rotate for mixing the dispensed husk and lime with the soil. The stirrer 110 works by utilizing a motor-driven mechanism connected to rotating blades or paddles. Upon receiving a command from the microcontroller, the motor activates and transfers rotational motion to the blades through a gear assembly or direct drive. The stirrer's blades are designed to churn and agitate the soil effectively, ensuring thorough mixing of the dispensed lime and husk with the accommodated soil.

[0033] Simultaneously, the microcontroller actuates a pneumatic unit integrated actuates an extendable hammer 111 installed on the body 101 and integrated with a plate 112 for thumping movement over the soil. The pneumatic unit comprises of an air compressor, air cylinder, air valves i.e. Inlet and outlet valve and piston that works in collaboration to aid extension and retraction of the hammer 111. The air compressor is coupled with a motor that gets activated by the microcontroller to compress the air from surroundings upon entering from the inlet valve to compressed and pumped out via the outlet valve. The air valve allows entry or exit of the compressed air from the compressor. Furthermore, the valve opens and the compressed air enters inside the cylinder thereby increasing the air pressure of the cylinder.

[0034] The piston is connected to the cylinder and due to the increase in the air pressure, the piston moves. And upon closing of the valve, the compressed air exit out from the cylinder thereby decreasing the air pressure of the cylinder. The increasing and decreasing of the air pressure from the cylinder aids in movement of the piston in a to and fro direction that turns in aiding for thumping movement over the soil in view of compacting the soil. After that the microcontroller directs the hammer 111 and plate 112 to dispense the compacted soil out of the body 101 in order to lay the soil on the surface.

[0035] Additionally, a solar panel is integrated at base of the body 101 to harness electric energy for operating the device via a battery (not shown in figure) is associated with the device to offer power to all electrical and electronic components necessary for their correct operation. The solar panel operates by converting sunlight into electrical energy through photovoltaic cells, which generate direct current (DC) electricity when exposed to sunlight. This electricity is either used immediately to power the device or stored in the battery for later use. The solar panel is connected to a charge controller to regulate the flow of energy, preventing overcharging and ensuring efficient energy utilization for supplying electricity to the battery. Wherein, the battery is linked to the microcontroller and provides (DC) Direct Current to the microcontroller. And then, based on the order of operations, the microcontroller sends that current to those specific electrical or electronic components so they effectively carry out their appropriate functions.

[0036] The present invention works best in following manner that includes the body 101 developed to be positioned on a ground surface having the motorized wheels 102 for moving the body 101 on the surface. Herein, the touch interactive display panel 103 is accessed by a user for providing input regarding a kind of construction structure to be built on an area of the surface based on that the artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 104 detects the user-specified area on the surface. After that the pair of robotic arms 105 each integrated with a bucket 106 that are actuated by the microcontroller in sync with the imaging unit 104 for accommodating an adequate portion of soil from the surface and transfer the accommodated portion of soil in a top open chamber 107 to accommodate the soil in the body 101. Herein, the sensing module 113 synced with the imaging unit 104 detects moisture content, pH and ratio of silt, sand in the soil, in accordance to which the microcontroller evaluate an optimum amount of lime and husk required for maintaining a required standard of the soil. Herein, the pair of storage tanks 108 are integrated with an electronically controlled nozzles 109 that are actuated by the microcontroller to dispense the evaluated optimum amount of lime and husk stored in the tanks 108 over the accommodated soil. After that the motorized stirrers 110 are actuated by the microcontrollers to rotate for mixing the dispensed husk and lime with the soil and post-balancing of the soil, microcontroller actuates the extendable hammer 111 integrated with the plate 112 for thumping movement over the soil in view of compacting the soil. After compacting of the soil, the microcontroller directs the hammer 111 and plate 112 to dispense the compacted soil out of the body 101 in order to lay the soil on the surface.

[0037] 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. , C , Claims:1) An automated black cotton soil compacting device for constructional purpose, comprising:
i) a body 101 developed to be positioned over a ground surface layered with black cotton soil, wherein plurality of motorized wheels 102 are arranged underneath said body 101 for moving said body 101 on said surface;
ii) a touch interactive display panel 103 arranged on said body 101 that is accessed by a user for providing input regarding a kind of construction structure to be built on an area of said surface, wherein an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 104 is installed on said body 101 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of said body 101, respectively to move said body to said user-specified area;
iii) a pair of robotic arms 105 installed on lateral sides of said body 101, each integrated with a bucket 106 that are actuated by an inbuilt microcontroller in sync with said imaging unit 104 for accommodating an adequate portion of soil from said surface and transfer said accommodated portion of soil in a top open chamber 107 mounted on said body 101 in order to accommodate said soil in said body 101 ;
iv) a sensing module 113 integrated in said body 101 and synced with said imaging unit 104 for monitoring moisture content, pH and ratio of silt, sand in said soil, in accordance to which said microcontroller evaluate an optimum amount of lime and husk required for maintaining a required standard of said soil as per the kind of construction type input by user over said panel, wherein a pair of storage tanks 108 are arranged on said body 101, each integrated with an electronically controlled nozzle 109 that are actuated by said microcontroller to dispense said evaluated optimum amount of lime and husk stored in said tanks 108 over said accommodated soil; and
v) plurality of motorized stirrers 110 integrated in said chamber 107 that are actuated by said microcontrollers to rotate for mixing said dispensed husk and lime with said soil, wherein post-balancing of soil, said microcontroller actuates an extendable hammer 111 installed on said body 101 and integrated with a plate 112 for thumping movement over said soil in view of compacting said soil.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensing module 113 includes a pH sensor, tactile sensor, and moisture sensor.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein post compacting of said soil, said microcontroller directs said hammer 111 and plate 112 to dispense said compacted soil out of said body 101 in order to lay said soil on said surface.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for supplying power to electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.