Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated boundary sheet installation device that is capable of providing a means to lay and install a boundary sheet on a user-selected area in an automated manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Boundary sheet installation is a crucial process in construction and civil engineering designed to create a durable barrier between different materials or environments, ensuring structural integrity and preventing issues like moisture infiltration or soil erosion. Typically used in applications such as foundation walls, retaining walls, and under floors, boundary sheets—often made from materials like polyethylene, bituminous membranes, or reinforced rubber—are installed to provide a protective layer. The installation involves preparing the surface, aligning and securing the sheets, and ensuring seamless overlaps and joints to create a continuous barrier. This process helps in maintaining the longevity of structures by mitigating potential damage from external factors and enhancing overall stability.

[0003] Traditional methods for boundary sheet installation often involve manual application techniques such as hand-laying sheets and sealing seams with adhesives or heat. These methods can be labour-intensive and prone to inconsistencies, such as uneven application or incomplete sealing, which can compromise the effectiveness of the barrier. Common issues include difficulties in achieving uniform coverage, potential for adhesive failures, and the risk of damage during handling or installation. Additionally, environmental conditions like temperature and humidity can impact the performance of traditional materials and techniques, leading to potential long-term issues like leaks or reduced durability.

[0004] WO2007022571A1 discloses a fencing system and method of fencing installation enable ease of installation using interchangeable components. The system includes at least two posts and at least two perforated rail sections connected to the posts. A plurality of palings extend between the at least two perforated rail sections. Covering rail sections are assembled adjacent the perforated rail sections. Although WO’571 relates to a fencing system and method of fencing installation, however, the cited art lacks in detecting hardness of a user-selected area where a fence needs to be installed and providing a means to apply optimal amount of pressure on the area for installation of fence.

[0005] US11873654B1 discloses a fence installation apparatus that is operably coupled to a vehicle wherein the vehicle is traversed along a desired fence line while the fence apparatus is utilized to provide installation of a fence. The fence installation apparatus includes a drive assembly support frame having a rear support member and front support member. The rear support member and the front support member having operably coupled thereto a first drive member and a second drive member. The first drive member and second drive member are configured to drive fence posts into the ground. The fence installation apparatus further includes a first wire dispenser that is rotatably mounted in order to provide distribution of a wire during fence installation. A second wire dispenser is further included to dispense a second wire and further has a pole mount and pole member coupled thereto for distribution of fence accessories. Although US’654 relates to a fence installation apparatus, however, the cited art lacks in providing a means to prevent soil erosion due to installation of a fence on a ground surface.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices have been developed to install boundary sheets, however, the prior arts mentioned above have limitations pertaining to providing a means to prevent soil erosion due to installation of a fence on a ground surface and detecting hardness of a user-selected area where a fence needs to be installed and providing a means to apply optimal amount of pressure on the area for installation of fence.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of detecting hardness of a user-selected area on aground surface and accordingly applies an optimal amount of pressure to install a fence along with providing a means to prevent soil erosion due to the fence installation.

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 lay and install a boundary sheet on a user-selected area in an automated manner.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of detecting hardness of a user-selected area and accordingly adjust to evaluate an optimal amount of pressure to be applied on the user-selected area for installation of sheet in an automated manner.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of providing a means to align an erosion blanket with installed sheet for preventing soil erosion.

[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 boundary sheet installation device that is capable of measuring hardness of a user-selected area and automatically determines an optimal amount of pressure needed for sheet installation on the boundary as per user requirement.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an automated boundary sheet installation device, comprises of a housing positioned over a ground surface of a field, wherein plurality of motorized omnidirectional wheels arranged installed beneath the housing that actuates to provide translation to the housing over the surface, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit installed over the housing and integrated with a LiDAR sensor for capturing and processing images of the field, wherein based on the captured images, a microcontroller linked with the imaging unit evaluates a 3-Dimensional mapping of the field, a touch interactive display panel installed over the housing to display the evaluated 3-Dimensional mapping to enable the user to select an area over the filed over which a metallic sheet is to be installed along with a design in accordance to which the sheet is to be installed, wherein based on the user-selected area, the microcontroller actuates the wheels to position the housing over the user-selected area, a chamber stored with plurality of the sheets, arranged over the housing and accessed by a pair of robotic gripper to withdraw one of the sheet from the chamber and align over the user-selected area, wherein an telescopic rod is installed over front portion of the housing and commanded by the microcontroller to extend position a plate configured with the rod in contact with the aligned sheet, plurality of motorized hinge joints integrated in the plate that are commanded by the microcontroller to regulate shape of the plate in accordance with the user-specified design and support the aligned sheet from one side over the user-selected area.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of a robotic link installed over the housing and commanded by the microcontroller to position a curved flap configured with the link over other side of the user-selected area in order to apply pressure over the align sheet to regulate shape of the sheet in accordance with the user-selected design, wherein a upon regulating shape of the sheet, the microcontroller actuates an inverted L-shaped pusher installed over the housing to extend and retract in a reciprocatory manner to apply pressure over the sheet in order to insert the sheet within the user-selected area in order to installed the sheet, a container stored with plurality of screws is arranged over the housing and accessed by the grippers to withdraw the screws from the container in a sequential manner and insert within plurality of rings configured with the sheet, a motorized screwdriver configured with the housing by means of a robotic link that is commanded by the microcontroller to position the screwdriver over the inserted screws in a sequential manner simultaneous to actuation of the screwdriver to insert the screw within the user-selected area in order to attach the sheet with the user-selected area, a tactile sensor is installed over the plate to monitor hardness of the user selected area based on which the microcontroller evaluates appropriate amount of pressure to be applied over the sheet and accordingly commands the pusher to apply the evaluated pressure over the sheet, a motorized roller wrapped with an erosion blanket installed over the housing and actuated by the microcontroller upon installation of the sheet to rotate on axis to unwrap the erosion blanket that is gripped by the grippers to align the blanket along the sheet to prevent soil erosion 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 boundary sheet 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 boundary sheet installation device that is capable of installation of a boundary sheet on a field and providing a means to align an erosion blanket with the installed sheet to prevent soil erosion in an automated manner.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of an automated boundary sheet installation device is illustrated, comprising a housing 101 positioned over a ground surface of a field, plurality of motorized omnidirectional wheels 102 arranged installed beneath the housing 101, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 103 installed over the housing 101, a touch interactive display panel 104 installed over the housing 101, a chamber 105 stored with plurality of the sheets arranged over the housing 101, pair of robotic gripper 106 installed in the housing 101, a telescopic rod 107 installed over front portion of the housing 101, a plate 108 configured with the rod 107, plurality of motorized hinge joints 109 integrated in the plate 108, a robotic link 110 installed over the housing 101, a curved flap 111 configured with the link 110, an inverted L-shaped pusher 112 installed over the housing 101, a container 113 stored with plurality of screws arranged over the housing 101, a motorized screwdriver 114 configured with the housing 101 by means of a robotic link 115 and a motorized roller 116 wrapped with an erosion blanket installed over the housing 101.

[0023] The proposed device includes a housing 101 placed over a ground surface of a field. The housing 101 serves as the core structure and is made up of lightweight yet robust metals like aluminium or high-strength plastics. These materials provide structural integrity while keeping the device manageable in weight for ease of use and portability. The outer layer of the housing 101 is made from durable and washable materials which includes but not limited to fabric, leather, vinyl, or synthetic materials.

[0024] The housing 101 is configured with multiple omnidirectional wheels 102 positioned underneath the housing 101 commanded by an inbuilt microcontroller for translating the housing 101 over the surface. The microcontroller, mentioned herein, is preferably an Arduino microcontroller. The Arduino microcontroller used herein controls the overall functionality of the components linked to it. The Arduino microcontroller is an open-source programming platform. The multiple omnidirectional wheels 102 used herein ranges from (2 to 4 in numbers).

[0025] The omnidirectional wheels 102 comprises a wheel 102 coupled with a motor via a shaft, wherein upon receiving the command from the microcontroller by the motor for generating electric current, the motor starts to rotate in clockwise/ anti-clockwise direction as per requirement to translate the housing 101 over the surface. The housing 101 is mounted with an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 103 in sync with a LiDAR sensor to capture and process images of the field to evaluate a 3-Dimensional mapping of the field.

[0026] The imaging unit 103 comprises of an image capturing arrangement including a set of lenses that captures multiple images of the field and the captured images are stored within memory of the imaging unit 103 in form of an optical data. The imaging unit 103 also comprises of a processor that is integrated with artificial intelligence protocols, such that the processor processes the optical data and extracts the required data from the captured images. The extracted data is further converted into digital pulses and bits and are further transmitted to the microcontroller.

[0027] Synchronously, the LiDAR sensor sends out rapid laser pulses in a sweeping motion towards the field to evaluate the 3-Dimensional mapping of the field. These pulses travel through the air and interact with the field. When the laser pulses encounter the field, the laser bounces off from the surface. The LiDAR sensor precisely measures the time it takes for these laser pulses to travel to the field and back to the sensor and calculations is performed by the sensor based on the time interval between the sending signal and receiving echo to evaluate the 3-Dimensional mapping of the field.

[0028] The housing 101 is configured with a touch interactive display panel 104 for displaying the evaluated 3-Dimesnionsnal mapping for enabling user to select an area over the field where a metallic sheet is to be installed and design as per the sheet is to be installed. When the user accesses the touch interactive display panel 104 for displaying the evaluated 3-Dimesnionsnal mapping for enabling user to select an area over the field where a metallic sheet is to be installed and design as per the sheet is to be installed, then an internal circuitry of the display panel 104 senses those touches of the user and synchronically, the internal circuitry automatically converts the touch responses into electric signals and then transmits those signals to an microcontroller. The microcontroller further analyses the signals and the display panel 104 displays the evaluated 3-Dimesnionsnal mapping for enabling user to select an area over the field where a metallic sheet is to be installed and design as per the sheet is to be installed. Based on the displayed inputs, the microcontroller directs actuation of the wheels 102 for placing the housing 101 over the user-selected area.

[0029] The housing 101 is configured with a chamber 105 storing multiple sheets, wherein chamber 105 is made up of any material but not limited to plastic or metallic material alike. The microcontroller commands a set of robotic grippers 106 to withdraw a sheet from the chamber 105 and align over the user-selected area. The robotic grippers 106 typically consists of two opposing arms or fingers that mimic a human hand-gripping motion.

[0030] These arms are usually made of durable materials like metal or plastic to provide strength and flexibility while the sheet. The robotic gripper 106 design incorporates springs to withdraw a sheet from the chamber 105 and align over the user-selected area. The housing 101 is configured with a container 113 stored with multiple screws, wherein the microcontroller commands the gripper 106 to withdraw the screws from the container 113 and inserts within the multiple rings configured with the sheet. The screws and rings used herein ranges from (2 to 4 in numbers).

[0031] The housing 101 is installed with a motorized screwdriver 114 via a robotic link 110, wherein the microcontroller commands the robotic link 110 to place the screwdriver 114 over the inserted screws sequentially for insertion of the screws within the user-selected area to attach the sheet with the user-selected area. The motorized screwdriver 114 utilizes a direct current (DC) motor to rotate an associated screwdriver bit, enabling efficient screw-driving for fastening the screw. Integrated magnets within the tool attract and hold metal screws securely in place, preventing drops and easing installation, for insertion of the screws within the user-selected area to attach the sheet with the user-selected area.

[0032] The front portion of the housing 101 is configured with a telescopic rod 107 commanded by the microcontroller to extend for placing a plate 108 connected with the rod 107 in contact with the aligned sheet. The telescopic rod 107 is powered by a pneumatic unit. The pneumatic unit includes air valves and piston attached with the rod 107. The piston is coupled to the rod 107 penetrating the compressed air released from the compressor over the rod 107. The valves used herein, are air valves installed between the compressor and piston that upon actuation enables release of the compressed air through the piston to extend for placing the plate 108 contact with the aligned sheet.

[0033] The plate 108 is configured with multiple motorized hinge joints 109 commanded by the microcontroller for modulating shape of the plate 108 as per the user-specified design and support the aligned sheet from one side over the user-selected area. The multiple motorized hinge joints 109 used herein ranges from (2 to 4 in numbers). The motorized hinges joint used herein, are piece of metal that joins two sides or items together and allows it to be opened or closed by revolving along the longitudinal axis whose operation is governed by a DC motor for modulating shape of the plate 108 as per the user-specified design and support the aligned sheet from one side over the user-selected area.

[0034] The housing 101 is configured with a robotic link 110 commanded by the microcontroller for placing a curved flap 111 to apply pressure on the aligned sheet to regulate shape of the sheet as per the user-selected design. The robotic link 110 is made of several segments that are attached together by joints also referred to as axes. Each joint of the segments contains a step motor that rotates and allows the robotic link 110 to complete a specific motion of the link 110. Upon actuation of the robotic link 110 by the microcontroller, the motor drives the movement of the link 110 for placing the curved flap 111 to apply pressure on the aligned sheet to regulate shape of the sheet as per the user-selected design. Synchronously, the microcontroller commands an inverted L-shaped pusher 112 configured over the housing 101 to extend and retract in a reciprocate manner for applying pressure on the sheet to insert the sheet in the user-selected area for installation of the sheet.

[0035] The L-shaped pusher 112 is powered by the pneumatic unit. The pneumatic unit includes an air compressor, air cylinder, air valves and piston which works in collaboration to aid in extension and retraction of the pusher 112 in a reciprocate manner for applying pressure on the sheet to insert the sheet in the user-selected area for installation of the sheet. The plate 108 is embedded with a tactile sensor for monitoring hardness of the user-selected area.

[0036] The tactile sensor detects the hardness of the user-selected area by measuring the force of contact between the sensor and the user-selected area. The sensor is typically a small, flat component that is placed against the user-selected area and then pressed down. As the force of contact increases, the sensor measures the amount of pressure being applied and sends a signal to the microcontroller. The microcontroller then interprets the signal and determines the hardness of the user-selected area. Based on the detected hardness, the microcontroller evaluates an optimal amount of pressure to be applied over the sheet and based on the applied pressure, the microcontroller directs actuation of the pusher 112 for applying the evaluated pressure.

[0037] The housing 101 is configured with a motorized roller 116 wrapped with an erosion blanket and commanded by the microcontroller to rotate on axis for unwrapping the erosion blanket, wherein the blanket is gripped by the grippers 106 for aligning the blanket along the sheet, thereby preventing soil erosion. The erosion blanket is a protective cover, typically made of natural or synthetic materials, used to stabilize soil and prevent erosion. It helps control runoff, reduce soil loss, and promote vegetation growth by shielding the soil from water and wind while allowing seeds to germinate. The motorized roller 116 consists of a cylindrical member and a motor. The microcontroller actuates the motor to generate electrical current that drives the cylindrical member which further assists the rollers 116 to rotate on its axis for unwrapping the erosion blanket, wherein the blanket is gripped by the grippers 106 for aligning the blanket along the sheet, thereby preventing soil erosion.

[0038] Furthermore, a battery (not shown in fig.) is installed with the device to power all electrical and electronic component necessary for their operation. 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 function.

[0039] The proposed device works best in the following manner, the proposed device includes the housing 101 positioned over the ground surface of the field, wherein plurality of motorized omnidirectional wheels 102 arranged installed beneath the housing 101 that actuates to provide translation to the housing 101 over the surface, wherein the artificial intelligence based imaging unit 103 installed over the housing 101 and integrated with the LiDAR sensor for capturing and processing images of the field, wherein based on the captured images, the microcontroller linked with the imaging unit 103 evaluates the 3-Dimensional mapping of the field. The touch interactive display panel 104 installed over the housing 101 to display the evaluated 3-Dimensional mapping to enable the user to select the area over the filed over which the metallic sheet is to be installed along with the design in accordance to which the sheet is to be installed, wherein based on the user-selected area, the microcontroller actuates the wheels 102 to position the housing 101 over the user-selected area. The chamber 105 stored with plurality of the sheets, arranged over the housing 101 and accessed by the pair of robotic gripper 106 to withdraw one of the sheet from the chamber 105 and align over the user-selected area, wherein the telescopic rod 107 is installed over front portion of the housing 101 and commanded by the microcontroller to extend position the plate 108 configured with the rod 107 in contact with the aligned sheet. The container 113 stored with plurality of screws is arranged over the housing 101 and accessed by the grippers 106 to withdraw the screws from the container 113 in the sequential manner and insert within plurality of rings configured with the sheet.

[0040] In continuation, the motorized screwdriver 114 configured with the housing 101 by means of the robotic link 115 that is commanded by the microcontroller to position the screwdriver 114 over the inserted screws in the sequential manner simultaneous to actuation of the screwdriver 114 to insert the screw within the user-selected area in order to attach the sheet with the user-selected area. Plurality of motorized hinge joints 109 integrated in the plate 108 that are commanded by the microcontroller to regulate shape of the plate 108 in accordance with the user-specified design and support the aligned sheet from one side over the user-selected area. The robotic link 110 installed over the housing 101 and commanded by the microcontroller to position the curved flap 111 configured with the link 110 over other side of the user-selected area in order to apply pressure over the align sheet to regulate shape of the sheet in accordance with the user-selected design, wherein the upon regulating shape of the sheet, the microcontroller actuates the inverted L-shaped pusher 112 installed over the housing 101 to extend and retract in the reciprocatory manner to apply pressure over the sheet in order to insert the sheet within the user-selected area in order to installed the sheet. The tactile sensor is installed over the plate 108 to monitor hardness of the user selected area based on which the microcontroller evaluates appropriate amount of pressure to be applied over the sheet and accordingly commands the pusher 112 to apply the evaluated pressure over the sheet and the motorized roller 116 wrapped with the erosion blanket installed over the housing 101 and actuated by the microcontroller upon installation of the sheet to rotate on axis to unwrap the erosion blanket that is gripped by the grippers 106 to align the blanket along the sheet to prevent soil erosion.

[0041] 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 boundary sheet installation device, comprising:

i) a housing 101 positioned over a ground surface of a field, wherein plurality of motorized omnidirectional wheels 102 arranged installed beneath said housing 101 that actuates to provide translation to said housing 101 over said surface;
ii) an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 103 installed over said housing 101 and integrated with a LiDAR sensor for capturing and processing images of said field, wherein based on said captured images, a microcontroller linked with said imaging unit 103 evaluates a 3-Dimensional mapping of said field;
iii) a touch interactive display panel 104 installed over said housing 101 to display said evaluated 3-Dimensional mapping to enable said user to select an area over said filed over which a metallic sheet is to be installed along with a design in accordance to which said sheet is to be installed, wherein based on said user-selected area, said microcontroller actuates said wheels 102 to position said housing 101 over said user-selected area;
iv) a chamber 105 stored with plurality of said sheets, arranged over said housing 101 and accessed by a pair of robotic gripper 106 to withdraw one of said sheet from said chamber 105 and align over said user-selected area, wherein an telescopic rod 107 is installed over front portion of said housing 101 and commanded by said microcontroller to extend position a plate 108 configured with said rod 107 in contact with said aligned sheet;
v) plurality of motorized hinge joints 109 integrated in said plate 108 that are commanded by said microcontroller to regulate shape of said plate 108 in accordance with said user-specified design and support said aligned sheet from one side over said user-selected area; and
vi) a robotic link 110 installed over said housing 101 and commanded by said microcontroller to position a curved flap 111 configured with said link 110 over other side of said user-selected area in order to apply pressure over said align sheet to regulate shape of said sheet in accordance with said user-selected design, wherein a upon regulating shape of said sheet, said microcontroller actuates an inverted L-shaped pusher 112 installed over said housing 101 to extend and retract in a reciprocatory manner to apply pressure over said sheet in order to insert said sheet within said user-selected area in order to installed said sheet.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a container 113 stored with plurality of screws is arranged over said housing 101 and accessed by said grippers 106 to withdraw said screws from said container 113 in a sequential manner and insert within plurality of rings configured with said sheet.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a motorized screwdriver 114 configured with said housing 101 by means of a robotic link 115 that is commanded by said microcontroller to position said screwdriver 114 over said inserted screws in a sequential manner simultaneous to actuation of said screwdriver 114 to insert said screw within said user-selected area in order to attach said sheet with said user-selected area.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a tactile sensor is installed over said plate 108 to monitor hardness of said user selected area based on which said microcontroller evaluates appropriate amount of pressure to be applied over said sheet and accordingly commands said pusher 112 to apply said evaluated pressure over said sheet.

5) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a motorized roller 116 wrapped with an erosion blanket installed over said housing 101 and actuated by said microcontroller upon installation of said sheet to rotate on axis to unwrap said erosion blanket that is gripped by said grippers 106 to align said blanket along said sheet to prevent soil erosion.

6) 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.