Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated concrete railing making device that is capable of providing a means for manufacturing various dimension and type of concrete railing, thereby reducing annual operations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Generally, making cement railing involve manual operation involving many steps that includes designing of the railing, keeping in mind about dimensions and style, preparing mould, making mixture that is necessary for making of railing, pouring mixtures into the mould and resting it so that it get settle properly. However, this type of making railing involves many limitations that pertains to, lack in accuracy of the mixture and pouring of mixture, this method includes manual operations that leads to damage of the product and injuries to the user. Hence a device needs to be developed that is capable of constructing railing in an automated manner for enhancing accuracy and reducing chances of injuries to the user.

[0003] Conventionally, railing making is done by the help of some machines that includes hand railing tube machine, linear iron tube making machine and aluminium railing machine. These machines include cutting work, marking of holes etc. that is done by manual operations. However, these machines result in inaccuracy during the making of railings, also it pertains risks of injuries to the user.

[0004] CN102069529A discloses about an invention that includes a mould for rails, in particular to a mould for stone-like or wood-like concrete rails suitable for decoration engineering of water conservancy watercourses, municipal bridges, landscape boardwalks, reservoir enclosures, houses, courtyards, flower beds and the like and a manufacturing method of the mould. The mould comprises a mould core and an external mould framework, wherein the mould core comprises a front mould and a rear mould which are provided with pouring holes; the front mould at least comprises two pillar front moulds and a breast board front mould; the breast board front mould is arranged between the two pillar front moulds; in a similar way, the rear mould at least comprises two pillar rear moulds and a breast board rear mould; the breast board rear mould is arranged between the two pillar rear moulds; after the front mould and the rear mould are assembled, the breast board mould cavities are communicated with the pillar mould cavities; the front mould and the rear mould are connected by stationary fixture through sealing; and the external mould framework is fixed on the external surface of the mould core by adhesion materials and/or bolts. The mould and the manufacturing method have the following advantages: simple production steps, energy saving, environmental protection, low cost, simple and reasonable structure, convenience in use, perfect and vivid effect, high strength, water resistance, weather resistance and the like. CN’529 discloses about an invention that includes a mould that is facilitating the making of concrete rail. However, the cited art lacks in providing a means for automatically making of concrete railings due to which the art increases the risk of injuries to the user and inaccuracy in the manufacturing of railings.

[0005] CN2447155Y discloses about an invention that includes a mold for producing cement railings, which has two mold shells that can be combined, a mold surface on the mold shell, a concave mold cavity and at least two sets of positioning devices on the mold surface, a gate connected to the mold cavity on the upper end wall of the mold shell, a plurality of spaced and transversely arranged reinforcing ribs on the inner surfaces of the two side walls of the mold shell, and a plurality of reinforcing blocks are respectively fixedly connected between the back of the mold surface and the inner surfaces of the adjacent two side walls or the reinforcing ribs. The mold of the utility model is light in weight, the mold surface is not easy to deform, and the service life is long. The mold shell is injection molded by rubber material, has high dimensional accuracy, good interchangeability, is not easy to concentrate stress during use, and is not afraid of collision. CN’155 discloses about an invention that includes a mold for producing cement railing. However, the cited art lacks in providing a means for the user to interact with the device in real time as per the requirement.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices have been developed for the making of railing. However, the above prior arts have some limitations that are pertaining to lacks in providing a means for automatically making of concrete railings due to which the art increases the risk of injuries to the user and inaccuracy in the manufacturing of railings, also lacks in providing a means for the user to interact with the device in real time as per the requirement.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of providing an automatic means for manufacturing concrete railing enhancing accuracy of manufacturing process, also the device is user friendly so that the user is able to interact with the device in real time.

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 manufacturing railing in an automated manner to reduce manual operation making it cost effective.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is able to automatically an optimum consistency of the cement mixture that allows for accurate and effective manufacturing of railing.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is reliable and user friendly.

[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 concrete railing making device that is capable in making railing in an automated manner by means of molding concrete mixture over pipes, thereby making the device cost effective.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an automated concrete railing making device comprising a platform developed to be positioned on a ground surface and configured with plurality of telescopically operated rods for providing support to the platform on the surface, a motorized Omni-directional wheel attached with each the rod for providing multi-directional movement to the platform on the surface, a touch interactive display panel installed on the platform that is accessed by a user to provide input command for making cement railing pillars along with specifying design of the pillar to be manufactured, a chamber positioned on the platform for storing plurality of mould rollers engraved with various design, an inbuilt microcontroller linked with the panel processes the command and actuates a pair of robotic gripper installed on the platform to grip one of the mould roller corresponding to the specified design, and engages into a pair of primary holding unit installed on the platform, based on dimension of the roller, a motorized slider arranged on the platform to provide movement to the primary holding units towards/away from each other, a first touch sensor is integrated in the primary holding units to detect engagement of the mould roller in the primary holding unit, a speaker installed on the platform to notify the user to engage a pipe in a pair of secondary holding unit installed adjacent to the primary holding units.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of a second touch sensor integrated in the secondary holding units to detect placement of the pipe in the holding unit and on detection of placement a motor coupled with the mould roller to rotate the mould roller, a container arranged on the platform to store mortar mixture, a robotic arm installed on the platform to apply mixture on the pipe via a scoop attached with the arm in a manner that when the mixture applied over the pipe, rolls in contact with the mould roller, results in replicating of design engraved on the mould roller, on the mixture, thereby making railing, plurality of balls integrated in inner side of the secondary holding units to ensure rotation of the pipe smoothly, in case an artificial intelligence based imaging unit which is mounted on the platform, detects successful replication of the design on the railing then the motor stop rotation and followed by actuation of the speaker to notify the user to remove the manufactured railing and expose under sunlight for curing, a weight sensor is integrated in the container to detect quantity of mixture remaining in the container and on detection of receding of the detected quantity beyond a threshold level, the speaker to notifies the user to fill more mixture, a moisture sensor is integrated in the container to detect moisture content in the mixture and if found to be inappropriate the speaker notifies the user to add water in the mixture, followed by actuation of a stirrer to mix the water with mixture to maintain an optimum consistency of the mixture.

[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 concrete railing making 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 concrete railing making device that is capable of providing a means for effective and accurate construction of concrete railing, reducing manual operations and labor cost.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of an automated concrete railing making device is illustrated, comprising a platform 101 configured with plurality of telescopically operated rods 102, a motorized Omni-directional wheel 103 attached with each rod, a touch interactive display panel 104 installed on the platform 101, a chamber 105 positioned on the platform 101, a pair of robotic grippers 106 installed on the platform 101, a pair of primary holding unit 107 installed on the platform 101, a pair of secondary holding unit 108 installed adjacent to the primary holding unit 107, a speaker 109 installed on the platform 101, a container 110 arranged on the platform 101, a robotic arm 111 installed on the platform 101, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 112 mounted on the platform 101.

[0023] The device herein includes a platform 101 having plurality of telescopically operated rods 102 providing structural support initially positioned on a ground surface. The telescopically operated rods 102 are powered by a pneumatic unit that includes 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, the pistons are arranged within the cylinders and move linearly in response to the applied air pressure that allows the telescopic extension and retraction of the rods 102.

[0024] A motorized omnidirectional wheel 103 is attached with each rods 102 for providing movement to the platform 101 in multi-direction on the ground surface. The omnidirectional wheel 103 provide the platform 101 to move in any directions that enhances the efficiency of the platform 101. The omnidirectional wheel 103 comprises of a central hub with a main wheel surrounded by smaller, free-rolling rollers at the wheel's axis. When the main wheel rotates, these rollers allow the omni-directional wheels 103 to move the platform 101 smoothly in various directions on the surface, such as forward, backward, or sideways, thereby allowing the platform 101 to move in multi-direction.

[0025] A touch interactive display panel 104 is installed on the platform 101 that is accessed by the user to input command for making cement railing pillars along with specifying design of the pillar to be manufactured. The touch interactive display panel 104 is a touch sensitive screen that allows user to interact with the device for providing input command. The touch interactive display panel 104 generates, reflect and receive ultrasonic waves to detect touch points by transmitting transducers, receiving transducers, and reflectors. When the user touches the screen, the ultrasonic waves are absorbed and the transducer localize the touch and transmits the signals to the microcontroller for processing. The platform 101 is further positioned with a chamber 105 that is stored with multiple moulds for making railing pillars.

[0026] Upon receiving and processing command from the display panel 104, the microcontroller that is pre-fed with necessary data, actuates a pair of robotic grippers 106 installed on the platform 101, to grips one of the mould from the chamber 105, as directed by the user and place the mould over a pair of primary holding unit 107 installed on platform 101. The robotic grippers 106 comprises multiple joints, a hydraulic motor and gripper at the end portion. When a high pressure hydraulic fluid is introduced into the motor’s chamber 105 from a hydraulic pump, the fluid pressure acts on the piston, resulting in rotatory motion. The mechanical motion generated is then utilized to power the robotic grippers 106. The robotic grippers 106 grips the mould as specified by the user and positions it over the primary holding unit 107.

[0027] After the gripper places the specified mould over the pair of primary holding unit 107, the holding unit engages the mould with itself by three jaws and three square slots present on the circumference of the holding unit. As the mould is positioned over the holding unit, the jaws move simultaneously and grips the mould tightly, this integration allows for secure holding of the mould.

[0028] In continuation to engaging the mould, based on the dimensions of the roller the microcontroller actuates a motorized slider arranged on the platform 101 to provide movement to the holding unit towards and away from each other that provides an accurate rotation of the roller. The motorized slider is actuated by the electric motor causing the movement of the holding unit. The motorized slider comprises of a linear rail that is a fixed component to provide a precise movement to the holding unit. As the liner rail is powered by the motor the rail moves along length-wise and positions itself according to the dimensions of the mould.

[0029] Upon engaging the mould with the primary holding unit 107, a first touch sensor integrated in the primary holding unit 107 detects the placement of the mould with the holding unit. The first touch sensor comprises of flexible top layer and a rigid bottom layer, both coated with conductive material. As the user engages the mould, the pressure is applied over the flexible layer, wherein the flexible layer touches with the rigid layer. This changes resistance of the conductive material upon which the microcontroller determines the touch location of the mould and detects the engaging of mould in the primary holding unit 107.

[0030] Based on determined engagement of the mould, the microcontroller actuates a speaker 109 installed on the platform 101 to notify the user for positioning a pipe in a pair of secondary holding unit 108 install adjacent with respect to the primary holding unit 107. The speaker 109 is an electroacoustic transducer that converts the electrical audio signals into corresponding a sound. The speaker 109 comprises of two magnets, a voice coil and the diaphragm.

[0031] The voice coil is a cylindrical coil of wire suspended between the poles of the speaker’s magnet. When the electric current is applied on the voice coil, it generates a magnetic field causing the back and forth movement of the voice coil, upon which the diaphragm moves. The diaphragm converts the electrical signals into the mechanical energy, thereby producing sound waves to notify user for the placing of pipe over the secondary holding unit 108. The secondary holding unit 108 works in the same manner as the primary holding unit 107 and engages the pipe over it.

[0032] Upon positioning the pipe over secondary holding unit 108, a second touch sensor integrated over the secondary holding unit 108 is actuated by the microcontroller to detect the placement of the pipe. The second touch sensor works in the same manner as the first touch sensor based on which the microcontroller detects the placement of the pipe. Based on the detection of the engagement of the pipe, a motor coupled with the mould roller facilitates the rotation of the roller. The motor upon receiving power supply from the battery creates a rotational motion through stator, rotor and shaft. This rotational motion aids the roller to rotate in a fixed direction.

[0033] In continuation to rolling of mould roller, the microcontroller actuates a robotic arm 111 installed on the platform 101 that applies a mortar mixture stored in a container 110 arranged on the platform 101 via a scoop attached with the robotic arm 111. The robotic arm 111 works in the similar manner as the robotic grippers 106 and moves the arm to collect mixture from the container 110 through scoop and applies the mixture over the pipe.

[0034] Synchronously with applying mixture over the pipe, the secondary holding unit 108 rotates via plurality of balls integrated in inner side of the holding unit to facilitate accurate rotation of the holding unit, in a manner that when the pipe applied with mixture, rotates corresponding to the rolling of mould roller, the design engraved on the mould roller replicates over the mixture. This facilitates in production of the railing.

[0035] The microcontroller actuates an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 112 to detect the successful replication of the design over the mixture. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 112 having a processor captures and processes multiple images of the pipe applied with mixture for processing. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 112 comprises of a lens, an image sensor and a processor. Light from the surrounding 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 is connected to the processor which further transmits the signal to the processor operation including pre-processing, feature extraction and classification, thereby detecting successful replication of the design on the mixture.

[0036] Based on the detection of successfully replication of design, the microcontroller directs the motor to stop rotation and notifies the user via the speaker 109 to take out the manufactured railing and expose it under the sunlight. By exposing the railing under sunlight, it helps the railing to dry faster so that it gets prepared for further implications.

[0037] A weight sensor is integrated in the container 110 to detect the amount of mixture remaining in the container 110. The weight sensor is a type of weight transducer that converts the input mechanical force of the mixture stored in the container 110into an electrical output signal that can be measured, converted and standardized. The weight sensor comprises of a diaphragm, a strain gauge and an electrical circuit. when the weight of mixture is applied on the sensor then the diaphragm deforms that is detected by a strain gauge. This deformation changes the applied force of mixture into an electrical signal that are transmitted to the microcontroller. In case the determined weight of the mixture recedes a threshold value then the microcontroller actuates the speaker 109 to notify the user regarding refilling the container 110 with mixture for aiding appropriate manufacturing of railings.

[0038] A moisture sensor is integrated in the container 110 to detect moisture content in the mixture. The moisture sensor detects the moisture content by estimating the amount of water in the mixture. The moisture sensor measures moisture content by transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves generated by the electric current flow. The electromagnetic waves in the sensor propagates through the mixture, and the higher the moisture content, slower the propagation speed. Changes in mixture moisture is inferred by measuring changes in the propagation time or phase of electromagnetic waves. These waves are converted into electrical signal that are transmitted to the microcontroller. The microcontroller interprets the signal and determines the amount of water content in the mixture.

[0039] In case the detected moisture is found to be unsuitable the microcontroller actuates the speaker 109 that notifies the user about the inappropriate moisture level and further suggest the user to add more water in the mixture. Upon pouring water into the mixture, the microcontroller actuates a stirrer that rotates in a fixed direction and mixes the mixture for making it consistent for use.

[0040] 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.

[0041] The proposed device works best in the following manner, where the platform 101 having plurality of telescopically operated rods 102 is providing structural support to the device initially, positioned on a ground surface. Upon positioning, the motorized Omni-directional wheel 103 provides multi-directional movement to the platform 101 on the surface. The user further provides input command for making cement railing pillars along with specifying design of the pillar that is to be manufactured via the touch interactive display panel 104, upon receiving command from the use the microcontroller actuates the robotic grippers 106 to grip mould stored in the chamber 105 and engage it with the pair of primary holding unit 107 after placing the mould the first touch sensor detects mould’s engaging with the holding unit and the microcontroller directs the speaker 109 to notify the user for engaging a pipe on the secondary holding unit 108 that is also detected by the second touch sensor. After placing of the pipe the robotic arm 111 collects mixture stored in a container 110 and applies it over the pipe while synchronously both the holding unit rotates the roller and the pipe respectively, this rotation allows for the replication of design on the mixture then the user is notified by the speaker 109 to remove pipe from the railing and put it under the sunlight for drying the manufactured railing.

[0042] 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 concrete railing making device, comprising:

i) a platform 101 developed to be positioned on a ground surface and configured with plurality of telescopically operated rods 102 for providing support to said platform 101 on said surface, wherein a motorized Omni-directional wheel 103 attached with each said rod for providing multi-directional movement to said platform 101 on said surface;

ii) a touch interactive display panel 104 installed on said platform 101 that is accessed by a user to provide input command for making cement railing pillars along with specifying design of said pillar to be manufactured, wherein a chamber 105 positioned on said platform 101 for storing plurality of mould rollers engraved with various design;

iii) an inbuilt microcontroller linked with said panel 104 processes said command and actuates a pair of robotic grippers 106 installed on said platform 101 to grip one of said mould roller corresponding to said specified design, and engages into a pair of primary holding unit 107 installed on said platform 101, wherein based on dimension of said roller, said microcontroller actuates a motorized slider arranged on said platform 101 to provide movement to said primary holding unit 107 towards/away from each other;

iv) a first touch sensor is integrated in said primary holding unit 107 to detect engagement of said mould roller in said primary holding unit 107, wherein on detection said microcontroller actuates a speaker 109 installed on said platform 101 to notify said user to engage a pipe in a pair of secondary holding unit 108 installed adjacent to said primary holding unit 107;

v) a second touch sensor integrated in said secondary holding unit 108 to detect placement of said pipe in said holding unit and on detection of placement said microcontroller actuates a motor coupled with said mould roller to rotate said mould roller, wherein a container 110 arranged on said platform 101 to store mortar mixture; and

vi) a robotic arm 111 installed on said platform 101 to apply mixture on said pipe via a scoop attached with said arm in a manner that when said mixture applied over said pipe, rolls in contact with said mould roller, results in replicating of design engraved on said mould roller, on said mixture, thereby making railing.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein plurality of balls integrated in inner side of said secondary holding unit 108 to ensure rotation of said pipe smoothly.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein in case said microcontroller via an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 112 which is mounted on said platform 101, detects successful replication of said design on said railing then said microcontroller directs said motor to stop rotation and followed by actuation of said speaker 109 to notify said user to remove said manufactured railing and expose under sunlight for curing.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a weight sensor is integrated in said container 110 to detect quantity of mixture remaining in said container 110 and on detection of receding of said detected quantity beyond a threshold level, said microcontroller actuates said speaker 109 to notify said user to fill more mixture.

5) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a moisture sensor is integrated in said container 110 to detect moisture content in said mixture and if found to be inappropriate said microcontroller actuates said speaker 109 to notify said user to add water in said mixture, followed by actuation of a stirrer to mix said water with mixture to maintain an optimum consistency of said mixture.

6) 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.