Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a hand-held pipe/ tube bending assistive device that is capable of detecting presence of a tube/pipe and accordingly grips the pipe to facilitate in bending of the pipe as per user requirement, thereby preventing manual intervention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Generally, pipes were used worldwide for transmitting fluids or gases from one point of location to another in an efficient manner. However, these pipes need to be bend, as bending pipes is essential for directing fluids or gases around obstacle, accommodating space constraints. Thereby, they use hydraulic pipe benders, as these are used to bend pipes efficiently. However, these are expensive and require more space compare to other bending tool. Therefore, an equipment needs to be developed that aids people in bending a pipe efficiently, without any human intervention, thus saves time as well as manual efforts of the person in the overall process.

[0003] Conventionally, some ways ere used by the workers for bending a pipe. They usually bend the pipes manually via using some handheld tools like pipe benders, as these tools are hand-operated tools with levers and provides an assistance to the worker while bending pipes. However, the tool has limited precision, and the bending angle might not always be consistent. They also use torch and jig in the workstations, as they apply the heat on the pipes via torch to soften and afterwards jig bends the pipe efficiently. But there is a risk of overheating as well as the above tool compromises with pipe integrity.

[0004] CN210754506U discloses about an invention that includes a steel pipe bending device is composed of a base, a workbench, a fixing plate, a distribution box, a control button, a telescopic air cylinder, a wheel disc, a rotating shaft, a bending block and a supporting plate, and the workbench is fixed to the middle of the base and connected through screws; the fixing plate is fixed to the right end of the workbench and connected with the base through screws. The distribution box is fixed at the rightmost end of the base; the control button is arranged above the distribution box; the telescopic cylinder is fixed above the fixed plate and is connected through screws; the two-wheel discs are fixed to the front end and the rear end of the workbench through rotating shafts correspondingly. The bending block is fixed to the left end of the telescopic air cylinder through welding connection. The supporting plate is fixed to the left end of the workbench and connected through welding. The bending angle of the steel pipe is adjusted by controlling the telescopic length of the telescopic air cylinder through the control button, and operation can be conducted more closely according to needs.

[0005] CN214919456U discloses about an invention that includes a bending device which comprises a bending machine, the top of the bending machine is fixedly connected with a connecting box, the left side and the right side of the inner wall of the connecting box are both fixedly connected with fixing plates, the inner sides of the fixing plates are fixedly connected with shaft sleeves, and inner cavities of the shaft sleeves are movably connected with screw rods through threads. The back end of the screw rod penetrates through the back end of the connecting box and is fixedly connected with an elbow, the front end of the screw rod penetrates through the front end of the connecting box and is fixedly sleeved with a hollow sleeve, a plug pin is arranged at the front end of the hollow sleeve, fixing blocks are fixedly connected to the four corners of the inner wall of the connecting box, and supporting rods are fixedly connected to the inner sides of the fixing blocks. The utility model solves the problem that the clamping piece is loosened in the bending process of the stainless steel pipe due to the fact that the existing bending machine equipment does not have the anti-seismic and stable effects, reduces the abrasion effect of machining, increases the working efficiency of the bending machine equipment, and also improves the practicability of the bending machine equipment.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices have been developed that are capable of aiding a user in bending pipe. However, these devices are incapable of detecting hardness of a pipe and fails to regulate optimum amount of heat over the pipe while bending of the pipe. Additionally, these existing devices also lack in providing optimum pressure over the pipe while carrying out bending of the pipe.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of providing a means for detecting hardness of a pipe and accordingly radiates optimum amount of heat over the pipe for facilitating in proper bending of the pipe. In addition, the developed device also provides an optimum pressure over for facilitating in bending of the pipe as per user requirement.

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 detecting presence of a tube/pipe and accordingly grips the pipe to facilitate in bending of the pipe as per user requirement, thereby preventing manual intervention.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of detecting hardness of a pipe and accordingly radiates optimum amount of heat over the pipe for facilitating in proper bending of the pipe.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of providing optimum pressure over for facilitating in bending of the pipe as per user requirement.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to a hand-held pipe/ tube bending assistive device that is capable of detecting dimensions of a pipe and accordingly provide a means to securely grip and accommodate the pipe for bending the pipe along the length of the pipe ad per user requirement.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a hand-held pipe/ tube bending assistive device, comprises of, an elongated body having a handle that is accessed by a user for acquiring a grip over the body, a free end of the body is arranged with a rectangular that is positioned by the user in proximity to a pipe that is to be bent, an ultrasonic sensor mounted on the body for detecting height of the user, a touch interactive display panel is arranged on the body that for allowing a user to input details regarding bending of a pipe, along with specifying the curvature at which the pipe/ tune is to be bent, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit configured on the body, to detect presence of a tube/ pipe in proximity to the body, a pair of robotic grippers configured on the body to extend for gripping the pipe/ tube and position the pipe/ tube over the plate, an laser measurement sensor configured on the plate for detecting dimensions of the pipe, plurality of motorized hinges configured on the plate to form a C-shaped channel, which in turn applies pressure over the accommodated pipe/ tube, resulting in bending of the pipe along length of the pipe, and a tactile sensor configured on the plate to detect hardness of the pipe.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of, plurality of Peltier units integrated within the plate to radiate an optimum amount of heat, which is imparted over the tube/ pipe, facilitating in easy bending of the pipe, without causing any damage to the pipe/ tube, a pair of inverted L-shaped telescopically operated links configured on lateral ends of the plate, to extend for positioning a suction unit attached with free-end of each of the links over the ground surface, to securely grip the surface, thereby stabilizing the body over the surface, and providing optimum pressure over the pipe/ tube for facilitating bending of the pipe with ease, an angle sensor is configured on the body to detect angle of bending of the pipe/ tube with respect to the plate, plurality of motorized pop-out balls configured on the plate to translate the pipe/ tube along the channel, thereby adjusting alignment of the pipe for facilitating bending of the pipe along user-specified curvature, 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 a hand-held pipe/ tube bending assistive device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to a hand-held pipe/ tube bending assistive device that is capable of detecting hardness of a pipe and accordingly imparts optimal amount of heat on the pipe for facilitating in bending of the pipe in an efficient manner.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of a hand-held pipe/ tube bending assistive device is illustrated, comprising an elongated body 101 having a handle 102, free end of the body 101 arranged with a rectangular plate 103, a touch interactive display panel 104 arranged on the body 101, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 105 configured on the body 101, a pair of robotic grippers 106 configured on the body 101, plurality of motorized hinges 107 configured on the plate 103, plurality of Peltier units 108 integrated within the plate 103, a pair of inverted L-shaped telescopically operated links 109 configured on lateral ends of the plate 103, a suction unit 110 attached with free-end of each of the links 109 and plurality of motorized pop-out balls 111 configured on the plate 103.

[0023] The proposed device includes an elongated body 101 having a handle 102 accessed by a user to securely acquire a grip over the body 101, wherein the handle 102 and the body 101 are made up of any material but not limited to plastic or metallic material alike. The free end of the body 101 is attached with a rectangular that is placed by the user in vicinity of a pipe that needs to be bent.

[0024] The body 101 is integrated with an ultrasonic sensor to detect height of the user. The ultrasonic sensor consists of an emitter and a receiver, wherein the emitter emits ultrasonic sound waves towards the staircase. Further, the radiation strike to the staircase and reflect back which are captured by the receiver. The signal is sent to an inbuilt microcontroller. The microcontroller processes the received signal from the ultrasonic sensors and on the basis of time lapse in between the sent and received radiations, the microcontroller processes the received data and determines the height of the user. The microcontroller, mentioned herein, is preferably an Arduino microcontroller. The Arduino microcontroller used herein controls the overall functionality of the components linked to it.

[0025] On the basis of the determined height of the user, the microcontroller commands the body 101 to place the handle 102 at a required height, wherein the handle 102 is accessed by the user during bending of the pipe. The body 101 is installed with a touch interactive display panel 104 commanded by the microcontroller to process input commands related to bending of the pipe and specifying the curvature at which the pipe/tube is to be bent.

[0026] When the user accesses the touch interactive display panel 104 to provide input specifications regarding bending of the pipe and specifying the curvature at which the pipe/tube is to be bent, 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 inbuilt microcontroller. The microcontroller further analyses the signals and the display panel 104 enable the user to provide input regarding bending of the pipe and specifying the curvature at which the pipe/tube is to be bent. Synchronously, the microcontroller commands an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 105 configured with the body 101 and paired with a processor to capture and process images of surroundings to detect presence of a tube/pipe in vicinity of the body 101.

[0027] The imaging unit 105 comprises of an image capturing arrangement including a set of lenses that captures multiple images of the surroundings and the captured images are stored within memory of the imaging unit 105 in form of an optical data. The imaging unit 105 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. The microcontroller processes the received data and the microcontroller based on the processed images for determining presence of the tube/pipe in vicinity to the body 101. Based on the detected presence of the tube/pipe, the microcontroller commands a set of robotic grippers 106 arranged on the body 101 to extend for securely gripping the pipe/tube and place the pipe/tube over the plate 103.

[0028] The robotic gripper 106 typically consists of two opposing arms or fingers that mimic a human hand-gripping motion. These arms are usually made of durable materials like metal or plastic to provide strength and flexibility while gripping any commodity. The robotic gripper 106 design incorporates springs for extending to securely grip the pipe/tube and placing the pipe/tube over the plate 103. The plate 103 in integrated with a laser measurement sensor to detect dimensions of the pipe. The laser measurement sensor emits an array of focused and narrow beam toward the pipe. When the laser beam strikes the pipe it gets reflected back towards the sensor. The receiver of the laser sensor captures the reflected light and employs a time-of-flight measurement principle for determining dimensions of the pipe. Simultaneously, the microcontroller commands multiple motorized hinges 107 configured with the plate 103 to form a C-shaped channel to apply pressure over the accommodated pipe/tube to bend the pipe along the length of the pipe. The multiple motorized hinges 107 used herein ranges from (2 to 4).

[0029] The motorized hinges 107 comprises of a pair of leaf that is screwed with the surfaces of plate 103. The leaf are connected with each other by means of a cylindrical member integrated with a shaft coupled with a DC (Direct Current) motor to apply pressure over the accommodated pipe/tube to bend the pipe along the length of the pipe. The plate 103 is integrated with a tactile sensor for detecting hardness of the pipe. The tactile sensor detects the hardness of the pipe by measuring the force of contact between the sensor and the pipe. The sensor is typically a small, flat component that is placed against pipe and then pressed down during. 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 pipe. As per the detected hardness, the microcontroller commands multiple Peltier units 108 installed on the plate 103 for radiating optimal amount of heat imparted over the tube/pipe. The multiple Peltier units 108 used herein ranges from (2 to 4).

[0030] The Peltier units 108 consists of two semiconductor plates, known as Peltier plates, connected in series and sandwiched between two ceramic plates. When an electric current is applied to the Peltier units 108, one side of the module absorbs heat from its surroundings, while the other side releases heat for radiating optimal amount of heat imparted over the tube/pipe resulting in proper bending of the pipe without causing any damage to the pipe/tube. The lateral ends of the plate 103 are attached with a pair of inverted L-shaped telescopically operated links 109. During the bending of the pipe/tube, the microcontroller commands the links 109 to extend for placing a suction unit 110 connected with free ends of the links 109 on the ground surface.

[0031] The inverted L-shaped telescopically operated links 109 is powered by a pneumatic unit. The pneumatic unit includes air valves and piston attached with the links 109. The piston is coupled to the links 109 penetrating the compressed air released from the compressor over the links 109. 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 suction unit 110 connected on the ground surface. Synchronously, the microcontroller commands the suction unit 110 to securely grip the surface for stabilizing the body 101 over the surface and providing optimum pressure on the pipe/tube for proper bending of the pipe.

[0032] The suction unit 110 is connected to a vacuum pump which creates the negative pressure within the suction unit 110. The vacuum pump comprises of an impeller configured with multiple vanes and which is directly coupled with the shaft of a motor to rotate the impeller. Further, the motor is capable of converting current into mechanical work by following the principle of Lorentz Law which states that,
the current carrying conduction when placed in magnetic or electrical field
experiences a force known as Lorentz force. Such that the motor converts the
electrical current derived from an external source into a mechanical torque for
providing the required rotational power to the impeller. The impeller vanes are
designed in such a way that on rotation the impeller creates the negative
pressure in the units and that results in securely gripping the surface for stabilizing the body 101 over the surface and providing optimum pressure on the pipe/tube for proper bending of the pipe.

[0033] Based on the detected hardness of the pipe, the microcontroller evaluates an optimal amount of pressure required to be applied over the pipe/tube during the bending process and as per the evaluated pressure, the microcontroller re actuates the hinges 107 and the links 109 for bending the pipe with optimal amount of pressure.

[0034] The body 101 is integrated with an angle sensor for detecting angle of the bending of the pipe with respect to the plate 103. The angle sensor used herein is preferably an optical angle sensor that use light beams and optical detectors to measure changes in light reflection or transmission for monitoring angle of the bending of the pipe with respect to the plate 103. As the angle changes, the amount of light reflected or transmitted varies, allowing the sensor to calculate the angle. The angle sensor provides an output signal to the microcontroller that monitors angle of the bending of the pipe/tube with respect to the plate 103. In case, the angle mismatches with the user-specified curvature of bending, the microcontroller commands multiple motorized pop-out balls 111 arranged on the plate 103 for translating the pipe/tube along a channel for adjusting alignment of the pipe and assisting in proper bending of the pipe as per user-specified curvature. The multiple motorized pop-out balls 111 used herein ranges from (2 to 4).

[0035] The motorized pop-out balls 111 consists of a pair of motorized balls 111 incorporated to shaft of a motor that provides translational motion to the pipe/tube over the channel. The microcontroller herein coordinates these motorized balls 111 to rotate independently causing them to roll on the pipe/tube as the motor rotates in coordination the combined effect propels the pipe/tube along the channel.

[0036] Furthermore, the 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.

[0037] The proposed device works best in the following manner, the proposed device includes the elongated body 101 having the handle 102 that is accessed by the user for acquiring the grip over the body 101, wherein the free end of the body 101 is arranged with the rectangular that is positioned by the user in proximity to the pipe that is to be bent. The ultrasonic sensor mounted on the body 101 for detecting height of the user, based on the detected height, an inbuilt microcontroller actuates the body 101 for extending to position the handle 102 at an optimum height that is further accessed by the user while bending the pipe, wherein the touch interactive display panel 104 is arranged on the body 101 that for allowing the user to input details regarding bending of the pipe, along with specifying the curvature at which the pipe/ tune is to be bent. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 105 configured on the body 101 and paired with the processor for capturing and processing multiple images of surroundings, respectively, to detect presence of the tube/ pipe in proximity to the body 101, wherein based on which the microcontroller actuates the pair of robotic grippers 106 configured on the body 101 to extend for gripping the pipe/ tube and position the pipe/ tube over the plate 103. The laser measurement sensor configured on the plate 103 for detecting dimensions of the pipe, wherein based on the detected dimensions and user-specified details, the microcontroller actuated plurality of motorized hinges 107 configured on the plate 103 to form the C-shaped channel, which in turn applies pressure over the accommodated pipe/ tube, resulting in bending of the pipe along length of the pipe. The tactile sensor configured on the plate 103 to detect hardness of the pipe, wherein based on which the microcontrollers actuates plurality of Peltier units 108 integrated within the plate 103 to radiate an optimum amount of heat, which is imparted over the tube/ pipe, facilitating in easy bending of the pipe, without causing any damage to the pipe/ tube and the pair of inverted L-shaped telescopically operated links 109 configured on lateral ends of the plate 103, wherein during bending of the pipe/ tube, the microcontroller actuates the links 109 to extend for positioning the suction unit 110 attached with free-end of each of the links 109 over the ground surface, followed by actuation of the suction unit 110 to securely grip the surface, thereby stabilizing the body 101 over the surface, and providing optimum pressure over the pipe/ tube for facilitating bending of the pipe with ease. Based on detected hardness of the pipe/ tube, the microcontroller determines amount of pressure that is to be applied over the pipe/ tube during bending of the pipe, and based on the determined pressure, the microcontroller operation of the hinges 107 and links 109 for bending the pipe with optimum amount of pressure. The angle sensor is configured on the body 101 to detect angle of bending of the pipe/ tube with respect to the plate 103, and in case the detected angle mismatches with user-specified curvature of bending, the microcontroller actuates plurality of motorized pop-out balls 111 configured on the plate 103 to translate the pipe/ tube along the channel, thereby adjusting alignment of the pipe for facilitating bending of the pipe along user-specified curvature.

[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 individuals skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , C , Claims:1) A hand-held pipe/ tube bending assistive device, comprising:

i) an elongated body 101 having a handle 102 that is accessed by a user for acquiring a grip over said body 101, wherein a free end of said body 101 is arranged with a rectangular plate 103 that is positioned by said user in proximity to a pipe that is to be bent;
ii) an ultrasonic sensor mounted on said body 101 for detecting height of said user, based on said detected height, an inbuilt microcontroller actuates said body 101 for extending to position said handle 102 at an optimum height that is further accessed by said user while bending said pipe, wherein a touch interactive display panel 104 is arranged on said body 101 that for allowing a user to input details regarding bending of a pipe, along with specifying the curvature at which said pipe/ tune is to be bent;
iii) an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 105 configured on said body 101 and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images of surroundings, respectively, to detect presence of a tube/ pipe in proximity to said body 101, wherein based on which said microcontroller actuates a pair of robotic grippers 106 configured on said body 101 to extend for gripping said pipe/ tube and position said pipe/ tube over said plate 103;
iv) an laser measurement sensor configured on said plate 103 for detecting dimensions of said pipe, wherein based on said detected dimensions and user-specified details, said microcontroller actuated plurality of motorized hinges 107 configured on said plate 103 to form a C-shaped channel, which in turn applies pressure over said accommodated pipe/ tube, resulting in bending of said pipe along length of said pipe;
v) a tactile sensor configured on said plate 103 to detect hardness of said pipe, wherein based on which said microcontrollers actuates plurality of Peltier units 108 integrated within said plate 103 to radiate an optimum amount of heat, which is imparted over said tube/ pipe, facilitating in easy bending of said pipe, without causing any damage to said pipe/ tube; and
vi) a pair of inverted L-shaped telescopically operated links 109 configured on lateral ends of said plate 103, wherein during bending of said pipe/ tube, said microcontroller actuates said links 109 to extend for positioning a suction unit 110 attached with free-end of each of said links 109 over said ground surface, followed by actuation of said suction unit 110 to securely grip said surface, thereby stabilizing said body 101 over said surface, and providing optimum pressure over said pipe/ tube for facilitating bending of said pipe with ease.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an angle sensor is configured on said body 101 to detect angle of bending of said pipe/ tube with respect to said plate 103, and in case said detected angle mismatches with user-specified curvature of bending, said microcontroller actuates plurality of motorized pop-out balls 111 configured on said plate 103 to translate said pipe/ tube along said channel, thereby adjusting alignment of said pipe for facilitating bending of said pipe along user-specified curvature.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein based on detected hardness of said pipe/ tube, said microcontroller determines amount of pressure that is to be applied over said pipe/ tube during bending of said pipe, and based on said determined pressure, said microcontroller operation of said hinges 107 and links 109 for bending said pipe with optimum amount of pressure.

4) 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.