Automatic device for applying insulating tape

Abstract

An automatic device for applying insulating tape, comprising the following: i) a platform 1 positioned above a ground surface and equipped with a plurality of motorized wheels 2 installed beneath the platform 1, wherein an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 3 installed above the platform 1 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing images of the ground surface, on the basis of which a microcontroller connected to the processor determines the positioning of pipes pre-installed above the ground surface and accordingly generates a three-dimensional map of the surface; ii) an interactive touch display 4 installed above the platform 1 and operated by the microcontroller to display the 3D mapping of the surface so that a user can select a pipe to be covered, wherein the microcontroller, based on the pipe selected by the user, operates the wheels 2 to position the platform 1 near the pipe selected by the user; iii) a motorized roller 6 wrapped with insulating tape and installed above the platform 1 by means of an inverted L-shaped telescopic rod 5, which is actuated by the microcontroller to extend and position the roller 6 over the pipe selected by the user, wherein, upon positioning the roller 6, the microcontroller actuates a pair of robot grippers 13 installed above the platform 1 to grasp the free end of the tape and align it over the pipe selected by the user, followed by actuation of the roller 6 to unwind the tape and actuation of the wheels 2 to maneuver the platform 1 over the pipe to enable the grippers 13 to align the tape over the entire pipe selected by the user; iv) a chamber 7 arranged above the platform 1 in which plastic clips are stored, wherein a robot arm 8 is installed above the platform 1 and is actuated by the microcontroller to remove one of the clips from the chamber 7 and arrange them successively above the aligned belt; (v) an inverted L-shaped telescopic rod 9, installed above the platform 1 and actuated by the microcontroller to position an extendable U-shaped element 10 above the aligned belt, wherein a laser sensor is installed above the platform 1 and synchronized with the imaging unit 3 to monitor the diameter of the tube selected by the user, whereupon the microcontroller actuates a motorized drawer assembly installed in the element 10 to extend the element 10 according to the detected diameter and to position the ends of the element 10 around the arranged clamp(s); and vi) a pair of pneumatic pins 11 installed over the ends of the element 10 and actuated by the microcontroller to exert a regulated pressure on the clamp to connect the band to the tube via the clamp(s).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic insulating tape applying device capable of attaching a tape to a user-specified pipe to cover the pipe in an automatic manner while ensuring proper gripping of the tape over the pipe, thereby saving the user's time and resources by eliminating manual labor. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Plastic thermal insulation is used to reduce heat transfer and improve the energy efficiency of pipes. Pipes are highly susceptible to heat and moisture. Because of their lightweight nature, they are often damaged by animals, pets, etc. Therefore, pipes require insulation that protects them from damage while also supporting the pipe. They are also lightweight, easy to install, and moisture-resistant, making them a durable and cost-effective solution for improving pipe sustainability.

[0003] Traditionally, electrical tape is applied by hand, wrapping the tape around the object or wire to be insulated. However, this method is time-consuming and may not provide a consistent or secure attachment, especially on larger or complex surfaces. Another traditional method is using a tape dispenser, a handheld device that helps apply the electrical tape evenly.

[0004] CN103484032A discloses about the invention, which about The invention discloses an insulating tape comprising a substrate and a coating, wherein the substrate is made of a polyimide film; the thickness of the film is 0.025 mm-0.05 mm, the breakdown voltage is greater than 8 kV, the electric corrosion coefficient is 1.0, the ductility is greater than 65%, and the tensile strength is greater than 8 N / mm; the coating is a binder, and the surface of the substrate is evenly coated with the coating; and the thickness of the coating is less than 0.01 mm, and the peel adhesive force of the coating is less than 0.3 N / mm.With the adoption of this method, the insulating tape has the following advantages: the insulating tape is simple in structure, excellent in electrical insulation performance, size stability and heat resistance, corrosion-resistant, shock-resistant, solvent-resistant, long in service life, strong and durable, and facilitates large-scale production. The insulating tape has a broad market prospect in the popularization of insulating tapes.

[0005] CN206127200U disclosed about the invention which about an insulating tape, this insulating tape which comprises the multiple-step type telescopic shaft and installed on flexible axial three-color insulating tape, three-color insulating tape includes red live wire adhesive tape, blue zero line adhesive tape and yellow earth wire adhesive tape respectively, the multiple-step type telescopic shaft is including can three continuous axis body, each axis body respectively with the arrangement of the above three-color insulating tape, three axis body includes the first axis body, the second axis body and third axis body respectively, the first axis body links each other with the second axis body cooperation, and the second axis body telescopic rail assembly is continuous with the third axis body.

[0006] Conventionally, there are many devices that are capable of attaching a tape on a custom pipe to cover the pipe in an automatic manner to eliminate the manual labor, but there is a lack of attaching clips over the attached tape automatically to provide proper grip for the tape to attach to the pipe for the purpose of covering.

[0007] To overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks, there is a need in the art to develop a device capable of automatically applying clips over the attached faucet to give the tape the proper grip so that it can be attached to the pipe for the purpose of covering, and attaching a tape to a pipe specified by the user to cover the pipe. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The main object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] The aim of the present invention is to develop a device capable of aligning a tape onto a pipe specified by the user in order to cover the pipe automatically, thus avoiding manual work.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device capable of automatically applying clips over the applied band to give the band the proper support to connect it to the pipe for covering purposes.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to develop a reliable device capable of determining the diameter of the pipe and fastening the clamp accordingly to prevent damage to the pipe.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon closer examination 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 automatic insulating tape applying device capable of attaching a tape to a user-specified pipe to cover the pipe in an automatic manner while ensuring proper gripping of the tape over the pipe, thereby saving the user's time and resources by eliminating manual labor.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an automatic device for applying insulating tape comprises a platform positioned above a floor surface and guided by a plurality of motorized wheels installed beneath the platform, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit installed above the platform and integrated with a processor for acquiring and processing images of the floor surface, on the basis of which the processor determines the positioning of pipes pre-installed above the floor surface and accordingly generates a 3D map of the surface, a touch-interactive display panel installed above the platform and displaying the 3D map of the surface to enable a user to select a pipe to be covered based on the pipe selected by the user, the wheels,to position the platform near the pipe selected by the user, a motorized reel wrapped with insulating tape, installed above the platform by means of an inverted L-shaped telescopic rod designed to extend the reel and position it over the pipe selected by the user, after positioning the reel, a pair of robotic grippers installed above the platform to grip the free end of the tape and align it over the pipe selected by the user, followed by the operation of the reel to unwind the tape and the operation of the wheels to maneuver the platform over the pipe so that the grippers can align the tape over the entire pipe selected by the user, a chamber arranged above the platform in which plastic clamps are stored, a robotic arm,which is installed above the platform and pulls one of the clamps out of the chamber and is arranged one after the other over the aligned belt, an inverted L-shaped telescopic rod which is installed above the platform and positions an extendable U-shaped element over the aligned belt.,

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises a laser sensor installed above the platform and synchronized with the imaging unit to monitor the diameter of the pipe selected by the user, whereupon a motorized drawer assembly is installed in the element to extend the element according to the detected diameter and position the ends of the element around the arranged clamp(s), a pair of pneumatic pins installed over the ends of the element to extend and exert a regulated pressure on the clamp to secure the tape to the pipe via the clamp(s), a motorized cutting device installed with the rod to cut the tape with a view to releasing the tape from the roll,The inverted L-shaped telescopic rod and bar are connected to a pneumatic unit that includes an air compressor, air cylinders, air valves, and a piston that work together to assist in the extension and retraction of the rod and bar. A battery is connected to the device to power electrical and electronically operated components connected to the device.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations are possible which would fall within the scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0017] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings: Fig. shows an isometric view of an automatic device for applying insulating tape. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description contains the preferred best mode for carrying out an embodiment of the present invention. From this description of the invention, it will be apparent that the invention is not limited to these embodiments, but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. 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 intended 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,” “with,” and “characterized by”) may be replaced by the respective partially closed terms “consists essentially of,” “consists essentially of,” and the like, or the respective closed terms “consists of,” “consists of,” and the like.

[0020] The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” used here refer to both the singular and the plural, unless expressly intended to refer to only the singular.

[0021] The present invention relates to an automatic insulating tape applying device capable of applying a tape to a pipe specified by the user to cover the pipe automatically, as well as detecting the diameter of the pipe and fastening the clamp accordingly to prevent damage to the pipe.

[0022] In Fig.1 is an isometric view of an automatic device for applying insulating tape, comprising a platform 1 positioned above a floor surface by means of a plurality of wheels 2, an imaging unit 3 installed above the platform 1, a display panel 4 installed above the platform 1, a reel 6 wrapped with insulating tape installed above the platform 1 by means of an inverted L-shaped rod 5, a chamber 7 arranged above the platform 1, a robot arm 8 installed above the platform 1, an inverted L-shaped rod 9 installed above the platform 1 for positioning a U-shaped element 10 above the aligned tape, two pneumatic pins 11 installed below the element 10, a motorized cutter 12, and two robot grippers 13 installed above the platform 1.

[0023] The proposed device consists of a platform 1 positioned above a floor surface and a plurality of motorized wheels 2 installed beneath the platform 1. The platform 1 is made of a material, not limited to wood, metal, etc., that provides durability to the components and can comfortably accommodate all the components required to perform the specified operation.

[0024] In addition, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 3 is installed above platform 1 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing images of the ground surface. A microcontroller connected to the processor uses these images to determine the positioning of the pipes pre-installed above the ground surface. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 3 used here incorporates AI protocols to improve its functionality and capabilities, enabling immediate reactions and faster decision-making. The imaging unit 3 captures images or videos of the ground surface using special lenses.

[0025] The acquired data is first preprocessed and then fed into AI protocols for analysis, which use machine learning protocols, such as deep learning neural networks, to extract meaningful information from the visual data. This acquired data is processed by a processor, and a microcontroller connected to the processor analyzes the processed data to determine the position of the pipes pre-installed on the ground surface and creates a corresponding three-dimensional map of the surface.

[0026] This 3D mapping of the surface is displayed on an interactive touch display 4 installed above the platform 1, which allows the user to select a pipe to be covered. The interactive touch display 4 shown here consists of several tiny electrically active wires. When the user touches the options shown on the display panel 4, the wires are pressed together, closing the circuit. This results in a voltage flow through the circuit. This voltage flow is detected by the microcontroller in the form of electrical signals. The signals are further processed by the microcontroller to determine the user's input regarding the selected pipe to be covered.

[0027] Based on the pipe selected by the user, the microcontroller operates the wheels 2 to position the platform 1 near the pipe selected by the user. The wheels 2 are driven by a bidirectional DC motor capable of converting DC current into mechanical work, following the principle of Lorentz's law, which states that when a current-carrying wire enters a magnetic or electric field, it experiences a force. Thus, the motor converts the electric current from an external source into a mechanical torque that provides the wheels 2 with the necessary force to position the platform 1 near the pipe selected by the user.

[0028] A motorized roller 6 wrapped with insulating tape is installed above the platform 1 using an inverted L-shaped telescopic rod 5. The rod 5 is operated by the microcontroller to extend and position the roller 6 over the tube selected by the user. The rod 5 is driven by a pneumatic unit comprising an air compressor, an air cylinder, air valves, and a piston. The air compressor used here draws in air from the atmosphere and increases the pressure of the air by reducing the air volume. The air compressor draws in atmospheric air and compresses it to a high pressure. The compressed air is then fed through an outlet pipe via a valve into the cylinder. The compressed air in the cylinder pushes the piston, which extends the rod 5, which positions the roller 6 over the tube selected by the user.

[0029] After positioning the roller 6, the microcontroller actuates a pair of robot grippers 13 installed above the platform 1 to grasp the free end of the tape and align it over the pipe selected by the user. The robot gripper 13 consists of a joint connected to several motorized ball joints and a gripper 13 for smoothly and precisely gripping the free end of the tape. The motorized ball joint comprises a motor driven by the microcontroller that generates an electric current, a spherical element, and a bushing. The ball is freely movable within the socket. The motor rotates the ball in various directions controlled by the microcontroller, which also commands the motor to precisely position the ball.The microcontroller also controls the motor to generate electrical current to rotate in the joint, moving the gripper that grasps the free end of the tape and aligns it with the pipe selected by the user.

[0030] In synchronous operation, the microcontroller controls reel 6 to unwind the tape. Reel 6 is a rotating cylinder over or onto which the tape is wound and is driven by the same DC motor that powers the wheel. When the microcontroller gives the command to operate, the motor begins to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise, supplying the required power to reel 6. Reel 6 uses this power and unwinds the tape for use. Simultaneously, wheels 2 are actuated to maneuver platform 1 over the pipe, allowing grippers 13 to align the tape over the entire pipe selected by the user.

[0031] Furthermore, a chamber 7 is arranged above the platform 1, in which plastic clips are stored. A robotic arm 8 is installed above the platform 1. This robotic arm 8 is operated by the microcontroller to retrieve one of the clips from the chamber 7 and place it over the aligned tape in a sequential manner. The robotic arms, which are used here to retrieve and place the clip over the aligned tape in sequence, are capable of performing the intended task with high efficiency and accuracy. The robotic arms consist of mechanical joints and actuators controlled by a microcontroller. The actuators enable various degrees of freedom and movements of the robotic arm 8, which further uses these movements for retrieval and placement. The joints are driven by a direct current (DC) motor.The motor sets the joints in motion by rotating them, which in turn is transmitted to the robot arm 8, which pulls and arranges one of the clips one after the other over the aligned tape.

[0032] After the belt is aligned, an inverted L-shaped telescopic rod 9, installed above platform 1, is actuated by the microcontroller to position an extendable U-shaped element 10 over the aligned belt. Rod 9 is driven by the same pneumatic unit that powers rod 5. As soon as the microcontroller issues an actuation command, the pneumatic unit begins operating, supplying rod 9 with the required energy, which in turn is used to position the extendable U-shaped element 10 over the aligned belt.

[0033] At the same time, a laser sensor is installed above platform 1, which operates synchronously with the imaging unit 3 to monitor the diameter of the pipe selected by the user. The laser sensor emits light toward the pipe selected by the user. When the laser beam hits the surface of the pipe selected by the user, the beam is reflected back to the sensor's receiver. After the sensor detects the reflected beam, it precisely measures the time it takes the laser beam to travel to and from the pipe selected by the user. The sensor then converts this data into an electrical signal and sends it to the microcontroller. The microcontroller processes the electrical signal and determines the diameter of the pipe selected by the user.

[0034] Based on the diameter of the pipe selected by the user, the microcontroller actuates a motorized drawer assembly installed in the component 10 to extend the component 10 according to the detected diameter and position the ends of the component 10 around the arranged clamp(s). The extension of the component 10 is controlled by the microcontroller via a drawer assembly installed in the component 10. The drawer assembly consists of several plates that overlap each other with a sliding unit. When the drawer assembly is actuated by the microcontroller, the motor in the sliding unit begins to rotate a wheel coupled via a shaft clockwise, thereby setting the slider in the drawer assembly in motion to extend the element 10 according to the detected diameter and position the ends of the element 10 around the arranged clamp(s).

[0035] At the same time, a pair of pneumatic pins 11 are installed over the ends of element 10. These pins, actuated by the microcontroller, extend and exert a controlled pressure on the clamp to connect the band to the pipe via the clamp(s). The pins 11 are driven by a pneumatic unit, with which the rod 9 and the rod 5s cooperate, so that the pneumatics supply the required energy to the pins 11. The pins 11 utilize this force and exert the controlled pressure on the clamp to connect the band to the pipe via the clamp(s).

[0036] Additionally, a motorized cutting tool 12 is attached to the rod 5, which is operated by the microcontroller to cut the tape and release it from the roll 6. The cutting device 12 is driven by the same DC motor that powers the wheels 2 and the roll 6. Once the DC motor supplies power, the cutting device 12 cuts the tape to release it from the roll 6 and secure the tape to the pipe via the clamp(s).

[0037] Finally, a battery is connected to the device to power the electrically powered components used within it. The battery consists of a pair of electrodes called the cathode and anode. The battery uses a chemical oxidation / reduction reaction to perform work on the charge and generate a voltage between the anode and cathode, thereby producing electrical energy that is used to perform work in the device.

[0038] The present invention works best in the following manner, where the platform 1, as disclosed in the invention, is positioned above the ground surface and by means of several motorized wheels 2 installed below the platform 1. Further, the imaging unit 3 begins by capturing and processing images of the ground surface to determine the positioning of the pipes pre-installed above the ground surface and accordingly generates the 3D (dimensional) map of the surface. This 3D map of the surface is displayed on the interactive touch display 4, through which the user can select a pipe to be covered. Based on the pipe selected by the user, the microcontroller actuates the wheels 2 to position the platform 1 near the pipe selected by the user.After the platform 1 has been positioned near the pipe selected by the user, the rod 5 is actuated by the microcontroller to extend and position the roller 6 over the pipe selected by the user. After positioning the roller 6, the microcontroller actuates the pair of robot grippers 13, which grasp the free end of the tape and align it over the pipe selected by the user. Simultaneously, the microcontroller actuates the roller 6 to unwind the tape. The robot arm 8 is then actuated by the microcontroller to extract one of the clips from the chamber 7 and place it one after the other over the aligned tape. After aligning the tape, the inverted L-shaped telescopic rod 9 is actuated by the microcontroller to position the extendable U-shaped element 10 over the aligned tape.Simultaneously, the laser sensor works synchronously with the imaging unit 3 to monitor the diameter of the pipe selected by the user. Based on the diameter of the pipe selected by the user, the microcontroller actuates the drawer assembly to extend the element 10 according to the detected diameter and position the ends of the element 10 around the arranged clamp(s). Simultaneously, the pair of pneumatic pins 11 are actuated by the microcontroller to extend the band and apply regulated pressure to the clamp to secure the band to the pipe via the clamp(s). Then, the motorized cutter 12 cuts the band to release it from the roll 6 and complete the attachment of the band to the pipe via the clamp(s).

[0039] Although the scope of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of the invention. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] CN 103484032A

[0004] CN 206127200U

[0005]

Claims

[1] An automatic device for applying insulating tape, comprising: i) a platform 1 positioned above a ground surface and by means of a plurality of motorised wheels 2 installed below the platform 1, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 3 installed above the platform 1 and integrated with a processor for acquiring and processing images of the ground surface, on the basis of which a microcontroller connected to the processor determines the positioning of pipes pre-installed above the ground surface and accordingly generates a three-dimensional map of the surface; ii) an interactive touch display 4 installed above the platform 1 and actuated by the microcontroller to display the 3D mapping of the surface to allow a user to select a pipe to be covered, wherein the microcontroller actuates the wheels 2 based on the pipe selected by the user to position the platform 1 near the pipe selected by the user; iii) a motorised roller 6 wrapped with insulating tape and installed above the platform 1 by means of an inverted L-shaped telescopic rod 5 actuated by the microcontroller to extend and position the roller 6 over the pipe selected by the user, wherein, upon positioning the roller 6, the microcontroller actuates a pair of robotic grippers 13 installed above the platform 1 to grasp the free end of the tape and align it over the pipe selected by the user, followed by actuation of the roller 6 to unwind the tape and actuation of the wheels 2 to maneuver the platform 1 over the pipe to allow the grippers 13 to align the tape over the entire pipe selected by the user; iv) a chamber 7 arranged above the platform 1 in which plastic clips are stored, a robot arm 8 being installed above the platform 1 and actuated by the microcontroller to remove one of the clips from the chamber 7 and place them one after the other over the aligned belt; v) an inverted L-shaped telescopic rod 9 installed above the platform 1 and actuated by the microcontroller to position an extendable U-shaped element 10 over the aligned belt, wherein a laser sensor is installed above the platform 1 and synchronized with the imaging unit 3 to monitor the diameter of the pipe selected by the user, whereupon the microcontroller actuates a motorized drawer assembly installed in the element 10 to extend the element 10 according to the detected diameter and to position the ends of the element 10 around the arranged clamp(s); and vi) a pair of pneumatic pins 11 installed over the ends of the element 10 and actuated by the microcontroller to exert a regulated pressure on the clamp to connect the band to the pipe via the clamp(s). [2] Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a motorized cutting device 12 is installed with the rod 5 and is actuated by the microcontroller to cut the tape with a view to detaching the tape from the roll 6. [3] The device according to claim 1, wherein the inverted L-shaped telescopic rod 5 and the rod 9 are connected to a pneumatic unit comprising an air compressor, air cylinders, air valves and a piston which cooperate to assist in the extension and retraction of the rod 5 and the rod. [4] The device of claim 1, wherein a battery is connected to the device to power electrical and electronically operated components connected to the device.

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