Adaptable tile cutting device for fittings

Abstract

An adaptable tile cutting device for fittings, comprising: i) a body 1 designed to be positioned on a fixed surface, wherein the body 1 is fitted with an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 2 integrated with a processor to capture multiple images near the body 1 in order to generate a three-dimensional map of the environment of the body 1; ii) a touch-interactive display field 3 arranged on the body 1 to display the captured images, which a user accesses to select any slot cut into the surface to be cut from a tile to be laid on the surface, wherein a motorized first gripper 4 is arranged on the body 1, which is actuated by an embedded microcontroller synchronously with the imaging unit 2 to position an extendable frame 5 integrated on the first gripper 4 over the slot; iii) an ultrasonic sensor integrated into the frame 5 and synchronized with the imaging unit 2 to monitor the dimensions of the slot, according to which the microcontroller actuates the frame 5 to be extended / retracted to gain a hold over the slot if the shape of the slot is rectangular, wherein an expandable ring 6 is integrated into the frame 5 which is actuated by the microcontroller to be extended / retracted to gain a hold over the slot if the shape of the slot is circular; iv) several motorized hinges integrated into the frame 5 and the ring 6, actuated by the microcontroller to tilt parts of the frame 5 and the ring 6 to achieve the shape of the slot, wherein, upon successful achievement of the slot shape, the microcontroller instructs the first gripper 4 to retract in order to position the frame 5 in the achieved shape on a tile stored in a storage chamber attached to the body 1; and v) a motorized second gripper 7, which is attached to the body 1 and integrated with a marking tool 8, which is actuated by the microcontroller to move the tool 8 along the inner circumference of the frame 5 along the surface in order to trace the achieved shape on the tile, wherein a motorized third gripper 9 is installed on the body 1 and integrated with a cutting blade 10, which is actuated by the microcontroller to cut the marked section on the tile in order to cut off part of the slot from the tile so that the user can place the cut tile on the surface over the slot.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an adaptable tile cutting device for fittings, which is capable of cutting the tiles according to the shape and dimensions of the fittings over which the tiles are to be laid, and which is also capable of making a cut on the tile corresponding to the shape of the fitting pre-installed over the wall surface. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Tiles are commonly used as flooring in kitchens, on roofs, and as tabletops in dining rooms. However, they must be cut in a precise order so that they can be efficiently attached to a surface. Typically, a manual tile cutter is used, which consists of a scoring wheel that scores the surface of the tile, and then a lever is used to lock the tile along the scored line, so that the tile is cut in an efficient manner. However, these types of tools require a skilled worker to perform tile cutting efficiently, and a lot of time is consumed in cutting the tiles with such tools. In this process, the user uses a device to automatically cut tiles without human intervention.

[0003] The user uses some conventional methods for cutting the tiles like they usually cut the tile manually via the use of handheld tools like manual tile cutters as this type of tool cuts the tile in an efficient manner. However, these tools consume a lot of time and require manual efforts in cutting the tiles. They also use a wet saw as this tool has a diamond coated blade which can cut tiles in the shape or size required by the user in no time. However, this tool is costly and also requires skilled labor to carry out the cutting of the tiles efficiently.

[0004] US6269994B1 discloses an invention comprising a manual tile cutter having a base for supporting a tile, a rail connected to the base above the tile, and a carriage slidably mounted on the rail. A manually operated lever and a cutting tool holder are independently pivotally mounted on the carriage at a common pivot point. One end of the shaft is mechanically connected to the cutting tool holder, the other end extends through the carriage and is connected to a manually adjustable knob. A biasing element exerts a force on the cutting tool holder toward the tile. A height adjustment device, mechanically connected to the knob and the cutting tool holder, adjusts the height of the cutting tool relative to the tile, but independently of the lever, to accommodate varying tile thicknesses.

[0005] US5303690A discloses an invention comprising a tile cutter including a generally horizontal base plate, a linear web attached to the base plate, and at least one guide rail extending above and parallel to the web. A slider is slidable on the rail. An operating lever having a main portion and an end portion is provided, the end portion having front and rear ends remote from and adjacent to the main portion. The rear end is pivotally mounted on the top of the slider on a first axis parallel to the base plate and perpendicular to the rail. A lower link is rotatably mounted on the bottom of the slider on a second axis parallel to the first axis. An intermediate link connects the front end of the lever end portion and one end of the lower link, the other end of which carries a cutting blade and pressing plates.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices have been developed suitable for cutting tiles. However, these devices are not capable of cutting tiles according to the shape and dimensions of the fixtures on which the tiles are to be installed. Furthermore, these devices are not capable of cutting tiles according to the shape of the fixtures pre-installed on the wall surface.

[0007] To overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages, there is a need in the art to develop a device capable of providing a means for cutting tiles in accordance with the shape and dimensions of the fixtures over which the tiles are to be installed. Furthermore, the developed device should also cut the tiles according to the shape of the fixture pre-installed on the wall surface. SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The main 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 capable of cutting the tiles according to the shape and dimensions of the fixtures over which the tiles are to be laid.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is also capable of making a cut on the tile that corresponds to the shape of the fitting pre-installed on the wall surface.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that saves time and effort otherwise spent on manual measuring, cutting, etc.

[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 adaptable device for cutting tiles for fixtures, capable of cutting tiles according to the shape and dimensions of the fixtures on which tiles are to be laid. Furthermore, the proposed device also offers reliability and operates efficiently.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an adaptable tile cutting device for fixtures comprises a body designed to be positioned on a fixed surface, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit on the body to generate a three-dimensional map of the body's surroundings, an interactive touch display panel arranged on the body to display the captured images, which a user accesses to select any slot carved into the surface to be cut from a tile to be installed on the surface, a motorized first gripper arranged on the body to position an extendable frame integrated with the first gripper over the slot, an ultrasonic sensor integrated with the frame to monitor the dimensions of the slot, an extendable ring,which is integrated into the frame to be extended / contracted to gain a grip on the slot, and several motorized hinges integrated into the frame and the ring to tilt parts of the frame and the ring to achieve the shape of the slot, wherein the first gripper retracts after successfully achieving the shape of the slot to position the frame with the achieved shape on a tile stored in a storage chamber attached to the body.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises a motorized second gripper mounted on the body and integrated with a marking tool for moving the tool along the inner perimeter of the frame along the surface to trace the achieved shape on the tile, a motorized third gripper mounted on the body and integrated with a cutting blade for cutting the marked portion on the tile to cut off part of the slot from the tile so that the user can place the cut tile on the surface over the slot, an angle sensor integrated on the body for monitoring the angle of the blade with respect to the frame, and a battery configured with the body to provide a continuous power supply for 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 be better understood from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an adjustable tile cutting device for fittings. 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 the illustrated 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] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to both the singular and the plural, unless explicitly stated that only the singular is meant.

[0021] The present invention relates to an adaptable tile cutting device for fixtures capable of providing a means for cutting tiles in accordance with the shape and dimensions of the fixtures over which the tiles are to be installed. Furthermore, the proposed device also performs a cut on the tile that corresponds to the shape of the fixture pre-installed on the wall surface.

[0022] In Fig.Figure 1 is an isometric view of an adaptable tile cutting device for fittings, comprising a body 1 with an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 2, an interactive touch display panel 3 arranged on the body 1, a motorized first gripper 4 arranged on the body 1, an extendable frame 5 integrated with the first gripper 4, an extendable ring 6 integrated with the frame 5, a storage chamber 11 mounted on the body 1, a motorized second gripper 7 mounted on the body 1 and integrated with a marking tool 8, and a motorized third gripper 9 installed on the body 1 and integrated with a cutting blade 10.

[0023] The proposed device consists of a body 1 mounted on a solid surface. The body 1 is designed to provide a protective exterior for the device, and the components connected to the device are mounted in and over the body 1. The body 1 is preferably cuboid-shaped and made of stainless steel, which provides the device with corrosion resistance, strength, and durability, as well as being easy to maintain. The housing 1 is equipped with an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 2 that creates a three-dimensional map of the surroundings of the housing 1.

[0024] The imaging unit 2 consists of a processor and a camera, which, when activated, captures a multiple image of the surroundings of the body 1. The camera consists of a lens and a digital camera sensor, with the camera lens capturing all the light rays bouncing around the surroundings of the body 1 and using the lenses to converge them to a single point to create a sharp image. When all these light rays bounce back and converge on a digital camera sensor, a digital image of the surroundings of the body 1 is created by performing various operations such as preprocessing, feature extraction, and classification, which are transmitted to the processor. The processor then extracts all the necessary information from the image.

[0025] Upon receiving the command, the microcontroller actuates a motorized first gripper 4, arranged on the body 1, to position an extendable frame 5 integrated on the first gripper 4 over the slot. The motorized gripper is a type of mechanical arm, usually available with a function similar to that of a human arm. The segments of such a manipulator are connected by joints that allow either rotational or translational movement. The motorized gripper consists of several segments connected by joints, also called axes. The motorized gripper consists of several segments connected by motorized joints, also called axes.Each joint of the segments contains a stepper motor that rotates and allows the motorized gripper to perform a specific movement by moving the loaded frame 5 over the slot.

[0026] Next, an ultrasonic sensor integrated into the frame 5 operates synchronously with the imaging unit 2 to monitor the dimensions of the slot. If the slot shape is rectangular, the microcontroller operates the frame 5 to extend / retract to detect the slot. The extension of the frame 5 is driven by a drawer assembly consisting of a motor, a cavity, and several compartments connected by sliders. After actuation by the microcontroller, an electric current flows through the motor of the drawer assembly, energizing the motor.

[0027] The energized motor actuates the compartments, initially in the stowed state, to move sequentially within the hollow compartment, extending the length of the compartments. At the same time, each compartment has a fixed groove track. Upon actuation of the slider, the slider's motor is energized, providing motion for the compartment to move in a linear direction along the groove track of the successive compartment, as commanded by the microcontroller, and extending the length of frame 5 to acquire a grip over the slot.

[0028] In the other case, when the shape of the slot is circular, the microcontroller actuates an expandable pulley assembly integrated into an expandable ring 6 integrated into the frame 5 to expand / contract to maintain grip on the slot. The expandable pulley assembly consists of a pulley divided into several segments, each with an arm attached in the middle, a motorized gear meshing with a gear, the gears being provided with multiple slots, and a plurality of pins in the arms of the pulley. Upon receiving the actuation signal from the microcontroller, the motor of the motorized gear rotates it, causing the wheel to rotate both clockwise and counterclockwise.As the wheel rotates, the slots push the pins of the pulley arms outward and inward, increasing and decreasing the diameter of the pulley to grip the slot.

[0029] The microcontroller also operates several motorized hinges integrated into the frame 5 and the ring 6 to tilt parts of the frame 5 and the ring 6 and achieve the shape of the slot. The hinges are a piece of metal that connects the two parts. The first gripper 4 holds the frame 5 and the ring 6 together and allows their alignment by rotation along the longitudinal axis, whose operation is controlled by a bidirectional DC motor connected to the microcontroller. After successfully achieving the shape of the slot, the microcontroller instructs the first gripper 4 to retract again to position the frame 5 in the achieved shape on a tile stored in a storage chamber attached to the body 1.

[0030] Furthermore, the microcontroller instructs a motorized second gripper 7 mounted on the body 1 to move a marking tool 8, integrated on the motorized second gripper 7, along the inner perimeter of the frame 5 along the surface to mark the achieved shape on the tile. After the marking is completed, the microcontroller actuates a motorized third gripper 9 installed on the body 1 to cut off a portion of the slot from the tile using a cutting blade 10 attached to the third gripper 9, allowing the user to place the cut tile on the surface over the slot.

[0031] An angle sensor integrated into the body 1 simultaneously monitors the angle of the blade 10 relative to the frame 5, whereupon the microcontroller controls the actuation of the third gripper 9. A battery is connected to the device to power the electrically operated components used herein. The battery consists of a pair of electrodes called the cathode and anode. The battery uses a chemical reaction of oxidation / reduction to perform work on the charge and generate a voltage between its anode and cathode, thus generating electrical energy, which is used to perform work in the device.

[0032] The present invention works well in the following way, where a body 1 is positioned on a fixed surface. The body 1 is equipped with an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 2 to generate a three-dimensional map of the surroundings of the body 1, which is displayed on an interactive touch display 3 arranged on the body 1 and which a user can access to select any slot on the surface to be cut by a tile to be installed on the surface. Upon receiving the command, the microcontroller actuates a motorized first gripper 4 arranged on the body 1 to position an extendable frame 5 integrated on the first gripper 4 over the slot.Next, an ultrasonic sensor integrated into the frame 5 operates in synchronization with the imaging unit 2 to monitor the dimensions of the slot. If the slot shape is rectangular, the microcontroller operates the frame 5 to extend / retract to stop over the slot. Otherwise, if the slot shape is circular, the microcontroller operates an expandable pulley assembly integrated into an expandable ring 6 integrated into the frame 5 to extend / retract to stop over the slot. The microcontroller also operates several motorized hinges integrated into the frame 5 and ring 6 to tilt parts of the frame 5 and ring 6 to achieve the shape of the slot.After successfully achieving the desired shape, the microcontroller instructs the first gripper 4 to retract to position the frame 5 in the desired shape on a tile stored in a storage chamber attached to the body 1. Furthermore, the microcontroller instructs a motorized second gripper 7 mounted on the housing 1 to move a marking tool 8, integrated into the motorized second gripper 7, along the inner perimeter of the frame 5 to mark the desired shape on the tile. After the marking is complete, the microcontroller actuates a motorized third gripper 9, installed on the body 1, to cut a portion of the slot from the tile using a cutting blade 10 attached to the third gripper 9, allowing the user to place the cut tile on the surface over the slot.

[0033] 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 upon reference to 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] US 6269994B1

[0004] US 5303690A

[0005]

Claims

[1] An adaptable tile cutting device for fittings, comprising: i) a body 1 designed to be positioned on a fixed surface, the body 1 being installed with an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 2 integrated with a processor for acquiring a plurality of images in the vicinity of the body 1 to generate a three-dimensional map of the environment of the body 1; ii) a touch-interactive display panel 3 arranged on the body 1 for displaying the captured images, which a user accesses to select any slot cut into the surface to be cut from a tile to be laid on the surface, wherein a motorised first gripper 4 is arranged on the body 1 and actuated by a built-in microcontroller synchronously with the imaging unit 2 to position an extendable frame 5 integrated on the first gripper 4 over the slot; iii) an ultrasonic sensor integrated into the frame 5 and synchronized with the imaging unit 2 to monitor the dimensions of the slot, according to which the microcontroller actuates the frame 5 to be extended / retracted to obtain a stop over the slot if the shape of the slot is rectangular, wherein an expandable ring 6 is integrated into the frame 5, which is actuated by the microcontroller to be extended / retracted to obtain a stop over the slot if the shape of the slot is circular; iv) a plurality of motorized hinges integrated into the frame 5 and the ring 6, which are actuated by the microcontroller to tilt parts of the frame 5 and the ring 6 to achieve the shape of the slot, wherein, after successfully achieving the shape of the slot, the microcontroller instructs the first gripper 4 to retract in order to position the frame 5 in the achieved shape on a tile stored in a storage chamber attached to the body 1; and v) a motorized second gripper 7 mounted on the body 1 and integrated with a marking tool 8 actuated by the microcontroller to move the tool 8 on the inner periphery of the frame 5 along the surface to trace the achieved shape on the tile, a motorized third gripper 9 installed on the body 1 and integrated with a cutting blade 10 actuated by the microcontroller to cut the marked section on the tile to cut off part of the slot from the tile to allow the user to place the cut tile on the surface over the slot. [2] Device according to claim 1, wherein an angle sensor is integrated in the body 1 and synchronized with the imaging unit 2 to monitor the angle of the blade 10 with respect to the frame 5, whereupon the microcontroller controls the actuation of the third gripper 9. [3] The device of claim 1, wherein a battery is configured with the body 1 to provide a continuous power supply for electronically operated components connected to the device.

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