AUTONOMOUS PAINTING ROBOT

Abstract

The present invention relates to an autonomous painting robot, comprising a mobile base (1) with a paint tank and a pump or compressor, characterized in that the base (1) includes a series of detectors configured to locate the base (1) and detect obstacles, a substantially vertical lifting column (4), at the end of which is articulated a robot arm (5) surmounted by a head (6) which carries a paint gun (7) connected to the pump, one or more cameras (9) and a proximity sensor (10).

Description

Title of the invention: AUTONOMOUS PAINTING ROBOT

[0001] The present invention relates to an autonomous interior painting robot for homes, commercial premises, hotels, etc. It is a device designed to paint and contour while recognizing obstacles in the work area, aiming to reduce the effort and time required to carry out these operations.

[0002] It can be applied to the field of interior design and for carrying out small packaging work.

[0003] Despite the latest technological advances in construction and improvements in maintenance, interior painting and restoration remains very artisanal. Therefore, it is a slow and expensive process, especially when it comes to large interior surfaces to be painted, such as living rooms, supermarkets, hotels, etc.

[0004] The objective of the present invention is to provide a device for painting, contouring and recognizing obstacles in the work area, aimed at reducing the effort and time required to carry out these operations.

[0005] Therefore, personnel in charge of restoration work in large areas must make considerable efforts to paint high ceilings and hard-to-reach corners. In addition, the positions required to reach ceilings or corners are often poor or strenuous and must be covered with paint in several layers for occupational health reasons.

[0006] The applicant does not know of any other devices similar to that of the present invention.

[0007] The autonomous painting robot according to the present invention makes it possible to solve the problems of the prior art.

[0008] The base - robot arm assembly is a self-contained device that allows painting all surfaces from a minimum level, at ground level, up to a ceiling which can be 3 meters or more depending on its dimensions.

[0009] The autonomous painting robot according to the present invention comprises a mobile base with a paint tank and a pump or compressor. The base comprises a series of detectors configured to locate the base and detect obstacles, a substantially vertical lifting column, at the end of which is articulated a robot arm surmounted by a head which carries a paint gun connected to the pump, for example of the airless type, one or more cameras and a proximity sensor. Preferably, the head also carries a retractable spatula.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the base comprises omnidirectional wheels.

[0011] The head cameras may each include light sources.

[0012] Other variants will be described below.

[0013] The present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description of an embodiment given by way of illustration and not limitation, taken in conjunction with the appended drawings. In these drawings:

[0014] [Fig-1] is a front view of one embodiment of the device, with the robot arm folded.

[0015] [Fig.2] is a side view of the previous embodiment, with the robot arm extended.

[0016] [Fig.3] is a detail view of an example of a head.

[0017] The robot of the embodiment shown in the drawings comprises a mobile base 1, for example comprising four omnidirectional wheels 2, of the “mecanum wheel” type. These wheels 2 allow movement in any direction to allow approaching the area to be painted. It also comprises a series of laser visual detectors for locating and detecting obstacles. For example, it is equipped with infrared detectors around the base 1 to detect and avoid obstacles and room boundaries.

[0018] The base 1 supports a lifting column 4, for example telescopic, which is arranged in a substantially vertical direction. A robot arm 5, articulated and surmounted by a head 6 which carries a paint gun 7, is arranged at the upper part of the lifting column 4. The gun 7 is, preferably, of the “airless” type to reduce possible stains.

[0019] The head 6 also carries a retractable spatula 8. It is intended for creating the contours of ceilings, window frames and baseboards.

[0020] One or more cameras 9 in the head 6, each ideally having light sources, and a proximity sensor 10 make it possible to recognize the surfaces to be painted and whose contours are to be produced. A color detector makes it possible to recognize whether the passage of the gun 7 has been sufficient or whether it is necessary to touch up. The color detector can operate independently or by programming from the images of the cameras 9.

[0021] The base 1 comprises a paint tank and a pump or compressor for delivering it to the gun 7 through a suitable tube, fixed to the robot arm 5. The tank is removable to facilitate the change of paint, its cleaning and that of the pump or compressor.

[0022] All of the above elements are powered by one or more batteries, by cabling connected to the network, or by both solutions.

Claims

Claims

1. - Autonomous painting robot, comprising a mobile base (1) with a paint tank and a pump or compressor, the base (1) comprising a series of detectors configured to locate the base (1) and detect obstacles, a substantially vertical lifting column (4), at the end of which is articulated a robot arm (5) surmounted by a head (6) which carries a paint gun (7) connected to the pump, one or more cameras (9) and a proximity sensor (10), characterized in that the head (6) also carries a retractable spatula (8).

2. - Robot according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (1) comprises omnidirectional wheels (2).

3. - Robot according to claim 1, characterized in that the gun (7) is of the airless type.

4. - Robot according to claim 1, characterized in that the cameras (9) of the head (6) each comprise light sources.

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