EP1121496B1 - Space frame construction system - Google Patents
Space frame construction system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1121496B1 EP1121496B1 EP99970440A EP99970440A EP1121496B1 EP 1121496 B1 EP1121496 B1 EP 1121496B1 EP 99970440 A EP99970440 A EP 99970440A EP 99970440 A EP99970440 A EP 99970440A EP 1121496 B1 EP1121496 B1 EP 1121496B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- nodes
- space frame
- struts
- construction system
- frame construction
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
- E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
- E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
- E04B2001/1924—Struts specially adapted therefor
- E04B2001/1927—Struts specially adapted therefor of essentially circular cross section
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
- E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
- E04B2001/1981—Three-dimensional framework structures characterised by the grid type of the outer planes of the framework
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
- E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
- E04B2001/199—Details of roofs, floors or walls supported by the framework
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a space frame construction system for three-dimensional positioning of reference points, which frame comprises struts in the form of tubular elements and nodes in the form of spherical elements with a larger diameter than the diameter of the tubular elements, for joining struts. Also, the invention relates to a method for producing such a frame system.
- Space frames for positioning reference points are used for example within the engineering industry for making fixtures.
- Such a use is for example measuring jig fixtures for measuring elastic (slender) details.
- One example of such details may be compression molded sheet metal pieces, which for instance are used within the automotive industry.
- Such a fixture forms a support for the sheet metal piece during measuring, which is often performed by a robot arm, to form a part of the quality control in an usually largely automatic manufacturing process. Because of this, high demands for precision and function are put on these fixtures, which means that they usually are expensive to manufacture.
- Fixtures are often manufactured by means of aluminum profiles, which are joined together by means of screw joints. This results in the possible presence of angle faults and inner strain in the construction. Normal temperature variations occurring through day and night may lead to that a measuring jig fixture is deformed so much that the quality of a product is affected.
- One object of the present invention is therefore to provide a space frame construction system and a method for producing it, which enables building the space frame rapidly and efficiently with a high degree of precision. Another object of the invention is that the space frame should not be appreciable affected by temperature variations.
- the space frame according to the invention is characterized in that each node is directly connected via struts to at least three other nodes, that the struts are connected to the nodes by means of an adhesive, and that each reference point is mounted upon at least one respective node.
- a main tetrahedron may form a support structure for a number of smaller tetrahedrons.
- the adhesive may preferably consist of an epoxy resin. This solution results in bonds with a very high degree of strength.
- the tubular elements are preferably manufactured from a laminate of fiber reinforced thermosetting resin and the spherical elements may be manufactured from a plastic material.
- a method for manufacturing a space frame according to the invention, for three-dimensional positioning of reference points, wherein a number of struts and nodes are joined, is characterized by cutting struts into exact lengths, mounting a base comprising three nodes and three struts at a distance from the reference points, assembling a base comprising three nodes and three strut elements at a distance from the reference points, and mounting additional nodes and strut elements, which bridge the distance between the base and the reference points, in such a way that each node is connected via beams to at least three other nodes, wherein the strut elements are connected to the nodes by gluing.
- the space frame shown in the figure forms an attachment for a number of at mutual distances from each other arranged reference points 1, each of which is mounted on a respective node 2 and is especially designed for cooperation with a not shown workpiece.
- Each node 2 is connected to at least three other nodes 2 via struts 3.
- the struts consist of tubular elements, while the nodes consist of spherical elements with a larger diameter than the diameter of the tubular elements. It is simple to establish the actual cut length a tubular element need to have in order for the center points of two spherical elements, which will be mounted at the two ends of the tubular element, to end up at a predetermined exact distance.
- This trimming allowance depends upon the relationship between the inner diameter of the tubular element and the outer diameter of the sphere.
- the basic principle element of the design is a regular triangle or an unequal-sided triangle which is built up from three spherical elements 2 and three tubular elements 3. All relative distances and angles are decided by the lengths of the tubular elements. This basic triangle may then be built upon with further triangle elements, in the form of tetrahedrons, in any optional direction until the desired space frame has been achieved.
- the different reference points 1 have first been established and they have been provided with nodes 2. Then these points have been interconnected in a suitable manner to form tetrahedrons via struts 3 and additional nodes, until each node is connected to at least three other nodes.
- the frame now forms a "space structure" which carries all the reference points 1. In the drawing, half the number of reference points have been omitted, in order to illustrate the space frame system more clearly.
- this "space structure" is connected in a suitable manner tetrahedronically with a base which is formed by a triangle, and which positions the reference points at the desirable height, for example above a floor.
- Various kinds of prior art anchoring means may be used to anchor the base triangle rigidly to the floor.
- the frame apparatus is built up rapidly and easily, by gluing the spherical elements to the ends of the tubular elements.
- the adhesive may be an epoxy resin type glue, which exhibits a very high strength and a short setting time.
- the building work follows a simple assembly instruction, without time time-consuming fine adjustment and positioning of single building elements. As soon as the setting time has been achieved for one node, it will be possible to use this point to build the next part of the frame.
- a frame structure which does not exhibit any inner stress is obtained by means of the tetrahedron shaped basic design and the method of gluing.
- a very light and resistant frame structure is obtained by the use of a plastic material for the spherical elements and a fiber reinforced laminate of thermosetting resin for the tube elements, e.g. so called carbon fiber tubes.
- the invention is not limited to the above described embodiment, but several variants are imaginable within the scope of the following claims.
- the struts do not have to be cylindrical.
- Other areas of use than measuring jig fixtures are imaginable for the space frame system, e.g. assembly fixtures.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Joining Of Building Structures In Genera (AREA)
- Conveying And Assembling Of Building Elements In Situ (AREA)
- Jib Cranes (AREA)
- Rod-Shaped Construction Members (AREA)
- Moulding By Coating Moulds (AREA)
- Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (7)
- A space frame construction system for three-dimensional positioning of reference points (1), which frame comprises struts (3) in the form of tubular elements and nodes (2) in the form of spherical elements with a larger diameter than the diameter of the tubular elements, for joining struts, and whereby each node (2) is directly connected via struts to at least three other nodes,
characterized in that the struts (3) are connected to the nodes (2) by means of an adhesive, and
that each reference point (1) is mounted upon at least one respective node (2). - A space frame construction system according to claim 1,
characterized in that four adjacent nodes (2) form a tetrahedron. - A space frame construction system according to claim 2,
characterized in that a main tetrahedron forms a structural support for a number of smaller tetrahedrons. - A space frame construction system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adhesive consists of an epoxy resin.
- A space frame construction system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that tubular elements (3) are manufactured from a laminate of fiber reinforced thermosetting resin.
- A space frame construction system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spherical elements (2) are manufactured from a plastic material.
- A method for producing a space frame for three-dimensional positioning of reference points (1), wherein a number of strut members (3) and nodes (2) are joined together,
characterized in the steps of
cutting struts (3) into exact lengths,
assembling a base comprising three nodes (2) and three struts (3) at a distance from the reference points (1),
mounting additional nodes (2) and strut elements (3), which bridge the distance between the base and the reference points, in such a way that each node is connected via beams to at least three other nodes, wherein
the strut elements (3) are connected to the nodes (2) by gluing.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
SE9803529A SE515230C2 (en) | 1998-10-15 | 1998-10-15 | Frame device and method for making one |
SE9803529 | 1998-10-15 | ||
PCT/SE1999/001840 WO2000022251A1 (en) | 1998-10-15 | 1999-10-13 | Space frame construction system |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1121496A1 EP1121496A1 (en) | 2001-08-08 |
EP1121496B1 true EP1121496B1 (en) | 2004-05-06 |
Family
ID=20412968
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP99970440A Expired - Lifetime EP1121496B1 (en) | 1998-10-15 | 1999-10-13 | Space frame construction system |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1121496B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2002527685A (en) |
AT (1) | ATE266129T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU1424900A (en) |
DE (1) | DE69917055T2 (en) |
SE (1) | SE515230C2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2000022251A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4183190A (en) * | 1978-05-01 | 1980-01-15 | Roper Corporation | Space frame construction system |
AU572478B2 (en) * | 1982-12-09 | 1988-05-12 | Geodome Space Frames Pty. Ltd. | Space frame structure |
DE3910106A1 (en) * | 1989-03-29 | 1990-10-25 | Connec Ag | ASSEMBLY KIT FOR A STRUCTURE OR SCAFFOLDING TO CONNECT TO BARS AND COUPLINGS |
-
1998
- 1998-10-15 SE SE9803529A patent/SE515230C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1999
- 1999-10-13 DE DE69917055T patent/DE69917055T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-10-13 AU AU14249/00A patent/AU1424900A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-10-13 JP JP2000576133A patent/JP2002527685A/en active Pending
- 1999-10-13 AT AT99970440T patent/ATE266129T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1999-10-13 WO PCT/SE1999/001840 patent/WO2000022251A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1999-10-13 EP EP99970440A patent/EP1121496B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ATE266129T1 (en) | 2004-05-15 |
WO2000022251A1 (en) | 2000-04-20 |
SE515230C2 (en) | 2001-07-02 |
JP2002527685A (en) | 2002-08-27 |
DE69917055D1 (en) | 2004-06-09 |
SE9803529D0 (en) | 1998-10-15 |
SE9803529L (en) | 2000-04-16 |
AU1424900A (en) | 2000-05-01 |
EP1121496A1 (en) | 2001-08-08 |
DE69917055T2 (en) | 2005-04-28 |
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