EP2511437A1 - Constructor for rapidly erectable dismountable assembled shell-type structures - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention belongs to the construction area, namely, to enclosing structures of exhibition stands, pavilions and other temporary buildings and structures. The meccano of fast-erectable prefabricated demountable structures of the shell type contains bearing elements (ribs) and connecting joints (connectors) with the help of which uniform frame modules are assembled in the form of spatial isosceles triangles, the hypotenuses of which are one-type arched ribs, and the legs are either rectilinear or arched, depending on the type of the created module, and the frame modules are interconnected by one-type elements (hypotenuses or legs). Arched ribs are formed by circular arcs with the radius R, and central angles of the arcs in the axes of vertexes of spatial triangles are connected by the correlation $\mathrm{\beta }=\arcsin \left(\sqrt{2}*\sin \left(\mathrm{\alpha }/2\right)\right),$

where α - central angle of arched hypotenuse, β - central angle of arched leg, and the length of the rectilinear leg in the axes of vertexes of spatial triangles is $\sqrt{2}*\mathrm{R}*\sin \left(\mathrm{\alpha }/2\right),$

connecting joints of the frame ribs are made of elements of 9 types: a central two-plane element (with the bend angle equal to π/2) for interconnection of one-type legs, as well as left and right two-plane elements (with the bend angle equal to π/4) and three-plane elements (with the bend angles equal to π/2 and 3π/4 respectively and the turn of bend axes by the angle of α/2) for connection of the arched hypotenuse with arched and rectilinear legs, bend angles and turn of bend axes of connecting joints are made so that planes of longitudinal sections of legs are perpendicular to each other, and the plane of the longitudinal section of the hypotenuse is either parallel to the line of intersection of planes of longitudinal sections of legs (two-plane elements), or has the turn with regard to it by the angle of α/2 (three-plane elements). Technical result: creation of the meccano of fast-erectable prefabricated demountable structures of the shell type of the minimum quantity of uniform elements, simplification of assembly and disassembly, transportation and storage.

Description

• The presented technical solution "Meccano of fast-erectable prefabricated demountable structures of the shell type" belongs to the construction area, namely, to the area of construction of enclosing structures of exhibition stands, pavilions and other temporary buildings and structures.
• The solution "Structure of prefabricated many-sided constructional shell of flat bearing panels with connecting pieces" as per the patent RU Nº 2116409, E04G7/24, 1998 is known.
• The advantage of the technical solution is creation of a non-framed shell of the exhibition pavilion dome.
• However, the structure makes it possible to erect only domical shells, the constituent elements of which are flat.
• The solution "Modular framed system" consisting of bearing elements (posts, girth rails, traces and other parts) and connecting joints of the frame as per the patent RU Nº 2184823, E04G 7/24, 1998 is known.
• The advantage of the structure is the possibility to build a spatial shell frame.
• However, the formed frame also consists of flat elements with which it is impossible to erect concave-convex shells of complex configurations.
• The solution "INFINITY" structure of fast-erectable prefabricated demountable shall frames" as per Certificate RU Nº40641, E04C 7/24 dated 11.02.2004 is known, which contains bearing elements of the frame (unified modules of "INFINITY" structure made as spatial isosceles right-angled triangles, the hypotenuses of which are one-type arched ribs, and the legs are either rectilinear or arched, depending on the shape of the created module.
• The advantage of the technical solution is creation of shell frames in the form of spatial triangles.
• However the structure describes creation of modules of conical shells and translational shells. Modules of other shell types, e.g. spherical, may be created only roughly. Besides, the structure was described from the point of view of unification of frame ribs and did not suppose unification of joining elements. Structural and technological issues of frame filling were not considered.
• The goal of the presented technical solution is creation of the meccano of fast-erectable prefabricated demountable structures of the shell type of unified bearing elements, connecting joints (connectors), infills and an internal dynamic lighting system.
• The set goal is achieved as follows.
• The meccano of fast-erectable prefabricated demountable structures of the shell type contains bearing elements (edges) and connecting joints (connectors), with the help of which uniform frame modules are assembled in the form of spatial isosceles triangles, the hypotenuses of which are one-type arched ribs, and the legs are either rectilinear or arched, depending on the type of the created module. The frame modules are interconnected by one-type elements (hypotenuses or legs). And here:
• arched ribs are formed by circular arcs with the radius R, and central angles of the arcs in the axes of vertexes of spatial triangles are connected by the following correlation $$\mathrm{\beta }\mathrm{=}\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="arcsin"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">arcsin</figure-callout>}\left(\sqrt{\mathrm{2}}\mathrm{*}\sin \left(\mathrm{\alpha }\mathrm{/}\mathrm{2}\right)\right)\mathrm{,}$$
  
  • where α - central angle of arched hypotenuse,
  • β - central angle of arched leg;
• the length of the rectilinear leg in the axes of vertexes of spatial triangles is $\sqrt{2}*\mathrm{R}*\sin \left(\mathrm{\alpha }/2\right);$
  
• connecting joints of the frame ribs are made of elements of 9 types: a central two-plane element (with the bend angle equal to π/2) for interconnection of one-type legs, as well as left and right two-plane elements (with the bend angle equal to π/4) and three-plane elements (with the bend angles equal to π/2 and 3π/4 respectively and the turn of bend axes by the angle of α/2) for connection of the arched hypotenuse with arched and rectilinear legs;
• bend angles and turn of bend axes of connecting joints are made so that planes of longitudinal sections of legs are perpendicular to each other, the plane of the longitudinal section of the hypotenuse is either parallel to the line of intersection of planes of longitudinal sections of legs (two-plane elements), or has the turn with regard to it by the angle of α/2 (three-plane elements);
• the profile of the frame bearing elements (ribs) is made with end slots for fastening of connecting joints, long slots for fastening of infills of triangular modules and internal lighting elements, as well as openings for the frame growth by bolted interconnection of neighbouring triangular modules by one-type ribs;
• infills of the frame triangular modules are introduced, which are made of stretchable fabric with the contour edging of flexible band with the thickness corresponding to the size of long slots of the profile of ribs for fastening of infills;
• the internal lighting systems is introduced, which is made of tandem flexible luminous bands inside spatial triangular modules with the length corresponding to the length of the ribs fastened with the help of magnetic bands, one of which is fastened in the long slots of the ribs, and the other (reciprocal) is glued to the luminous bands;
• connecting joints are made with openings for connection with ribs, cabling and other switching elements, fastening (hanging) of the shell frame to external structures, fixing of equipment, supports and (if necessary) additional structural stiffeners (bracing).
• Drawings present the following:
• Fig. 1 - section of ribs E1, E2, E3, where
  • h - height of section,
  • AB - longitudinal plane of rib section,
  • 1 - slot for fastening of infills,
  • 2 - slot for fastening of connectors,
  • 3 - opening for threaded fastening of end plugs,
  • 4 - slot for fastening of internal lighting.
• Fig. 2 - rib E1 - longitudinal section of the arched hypotenuse, where
  • h - height of section,
  • R - radius of circular arc,
  • α - central angle of arched hypotenuse,
  • 1 - vertex of spatial triangle,
  • 2 - connecting openings.
• Fig. 3 - rib E2 - longitudinal section of the arched leg, where
  • h - height of section,
  • R - radius of circular arc,
  • β - central angle of arched leg,
  • 1 - vertex of spatial triangle,
  • 2 - connecting openings.
• Fig. 4 - rib E3 - longitudinal section of the rectilinear leg, where
  • h - height of section,
  • R - radius of circular arc,
  • 1 - vertex of spatial triangle,
  • 2 - connecting openings.
• Fig. 5 - bolted connection of ribs.
• Fig. 6 - two-plane central connector CD1, where
  • 1 - opening for connection with rib E2 or E3,
  • 2 - thread for fixation of connector in profile,
  • 3 - securement opening,
  • 4 - opening for cabling,
  • AB - bend axis π/2.
• Fig. 7 - two-plane left connector C1L, where
  • 1 - opening for connection with rib E3,
  • 2 - thread for fixation of connector in profile,
  • 3 - securement opening,
  • 4 - opening for cabling,
  • 5 - opening for connection with rib E1.
  • AB - bend axis π/4.
• Fig. 8 - two-plane right connector C1R, where
  • 1 - opening for connection with rib E3,
  • 2 - thread for fixation of connector in profile,
  • 3 - securement opening,
  • 4 - opening for cabling,
  • 5 - opening for connection with rib E1.
  • AB - bend axis π/4.
• Fig. 9 - three-plane left connector C2L, where
  • 1 - opening for connection with rib E3,
  • 2 - thread for fixation of connector in profile,
  • 3 - securement opening,
  • 4 - opening for cabling,
  • 5 - opening for connection with rib E1.
  • AB - bend axis π/2,
  • AC - bend axis 3π/4,
  • Turn of bend axes by the angle of CAB = α/2.
• Fig. 10 - three-plane right connector C2R, where
  • 1 - opening for connection with rib E3,
  • 2 - thread for fixation of connector in profile,
  • 3 - securement opening,
  • 4 - opening for cabling,
  • 5 - opening for connection with rib E1.
  • AB - bend axis π/2,
  • AC - bend axis 3π/4,
  • Turn of bend axes by the angle of CAB = α/2.
• Fig. 11 - two-plane left connector C3L, where
  • 1 - opening for connection with rib E2,
  • 2 - thread for fixation of connector in profile,
  • 3 - securement opening,
  • 4 - opening for cabling,
  • 5 - opening for connection with rib E1.
  • AB - bend axis π/4.
• Fig. 12 - two-plane right connector C3R, where
  • 1 - opening for connection with rib E2,
  • 2 - thread for fixation of connector in profile,
  • 3 - securement opening,
  • 4 - opening for cabling,
  • 5 - opening for connection with rib E1.
  • AB - bend axis π/4.
• Fig. 13 - three-plane left connector C4L, where
  • 1 - opening for connection with rib E2,
  • 2 - thread for fixation of connector in profile,
  • 3 - securement opening,
  • 4 - opening for cabling,
  • 5 - opening for connection with rib E1.
  • AB - bend axis π/2,
  • AC - bend axis 3π/4,
  • Turn of bend axes by the angle of CAB = α/2.
• Fig. 14 - three-plane right connector C4R, where
  • 1 - opening for connection with rib E2,
  • 2 - thread for fixation of connector in profile,
  • 3 - securement opening,
  • 4 - opening for cabling,
  • 5 - opening for connection with rib E1.
  • AB - bend axis π/2,
  • AC - bend axis 3π/4,
  • Turn of bend axes by the angle of CAB = α/2.
• Fig. 15 - unified triangular module M1, where
  • 1 - connector CD1,
  • 2 - connector C1L,
  • 3 - connector C1R,
  • 4 - rib E3,
  • 5 - rib E 1.
• Fig. 16 - unified triangular module M2, where
  • 1 - connector CD 1,
  • 2 - connector C2L,
  • 3 - connector C2R,
  • 4 - rib E3,
  • 5 - rib E1.
• Fig. 17 - unified triangular module M3, where
  • 1 - connector CD1,
  • 2 - connector C3L,
  • 3 - connector C3R,
  • 4 - rib E2,
  • 5 - rib E1.
• Fig. 18 - unified triangular module M4, where
  • 1 - connector CD1,
  • 2 - connector C4L,
  • 3 - connector C4R,
  • 4 - rib E2,
  • 5 - rib E1.
• Fig. 19 - example of frame structure assembly.
The essence is as follows.
• Bearing elements of the meccano are made of one-type profile of uniform cross section (e.g. shown in Fig.1) in the form of 3 types: arched hypotenuse E1 (Fig.2), arched leg E2 (Fig.3) and rectilinear leg E3 (Fig.4), out of which spatial isosceles triangular modules of the frame of structures of the shell type are assembled with the help of connecting joints. Arched ribs E1 and E2 are formed by circular arcs with the similar radius R, and central angles of the arcs forming the ribs E1 and E2, in the axes of vertexes of spatial triangles are connected by the following correlation $$\mathrm{\beta }\mathrm{=}\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="arcsin"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">arcsin</figure-callout>}\left(\sqrt{\mathrm{2}}\mathrm{*}\sin \left(\mathrm{\alpha }\mathrm{/}\mathrm{2}\right)\right)\mathrm{,}$$

  
• where α - central angle of arched hypotenuse,
• β - central angle of arched leg.
• The length of the rectilinear leg E3 in axes of vertexes of spatial triangles $${\mathrm{L}}_{}$$ $${\mathrm{}}_{\mathrm{3}}\mathrm{=}\sqrt{\mathrm{2}}\mathrm{*}\mathrm{R}\mathrm{*}\sin \left(\mathrm{\alpha }\mathrm{/}\mathrm{2}\right)\mathrm{.}$$

  
• Thus, choosing the section of ribs, values of radius R and central angle α of the arched hypotenuse, geometry of all bearing elements of the meccano is fully set with the help of the correlations (1)-(2). The ranges recommended for practical use in exhibition construction R = 2 ÷ 4 m, α = π/6 ÷ π/3.
• The profile of the frame bearing elements (ribs) has end slots for fastening of connecting joints (connectors), long slots for fastening of infills and internal lighting (Fig.1), as well as openings for the frame growth by interconnection of one-type ribs (Fig.5).
• Connecting joints (connectors) of the frame are made of sheet material in the form of two-plane (one bend) and three-plane (two bends) elements of 9 types: CD1 (Fig. 6) - a two-plane element with the bend angle of π/2 for interconnection of one-type legs (E2 with E2 and E3 with E3); C1L (Fig. 7), C1R (Fig.8) - respectively left and right two-plane elements with the bend angle of π/4 for connection of the hypotenuse E1 with the legs E3; C2L (Fig. 9), C2R (Fig. 10) - respectively left and right three-plane elements with the bend angles of π/2 and 3π/4 respectively and turn of bend axes by the angle of α/2 for connection of the hypotenuse E1 with the legs E3; C3L (Fig. 11), C3R (Fig. 12) - respectively left and right two-plane elements with the bend angle of π/4 for connection of the hypotenuse E1 with the legs E2; C4L (Fig. 13), C4R (Fig. 14) - respectively left and right three-plane elements with the bend angles of π/2 and 3π/4 respectively and turn of bend axes by the angle of α/2 for connection of the hypotenuse E1 with the leg E2.
• Connecting joints (connectors) are inserted and fixed in the end slots of the frame bearing elements (ribs) forming unified spatial isosceles triangular modules of the frame of 4 types: M1 (Figr. 15) - conical module formed by the ribs E1, E3, E3 and joints CD1, C1L, C1R; M2 (Fig. 16) - conical module with the shifted top, formed by the ribs E1,E3,E3 and joints CD1,C2L, C2R; M3 (Fig. 17) - translational shell module formed by the ribs E1,E2,E2 and joints CD1, C3L, C3R; M4 (Fig. 18) - spherical shell module formed by the ribs E1,E2,E2 and joints CD1, C4L, C4R. Two-plane elements with the bend angle of π/4 providing parallelism of the longitudinal plane of the hypotenuse E1 with the line of intersection of longitudinal planes of the legs are used in modules M1 and M3 for connection of the hypotenuse and the legs. Three-plane elements with bend angles of π/2 and 3π/4 respectively and the turn of bend axes providing inclination of the longitudinal plane of the hypotenuse E1 with regard to the line of intersection of longitudinal planes of the legs by the half of the central angle of the arc of the hypotenuse E1- α/2 are used in modules M2 and M4 for connection of the hypotenuse and the legs. Connecting joints have the following openings: for connection with the ribs, for cabling and other switching elements, fastening of suspension of the shell frame to external structures, fastening of equipment, supports and (if necessary) additional structural stiffener (braces).
• Such minimal set of unified bearing elements (ribs) of 3 types and unified connecting joints (connectors) of 9 types is of principle for this meccano and allows to create unified spatial isosceles triangular modules of the frame of 4 types: conical, conical with shifted top, translational shell and spherical shell.
• The shell frame growth is performed by bolted interconnection of neighbouring triangular modules by adjacent elements via openings in ribs (Fig. 5). Diversity of frame shapes is achieved by various combinations of transitional shell modules M3, spherical shell modules M4, conical modules M1 and conical modules with shifted top M2 among themselves (Fig. 19).
• Infills of the frame spatial modules are made of stretchable fabric in the form of a triangle with the contour edging of flexible band (e.g. silicone) with the thickness corresponding to the sizes of long slots in the ribs supposed for fastening of infills. Infills may be inserted from one or both sides of the ribs. Infill sizes may be universal for all types of modules M1-M4 due to extensibility of the fabric and the edging band. Infills may be made of light-scattering fabric providing the required extensibility for fastening in slots of the ribs.
• The internal lighting systems represents tandem flexible luminous (e.g. luminodiode) bands inside triangular modules M1-M4 with the length corresponding to the length of the ribs, fastened with the help of two flexible bands (e.g. magnetic), one of which is fastened in the long slots of the ribs (Fig. 1), and the other (reciprocal) is glued to the luminous bands. Parallel switching of luminous bands of separate triangular modules makes it possible to create programmable dynamic lighting for each triangular module irrespective of the others, and also to unite separate triangular modules into groups by the type of lighting.
• Materials used for preparation of the element base of the meccano of fast-erectable prefabricated demountable structures of the shell type is not of principle. Aluminum alloys, metals, composite materials, wood may be used as structural materials.
• The proposed technical solution was implemented in the form of "INFINITYCONST" exhibition equipment set, presentation of which took place at "Euroshop-2011" International Exhibition in Düsseldorf (Germany). Bearing elements (ribs) of the meccano were manufactured of aluminum with the section shown in Fig. 1, with the parameters R=3,5 m, α = π/4. Joining elements (connectors) shown in Fig. 6-14 were manufactured of sheet steel. Frame infills were made in the form of triangles with the sizes universal for all modules of light-scattering stretched fabric with the silicone contour band. The internal dynamic lighting system was made in the form of the LED-RGB set of luminodiode bands on magnetic stripes, decoders, a power unit, a controller and a computer unit with software.
• Practical use of "INFINITYCONST" exhibition equipment set has shown that the meccano of fast-erectable prefabricated demountable structures of the shell type is handy and simple for assembly/disassembly, operation, transportation and storage, it allows to implement most complex architectural and designing developments at the modern engineering and technical level.

Claims (5)

1. The meccano of fast-erectable prefabricated demountable structures of the shell type containing bearing elements (ribs) and connecting joints (connectors) with the help of which uniform frame modules are assembled in the form of spatial isosceles triangles, the hypotenuses of which are one-type arched ribs, and the legs are either rectilinear or arched, depending on the type of the created module, and the frame modules are interconnected by one-type elements (hypotenuses or legs) is characterized in that:

   - arched ribs are formed by circular arcs with the radius R, and central angles of the arcs in the axes of vertexes of spatial triangles are connected by the following correlation $$\mathrm{\beta }\mathrm{=}\arcsin \left(\sqrt{\mathrm{2}}\mathrm{*}\sin \left(\mathrm{\alpha }\mathrm{/}\mathrm{2}\right)\right)\mathrm{,}$$

   

   where α - central angle of arched hypotenuse,

   β - central angle of arched leg;

   - the length of the rectilinear leg in the axes of vertexes of spatial triangles is $\sqrt{2}*\mathrm{R}*\sin \left(\mathrm{\alpha }/2\right);$

   

   - connecting joints of the frame ribs are made of elements of 9 types: a central two-plane element (with the bend angle equal to π/2) for interconnection of one-type legs, as well as left and right two-plane elements (with the bend angle equal to π/4) and three-plane elements (with the bend angles equal to π/2 and 3π/4 respectively and the turn of bend axes by the angle of α/2) for connection of the arched hypotenuse with arched and rectilinear legs;

   - bend angles and turn of bend axes of connecting joints are made so that planes of longitudinal sections of legs are perpendicular to each other, the plane of the longitudinal section of the hypotenuse is either parallel to the line of intersection of planes of longitudinal sections of legs (two-plane elements), or has the turn with regard to it by the angle of α/2 (three-plane elements).
2. The meccano according to claim 1 is characterized in that the profile of the frame bearing elements (ribs) is made with end slots for fastening of connecting joints, long slots for fastening of infills of triangular modules and internal lighting elements, as well as openings for the frame growth by bolted interconnection of neighbouring triangular modules by one-type ribs.
3. The meccano according to claim 1 is characterized in that it contains infills of the frame triangular modules, which are made of stretchable fabric with the contour edging of flexible band with the thickness corresponding to the size of long slots of the profile of ribs for fastening of infills.
4. The meccano according to claim 1 is characterized in that it contains the internal lighting systems, which is made of tandem flexible luminous bands inside spatial triangular modules with the length corresponding to the length of the ribs fastened with the help of magnetic bands, one of which is fastened in the long slots of the ribs, and the other (reciprocal) is glued to the luminous bands.
5. The meccano according to claim 1 is characterized in that connecting joints are made with openings for connection with ribs, cabling and other switching elements, fastening (hanging) of the shell frame to external structures, fixing of equipment, supports and (if necessary) additional structural stiffeners (bracing).

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