ES2368639B1 - FRACTAL DISPLAYABLE STRUCTURAL SYSTEM. - Google Patents

Abstract

The object of the present invention consists of a deployable structural system formed by bars articulated with each other, whose main characteristic is that once deployed (a) and joined its ends, the assembly acquires rigidity. Starting from a reduced bar package (b), the system is deployable both in the plane and three-dimensionally, it is also repetitive and of a fractal nature since it can contain substructures that join the main structure and are deployed together. # Innovation can be applied in different sectors, the main proposed use is temporary building in height. In construction it can also be used as scaffolding, attachment, formwork, formwork or part of auxiliary elements such as cranes or construction elevators. Adapting the scale and the complements of the structure can also have other uses such as shelter, tent, greenhouse, garage, hangar, stage, stand, advertising support, mast, antenna or retractable cover.

Description

Fractal folding structural system.

Technical sector

The invention falls within the field of folding structures, more specifically in structures composed of mesh meshes using scissors or pantographs primarily used in the field of architecture.

State of the art

The scissor or pantograph mechanism has historically been applied in numerous fields such as mechanics or the aerospace industry. As for the application of these geometric principles to architecture, it was carried out during the second half of the 20th century. Basically the structural folding has been applied in solutions for arches and vaults. The vast majority of these systems also need external elements such as bars or cables to provide rigidity to the structure.

In the patent documents: United States Patent 3185164, United States Patent 3325958, US 4026313, US 3710806, US 4689932, US 4658560, US 5444946, ES 532117, US 6141934, US 4156433, US 5230196, ES 2 268 963 various deployable structures.

The deployable and therefore deformable structures, until now, have not been useful as a structure because their stable form had not been found. The present invention provides a solution to this problem by obtaining the structure's rigidity thanks to its own geometric configuration once deployed without requiring external elements.

The folding bars of bars have been the subject of numerous patents for different uses, but never for buildings in height, the invention proposes a self-supporting structural system of different dimensions that can be used as temporary buildings in height that can be executed and in turn disassembled in Little time margin.

The present invention incorporates the concept of fractality to deployable structures. This system allows the repetition at different scales of the proposed basic structure, which allows facing more complex structures.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention relates to a structural system whose basic unit consists of pairs of bars with a pivoting intermediate node (X, Fig. 1.1). Depending on the type of intermediate node used each bar that forms the pair may be coplanar with the other or be in different planes as long as they are parallel.

These pairs of bars are articulated with other pairs of bars at their ends (O, Fig. 1.2). Both the extreme and intermediate links exert two constraints and allow freedom of rotation, making it a mechanism with a degree of freedom. If the intermediate node (X, Fig. 1.1) is at the same distance from all the ends of the bar pair (a = a '= b = b', Fig. 1.1) the set of bar pairs is displayed linearly ( Fig. 1.3). If the node is at a smaller distance from one of the ends (a = b> a ’= b’, Fig. 2.1) the set of pairs of bars is deployed in a curved way (Fig. 2.2). These groupings of bars are considered mechanisms since they do not have rigidity.

The basic geometric condition of the invention is that the ends of the set of pairs of bars, with a non-central pivoting intermediate node (Fig. 2.2), are joined in their deployed position and in this way the assembly obtains rigidity (Fig. 2.3 ). In other words, the curved path initiated during the deployment phase is completed and the ends of the pairs that during the deployment phase lacked articulation are connected (D1 ’, D2’, D1 ”, D2”, Fig. 2.2). In the final unfolding phase they are articulated in the same way as the rest of the outer nodes, in this way the assembly is triangulated and therefore obtains rigidity (D1, D2, Fig. 2.3) limiting the rotation of its inner knots (α , Fig. 2.1)

The basic configuration of the structural system, in plan, starts by grouping six pairs of bars with an intermediate pivot knot at a distance of one third of one of its ends and articulating the long ends of the pairs of bars and on the other hand the short ones ( Fig. 3). The unfolded main structure (Fig. 3.7) is characterized by having an outer contour of a six-pointed star and an inner contour of a regular hexagon.

This basic configuration in plan can be completed three-dimensionally, for this, they are joined transversely by the ends (Fig. 4) pairs of bars with an intermediate pivot knot in their midpoint. The basic configuration of bars with a non-central intermediate node is repeated in parallel planes connecting with the ends of the crossbar pairs. This system is repetitive and can be superimposed on as many sets of pairs of bars as required depending on the specific characteristics of the structure (Fig. 5).

The geometric arrangement of this three-dimensional set of pairs of bars is such that when fully unfolding and joining the ends that remained loose (D Fig 2.2) it becomes a closed system with structural capacity. In all cases that are exposed, the movement that begins in a pair of bars is propagated throughout the structure.

To the pairs of bars already described can be added another bar (c, d, e, Fig. 6.1 and Fig. 7.1) articulated at its midpoint (T, Fig. 6.1 and Fig. 7.1) that we will call perimeter bar. This bar is connected to the ends of the bar pairs (O, Fig. 6.1 and Fig. 7.1). It has two folding possibilities, it can be folded into the pair of bars which would increase the thickness of the folded bar assembly (Fig. 6.2 and Fig. 7.2) or outward which would increase the length of the folded bar assembly (Fig. 6.3 and Fig. 7.3). The length of this bar limits the degree of opening of the configuration in its deployed position (Fig. 6.4 and Fig. 7.4). Although they are not strictly necessary since the angle of rotation is limited when the assembly is closed, this perimeter bar provides more rigidity to the assembly. These perimeter bars can be in the same plane as the other pairs of bars or in another parallel plane depending on the type of node that is available. Perimeter bars can be arranged at the outer ends of the main structure (Fig. 8) and transversely at all ends of the pairs with a central pivot intermediate knot (Fig. 9).

The main structure (Fig. 3) can be completed in a fractal way. This new con fi guration in its deployed form (Fig. 11.7) implies three homotics centered on three of its non-consecutive outer vertices, of ratio 1/2. So that this structure contains three reductions of itself. The folding configuration of these substructures is different from that of the initial structure, so that it allows folding (Fig. 12). The con fi guration for the three substructures is as follows: two pairs of bars, half the length that the pairs of bars of the main structure, with a pivot intermediate knot in a third are joined by their ends and by the ends of the part long with two non-consecutive inner ends of the main structure (D1 ”, D2”, Fig. 12). Four other secondary pairs articulate with each other at their ends and at their intermediate long side end (O1, Fig. 12), joins the long end of the main structure opposite to the other two substructure pairs. Two inner ends of the four-pair substructure join the midpoint of the bars of the main structure (O2, O3, Fig. 12). It is possible, instead of performing these last two operations, to join the intermediate pivot nodes of the intermediate substructure with a point located one third of the end of the long side of the main structure (X1, X2, Fig. 12) When the structure is fully deployed the ends of the substructure articulate each other providing rigidity to the assembly (D1, D2, D3, D4, Fig. 12). Once deployed, three inner endpoints of the three substructures that coincide at the midpoint of the deployed main structure can be joined together to prevent any rotation and ensure stiffness. (O4, Fig. 12 and Fig. 11.7) For the correct deployment these substructures must be contained in another plane parallel to that of the main structure.

Three-dimensionally you can proceed as in the main structure. All the pairs of bars of the substructure are half as long as those of the main structure, which allows two substructures to be introduced between each level of the main structure. For correct deployment, the three pairs of crossbars of the main structure corresponding to where the substructure is located must be removed. (Fig. 13 and Fig. 14) This new complete structure with three substructures can be completed with perimeter bars in each pair of bars. (Fig. 15, Fig. 16 and Fig. 17).

This substructure deployment process can generate, in turn, another three new reductions for each substructure twice as small (Fig. 18). This would generate a total of nine substructures whose deployment process is identical to that described except that instead of adhering to the main structure they join the substructure that is twice its size. You can also include perimeter bars. This process can be repeated in turn following the same patterns, creating a new substructure order (Fig. 19). It is a process that can be repeated indefinitely, thus densifying the number of bars that cover the same surface, all of which start from the same folded package. Regardless of the complexity of the structure created from this model, the folding or unfolding movement of a single pair of bars makes it spread throughout the entire mechanism.

This drop-down system has a fractal dimension of Hausdorff-Besicovitch coinciding with its fractal dimension of homotecia equal to:

The different levels of substructures can be combined, depending on the density of bars that are required both horizontally and vertically.

There are some definite variations of this system. Starting from the base con fi guration of six pairs of bars, six substructures are created that in their deployed form are inscribed in an imaginary circumference tangent to the limits of each pair of bars of the main structure (Fig. 20.7). This substructure whose length deployed from opposite end to end is half that the bars of the main structure have the following deployment configuration (Fig. 20). Two of the pairs of bars of the substructure are grouped together with half a pair of bars at each end, in this way the joint that used to be intermediate becomes an extreme joint. These joints are those that when the structure is deployed must be joined so that each substructure obtains rigidity. This variation also supports tangential bars and transverse development to achieve a three-dimensional deployment.

Another possible variation is that achieved with five pairs of bars as the main structure, in the same way stiffness is obtained when unfolding and articulate the ends that remained loose (Fig. 21). This structure can also be completed with pairs of tangential bars, perimeter bars, and substructures that are reductions of itself (Fig. 22). In order for the connections between the substructure to be deployed, two pairs of substructure bars must be grouped with an intermediate pivot node plus half a pair of bars at each end, joined at their ends with two of the consecutive intermediate nodes of the main structure . Three other pairs of substructure bars plus half a pair of bars at each end articulate with each other and at its intermediate long side end it joins the long end of the main structure. The inner ends of the non-consecutive substructure join the main structure bars.

Description of the drawings

Figure 1

Geometric scheme of the basic unit of the system, a pair of bars with a central pivot intermediate node (a = a ’= b = b’) that allows a degree of freedom of rotation. Figure 1.2 and 1.3 show how these pairs of bars are linked by joints at their ends. You can also see the straight path they follow during the folding to unfolding process and vice versa.

Figure 2

Geometric scheme of pair of bars with a non-central pivoting intermediate node (a = b> a ’= b’) that allows a degree of freedom of rotation. Figure 2.2 and 2.3 show how these pairs of bars are linked by joints at their ends. You can also see the curved path that they follow during the folding to unfolding process and vice versa. Figure 2.3 shows the basic principle of the invention, when the mechanism is fully deployed and the ends that were loose during articulation are articulated, a rigid triangulated structure is achieved.

Figure 3

Geometric scheme in plan of the deployment process of a set of six pairs of bars, from the initial beam

(3.1) to the final deployment position where the mechanism becomes a structure (3.7). This configuration will be called the main structure.

Figure 4

Three-dimensional geometric scheme of the main structure deployed.

Figure 5

Perspective of the folded bar package and the deployed structure resulting from the six-fold repetition of the main structure.

Figure 6

Geometric scheme of pair of bars with a central pivot intermediate knot with perimeter bars at both ends. Figure 6.2 shows how these can be folded into the pair and in Figure 6.3 how they can be folded out. Figure 6.4 shows how the deployment with these bars is limited.

Figure 7

Geometric scheme of pair of bars with a non-central pivoting intermediate node with perimeter bars at both ends. Figure 7.2 shows how they can be folded into the pair and Figure 7.3 how they can be folded out. Figure 7.4 shows how the deployment with these bars is limited.

Figure 8

Geometric scheme in plan of the deployment process of the main structure completed with perimeter bars.

Figure 9 Three-dimensional geometric scheme of the main structure completed with deployed perimeter bars.

Figure 10

Perspective of the folded bar package and the deployed structure resulting from the six-fold repetition of the main structure completed with perimeter bars.

Figure 11 Geometric scheme in plan of the deployment process the main structure with substructures.

Figure 12

Geometric scheme in plan of the process of deployment of the substructure on two pairs of bars of the initial configuration (12.1).

Figure 13 Three-dimensional geometric scheme of the main structure with substructures.

Figure 14

Perspective of the folded bar package and the deployed structure resulting from the six-fold repetition of the main structure with substructures.

Figure 15

Geometric scheme in plan of the process of deployment of the main structure with substructures completed with perimeter bars.

Figure 16

Three-dimensional geometric scheme of the main structure with substructures completed with perimeter bars.

Figure 17

Perspective of the folded bar package and the deployed structure resulting from the six-fold repetition of the main structure with substructures completed with perimeter bars.

Figure 18

Geometric scheme in the process of unfolding the main structure with two-order substructures completed with perimeter bars.

Figure 19

Geometric scheme in the process of unfolding the main structure with three-order substructures completed with perimeter bars.

Figure 20

Geometric scheme in plan of the deployment process of the main structure with alternative substructures.

Figure 21

Geometric scheme in plan of the process of deployment of an alternative main structure from five pairs of bars.

Figure 22

Geometric scheme in plan of the deployment process of an alternative main structure from five pairs of bars with substructures.

Embodiment of the invention

The material for the realization of the structure can be diverse, the basic characteristics is that it has to be resistant and preferably light, to facilitate its transport and unfolding process. Metal materials are recommended for both bars and knots.

The structure can be deployed with external means, such as cranes or it can be self-deployed, if it has internal mechanisms that drive certain pairs of bars. These mechanisms can be elements such as threaded bars, cables or shafts driven manually or automatically by means of motors, hydraulic jacks or cranks, etc. To deploy the plane that is in contact with the ground, elements that facilitate sliding such as wheels can be used.

Once the structure is in its final position, it will be fixed to the ground or immobilized by dead weight. Depending on the dimensions of the structure, the terrain and the different loads, both vertical and horizontal wind loads, it will be determined what type of anchor or foundation is necessary.

The structure can be completed once deployed with both vertical and horizontal walls. The horizontal walls will serve to create various platforms that can be used as practicable or covered floors and the vertical ones as enclosure, these can be rigid or textile. All these additional elements to the structure will depend on the particular application of the same.

Industrial application

The main application proposed is the creation of multi-storey buildings. In these buildings several levels of substructures can be combined to densify the horizontal planes and cover them so that they can be practicable. The main value of these constructions will be their rapid execution and the reversibility of the structure since it can be easily deployed and reused in another location.

This system can also be used in construction as a structure for scaffolding, attachments, formwork, formwork or auxiliary elements such as cranes or construction elevators.

Other uses that could respond to this innovation are structures for shelters, eventual tents, car garages, hangars, stages for events and fair stands. The system must be adapted in terms of scale and complements necessary for these uses.

The fractal deployable structures system using its complete deployment in the horizontal plane can be used as a retractable roof for large facilities such as bullring or sports stadiums or other events. Also to cover other scale spaces such as greenhouses or swimming pools.

Boosting the vertical development of the system can be applied as a mast for luminaires and the like or as a chimney of different use. It can also be used as a support for advertising elements.

On a smaller scale it can be used for the construction of furniture, such as in the manufacture of folding chairs or tables.

Other sectors where innovation may have applications is the aerospace or telecommunications industry, such as satellite structure or deployable antenna.

Claims (12)

one.

Folding structural system characterized by being formed by pairs of bars with a non-central pivoting intermediate node, articulated between the different pairs at their ends in such a way that they unfold following a curved path and in their final deployed form, the ends of the assembly are joined and the structure gets stiffness.

2.

Folding structural system according to claim 1 characterized in that at the ends of the pairs of bars other pairs of bars with a central pivoting intermediate node are added transversely, which allow a three-dimensional development.

3.

Folding structural system according to claim 1 and 2 characterized in that it is repeated in parallel planes connecting with the ends of the pairs of crossbars. This system is repetitive and can be superimposed on as many sets of bar pairs as required.

Four.

Folding structural system according to claim 1 characterized in that substructures are added, formed by pairs of bars of smaller size and with the non-central pivoting intermediate node that are attached to the main structure and that are deployed together.

5.

Folding structural system according to claim 1 and 4 characterized in that at the ends of the pairs of bars other pairs of bars are added transversely with a central pivoting intermediate node, which allow a three-dimensional development.

6.

Folding structural system according to claims 1 and 4 and 5 characterized in that it is repeated in parallel planes connecting with the ends of the pairs of crossbars. This system is repetitive and can be superimposed on as many sets of bar pairs as required.

7.

Folding structural system according to previous claims characterized in that perimeter bars articulated at their midpoint that provide rigidity are added to the pairs of bars at their ends.

8.

Folding structural system according to previous claims characterized by its use as a height building.

9.

Folding structural system according to previous claims characterized by its use in construction as scaffolding, attachment, formwork, formwork or part of auxiliary elements such as cranes or construction elevators.

10.

Structural deployment system according to previous claims characterized by its use as shelter, tent, greenhouse, garage, hangar, stage, stand, or advertising support.

eleven.

Folding structural system according to previous claims characterized by its use as a mast, antenna or retractable cover.

SPANISH OFFICE OF THE PATENTS AND BRAND Application no .: 200901789 SPAIN Date of submission of the application: 21.08.2009 Priority Date: REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE 51 Int. Cl.: E04B1 / 344 (2006.01) E04H15 / 50 (2006.01) RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Category

Documents cited Claims Affected

X

EP 0744575 A1 (ALEPH CO LTD) 27.11.1996, 1-3,8-11

Figures 27-28.

X

US 3557500 A (SCHMIDT RONALD R et al.) 26.01.1971, 1,8-11

column 1, line 51 - column 4, line 27.

TO

US 2004 120758 A1 (CHEN YAN et al.) 06.24.2004, 1-11

figure 23.

TO

DE 19923257 A1 (WALD SABINE) 23.11.2000, 1-11

figure 27.

TO

EN 2268963 A1 (UNIV SEVILLA) 16.03.2007, 1-11

Figures 1-11.

TO

EP 0136985 A2 (AERITALIA SPA) 10.04.1985, 1-11

Figures 1-4.

TO

ES 2182399 T3 (MERZ SAUTER ZIMMERMANN GMBH) 01.03.2003, 1-11

figures 1a-1d.

Category of the documents cited X: of particular relevance Y: of particular relevance combined with other / s of the same category A: reflects the state of the art O: refers to unwritten disclosure P: published between the priority date and the date of priority submission of the application E: previous document, but published after the date of submission of the application

This report has been prepared • for all claims • for claims no:

Date of realization of the report 03.11.2011

Examiner M. R. Revuelta Pollán Page 1/4

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE Application number: 200901789 Minimum documentation sought (classification system followed by classification symbols) E04B, E04H Electronic databases consulted during the search (database name and, if possible, terms of search used) INVENES, EPODOC, WPI, PAJ State of the Art Report Page 2/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 200901789 Date of Written Opinion: 03.11.2011 Statement

Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986)

Claims Claims 1-11 IF NOT

Inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986)

Claims Claims 1-3, 8-11 IF NOT

The application is considered to comply with the industrial application requirement. This requirement was evaluated during the formal and technical examination phase of the application (Article 31.2 Law 11/1986).  Opinion Base.- This opinion has been made on the basis of the patent application as published. State of the Art Report Page 3/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 200901789 1. Documents considered.- The documents belonging to the state of the art taken into consideration for the realization of this opinion are listed below.

Document

Publication or Identification Number publication date

D01

EP 0744575 A1 (ALEPH CO LTD) 11/27/1996

D02

US 3557500 A (SCHMIDT RONALD R et al.) 01/26/1971

D03

US 2004 120758 A1 (CHEN YAN et al.) 06.24.2004

D04

DE 19923257 A1 (WALD SABINE) 23.11.2000

D05

ES 2268963 A1 (UNIV SEVILLA) 03/16/2007

D06

EP 0136985 A2 (AERITALIA SPA) 04.04.1985

D07

ES 2182399 T3 (MERZ SAUTER ZIMMERMANN GMBH) 01.03.2003

2. Statement motivated according to articles 29.6 and 29.7 of the Regulations for the execution of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents on novelty and inventive activity; quotes and explanations in support of this statement Claim 1: Claim 1 describes a deployable structural system formed by pairs of bars with a non-central pivoting intermediate node, articulated between the different pairs at their ends such that they are deployed following a curved path and in their final deployed form, the ends of the assembly they join. Document D01 and D02 describes a deployable structural system with the same technical characteristics described in claim 1 of the patent under study, except that document D01 and D02 do not show the joined ends of the assembly, however, this difference is not considers that it has inventive activity since said constructive variant would be one of several obvious possibilities that an expert in the field would select according to the circumstances, without the exercise of inventive activity, to solve the technical problem posed. Claim 2 and 3: Claims 2 and 3 specify that at the ends of the pairs of bars other pairs of bars are added transversely with a central pivot intermediate node that allows three-dimensional development. Said system is repeated in parallel planes connecting with the ends of the pairs of crossbars. Document D02 shows the same technical characteristics described in claims 2 and 3. (See Figure 27 and Fig 22). Claims 4-7: Claim 4 specifies a substructure formed by pairs of smaller bars and with the non-central pivoting intermediate node that are attached to the main structure and that are deployed together. None of documents D01 to D07 show said technical characteristics, so claim 4 meets the requirements of novelty and inventive activity. Claims 5-7 are dependent on claim 4 and as they also meet the requirements regarding novelty and inventive activity. Claims 8-11: Claims 8-11 describe general uses of said deployable structure of claim 1 and cannot be considered to involve inventive activity. Conclusion: In view of documents D01 and D02, claims 1-3, 8-11 lack inventive activity. Claims 4-7 meet the requirements of novelty and inventive activity in view of documents D01 to D07. State of the Art Report Page 4/4