U.S. patent application number 10/745159 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-07 for space frame construction system.
Invention is credited to Olsson, Bertil.
Application Number | 20040194411 10/745159 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33100512 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040194411 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Olsson, Bertil |
October 7, 2004 |
Space frame construction system
Abstract
The invention relates to a space from construction system for
three-dimensional positioning of reference points. The frame system
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. Each node is directly
connected via struts to at least three other nodes and the struts
are connected to the nodes by means of an adhesive. Each reference
point is mounted upon at least one respective node.
Inventors: |
Olsson, Bertil; (Karna,
SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ORUM & ROTH
53 W. JACKSON BLVD
CHICAGO
IL
60604
US
|
Family ID: |
33100512 |
Appl. No.: |
10/745159 |
Filed: |
December 23, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10745159 |
Dec 23, 2003 |
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09807563 |
Apr 12, 2001 |
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09807563 |
Apr 12, 2001 |
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PCT/SE99/01840 |
Oct 13, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/633 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2001/199 20130101;
E04B 2001/1981 20130101; E04B 1/19 20130101; E04B 2001/1927
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/633 |
International
Class: |
E04B 001/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 15, 1998 |
SE |
9803529-8 |
Claims
1. (cancelled)
2. A frame system according to claim 8, characterized in that four
adjacent nodes form a tetrahedron where the distances may be of
different lengths.
3. (Cancelled)
4. A frame system according claim 13, characterized in that the
glue consists of an epoxy resin.
5. A frame system according to claim 8, characterized in that the
distances are manufactured from a laminate of fiber reinforced
thermosetting resin.
6. A frame system according to claim 8, characterized in that the
nodes are manufactured from a plastic material.
7. (Cancelled)
8. A space frame built of nodes in the shape of spherical elements
and distances characterized in that every distance is between two
nodes, that every node can freely be positioned in relation to
three reference nodes, through the lengths of three distances
between the node and the three reference nodes, that the ends of
the distances have such a shape that they have a sole stable
position against the node, and that the ends of the distances are
fixed with adhesive methods to the spherical surfaces of the
nodes.
9. A space frame according to claim 8, characterized in that the
distances are made of cylindrical pipes.
10. A space frame according to claim 8, characterized in that the
distances are hollow profiles where the hole has a shape that give
a sole stable position against the sphere.
11. A space frame according to claim 8, characterized in that the
distances are equipped with end fittings where the ends have
spherical faces with the same radius as the sphere of the fitting
node and that the end fitting is included in the length of the
distance.
12. A space frame according to claim 8, characterized in that a
structure is made of a number of tetrahedrons of different shapes
emanating from a base tetrahedron.
13. A space frame according to claim 8, characterized in that the
adhesive bond is made by gluing.
14. A space frame according to claim 8, characterized in that the
adhesive bond is made by soldering.
15. A space frame according to claim 8, characterized in that the
adhesive bond is made by welding.
16. A space frame according to claim 4, wherein the ends of each
hollow profiles rest against the sphere of the connected nodes. 17.
A space frame according to claim 5, wherein the ends of each end
fittings have a form corresponding to the sphere of the connected
nodes.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] 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.
STATE OF THE ART
[0002] 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.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0003] One object of the present intention 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 SOLUTION
[0004] For this object, the space frame according to the invention
is characterized in chat 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. By this design of the
space frame system a rigid construction is provided which can be
easily erected. At the same time, each reference point will be
completely integrated in the construction.
[0005] Preferably, four adjacent nodes form a tetrahedron. In that
case, a main tetrahedron may form a support structure for a number
of smaller tetrahedrons.
[0006] The adhesive may preferably consist of an epoxy resin. This
solution results in bonds with a very high degree of strength.
[0007] 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. By this
design of the space frame system according to the invention, it is
not appreciable affected by temperature variations in the
surroundings, or by the objects that will be carried by the space
frame.
[0008] 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. According
is to this method, the space frame assembled easily and efficiently
without a risk for the final result deviating from the
intended.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention will in the following be further described in
a non-limiting way under reference to the accompanying drawing
which shows a space frame system designed in accordance with the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] 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.
[0011] Each node 2 is connected co at least three other nodes 2 via
struts 3.
[0012] 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.
[0013] Thus, the cut length L of the tubular element corresponds to
the total distance D between the two spherical elements, subtracted
by 1the radius R from the respective spherical element, and added
by a trimming allowance M for each tube end, i.e. L=D-2R+2M. This
trimming allowance depends upon the relationship between the inner
diameter of the tubular element and the outer diameter of the
sphere.
[0014] It is a simple thing to design a three-dimensional model of
the space frame by means of CAD-drawing with a computer. As soon as
the trimming allowance M is known, it is simple to produce a list
of the actual cut length of each tubular element 3 which is a part
of the space frame. During the design of the three-dimensional
computer model, regard is paid to the weight of the workpiece which
will be carried by the fixture, so that no tubular element will be
overloaded.
[0015] 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.
[0016] In the example shown in the drawing, 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.
In principle, 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. Finally, 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.
[0017] 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.
[0018] It has proven that it is possible to achieve the desired
precision in the completed frame structure in this manner. 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.
[0019] The invention is not limited to the above described
embodiment, but several variants are imaginable within the scope of
the following claims. For example, 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.
* * * * *