Membrane support structure

Abstract

This invention provides a membrane support structure, including a support frame, a plurality of cables radially stretched along the support frame, and a plurality of connecting components. Both ends of the cables are connected to the support frame via the connecting components. Each connecting component includes a fixing seat, a first limiting sleeve, and an elastic element. The fixing seat is mounted on the support frame, one end of the cable passes through the fixing seat, the first limiting sleeve is mounted at the end of the cable passing through the fixing seat, and both ends of the elastic element are connected to the fixing seat and the first limiting sleeve, respectively. This invention reduces the large internal forces generated by the cables under wind loads by adding springs at the fixed ends of the cables, preventing them from being completely fixed to the support frame and allowing them to slide along their own axial direction. Simultaneously, the elastic element effectively controls the amount of cable slippage, rather than allowing the cables to slide freely, thus meeting structural design requirements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of architectural design technology, and in particular to a membrane support structure. Background Technology

[0002] Cable-membrane structures emerged as a new architectural form internationally in the 1950s and have a history of over sixty years, with their application developing rapidly, especially after the 1970s. The advent of membrane structures has provided architects with new options beyond traditional building models. Membrane structures utilize membrane materials instead of traditional building materials, resulting in a weight that is only one-thirtieth of traditional buildings. Furthermore, membrane structures can fundamentally overcome the difficulties encountered by traditional structures in achieving large-span (unsupported) buildings, creating vast, unobstructed visual spaces. Their advantages, such as free and lightweight design, flame retardancy, ease of fabrication, quick installation, energy efficiency, ease of use, and safety, have led to their widespread application worldwide. At night, the building's interior lights illuminate the night sky through the membrane roof, creating a dreamlike effect. This structural form is particularly suitable for large stadiums, entrance corridors, public leisure and entertainment plazas, exhibition halls, shopping malls, and other fields.

[0003] Membrane structures, as auxiliary structures, offer advantages such as lightweight, transparency, and the ability to effectively address non-coplanar structures. However, their materials are flexible and have relatively poor stiffness. For membrane materials arranged close to a plane, thin cables need to be spaced at the bottom of the membrane structure to provide out-of-plane stiffness. For high-rise buildings, wind loads have a significant impact. To provide effective stiffness, the internal forces in the cables under the membrane are relatively large, resulting in a large reaction force on the main structure. This would increase the cross-sectional dimensions of the main structure's components, which is both uneconomical and affects the structural layout. Furthermore, when the surrounding environment heats up or the main structure undergoes local deformation, the cables may loosen. Therefore, a method is needed to reduce the internal forces in the cables under the membrane, thereby reducing the reaction force on the main structure and preventing cable loosening. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a membrane support structure that effectively reduces the large internal forces generated by the membrane cables under wind load, thereby reducing the reaction force on the main structure.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a membrane support structure, comprising a support frame, a plurality of cables radially stretched along the support frame, and a plurality of connecting components, wherein the two ends of the cables are respectively connected to the support frame via the connecting components; wherein,

[0006] The connecting assembly includes a fixed base, a first limiting sleeve, and an elastic element. The fixed base is installed on the support frame, one end of the cable passes through the fixed base, the first limiting sleeve is installed at the end of the cable that passes through the fixed base, and both ends of the elastic element are connected to the fixed base and the first limiting sleeve, respectively.

[0007] Optionally, the fixing seat includes a seat body and a fixing plate. The seat body is fixed on the support frame, and the fixing plate is fixed vertically on the seat body. One end of the cable passes through the fixing plate, and both ends of the elastic element abut against the fixing plate and the first limiting sleeve, respectively.

[0008] Optionally, a second limiting sleeve is also provided on the side of the fixing plate near the first limiting sleeve. Both the first limiting sleeve and the second limiting sleeve have an annular limiting surface, and the two ends of the elastic member are respectively located within the annular limiting surfaces of the first limiting sleeve and the second limiting sleeve.

[0009] Optionally, the first limiting sleeve is fitted over the end of the cable, and a locking nut is provided on the side of the first limiting sleeve opposite to the elastic element, and the locking nut is fixed to the end of the cable.

[0010] Optionally, the support frame includes an outer frame and several support rods. The support rods are arranged parallel to each other in the circumferential direction within the outer frame. The cable is pulled parallel to each other in the radial direction within the outer frame and located on the support rod. The fixing seat is arranged on the outer frame.

[0011] Optionally, at least one of the support rods is provided with a plurality of sliding seats, and the cable passes through the sliding seats and is able to slide radially relative to the sliding seats.

[0012] Optionally, the sliding seats are arranged at equal intervals along the extension direction of the support rod.

[0013] Optionally, the cables are laid at equal intervals along the radial direction within the outer frame.

[0014] Optionally, the cable is provided with a membrane clamp for mounting the membrane structure.

[0015] Optionally, the elastic element is a spring.

[0016] This invention provides a membrane support structure that has at least one of the following beneficial effects:

[0017] 1) By adding elastic elements at the ends of the cables, the cables are not completely fixed to the support frame and can slide along their own axis, thereby reducing the large internal forces generated by the cables under wind loads. Simultaneously, the springs effectively control the amount of cable slippage, rather than allowing the cables to slide completely freely, thus meeting the relevant design requirements of the building structure.

[0018] 2) The elastic element is initially in a compressed state. When the surrounding environment heats up or the main structure undergoes local deformation, the elastic element elongates to maintain the cable force at a certain level and prevent the cable from slack.

[0019] 3) By setting up elastic elements, the cable force can be maintained within a certain range regardless of whether it is elongated or compressed;

[0020] 4) By setting a sliding seat on the support rod, the deformation of the cable under wind load can be limited, reducing the large internal force generated by the cable under wind load, and the slippage of the cable in its own axial direction will not be affected. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Those skilled in the art will understand that the accompanying drawings are provided to better understand the invention and do not constitute any limitation on the scope of the invention. Wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 This is an overall schematic diagram of a membrane support structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a partially enlarged view of a membrane support structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] In the attached image:

[0025] 10-Support frame; 11-Outer frame; 12-Support rod; 20-Cable; 30-Fixing seat; 31-First limiting sleeve; 32-Elastic element; 33-Second limiting sleeve; 34-Locking nut; 40-Sliding seat;

[0026] 301 - Base; 302 - Fixing plate. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the objectives, advantages, and features of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that the drawings are all in a very simplified form and are not drawn to scale, and are only used to facilitate and clarify the explanation of the embodiments of this invention. Furthermore, the structures shown in the drawings are often part of the actual structures. In particular, different figures may emphasize different aspects and may sometimes use different scales.

[0028] The singular terms “a,” “an,” and “the” used in this invention may include plural objects unless otherwise expressly indicated. The term “or” used in this invention is generally used to mean “and / or” unless otherwise expressly indicated. The term “a number” used in this invention is generally used to mean “at least one” unless otherwise expressly indicated. The term “at least two” used in this invention is generally used to mean “two or more” unless otherwise expressly indicated. Furthermore, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as “first,” “second,” or “third” may explicitly or implicitly include one or at least two of that feature.

[0029] Figure 1 This is an overall schematic diagram of a membrane support structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a partially enlarged view of a membrane support structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figures 1-2 This embodiment provides a membrane support structure, including a support frame 10, a plurality of cables 20 radially stretched along the support frame 10, and a plurality of connecting components. The two ends of each cable 20 are connected to the support frame 10 via the connecting components.

[0030] The connecting assembly includes a fixed base 30, a first limiting sleeve 31, and an elastic element 32. The fixed base 30 is mounted on the support frame 10. One end of the cable 20 passes through the fixed base 30. The first limiting sleeve 31 is mounted at the end of the cable 20 that passes through the fixed base 30. Both ends of the elastic element 32 are connected to the fixed base 30 and the first limiting sleeve 31, respectively.

[0031] The membrane support structure provided in this embodiment is located below the membrane structure. The cable 20 is radially stretched onto the support frame 10 to support the membrane structure. By adding an elastic element 32 to the end of the cable 20, an elastic stiffness is provided to the cable 20, allowing it to slide relative to the support frame 10 along its own axial direction. This effectively reduces the large internal force generated by the cable 20 under wind load and reduces the reaction force on the main structure. It should be understood that for traditional cables 20, the cable head is directly fixed to the main structure. Therefore, under large wind loads, the cable 20 deforms under stress, increasing the internal force and consequently increasing the reaction force of the cable head on the main structure, thus increasing the requirements for the cross-section of the main structure components. In this embodiment, by adding the elastic element 32 at the cable head, the cable 20 is not completely fixed to the support frame 10 and can slide along its own axial direction, thereby reducing the large internal force generated by the cable 20 under wind load. Meanwhile, the spring effectively controls the slippage of the cable 20, preventing it from sliding completely freely and meeting the relevant design requirements of the building structure. Furthermore, the elastic element 32 maintains the cable force within a certain range during both elongation and compression, preventing cable slack.

[0032] It should be understood that the radial and circumferential directions mentioned in this application are relative to the main structure, which is, for example, a spherical or saddle-shaped structure.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 2 The fixed base 30 includes a base body 301 and a fixed plate 302. The base body 301 is fixed to the support frame 10, and the fixed plate 302 is vertically fixed to the base body 301. One end of the cable 20 passes through the fixed plate 302, and both ends of the elastic element 32 abut against the fixed plate 302 and the first limiting sleeve 31, respectively. In this embodiment, the elastic element 32 is, for example, a spring, and both ends can directly abut against the inner walls of the fixed plate 302 and the first limiting sleeve 31. When the cable 20 slides to the left under wind load, it drives the first limiting sleeve 31 to move to the left. At this time, the spring is compressed. After the wind load is removed, the cable 20 and the first limiting sleeve 31 return to their original positions under the action of the spring.

[0034] In this embodiment, the elastic element 32 is initially in a compressed state. When the surrounding environment heats up or the main structure undergoes local deformation, the elastic element 32 elongates to maintain the cable force at a certain level and prevent the cable from slack.

[0035] In this embodiment, the base 301 can be directly welded to the support frame 10, and the fixing plate 302 can be welded to the base 301 or integrally formed with the base 301. This application does not limit this. The fixing plate 302 is also provided with a through hole for the cable 20 to pass through.

[0036] Furthermore, a second limiting sleeve 33 is also provided on the side of the fixing plate 302 near the first limiting sleeve 31. Both the first limiting sleeve 31 and the second limiting sleeve 33 have an annular limiting surface, and the two ends of the elastic member 32 are respectively located within the annular limiting surfaces of the first limiting sleeve 31 and the second limiting sleeve 33. The first limiting sleeve 31 and the second limiting sleeve 33 are respectively fitted onto the two ends of the elastic member 32 for two reasons: first, to limit the elastic member 32 circumferentially; and second, to adjust the maximum deformation of the elastic member 32 by adjusting the coverage length of the first limiting sleeve 31 and the second limiting sleeve 33 along the axial direction of the cable 20. That is, when the first limiting sleeve 31 and the second limiting sleeve 33 abut against each other, the elastic member 32 cannot be further compressed, thereby controlling the deformation of the elastic member 32.

[0037] The first limiting sleeve 31 is sleeved on the end of the cable 20. A locking nut 34 is provided on the side of the first limiting sleeve 31 opposite to the elastic member 32, and the locking nut 34 is fixed to the end of the cable 20. In this embodiment, the locking nut 34 is mainly used to limit the first limiting sleeve 31. By adjusting the position of the locking nut 34 on the cable 20, the distance between the first limiting sleeve 31 and the second limiting sleeve 33 can be changed, thereby adjusting the initial state of the elastic member 32. For example, the initial state of the elastic member 32 is that it is compressed to a certain extent.

[0038] Please continue to refer to Figure 1 The support frame 10 includes an outer frame 11 and several support rods 12. The support rods 12 are arranged parallel to each other in the outer frame 11 in the circumferential direction. The cable 20 is pulled parallel to each other in the radial direction in the outer frame 11 and is located on the support rod 12. The fixing seat 30 is arranged on the outer frame 11.

[0039] Furthermore, at least one of the support rods 12 is provided with a plurality of sliding seats 40 (not shown in the figure), and the cable 20 passes through the sliding seats 40 and can slide radially relative to the sliding seats 40. By providing sliding seats 40 on the support rods 12, on the one hand, the vertical deformation of the cable 20 under wind load can be limited without affecting the sliding of the cable 20 in its own axial direction; on the other hand, the cable 20 is prevented from being broken, so that the cable length of the cable 20 is maximized, thereby reducing the change in the internal force of the cable 20 under external loads such as wind load. Therefore, the sliding seats 40 on the support rods 12 can be designed according to design requirements. This application does not limit the number and distribution of the support rods 12 or the number and distribution of the sliding seats 40.

[0040] Preferably, the sliding seats 40 are arranged at equal intervals along the extension direction of the support rod 12.

[0041] Preferably, the cables 20 are laid radially at equal intervals within the outer frame 11.

[0042] In this embodiment, the cable 20 is provided with a membrane clamp for installing the membrane structure.

[0043] In summary, this invention provides a membrane support structure. By adding springs at the ends of the cables, the cables are not completely fixed to the support frame and can slide along their own axis, thereby reducing the large internal forces generated by the cables under wind loads. Simultaneously, by using springs, the amount of cable slippage can be effectively controlled, rather than allowing the cables to slide completely freely, thus meeting the relevant requirements of building structures.

[0044] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not constitute any limitation on the present invention. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions and content disclosed in the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall be deemed to have remained within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A membrane support structure, characterized in that, It includes a support frame, several cables radially stretched along the support frame, and several connecting components. Both ends of each cable are connected to the support frame via the connecting components. Each cable can slide along its own axial direction, and the amount of slippage is effectively controlled by an elastic element. Specifically: The connecting assembly includes a fixed base, a first limiting sleeve, and an elastic element. The fixed base is installed on the support frame. One end of the cable passes through the fixed base. The first limiting sleeve is installed at the end of the cable that passes through the fixed base. Both ends of the elastic element are connected to the fixed base and the first limiting sleeve, respectively. The first limiting sleeve is sleeved over the end of the cable. A locking nut is provided on the side of the first limiting sleeve away from the elastic element. The locking nut is fixed to the end of the cable. The support frame includes an outer frame and several support rods. The support rods are arranged parallel to each other in the circumferential direction within the outer frame. The cable is pulled parallel to each other in the radial direction within the outer frame and located on the support rod. The fixing seat is arranged on the outer frame. At least one of the support rods is provided with a plurality of sliding seats, and the cable passes through the sliding seats and is able to slide radially relative to the sliding seats; The fixed base includes a base body and a fixed plate. The base body is fixed on the support frame, and the fixed plate is fixed vertically on the base body. A second limiting sleeve is also provided on the side of the fixed plate near the first limiting sleeve. Both the first limiting sleeve and the second limiting sleeve have an annular limiting surface. The two ends of the elastic element are respectively located within the annular limiting surfaces of the first limiting sleeve and the second limiting sleeve. When the first limiting sleeve and the second limiting sleeve abut against each other, the elastic element cannot be further compressed, thereby controlling the deformation of the elastic element. The cable is equipped with a membrane clamp for installing the membrane structure.

2. The membrane support structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the cable passes through the fixed plate, and both ends of the elastic element abut against the fixed plate and the first limiting sleeve, respectively.

3. The membrane support structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The sliding seats are evenly spaced along the extension direction of the support rod.

4. The membrane support structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cables are laid radially at equal intervals within the outer frame.

5. The membrane support structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic element is a spring.

Images