Self-centering corner damper for wood beam-column joint

Abstract

This invention discloses a self-resetting angle damper at the joint of a wooden beam and column, relating to the technical field of structural displacement dampers. It includes: a wooden cylindrical column, a wooden rectangular beam, column sleeves, beam sleeves, an angle bracket, and a spring damper. The wooden cylindrical column and the wooden rectangular beam are connected by interlocking mortise and tenon joints. The angle bracket coordinates and synchronizes with the angle displacement of the beam-column joint. When the beam deflects downwards, the spring damper absorbs the energy generated by the bending moment at the beam-column joint after the angle displacement. This device, by setting up the angle bracket and spring damper connected by the beam-column sleeve, converts the work done by the bending moment at the beam-column joint in the direction of the angle displacement into elastic potential energy in the damper. This improves the plastic deformation capacity of the beam joint material after yielding under large loads, enabling it to withstand large angles and deformations without damage. Furthermore, the angle of the joint returns to zero after the load is removed, exhibiting a certain degree of self-resetting capability. The component shows strong stability under low-cycle cyclic loads.

Description

[0001] The parent application of this invention was filed on October 31, 2022, with application number 202211348270.2, and the patent title is "A Spring Damper for Rotational Displacement of Wooden Beam-Column Joints". Technical Field

[0002] This invention specifically relates to a self-resetting angle damper at the joint of a wooden beam and column, belonging to the field of building equipment technology, and particularly to a joint reinforcement device that converts the angular displacement of the beam-column joint into elastic potential energy through a high-stiffness spring and has self-resetting capability. Background Technology

[0003] In timber-framed buildings, mortise and tenon joints are typically used at beam-column connections. However, existing technologies have the following problems regarding the required joint stiffness at beam-column joints during angular displacement:

[0004] Beam-column joints are typically mortise and tenon structures, where a rectangular tenon at the beam end is inserted into a mortise in the column for secure fastening. When the joint is subjected to large bending moments, the wood fibers are compressed, and some of the fiber layer material enters the plastic phase. This compression leads to significant deformation, causing the mortise to loosen. Replacing the uniform cross-section wooden beam with a haunched beam can improve the bending strength and angular stiffness of the joint to some extent, but it weakens the ductility of the beam-column joint in the angular direction. For wood with low moisture content or hard, dry wood, beam-column joints are prone to brittle failure. Summary of the Invention

[0005] (a) Technical problems to be solved

[0006] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a self-resetting angle damper for the joint of wooden beams and columns. It solves the problems of simple connection and low ductility of the joint angle in traditional technologies. It features high joint connection strength, strong deformation capacity and normal function even after the joint material enters the yield state under heavy loads, and the joint angle returns to zero after the load is removed, thus possessing a certain self-resetting capability.

[0007] (II) Technical Solution

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0009] Wooden cylinder, wooden rectangular beam, column sleeve, beam sleeve, corner bracket, spring damper. The feature is that the wooden cylinder, as a supporting member, has a rectangular groove in its body forming a mortise, the depth of which is the radius of the cylinder's cross-section. The wooden rectangular beam, as a bending member, has a rectangular tenon at its end embedded in the wooden cylinder. The column sleeve consists of a semi-circular ring and a first plate hoop with a dovetail tenon, fastened together by a first bolt; the beam sleeve consists of a right-angle ring and a second plate hoop with a dovetail tenon, fastened together by a second bolt; the corner bracket consists of a column bracket, a beam bracket, a triangular steel plate, an arc-shaped rack, a coaxial double gear, and a U-shaped fixing lug. Two sets of column sleeves are provided, fixing the column bracket vertically. A triangular steel plate with a round hole at the end is welded to the inner side of the column bracket. One set of beam sleeves is provided, allowing relative sliding between the inner groove of the beam bracket and the plate hoop with the dovetail tenon. Triangular steel plates and U-shaped fixing lugs are welded to the sides of the column bracket, and an arc-shaped rack is welded to the bottom of the beam bracket. The coaxial double gear includes a ratchet and a column gear. The arc-shaped rack is installed in the end hole of the triangular steel plate and meshes with the spur gear of the coaxial double gear. The spring damper consists of a main wheel, a main spring, a secondary spring, and a pawl. The main wheel has a central hole with its axis coinciding with the axis of the coaxial double gear. The main wheel is coaxially mounted between the ratchet and the spur gear of the coaxial double gear. A pawl is installed on the surface of the main wheel and engages with the ratchet of the coaxial double gear. The main spring is connected to the main wheel and a U-shaped fixing lug at both ends and operates as a tension spring. The outer arc surface of the main wheel tangent to the main spring has a concave rectangular groove with a groove width greater than the diameter of the main spring. The secondary spring is connected to the main wheel and a pawl at both ends and operates as a tension spring.

[0010] Furthermore, the end of the column support is a circular tube sleeve, and the end of the beam support is a core circular shaft. The ends are nested to form a hinge. The arc-shaped rack is the rack extension path determined by a segment of an arc centered on the hinge axis of the beam-column support.

[0011] Furthermore, the coaxial double gear is provided with a cross-shaped straight tenon connection at the connection shaft between the spur gear and the ratchet. The spur gear is connected to a four-corner toothed shaft on the opposite side of the ratchet. The ratchet is connected to a cross tenon shaft on the opposite side of the spur gear. A round shaft segment is connected to the opposite side of the spur gear and the ratchet. The round shaft segment is installed in the round hole at the end of the triangular steel plate to ensure that the spur gear meshes with the arc-shaped rack. The central round hole of the main wheel is aligned with the four-corner toothed shaft on the spur gear. The cross tenon shaft on the ratchet disc is embedded in the central round hole of the main wheel disc and is connected to the four-corner toothed shaft.

[0012] Furthermore, the main wheel of the spring damper is provided with a disc groove, and two round shafts are fixedly connected to the disc surface in the groove. The rotating shaft part of the pawl has a round hole and is fixed to the disc surface of the main wheel by cooperating with one of the round shafts on the disc surface. One end of the secondary spring is fixedly connected to another round shaft on the disc surface of the main wheel, and the other end is fixedly connected to the pawl.

[0013] Furthermore, a hook is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the main wheel, and the main spring is connected between the hook of the main wheel and the U-shaped fixing ear, and the diameter of the main spring is smaller than the width of the concave rectangular groove.

[0014] Furthermore, the secondary spring is always under tension, and the contact point between the pawl and the ratchet is under constant pressure.

[0015] Furthermore, the beam sleeve and column sleeve do not slide relative to the beam and column, respectively.

[0016] Furthermore, relative sliding can occur between the beam support and the plate hoop with protruding dovetail tenons along the beam axis.

[0017] (III) Beneficial Effects

[0018] This invention provides a self-resetting angle damper for the joint of wooden beams and columns, which has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] This invention uses a combination of mechanical components such as clamps, supports, and spring dampers to convert the work done by the bending moment at the beam-column joint in the direction of angular displacement into elastic potential energy in the damper.

[0020] The entire device of this invention enables the beam-column joint to improve rotational stiffness when the joint material is in the elastic stage under constant load, and to improve structural ductility in the direction of bending moment when it is in the yield stage. It also improves the plastic deformation capacity of the joint material after yielding under large load, and has the ability to withstand large rotations and large deformations without damage.

[0021] The entire device of this invention enables beam-column joints to self-reset under live loads, and the spring damper has a large restoring force after storing energy, allowing the joint angular displacement to be reset to zero. The component exhibits strong stability under low-cycle cyclic loads such as earthquakes and wind, improving the stress performance of the joint. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the wooden cylinder, wooden rectangular beam, column sleeve, and beam sleeve of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 This is an isometric view of the column sleeve hoop of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the bolts in the column sleeve of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 5 This is an isometric view of the beam sleeve of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 6 This is an isometric view of the corner bracket of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 7 The images show the isometric view, side view, and front view of the coaxial double gear of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 8 This is an isometric view of the coaxial double gear of the present invention after rotating 180° around the vertical axis.

[0030] Figure 9 The images show the isometric view, side view, and front view of the main wheel disc of the spring damper of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 10 This is an isometric view of the spring damper of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 11 This is an isometric view of the spring damper of the present invention after rotating 180° about the vertical axis.

[0033] Figure 12 This is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the ratchet and pawl of the spring damper of the present invention.

[0034] In the attached diagram: 1. Wooden cylindrical column; 2. Wooden rectangular beam; 3. Column sleeve; 4. Beam sleeve; 5. Corner bracket; 6. Spring damper; 3-1. Semicircular ring; 3-2. First plate hoop with protruding dovetail tenon; 3-3. First bolt; 4-1. Right-angle ring; 4-2. Second plate hoop with protruding dovetail tenon; 4-3. Second bolt; 5-1. Column bracket; 5-2. Beam bracket; 5-3. Triangular steel plate; 5-4. Arc-shaped rack; 5-5. Coaxial double gear; 5-6. U-shaped fixing lug; 6-1. Main wheel; 6-2. Main spring; 6-3. Secondary spring; 6-4. Pawl. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] Please see Figure 1-11 The present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0037] A self-resetting corner damper at the junction of a wooden beam and column includes a wooden cylindrical column 1, a wooden rectangular beam 2, a column sleeve 3, a beam sleeve 4, a corner bracket 5, and a spring damper 6. The wooden cylindrical column 1 serves as a supporting member, with a rectangular groove cut into its body to form a mortise. The depth of the mortise is the radius of the cylindrical section. The wooden rectangular beam 2 serves as a bending member, with a rectangular tenon at its end embedded in the wooden cylindrical column 1. The column sleeve 3 consists of a semi-circular ring 3-1 and a first plate 3-2 with a dovetail tenon. The semi-circular ring 3-1 and the first plate 3-2 with a dovetail tenon are connected and fastened by four first bolts 3-3. The right-angle ring 4-1 of the beam sleeve 4 is connected and fastened to the second plate 4-2 with a dovetail tenon by four second bolts 4-3.

[0038] The corner bracket 5 consists of a column bracket 5-1, a beam bracket 5-2, a triangular steel plate 5-3, an arc-shaped rack 5-4, a coaxial double gear 5-5, and a U-shaped fixing lug 5-6. Two sets of column sleeves 3 are provided, fixing the column bracket 5-1 vertically. The inner side of the column bracket 5-1 is welded with a triangular steel plate 5-3 with a round hole at the end. One set of beam sleeves 4 is provided, and the inner groove of the beam bracket can slide relative to the second sleeve 4-2 with a protruding dovetail tenon. Triangular steel plates 5-3 are welded to the side of the column bracket 5-1. 3. U-shaped fixing lug 5-6, arc-shaped rack 5-4 welded to the bottom of beam support 5-2, coaxial double gear 5-5 including ratchet and spur gear, and installed in the end round hole of triangular steel plate 5-3, arc-shaped rack 5-4 meshes with spur gear of coaxial double gear 5-5; column support 5-1 end is round tube sleeve, beam support 5-2 end is core round shaft, the ends are nested to form hinge, arc-shaped rack 5-4 is the rack extension path determined by a segment of arc centered on the hinge axis of beam column support.

[0039] The spring damper 6 consists of a main wheel 6-1, a main spring 6-2, a secondary spring 6-3, and a pawl 6-4. The main wheel 6-1 has a circular hole in the middle, and the axis of the circular hole coincides with the axis of the coaxial double gear 5-5. The main wheel 6-1 is coaxially mounted between the ratchet and the spur gear of the coaxial double gear 5-5. The pawl 6-4 is mounted on the surface of the main wheel 6-1 and engages with the ratchet of the coaxial double gear 5-5. The two ends of the main spring 6-2 are connected to the main wheel 6-1 and the U-shaped fixing lug 5-6, respectively, and both are tension springs in operation. The outer arc surface of the main wheel 6-1 tangent to the main spring 6-2 has a concave rectangular groove, the width of which is greater than the diameter of the main spring 6-2. The two ends of the secondary spring 6-3 are connected to the main wheel 6-1 and the pawl 6-4, respectively, and both are tension springs in operation.

[0040] The coaxial double gear 5-5 has a cross-shaped straight tenon joint at the connection shaft between the spur gear and the ratchet. The spur gear is connected to the four-corner toothed shaft on the opposite side of the ratchet. The ratchet is connected to the cross tenon shaft on the opposite side of the spur gear. A round shaft segment is connected to the opposite side of the spur gear and the ratchet. The round shaft segment is installed in the round hole at the end of the triangular steel plate 5-3 to ensure that the spur gear meshes with the arc-shaped rack 5-4. The central round hole of the main wheel 6-1 is aligned with the four-corner toothed shaft on the spur gear. The cross tenon shaft on the ratchet disc is embedded in the central round hole of the main wheel 6-1 and is connected to the four-corner toothed shaft.

[0041] The main wheel 6-1 of the spring damper 6 is provided with a disc groove, in which two round shafts are fixedly connected to the disc surface. The rotating shaft part of the pawl 6-4 has a round hole and is fixed to the disc surface of the main wheel 6-1 in cooperation with one of the round shafts on the disc surface. One end of the secondary spring 6-3 is fixedly connected to another round shaft on the disc surface of the main wheel 6-1, and the other end is fixedly connected to the pawl 6-4.

[0042] A hook is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the main wheel 6-1. The main spring 6-2 is connected between the hook of the main wheel 6-1 and the U-shaped fixing ear 5-6, and the diameter of the main spring 6-2 is smaller than the width of the concave rectangular groove.

[0043] The steps for using a self-resetting angle damper at the joint of a wooden beam and column are as follows:

[0044] First, two sets of column sleeves 3 and one set of beam sleeves 4 need to be installed and tightened onto the column and beam, ensuring that the first plate sleeve 3-2 with the dovetail tenon is located inside the beam-column joint. Then, the column bracket 5-1 and beam bracket 5-2 are installed on the first plate sleeve 3-2 with the dovetail tenon and the second plate sleeve 4-2 with the dovetail tenon through their own concave dovetail tenon slots, ensuring that the column bracket 5-1 is fixed in the vertical direction and the beam bracket 5-2 can slide along the beam axis. The triangular steel plate 5-3 and the U-shaped fixing lug 5-6 are welded to the column bracket 5-1. The arc-shaped toothed rack... 5-4 is welded to the beam support 5-2. The coaxial double gear 5-5 consists of two parts: a spur gear and a ratchet. The connecting shaft is equipped with a cross-shaped straight tenon for interlocking. First, the spur gear is installed in the round hole at the end of the triangular steel plate 5-3 to ensure that the spur gear meshes with the arc-shaped rack 5-4. Then, the hole of the main wheel 6-1 is aligned with the four corner open gear shafts of the spur gear. The cross tenon shaft of the ratchet plate is embedded into the hole of the main wheel 6-1. The pawl 6-4 and the secondary spring 6-3 are installed on the surface of the main wheel 6-1. The main spring 6-2 connects the main wheel 6-1 to the U-shaped fixing ear 5-6.

[0045] During normal use, when the wooden rectangular beam 2 is subjected to a vertical load, it will deflect vertically downwards. The arc-shaped rack 5-4, which is welded and fixed to the beam support 5-2, will rotate around the pivot of the corner support 5 with a radius equal to the distance from the pivot to the arc line. The meshing relationship between the arc-shaped rack 5-4 and the coaxial double gear 5-5 causes the gear to rotate clockwise. The cross-shaped tenon joint between the gear and the ratchet disc also causes the ratchet disc to rotate clockwise. This clockwise rotation of the ratchet disc, via the pawl 6-4, will cause the main wheel 6-1 to rotate clockwise, thus stretching the main spring 6-2 and storing elastic potential energy. The stretched main spring 6-2 will enter the concave rectangular groove on the outer arc surface of the main wheel 6-1, ensuring that the main spring 6-2 has sufficient working capacity. During the stroke, when the external load is a constant load, the entire device is in a static state. The vertical deflection of the wooden rectangular beam 2, the rotation angle of the main wheel 6-1, and the elongation of the main spring 6-2 are all constant values. When the external load is a live load and is in the decreasing stage, the torque generated by the tension of the extension of the main spring 6-2 on the central axis of the orifice of the main wheel 6-1 is relatively large, while the torque generated by the contact force at the meshing point of the arc rack 5-4 and the coaxial double gear 5-5 on the gear axis is relatively small. The axes of action of these two torques are collinear, and thus the tension of the main spring 6-2 will cause the main wheel 6-1 to reverse. Through the pawl 6-4, the ratchet will rotate counterclockwise, and the spur gear will also rotate counterclockwise. The arc rack 5-4 will move upward along the arc trajectory, and the beam will be lifted by the beam support 5-2 and the beam sleeve 4, so that the beam returns to the horizontal position.

[0046] The entire device enables beam-column joints to achieve increased rotational stiffness when the joint material is in the elastic stage under constant load, and improved structural ductility in the direction of bending moment when it is in the yield stage, thus possessing the ability to withstand large rotations and deformations without failure.

[0047] The entire device enables the beam-column joint to have self-resetting capability under live loads, and the components have strong stability when facing low-cycle cyclic loads such as earthquakes and wind, thus improving the structural performance of the joint.

[0048] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, the phrase "comprising an element defined as..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0049] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A self-resetting corner damper at the joint of a wooden beam and column, comprising a wooden cylindrical column (1), a wooden rectangular beam (2), a column sleeve (3), a beam sleeve (4), a corner bracket (5), and a spring damper (6), characterized in that: The wooden cylinder (1) serves as a supporting member, with a rectangular groove in the cylinder body to form a mortise. The depth of the mortise is the radius of the cylinder section. The wooden rectangular beam (2) serves as a bending member, with a rectangular tenon at its end embedded in the wooden cylinder (1). The corner bracket (5) is composed of a column bracket (5-1), a beam bracket (5-2), a triangular steel plate (5-3), an arc-shaped rack (5-4), a coaxial double gear (5-5), and a U-shaped fixing ear (5-6). The end of the column bracket (5-1) is a round tube sleeve, and the end of the beam bracket (5-2) is a core round shaft. The ends are nested to form a hinge. The column sleeve (3) is provided in two sets and fixes the column bracket (5-1) in the vertical direction. The inner side of the column bracket is welded with a triangular steel plate (5-3) with a round hole at the end. The side of the column bracket (5-1) is welded with a triangular steel plate (5-3) and a U-shaped fixing ear (5-6). The bottom of the beam bracket (5-2) is welded with an arc-shaped rack. The coaxial double gear (5-5) includes a ratchet and a spur gear, and is installed in the end round hole of the triangular steel plate (5-3). The arc-shaped rack (5-4) meshes with the spur gear of the coaxial double gear (5-5). The spur gear of the coaxial double gear (5-5) is provided with a cross-shaped straight tenon at the connection shaft between the spur gear and the ratchet. The spur gear is connected to the four-corner open-tooth shaft on the opposite side of the ratchet. The ratchet is connected to the cross tenon shaft on the opposite side of the spur gear. A round shaft segment is connected to the opposite side of the spur gear and the ratchet. The round shaft segment is installed in the end round hole of the triangular steel plate (5-3) to ensure that the spur gear meshes with the arc-shaped rack (5-4). The spring damper (6) consists of a main wheel (6-1), a main spring (6-2), a secondary spring (6-3), and a pawl (6-4). The main wheel (6-1) has a central hole with its axis coinciding with the axis of the coaxial double gear (5-5). The main wheel (6-1) is coaxially mounted between the ratchet and the spur gear of the coaxial double gear (5-5). The pawl (6-4) is mounted on the surface of the main wheel (6-1). The pawl (6-4) and... The ratchet of the coaxial double gear (5-5) is engaged. The two ends of the main spring (6-2) are respectively connected to the main wheel (6-1) and the U-shaped fixed ear (5-6), and both of them are tension springs in operation. The outer arc surface of the main wheel (6-1) that is tangent to the main spring (6-2) is provided with a concave rectangular groove, the groove width of which is greater than the diameter of the main spring (6-2). The two ends of the secondary spring (6-3) are respectively connected to the main wheel (6-1) and the pawl (6-4), and both of them are tension springs in operation.

2. The self-resetting angle damper at the joint of a wooden beam and column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The column sleeve (3) consists of a semi-circular ring (3-1) and a first plate ring (3-2) with a dovetail tenon, which are connected and fastened by the first bolt (3-3).

3. The self-resetting angle damper at the joint of a wooden beam and column according to claim 2, characterized in that: The beam sleeve (4) consists of a right-angle ring (4-1) and a second plate sleeve (4-2) with a dovetail tenon. The two are connected and fastened by a second bolt (4-3). The beam sleeve (4) is provided with a set of beam support grooves and the second plate sleeve (4-2) with a dovetail tenon can slide relative to each other.

4. The self-resetting angle damper at the joint of a wooden beam and column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main wheel (6-1) of the spring damper (6) is provided with a disc groove, and two round shafts are fixedly connected to the disc surface in the groove. The rotating shaft part of the pawl (6-4) has a round hole and is fixed to the disc surface of the main wheel (6-1) in cooperation with one of the round shafts on the disc surface. One end of the secondary spring (6-3) is fixedly connected to another round shaft on the disc surface of the main wheel (6-1), and the other end is fixedly connected to the pawl (6-4).

5. A self-resetting angle damper at the joint of a wooden beam and column according to claim 4, characterized in that: A hook is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the main wheel (6-1), and the main spring (6-2) is connected between the hook of the main wheel (6-1) and the U-shaped fixing ear (5-6), and the diameter of the main spring (6-2) is smaller than the width of the concave rectangular groove.

6. A self-resetting angle damper at the joint of a wooden beam and column according to claim 3, characterized in that, The steps for using it are as follows: First, two sets of column sleeves (3) and one set of beam sleeves (4) need to be installed and fastened to the column body and beam to ensure that the first plate sleeve (3-2) of the dovetail tenon is located inside the beam-column joint; Then, the column bracket (5-1) and beam bracket (5-2) are installed on the first plate hoop (3-2) and the second plate hoop (4-2) of the dovetail tenon through the concave dovetail groove of the bracket itself, so as to ensure that the column bracket (5-1) is fixed in the vertical direction and the beam bracket (5-2) can slide along the beam axis. The triangular steel plate (5-3) and the U-shaped fixing ear (5-6) are welded to the column bracket (5-1), and the arc rack (5-4) is welded to the beam bracket (5-2). The coaxial double gear (5-5) is composed of two parts: a column gear and a ratchet. A cross-shaped straight tenon is set at the connecting shaft for interlocking connection. First, the column gear is installed in the round hole at the end of the triangular steel plate (5-3) to ensure that the column gear meshes with the arc rack (5-4). Next, align the hole of the main wheel (6-1) with the four corner gear shafts of the spur gear and install it. Insert the cross tenon shaft of the ratchet disc into the hole of the main wheel (6-1). Install the pawl (6-4) and secondary spring (6-3) on the surface of the main wheel (6-1). The main spring (6-2) connects the main wheel (6-1) with the U-shaped fixing ear (5-6).

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