Connecting element for a post-and-beam or rod construction of a facade system or building envelope

Abstract

Connecting element (1) for a post-and-beam or rod construction of a facade system or a building envelope, wherein the connecting element (1) has a - seen in a plan view - polygonal or round base body (2) which has a plurality of interface areas (3), wherein each interface area (3) is designed to fix a profile element (10) of the facade system or the building envelope to the base body (2) of the connecting element (1), in particular via its front side.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates generally to construction elements for facade systems and in particular to connecting elements for a post-and-beam or bar construction of a facade system, wherein the connecting elements can in particular be designed as connecting nodes.

[0002] A post-and-beam or post-and-beam construction is a facade construction method that allows for the creation of extremely delicate glass facades. In post-and-beam constructions, the load is transferred via the vertical posts, to which the horizontal transoms are connected. The infill elements of the facade system are held in place by horizontal and vertical pressure bars that are screwed onto the posts or transoms of the post-and-beam construction. Currently, steel or aluminum are primarily used as load-bearing materials, but wood can also be used.

[0003] Such post-and-beam façade systems have been introduced and accepted on the market for many years. These systems have undergone a long process of testing and development, during which they have become established products.

[0004] However, a limitation of currently known mullion-and-transom façade systems becomes apparent when the complexity of a proposed design or for a proposed building geometry exceeds the system limits proposed. This is particularly due to the fact that in standard mullion-and-transom façade systems, the connection points (connection nodes) through which the individual mullion and transom elements are connected are limited to a certain, predefined angular range, which can accommodate deformations from orthogonal, planar planes.

[0005] With the growing complexity of architectural geometries, there is an increasing need in the construction industry, particularly for connecting elements that can be used to create complex facades and building envelopes in a simple but effective way.

[0006] For building envelopes with multiple surface elements supported by profile elements of the building envelope that are connected to one another via one or more connecting nodes, the connection of the profile elements to the connecting nodes represents a crucial system element. Firstly, the connection must be absolutely reliable, but at the same time, it should be easy to install with as little effort as possible, and also cost-effective. Furthermore, the fastening should not conflict with the design freedom regarding the shape of the building envelope and a good architectural effect. This list of requirements inevitably leads to conflicting objectives, which have not yet been satisfactorily resolved by the current state of the art.

[0007] For example, connection concepts in which the profile elements and connecting nodes are joined in the longitudinal direction of the profile elements require additional installation space in the direction of the building envelope's extension. Connection concepts in which the profile elements and connecting nodes are joined transversely to the longitudinal direction of the profile elements avoid this problem, but the connecting elements become significantly more complex.

[0008] A further challenge is securing the joined connection between the respective profile element and the connection node.

[0009] If the joint is secured by welding after assembly, this results in considerable assembly and follow-up work, not to mention the fact that the assembly of such building envelopes often takes place under difficult conditions on site, which makes welding and post-processing even more complex. Furthermore, a welded joint can only be undone by destruction.

[0010] It is also known to secure connections between profile elements and connecting nodes by inserting locking elements laterally into the connection point transversely to the longitudinal direction of the profile element. However, this requires installation space in the area of ​​the connection point, which means that a certain minimum distance or angle must be maintained between the butt joints for the profile elements at the connection point, and possibly also a specific installation sequence.

[0011] Based on the problem described above, the object of the present invention is to provide a connecting element, in particular for a mullion-transom or bar construction of a facade system or a building envelope, wherein the connecting element is not limited to a specific angular range, as is the case with the connecting elements in standard mullion-transom facade systems, with which deformations from orthogonal, planar planes can be absorbed.

[0012] In particular, the invention is based on the object of specifying a facade construction or a building envelope with several rod elements, whereby even particularly complex building geometries can be reproduced with the rod construction.

[0013] The object underlying the invention is achieved in particular by a connecting element for a post-and-beam or rod construction of a facade system or a building envelope, wherein the connecting element has a - seen in a plan view - polygonal or round, in particular circular base body which has a plurality of interface areas.

[0014] Each interface area is designed to fix a profile element of the facade system or building envelope, as needed, to the base body of the connecting element, particularly via its end face. The connecting element thus has a plurality of connection areas, via which, in particular, load-bearing profile elements of the facade system or building envelope can be connected.

[0015] Due to the polygonal or round, in particular circular, shape of the base body of the connecting element, the profile elements of the facade system or the building envelope can be optionally connected to different end faces of the base body of the connecting element, so that different facade systems or building envelopes, in particular with complex geometries, can be realized with one and the same connecting element.

[0016] The interface areas of the base body of the connecting element are preferably designed such that, if required, a corresponding profile element of the facade system or the building envelope can be fixed to or with the base body via at least one screw connection, in particular via a screw-nut connection.

[0017] This refinement of the connecting element according to the invention makes it easy to implement even complex geometries of a facade system or building envelope, particularly without complex welded joints. This reduces the assembly and post-processing effort required when installing a corresponding building envelope or facade system.

[0018] According to preferred embodiments of the connecting element according to the invention, the base body of the connecting element is designed as an extruded profile or as an extruded profile section. This simplifies the design and manufacture of the connecting element. The extruded profile or extruded profile section is made of metal, in particular of light metal, preferably aluminum or an aluminum alloy. However, it is also conceivable for the base body of the connecting element to be made of steel or a steel alloy.

[0019] In order to ensure optimal force transmission, the base body of the connecting element should preferably be designed as a monolithic unit.

[0020] According to embodiments of the connecting element according to the invention, the polygonal base body of the connecting element—viewed in a plan view—has the shape of a regular polygon. This ensures the most uniform possible force introduction and transmission in and through the base body of the connecting element. In particular, it is thus provided that the base body of the connecting element—viewed in a plan view—has equal sides and equal interior angles.

[0021] The polygonal base body of the connecting element preferably has the shape of a pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, or decagon, as viewed from above. However, polygonal shapes with multiple corners are also conceivable, such as a hexadecagonal, heptadecagonal, octodecagonal, or nonadecagonal shape.

[0022] According to embodiments of the connecting element according to the invention, the base body of the connecting element is formed by a first base body part and at least one second base body part, wherein, to form the base body of the connecting element, the first base body part is or can be connected to the at least one second base body part, preferably detachably, in particular via a screw connection.

[0023] In other words, according to preferred implementations of the connecting element according to the invention, the base body of the connecting element has a modular structure.

[0024] The modular design of the base body of the connecting element enables adjustments, optimizations and even cost reductions to be made in the construction of different facade systems and building envelopes without the typical "ripple effect" of changes within the components of the mullion-transom or bar construction of the facade system or the building envelope.

[0025] The modularization of the connecting element and in particular of the basic body of the connecting element reduces product complexity and makes the customer order process more efficient by allowing the connecting elements to be configured on a job-specific basis for special facade systems or building envelopes, in particular for facade systems and building envelopes with complex geometries, instead of being designed on a job-specific basis.

[0026] In other words, according to one aspect of the present invention, the connecting element is constructed according to a building block or modular principle, wherein the individual components of the connecting element, and in particular of the base body of the connecting element, are divided into modules or assemblies. The individual modules or assemblies of the connecting element constructed according to the modular principle can be joined together or integrated via appropriate interfaces if they have a suitable shape and function.

[0027] The connecting element, which is designed according to the modular principle and characterized by its modular design, enables the creation of individually configurable connecting elements without sacrificing economies of scale across series. The individual modules of the connecting element or the base body of the connecting element are, in particular, standardized and preferably tested building blocks, which can be flexibly implemented using individual adaptors within the modular system.

[0028] The advantage of such a modular fastener, constructed according to the modular principle, is, on the one hand, increased flexibility in product and organizational development. Faster product cycles and greater adaptability are possible when various compatible modules of the fastener or the base body of the fastener are available, which can be attached, removed, swapped, or regrouped to ultimately adapt the fastener or the base body of the fastener to new conditions.

[0029] On the other hand, the modular design of the connecting element according to the invention offers the further advantage of allowing for a wide product variety in a simple manner. Furthermore, more cost-effective production is possible due to identical series and simpler assembly processes.

[0030] Finally, the modular design of the connecting element according to the invention also offers advantages with regard to the maintenance of the connecting element, since cost-effective repair is possible by replacing any defective components of the connecting element.

[0031] According to embodiments of the connecting element according to the invention, the base body of the connecting element is designed as a hollow body, at least partially or in some areas. This reduces the weight of the connecting element and also leads to material savings. In particular, it is provided that the base body of the connecting element has an at least substantially or at least partially honeycomb structure. This has significant advantages with regard to the force transmission or force transfer of the connecting element.

[0032] According to embodiment variants, in particular of the last-mentioned embodiment, it is provided that the base body of the connecting element has an outer wall region defining an outer shape of the base body as seen in a plan view of the base body and at least one web region arranged in the interior of the base body, which web region in particular connects two at least partially or regionally opposite outer wall regions of the base body to one another.

[0033] This design of the connecting element according to the invention offers various advantages. Because the web area is located inside the base body, the base body can be reinforced in specific areas as needed and depending on the application.

[0034] According to embodiment variants of the invention, the base body of the connecting element has a particularly hollow-shaped reinforcing profile arranged inside a region delimited by the outer wall region, which is connected to an inner wall region of the outer wall region in at least one web region.

[0035] This also increases the product variety of the connecting element, since different load situations can be represented with one and the same basic body of the connecting element.

[0036] In particular, the reinforcement profile is designed separately from the base body of the connecting element and can be accommodated inside the base body of the connecting element.

[0037] According to embodiment variants of the connecting element according to the invention, the reinforcing profile has at least one connecting element which is designed in particular to form a positive fit with a correspondingly complementary connecting element of the base body for connecting the reinforcing profile accommodated in the interior of the base body of the connecting element to the base body of the connecting element.

[0038] It is conceivable, particularly in this context, that the connecting element of the facade system or the building envelope, which can be fixed to the base body via an interface area of ​​the plurality of interface areas of the base body of the connecting element, is a load-bearing profile element of the facade system or the building envelope.

[0039] In particular, it is advisable that at least one threaded nut is embedded in at least one end region of the profile element of the facade system or the building envelope, via which the profile element can be fixed to the base body with an interface region of the plurality of interface regions of the base body of the connecting element, if required.

[0040] This measure allows a force-locking screw connection of the profile element or correspondingly the post / rail profiles to the connecting element by means of the threaded nuts embedded in the profile elements, so that no thread cutting is necessary.

[0041] The invention further relates to a facade construction, in particular a free-form facade construction or a building envelope with at least one post element and at least one transom element, wherein the at least one post element is connected to the at least one transom element via a connecting element of the aforementioned type according to the invention.

[0042] In this context, it should be noted that the term “post element”, if mentioned herein in connection with the connecting element according to the invention, is not necessarily to be understood as a vertically oriented element.

[0043] The same applies, figuratively, to the term "transom element" used in connection with the connecting element according to the invention, which does not necessarily mean that this particularly rod-shaped element must run horizontally. The terms "post element" and "transom element" used herein are still used in connection with the connecting element according to the invention only because they can refer to elements of a standard post-and-transom or standard rod construction.

[0044] According to a further aspect, the present invention thus also relates to a facade construction or a building envelope with at least one first and one second rod element, wherein the at least one rod element is connected to the at least one second rod element via a connecting element of the aforementioned type according to the invention.

[0045] Variants of the connecting element according to the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] They show: Fig. 1 schematically and in a sectional view a first exemplary embodiment of the connecting element according to the invention; Fig. 2 schematically and in a sectional view a second exemplary embodiment of the connecting element according to the invention; Fig. 3 schematically and in a sectional view a third exemplary embodiment of the connecting element according to the invention; Fig. 4 shows schematically and in a sectional view (in an exploded view) a fourth exemplary embodiment of the connecting element according to the invention; Fig. 5 each schematically and in a sectional view (in an exploded view) a fifth exemplary embodiment of the connecting element according to the invention; Fig. 6 each schematically and in a sectional view (in an exploded view) a sixth exemplary embodiment of the connecting element according to the invention; Fig. 7 shows schematically and in a sectional view a seventh exemplary embodiment of the connecting element according to the invention; Fig. 8 schematically and in a sectional view an eighth exemplary embodiment of the connecting element according to the invention; Fig. 9 shows schematically and in a sectional view a ninth exemplary embodiment of the connecting element according to the invention; Fig. 10 schematically and in a sectional view, components of a tenth exemplary embodiment of the connecting element according to the invention; and Fig. 11 each schematically and in a sectional view an eleventh exemplary embodiment of the connecting element according to the invention.

[0047] The accompanying drawings show various embodiments of the connecting element 1 according to the invention. The connecting element 1 is a connecting element 1 or connecting node for a post-and-beam or bar construction of a facade system or a building envelope.

[0048] The exemplary embodiments of the connecting element 1 according to the invention shown in the drawings have in common that these exemplary embodiments of the connecting element 1 each have a—as seen in a plan view—polygonal or round, in particular circular, base body 2. The base body 2 has a plurality of interface regions 3, wherein each interface region 3 is designed to fix a profile element 10 of the facade system or the building envelope to the base body 2 of the connecting element 1 via its end face, if required.

[0049] In this case, it is provided in particular that each interface area 3 of the base body 2 of the connecting element 1 is designed to fix the corresponding profile element 10 of the facade system or the building envelope to or with the base body 2 via at least one screw connection 6, in particular via a screw-nut connection, if necessary.

[0050] In particular, it is provided that the base body 2 of the connecting element 1 is designed as an extruded profile or as an extruded profile section.

[0051] In the exemplary embodiments of the connecting element 1 according to the invention according to Fig. 1 to Fig. 10, the base body 2 of the connecting element 1, designed as an extruded profile or extruded profile section, is made of a light metal, in particular of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0052] However, the invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, Fig. 11 schematically shows an embodiment variant in which the base body 2 of the connecting element 1 is made of steel or a steel alloy.

[0053] In principle, it is advisable for the base body 2 of the connecting element 1 to be designed as a monolithic unit.

[0054] In the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10 and Fig. In the embodiments of the connecting element 1 according to the invention shown in Figure 11, the base body 2 of the connecting element 1 has a polygonal shape when viewed from above.

[0055] However, the invention is not limited to a connecting element 1 which has a polygonal base body 2 as seen in a plan view.

[0056] For example, in Fig. 7 shows an embodiment variant of the connecting element 1 according to the invention, in which the connecting element 1 has a circular base body 2 - seen in a plan view.

[0057] In the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 9, Fig. 10 and Fig. In the embodiments of the connecting element 1 according to the invention shown schematically in Figure 11, the base body 2 of the connecting element 1 - seen in a plan view - has the shape of a regular polygon.

[0058] However, this should not be seen as restrictive, since, for example, in Fig. 8 shows an embodiment variant of the connecting element 1 according to the invention, in which the base body 2 of the connecting element 1 - seen in a plan view - has the shape of an irregular polygon.

[0059] What all the connecting elements 1 shown in the accompanying drawings, each as a sectional view and schematically, have in common is that each connecting element 1 has a plurality of interface areas to which a profile element 10 of a facade system or a building envelope can be fixed via its end face to the base body 2 of the connecting element 1. For this purpose, at least one screw connection 6, in particular a screw-nut connection, is preferably used.

[0060] In principle, it is conceivable that the base body 2 of the connecting element 1 is designed as a monolithic body.

[0061] According to variants, which for example in Fig. 1, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, it is also conceivable that the base body 2 of the connecting element 1 consists of several base body parts 4, 5, wherein to form the (actual) base body 2 the individual base body parts 4, 5 are preferably detachably connected or connectable to one another and in particular via a screw connection 6.

[0062] The exemplary embodiments of the connecting element 1 according to the invention shown in the accompanying drawings have in common that the base body 2 of the connecting element 1 is designed as a hollow body, at least partially or in some areas.

[0063] This is particularly true for Fig. 1 to Fig. 10 schematically shown embodiments of the connecting element 1 according to the invention, it is provided that in the interior of the base body 2 of the connecting element 1, which is designed as a hollow body, at least partially or regionally an at least substantially or at least partially honeycomb-shaped structure is formed in order to reinforce the outer wall structures or wall regions of the base body 2 of the connecting element 1.

[0064] However, such a honeycomb-shaped inner structure of the hollow base body 2 of the connecting element 1 can be dispensed with if - as for example in Fig. 11 - the connecting element 1 or the base body 2 of the connecting element 1 is made of steel or a steel alloy or a similar hard / resistant material.

[0065] As is the case, for example, in the presentation in Fig. 10, it is advisable in embodiment variants of the connecting element 1 according to the invention that a web region 7 is arranged in the interior of the base body 2, which connects two at least partially or regionally opposite outer wall regions of the base body 2.

[0066] In particular, in this context, a particularly hollow-shaped reinforcing profile 8 can be provided, which is received in the interior of the base body 2 of the connecting element 1 and is or can be connected preferably via a positive connection to the base body 2 of the connecting element 1 or to the inner region of the outer wall regions of the base body 2 of the connecting element 1.

[0067] In Fig.10 further indicates that the hollow reinforcement profile 8 can be further reinforced with a reinforcement insert 9, in particular with a steel profile, which is accommodated or can be accommodated in the interior of the hollow reinforcement profile 8.

[0068] The invention is not limited to the embodiments of the connecting element 1 shown in the drawings, but results from a synopsis of all features disclosed herein. List of reference symbols 1 connecting element 2 basic bodies 3 Interface area 4 first basic body part 5 second basic body part 6 screw connection 7 web area arranged inside the base body 8 Reinforcement profile 9 Insert in the reinforcement profile 10 Profile element of the facade system or building envelope

Claims

[1] Connecting element (1) for a post-and-beam or rod construction of a facade system or a building envelope, wherein the connecting element (1) has a - seen in a plan view - polygonal or round base body (2) which has a plurality of interface areas (3), wherein each interface area (3) is designed to fix a profile element (10) of the facade system or the building envelope, in particular via its front side, to the base body (2) of the connecting element (1), if required. [2] Connecting element (1) according to claim 1, wherein preferably each interface region (3) of the base body (2) of the connecting element (1) is designed to fix the profile element (10) of the facade system or the building envelope to or with the base body (2) via at least one screw connection (6), in particular via at least one screw-nut connection, if necessary. [3] Connecting element (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base body (2) of the connecting element (1) is designed as an extruded profile or as an extruded profile section. [4] Connecting element (1) according to claim 3, wherein the extruded profile or the extruded profile section is made of metal, in particular of a light metal, preferably aluminum or an aluminum alloy, or of steel or a steel alloy. [5] Connecting element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the base body (2) of the connecting element (1) is designed as a monolithic unit. [6] Connecting element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the base body (2) of the connecting element (1) - seen in a plan view - has the shape of a regular polygon. [7] Connecting element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the base body (2) of the connecting element (1) is formed by a first base body part (4) and at least one second base body part (5), wherein to form the base body (2) the first base body part (4) is or can be connected to the at least one second base body part (5) preferably detachably, in particular via a screw connection (6). [8] Connecting element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the base body (2) of the connecting element (1) is designed at least partially or in regions as a hollow body and in particular has an at least substantially or at least partially honeycomb-shaped structure. [9] Connecting element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 and in particular according to claim 8, wherein the base body (2) of the connecting element (1) has an outer wall region defining an outer shape of the base body (2) as seen in a plan view of the base body (2) and at least one web region (7) arranged or arrangeable in the interior of the base body (2), which web region in particular connects two at least partially or regionally opposite outer wall regions of the base body (2) to one another. [10] Connecting element (1) according to claim 9, wherein the base body (2) of the connecting element (1) has a particularly hollow-shaped reinforcing profile (9) arranged inside a region delimited by the outer wall region, which is connected to an inner wall region of the outer wall region in at least one web region (7). [11] Connecting element (1) according to claim 10, wherein the reinforcing profile (9) is designed separately from the base body (2) of the connecting element (1) and can be accommodated in the interior of the base body (2) of the connecting element (1). [12] Connecting element (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the reinforcing profile (9) has at least one connecting region which is designed in particular to be form-fitting with a correspondingly complementary connecting region of the base body (2) for connecting the reinforcing profile (9) accommodated in the interior of the base body (2) of the connecting element (1) to the base body (2) of the connecting element (1). [13] Connecting element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the base body (2) of the connecting element (1) has a modular structure. [14] Connecting element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the profile element (10) of the facade system or the building envelope, which can be fixed to the base body (2) via an interface region (3) of the plurality of interface regions (3) of the base body (2) of the connecting element (1), is a load-bearing profile element (10) of the facade system or the building envelope. [15] Connecting element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein at least one threaded nut is embedded in at least one end region of the profile element (10) of the facade system or the building envelope, via which, if necessary, the profile element (10) can be fixed to the base body (2) with an interface region (3) of the plurality of interface regions (3) of the base body (2) of the connecting element (1).

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