Framework construction system, framework, and framework construction method

Abstract

To increase the design flexibility of the framework used in buildings.SOLUTION: The framework construction system comprises: a framework design unit that generates design data for the framework used in a building based on predetermined structural information related to the building; a heating unit that heats resin used for the framework to a resin melting temperature; and a forming unit that forms the framework used in the building using the heated and melted resin based on the generated design data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a framework construction system, a framework, and a framework construction method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a method of assembling a building using a framework made of wood, metal, etc. Patent Document 1 discloses a building having a framework structure made of polyvinyl chloride pipes on a foundation made of concrete. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5671169 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the design of conventional frameworks made from wood, metal, etc., there are many restrictions on shape, size, etc. due to the difficulty of obtaining and processing materials, etc., and there is a problem of low design freedom. Patent Document 1 discloses a framework made from polyvinyl chloride pipes, but does not disclose a method for designing the framework, and the problem of low design freedom remains unresolved.

[0005] One example of a problem that the present invention aims to solve is to increase the degree of freedom in the design of frameworks used in buildings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 is a frame design unit that generates design data for a frame to be used in a building based on building information, which is predetermined information related to the building; a heating unit that heats the resin used in the framework to a temperature at which the resin melts; and a modeling unit that uses the heated and melted resin to model the frame to be used in the building based on the generated design data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in designing frameworks used in buildings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a framework manufacturing system according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the internal structure of a 3D printer. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow of an information processing device. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a first diagram showing an example of a resin frame. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing an example of a resin frame. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a framework manufacturing system according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, like components are designated by like reference numerals, and their description will be omitted where appropriate.

[0010] First Embodiment (Outline of framework construction system) 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a framework manufacturing system according to the first embodiment. The framework manufacturing system 100 includes a 3D (Three Dimensions) scanner 1, an information processing device 2, and a 3D printer 3. The framework manufacturing system 100 is a system used to manufacture frameworks to be used in buildings. The 3D scanner 1, the information processing device 2, and the 3D printer 3 are connected to each other via a communication network 101 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0011] The 3D scanner 1 is a device that measures the shape of an object in three dimensions and generates the measurement results as data representing the three-dimensional shape in a point cloud format, a 3D model format, or the like. The 3D scanner 1 measures, for example, the shape of the interior of a building and generates data representing the shape of the interior of the building (hereinafter referred to as interior shape data). Here, the building includes an architectural structure, and may be, for example, a house, a building, a school, a shrine, a bridge, etc.

[0012] The information processing device 2 is a device configured by a computer or the like for processing various types of information. The information processing device 2 acquires the internal shape data generated by the 3D scanner 1 and generates design data for a framework to be used in a building. Here, the information processing device 2 generates design data assuming a framework made of resin. An example of the hardware configuration and operation of the information processing device 2 will be described later.

[0013] The 3D printer 3 is a device for forming a three-dimensional object based on three-dimensional design data. The 3D printer 3 acquires the design data generated by the information processing device 2 and forms a framework to be used in a building. An outline of the internal structure of the 3D printer 3 will be described later.

[0014] (Hardware configuration example) 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 2. The information processing device 2 includes a bus 1010, a processor 1020, a memory 1030, a storage device 1040, an input / output interface 1050, and a network interface 1060.

[0015] The bus 1010 is a data transmission path for transmitting and receiving data among the processor 1020, memory 1030, storage device 1040, input / output interface 1050, and network interface 1060. However, the method of connecting the processor 1020 and the like to each other is not limited to bus connection.

[0016] The processor 1020 is implemented by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or the like.

[0017] The memory 1030 is a main storage device realized by a RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like.

[0018] The storage device 1040 is an auxiliary storage device realized by removable media such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a memory card, or a read-only memory (ROM), and has a recording medium. The recording medium of the storage device 1040 stores program modules that realize each function of the information processing device 2. The processor 1020 loads each of these program modules into the memory 1030 and executes them, thereby realizing each function corresponding to the program module. The storage device 1040 may also function as a memory unit.

[0019] The input / output interface 1050 is an interface for connecting the information processing device 2 to various input / output devices.

[0020] The network interface 1060 is an interface for connecting the information processing device 2 to a network. This network is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The network interface 1060 may be connected to the network wirelessly or by wire. The information processing device 2 may communicate with the 3D scanner 1 and the 3D printer 3 via the network interface 1060.

[0021] (Outline of the internal structure of 3D Printer 3) 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the internal structure of a 3D printer 3. The 3D printer 3 includes an object-forming head 310, a heater 320, a nozzle 330, and an object-forming table 340.

[0022] The modeling head 310 includes a heater 320 therein, and receives a supply of solid resin from a portion not shown.

[0023] The heater 320 is, for example, a cylindrical container that heats and melts the solid resin filled inside. The heater 320 is an example of a heating unit that heats the resin used in the framework to a temperature at which the resin melts.

[0024] The nozzle 330 is an injection port for injecting resin. The nozzle 330 moves integrally with the modeling head 310 and heater 320 by a mechanism (not shown), and injects molten resin from the nozzle 330 toward the modeling table 340. The injected liquid resin cools and solidifies. In this way, a frame 9 based on the design data is formed on the modeling table 340.

[0025] The modeling head 310, the nozzle 330, and the modeling table 340 are an example of a modeling unit that uses heated and melted resin to model a framework to be used in a building, based on the generated design data.

[0026] These internal structures of the 3D printer 3 are merely examples and may be different. The modeling method may be, for example, a material extrusion method, material jetting, powder sintering additive manufacturing, optical lithography, or other modeling methods.

[0027] (Operation example of the first embodiment) FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing by the information processing device.

[0028] In step S10, the information processing device 2 acquires building information from the 3D scanner 1. The building information is predetermined information related to the building, such as the internal shape data described above.

[0029] In step S20, the information processing device 2 determines the frame to be used in the building based on the building information. For example, the frame to be used in the building may be the frame of all structures fixed to the building, such as walls, floors, doors, and kitchens used in the building. Note that the frame to be used in the building is not limited to the frame of structures fixed to the building. The information processing device 2 may determine the frame in response to a specification by a user operating the information processing device 2 or by using a trained model based on machine learning. For example, the frame to be determined may be the frame of a structure presented as the interior of the building.

[0030] In step S30, the information processing device 2 generates design data for the determined framework. The generated design data is generated in a format that can be read by the 3D printer 3.

[0031] In step S40, the information processing device 2 transmits the generated design data to the 3D printer.

[0032] (Other design methods) In each of the above steps, the information processing device 2 may generate design data using other design methods.

[0033] For example, in step S10, the information processing device 2 may acquire, as the building information, photo data of the interior space of the building photographed by a 360-degree camera or the like, or may acquire video data.

[0034] Specifically, the building information may be obtained by performing a space scan using the following method. 1. Scanning with LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) (Point Cloud Data) 2. Take a video (image) and use Neural Radiance Field (NeRF; AI data augmentation) or 3D Gaussian Splatting (3D Gaussian Splatting; add a Gaussian distribution to the point cloud obtained from the image, compare the image with the Gaussian, and optimize). etc.

[0035] The following software is known to achieve this. 1. Scanviser: Generate high-quality 3D models using only images. Supports 3D Gaussian splatting. 2. Scanat: Uses a LiDAR sensor to understand actual distances and create 3D models. Requires a smartphone / tablet device with a LiDAR sensor. etc.

[0036] Furthermore, in step S10, the information processing device 2 may acquire, as building information, information including blueprints of all structures fixed to the building, such as walls, floors, doors, kitchens, etc., assembled by the framework to be created (hereinafter referred to as structure design information). The information processing device 2 may generate the structure design information through a user operation, or may receive it from another device.

[0037] The structure design information may be composed of, for example, two-dimensional design drawings. The structure design information may also be composed of, for example, two-dimensional floor plans, elevations, and cross sections. Furthermore, the structure design information may be composed of 3D CAD (Three Dimensions Computer Aided Design) design drawings. Alternatively, the structure design information may be a 3D model in a format specialized for the design of the frame.

[0038] The information processing device 2 receives specifications for the thickness and height of the framework of the structure from the user. The user may be the owner of the building, the user of the information processing device 2, or someone else. The information processing device 2 then sets the length and the positions of openings, etc. on the blueprint based on the specified thickness, height, curvature, etc. The information processing device 2 may also modify the set positions through user operation.

[0039] The information processing device 2 extracts the range of the frame from the designed structure based on the set length and the positions of openings, etc. Then, based on the extracted range of the frame, the information processing device 2 generates design data in a format that can be read by the 3D printer 3. The generated design data may include information indicating the printable range and the shape of the frame.

[0040] (Example of a frame to be created) 5 is a first diagram showing an example of a resin frame. The frame 91 formed by the 3D printer 3 includes a shaft 911 and a joint 912. The shaft 911 is a rod-shaped part composed of a vertical axis and a horizontal axis, and is joined to each other by the joint 912. Note that the term "frame" may also be referred to as a "framework," "skeleton," or "base material."

[0041] 6 is a second diagram showing an example of a resin frame. A frame 92 formed by the 3D printer 3 includes a shaft 921, a joint 922, and a reinforcing portion 923. The shaft 921 is a rod-shaped portion composed of a vertical axis and a horizontal axis, and is joined by a joint 912. The reinforcing portion 923 is a portion joined diagonally so as to reinforce the joint 912.

[0042] The information processing device 2 may design the diagonally joined parts without receiving instructions from the user through operation, etc. The diagonally joined parts improve the strength of the frame. Therefore, the thickness of the frame can be made thinner than before, which makes it possible to save on resin material.

[0043] Furthermore, the information processing device 2 may also design, for example, a square-shaped frame. Compared to conventional frames that are constructed by combining rod-shaped, L-shaped, and other wooden components, designing a square-shaped frame increases strength, allows the components to be thinner, and allows for more flexible shaping.

[0044] 5 and 6 are examples of the frame to be generated, but other frames are also acceptable. Frames made of wood, metal, etc. often have a predetermined size, which places great constraints on their design. In contrast, resin frames allow for easy design of their shape, size, etc. Therefore, the shape of the frame is not limited to the shapes shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and may be, for example, triangular, rectangular, etc., or may include curved surfaces.

[0045] (Variation) As a method for forming the framework, it is also possible for a person to form it using a mold instead of using the above-mentioned 3D printer 3. In this case, the information processing device 2 may display the generated design data on a screen such as a display (not shown) so that the data can be referenced by a person, or may print it on a medium such as paper via a printing device or the like.

[0046] (Example of resin used in framework) The resin used for the framework may be a petroleum-derived resin, a plant-derived resin, or a hybrid resin that is a mixture of these.

[0047] The resin may be a plant-derived resin, such as a mixture of one or more of cellulose resin, starch resin, lignin resin, polylactic acid (PLA), chitosan resin, polyhydroxyalkanoic acid (PHA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene adipate / terephthalate (PBAT), fructose-derived polyester, bio-based epoxy resin, bio-based polyurethane, bio-based polyamide, polyhydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate (PHBH), polypentadecanoic acid succinate (PPC), polyisosulfonic acid (PIS), polyethylene fluoride (PEF), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), and hemicellulose. In addition, the material may contain at least one highly biodegradable plant-derived resin, such as starch resin, polylactic acid (PLA), chitosan resin, polyhydroxyalkanoic acid (PHA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene adipate / terephthalate (PBAT), fructose-derived polyester, polyhydroxybutyrate / hydroxyvalerate (PHBH), polypentadecanoic acid succinate (PPC), or polyisosulfonic acid (PIS).

[0048] When mixing multiple resins, the 3D printer 3 may extrude the resin while heating and applying pressure to form the framework. The 3D printer 3 may also have a pelletizer (a machine that creates pellets), and may extrude the resin while heating and applying pressure to form pellets. In either case, the framework is formed by using motor power to extrude the resin with a drill on a screw. By mixing different resins together, the melting point and the required heat amount can be adjusted.

[0049] The plant-derived resin may have a temperature of from 160° C. to 200° C. in the molten state. Alternatively, the plant-derived resin may have a temperature of from 170° C. to 200° C. in the molten state, or from 170° C. to 195° C.

[0050] The melting point of cellulose resin is not clear, and it begins to decompose when heated. Starch resin does not have a clear melting point, as it begins to decompose thermally at approximately 180°C. Lignin resin has not been reported to have a clear melting point, but it has the property of hardening or thermally decomposing when heated. The melting point of polylactic acid (PLA) is It is approximately 150°C to 160°C. Chitosan resin does not have a clear melting point, and its properties change with heat treatment. The melting point of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) varies depending on the type, ranging from approximately 160°C to 180°C. The melting point of polybutylene succinate (PBS) is approximately 115°C. The melting point of polybutylene adipate / terephthalate (PBAT) is approximately 110°C to 120°C. The melting points of fructose-derived polyesters are unclear. Bio-based epoxy resins are typically cured, so the important factor is the curing temperature, not the melting point. There are many different types of bio-based polyurethanes, and their melting points depend on the type of polyol used. The melting points of bio-based polyamides vary depending on the type, generally ranging from 190°C to 220°C. The melting point of polyhydroxybutyrate / hydroxyvalerate (PHBH) is approximately 90°C to 100°C. The melting point of polypentadecanoic succinic acid (PPC) is approximately 100°C. The melting point of polyisosulfonic acid (PIS) is unclear. The melting point of polyethylene fulcarate (PEF) is approximately 220°C to 230°C. The melting point of polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) is approximately 220°C to 230°C. Because hemicellulose is a polymeric compound, it does not have a strict melting point and will decompose or thermally decompose when heated. Note that the melting point information above is for reference only and is not a definitive value.

[0051] (Action and effect) The frame manufacturing system 100 according to the first embodiment allows frame construction using resin, which eliminates the constraints of shape, size, etc. that exist with wood, metal, etc., allowing for highly flexible frame design. In other words, conventional frame construction using wood uses readily available materials, which means that the shape, size, etc. of the frame are fixed. In contrast, by using resin frame construction, it is possible to manufacture frame constructions of a specified size each time, significantly increasing the degree of freedom in shape, size, etc.

[0052] Furthermore, to create walls, floors, etc. with diagonal or curved surfaces using commercially available materials, the materials must be cut, pasted, and processed, which is costly and requires time and manpower. In contrast, a frame created by the frame creation system 100 can be brought in as parts, making construction simple and not necessarily requiring craftsmen, which is advantageous in terms of cost, time, manpower, etc.

[0053] The resin framework itself is recyclable, so it does not produce waste and can be reused as a base material or decorative material.

[0054] When the framework construction system 100 is used to construct the interior of a building, many of the main processes can be carried out without human intervention, so the interior of the building can be completed more quickly than ever before.

[0055] The building information used to generate the frame design data may be three-dimensional data generated by three-dimensionally measuring the interior space of the building. The building information may also be the result of manual surveying, or may be data converted into 2D drawings, 3D models, etc. This allows the information about the interior space of the building to be reflected in the frame design.

[0056] The resin used for the framework may be plant-derived resin, which allows for an environmentally friendly manufacturing method for buildings.

[0057] The resin used for the framework may have a melted temperature of 160° C. to 200° C. This allows stable melting by heating.

[0058] The shaped framework may include vertical, horizontal, and diagonal axes, which can improve the strength of the framework and thereby reduce the thickness of the framework.

[0059] Second Embodiment 7 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a framework manufacturing system according to the second embodiment. The framework manufacturing system 100 according to the second embodiment further includes a crushing device 4 in addition to the configuration described in the first embodiment.

[0060] The crushing device 4 is a device that crushes resin frameworks. The crushed frameworks can be used as materials for the 3D printer 3.

[0061] The framework manufacturing system 100 according to the second embodiment allows for the reuse of experimental frameworks, frameworks manufactured incorrectly, and frameworks that are no longer needed after use, without the need to discard them, as new frameworks. Wood frameworks lose their strength when crushed, making them difficult to reuse as frameworks. Furthermore, crushing metal frameworks is difficult, and melting them requires a device that produces a very high temperature, making this difficult to achieve. Therefore, the method using the crushing device 4 can be said to be a suitable recycling method for resin frameworks.

[0062] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various other configurations may be adopted. The framework according to the embodiment can be manufactured on the ground or in space. Furthermore, the structure may also include a spaceship or spacecraft.

[0063] The flowchart (FIG. 4) according to this embodiment is merely one embodiment. Within the scope of the present invention, processes other than those described in FIG. 4 may be included, some of the processes described in FIG. 4 may be omitted, or the order of the processes may be changed.

[0064] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims rather than the above description, and it is intended to include meanings equivalent to the claims and all modifications within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1. 3D scanner 2. Information processing equipment 3. 3D printer 4. Crushing equipment 91, 92 axis set 100 Frame Modeling System 101 Communication Network 310 Modeling Head 320 Heater 330 nozzle 340 Modeling Table 911, 912 shaft 912, 913 joint 923 Reinforcement 1010 Bus 1020 processor 1030 memory 1040 Storage Device 1050 Input / Output Interface 1060 Network Interface

Claims

1. a frame design unit that generates design data for a frame to be used in a building based on building information, which is predetermined information related to the building; a heating unit that heats the resin used in the framework to a temperature at which the resin melts; and a modeling unit that uses the heated and melted resin to model a frame to be used in the building based on the generated design data.

2. The building information is three-dimensional data generated by three-dimensionally measuring the interior space of the building. The framework forming system according to claim 1 .

3. The resin is a plant-derived resin. The framework forming system according to claim 1 .

4. The resin includes at least one of cellulose resin, starch resin, lignin resin, polylactic acid (PLA), chitosan resin, polyhydroxyalkanoic acid (PHA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene adipate / terephthalate (PBAT), fructose-derived polyester, bio-based epoxy resin, bio-based polyurethane, bio-based polyamide, polyhydroxybutyrate / hydroxyvalerate (PHBH), polypentadecanoic acid succinate (PPC), polyisosulfonic acid (PIS), polyethylene fluorate (PEF), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), and hemicellulose; The framework forming system according to claim 3 .

5. The resin has a temperature of 160°C to 200°C in a molten state. The framework forming system according to claim 3 .

6. The frame to be shaped includes a vertical axis, a horizontal axis, and a diagonal axis. The framework forming system according to claim 1 .

7. Further provided is a crushing unit that crushes the framework formed from the resin, The molding unit molds a framework to be used in the building using the resin obtained from the crushing unit. The framework forming system according to claim 1 .

8. A frame used in buildings and made of resin.

9. The resin is a plant-derived resin. The framework according to claim 8.

10. The resin includes at least one of cellulose resin, starch resin, lignin resin, polylactic acid (PLA), chitosan resin, polyhydroxyalkanoic acid (PHA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene adipate / terephthalate (PBAT), fructose-derived polyester, bio-based epoxy resin, bio-based polyurethane, bio-based polyamide, polyhydroxybutyrate / hydroxyvalerate (PHBH), polypentadecanoic acid succinate (PPC), polyisosulfonic acid (PIS), polyethylene fluorate (PEF), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), and hemicellulose; The framework according to claim 8.

11. The resin has a temperature of 160°C to 200°C in a molten state. The framework according to claim 8.

12. generating design data for a framework to be used in the building based on building information, which is predetermined information about the building; a step of heating the resin used in the framework to a temperature at which the resin melts; and forming a frame to be used in the building using the heated and melted resin based on the generated design data.

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