Connector of the ribs of the supporting frame of the geodesic dome

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of construction, namely to ribbed structures of the dome type (geodesic domes), vaulted shells and domes that have a round or polygonal shape in plan at the level of the upper cut of the foundations. A connector for the ribs of the supporting frame of a geodesic dome contains outer (3) and inner (4) parts of the connector in the form of hexagonal plates with a through circular hole in the center, a pin (5) with nuts (6) for connecting the specified outer (3) and inner (4) parts of the connector, and ribs (1) of rectangular shape in the form of plates with spikes and grooves at the ends that made of wood. The outer (3) and inner (4) parts of the connector are made of wood and have two rows of radial rectangular grooves located diagonally inside and outside the plates, the pin (5) is made of a material with low thermal conductivity.

Description

[0001] CONNECTOR OF THE RIBS OF THE SUPPORTING FRAME OF THE GEODESIC DOME

[0002] The invention relates to the field of construction, namely to structures for frames of buildings and structures. More specifically, the invention relates to ribbed structures of the dome type (geodesic domes), vaulted shells and domes that have a round or polygonal shape in plan at the level of the upper cut of the foundations.

[0003] LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY

[0004] Geodesic domes are usually called architectural structures in the form of a three- dimensional polyhedron inscribed in a sphere, hemisphere or other part of a sphere. There are known problems and limitations of frame geodesic domes. First, they usually use metal parts of a rather complex design as connectors. This is due to the fact that the larger the structure, the more standard sizes of connectors need to be produced. And each size differs from the other size: the angles between the beams; the angles of the beam relative to the central axis of the connector; and the number of beams (from 3 to 10, depending on the type of geodesic dome breakdown). Due to the complexity of the design, such connectors are expensive and difficult to manufacture. Also, due to the fact that the connectors are made of metal, they cause a problem with the thermal insulation of the connectors so that they do not serve as cold bridges in the structure. A cold bridge is usually a small area in any part of a building whose thermal conductivity is significantly higher than in the rest of the structure, often referred to as a thermal or temperature bridge. Such elements significantly reduce the energy efficiency of a building. They are the main cause of condensation, dampness, fungus and mold. The consequences of the destructive impact of cold bridges on a building are quite difficult to correct, so it is advisable to prevent the appearance of temperature bridges at the design and construction stage of the building. Secondly, all geodesic dome structures have significant difficulties with the insertion of door and window openings. This is due to the fact that the elements structures are triangular and rarely right triangles. There is also a problem with the fact that the triangles that make up the geodesic dome are mostly not perpendicular to the plane of the dome base. As a result, the windows that are inserted into the triangular openings between the dome's supporting frame are mostly at an acute angle to the floor, and to open them, they require expensive fittings and complex waterproofing. Due to the limited size of the load-bearing frame elements, it is also practically impossible to insert a window into a triangular opening that would be large enough to be used as a door. Third, the design of geodesic domed buildings has almost no right-angle connections between structural elements, which makes it even more difficult to manufacture parts for such a structure.

[0005] US Patent No. 2682235, dated 29.06.1954, discloses a spherical building frame in which the main structural elements are interconnected in a geodesic model to form a spherical grid covered with a layer of plastic material. The disadvantage of this spherical surface is its low manufacturability due to relatively complex and numerous operations during their manufacture.

[0006] The US patent No. US4511278A discloses a connecting assembly for connecting the uprights of the geodesic dome frame. The connection assembly has the general shape of a truncated straight circular cone. Five equidistant rectangular hollows are formed on the upper surface of the truncated cone, and a pair of flanges in mirror image in planes perpendicular to the planes of the rectangular hollows are placed on opposite sides of each rectangular hollow, and each flange of the pair has an opening in its central part with holes coinciding with each other. The disadvantages of this technical solution are the complexity of the design, the presence of metal flanges with holes in it, which create cold bridges in the unit and, as a result, reduce the energy efficiency of the entire building.

[0007] From https : / / woodstar. com.ua / geodezichnii -kupol-svoimi-rukami-i ak-pobuduvati / , we know of an example of the construction of a dome greenhouse, in which three types of metal connectors are used to connect the ribs of the dome frame - pentagonal, four-pointed, and six- pointed. This technical solution was chosen as a prototype. It can also be used to build not only greenhouses, but also a bathhouse or sauna; a house or summer kitchen; a garage or shed; a gazebo or children's playhouse; etc. The material for the frame ribs can be bars, a fence board, a profile pipe, and special double struts. Its disadvantages are: the complexity of manufacturing connectors - they are welded, and therefore require a large number of production operations; different material of connectors and frame ribs leads to the formation of cold bridges during operation and as a result, to the deterioration of the building's thermal insulation; as well as the use of numerous fixings (screws or other hardware) to fasten connectors and frame ribs, and for small structures - self-tapping screws or mounting tape, which significantly increases the number of operations and, as a result, the installation time.

[0008] Thus, there is a technical problem of providing such a connector of the supporting frame ribs for the geodesic dome, which would be simple in design and assembly, would ensure the connection of structural elements at right angles, and therefore - inexpensive to manufacture; would avoid the so-called "cold bridges" and thus improve the thermal insulation of the entire building.

[0009] ESSENCE OF THE INVENTION

[0010] This technical problem is solved by means of a connector of the ribs of the bearing frame of the geodesic dome containing:

[0011] • the outer 3 and inner 4 parts of the connector, which are hexagonal plates with a through circular hole in the center and two rows of radial rectangular grooves located along the diagonals inside and outside the plate;

[0012] • a pin 5 made to connect the said outer 3 and inner 4 parts of the connector through the said through circular hole with nuts 6, and

[0013] • ribs of rectangular shape 1, having the form of plates with spikes and grooves at the ends, made with the possibility of their insertion into the specified two rows of radial rectangular grooves of each of the specified outer 3 and inner 4 parts of the connector; characterized in that said ribs of rectangular shape with spikes and grooves at the ends 1 are connected to said outer 3 and inner 4 parts of the connector at a right angle, and said pin 5 is made of a material with low thermal conductivity; wherein said outer 3 and inner 4 parts of the connector and the ribs of rectangular shape 1, which are in the form of plates with spikes and grooves at the ends, are made of wood.

[0014] The technical result of the invention is to provide such a connector of the ribs of the supporting frame for a geodesic dome, which is simple in design and assembly, provides connection of structural elements at right angles, is inexpensive to manufacture; significantly reduces the number of operations during its manufacture and installation; and also avoids "cold bridges" and thus improves the thermal insulation of the entire building.

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] As mentioned above, the invention relates to a connector for the ribs of a supporting frame of a geodesic dome containing:

[0017] • the outer 3 and inner 4 parts of the connector, which are hexagonal plates with a through circular hole in the center and two rows of radial rectangular grooves located along the diagonals inside and outside the plate;

[0018] • a pin 5 made to connect the said outer 3 and inner 4 parts of the connector through the said through circular hole with nuts 6, and

[0019] • ribs of rectangular shape 1, having the form of plates with spikes and grooves at the ends, made with the possibility of their insertion into the specified two rows of radial rectangular grooves of each of the specified outer 3 and inner 4 parts of the connector; characterized in that said ribs of rectangular shape with spikes and grooves at the ends 1 are connected to said outer 3 and inner 4 parts of the connector at a right angle, and said pin 5 is made of a material with low thermal conductivity; wherein said outer 3 and inner 4 parts of the connector and the ribs of rectangular shape 1 , which are in the form of plates with spikes and grooves at the ends, are made of wood.

[0020] Brief description of the figures

[0021] The following figures disclose in more detail the structure of the connector of the ribs of the supporting frame of the geodesic dome according to the invention.

[0022] Figures 1, 2, and 3 illustrate an embodiment of the rib connector of the geodesic dome bearing frame according to the invention for vertices with six ribs (top view, detail in axonometry, and assembly in axonometry, respectively), where:

[0023] 1 - ribs of rectangular shape in the form of plates with spikes and grooves at the ends;

[0024] 3 - the outer part of the connector;

[0025] 4 - the inside of the connector;

[0026] 5 - cylindrical pin with threaded ends;

[0027] 6 - nuts.

[0028] Figures 4, 5, and 6 illustrate an embodiment of the geodesic dome support frame rib connector according to the invention for vertices adjacent to the base (top view, axonometry detail, and axonometry assembly, respectively), where:

[0029] - ribs of rectangular shape that look like plates with spikes and grooves at the ends;

[0030] 1 - support shoe;

[0031] 2 - the outer part of the connector;

[0032] 3 - the inside of the connector;

[0033] 4 - cylindrical pin with threaded ends;

[0034] 5 - nuts.

[0035] The embodiment of the geodesic dome support frame rib connector shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 allows connecting six ribs of rectangular shape . It is used for mounting parts of the building frame located above the base.

[0036] In another embodiment of the invention (Figures 4, 5 and 6), the connector of the ribs of the supporting frame of the geodesic dome additionally contains two rectangular-shaped support shoes 2 with grooves made to connect the outer 3 and inner 4 parts of the connector, which have the shape of a truncated hexagon and contain two rectangular grooves on their base. This design of the connector is used for mounting parts of the frame that are directly adjacent to the building foundation. Accordingly, such a connector allows you to connect four ribs of rectangular shape . The two rectangular support shoes 2 are mounted directly on the building base.

[0037] The connection of the ribs of the supporting frame of the geodesic dome according to the invention is provided as follows. The outer 3 and inner 4 parts of the connector and the ribs of rectangular shape 1, which have the form of plates with spikes and grooves at the ends, are made of wood and perfectly matched to each other.

[0038] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer 3 and inner 4 parts of the connector and the ribs of rectangular shape 1 , which are in the form of plates with spikes and grooves at the ends, are made of plywood. These structural elements are manufactured on three- axis computer numerical control (CNC) machines to achieve the required accuracy. Before the building structure is assembled, they are treated with antiseptics using a dipping method for deep impregnation. After that, the outer 3 and inner 4 parts of the connector are connected using a pin 5 and secured on both sides with nuts 6 and washers. The pin 5 is made of a material with low thermal conductivity, which would be comparable to the thermal conductivity of the wood from which the outer 3 and inner 4 parts of the connector are made. This is done in order to avoid cold bridges that occur during the operation of the building due to sudden temperature changes between the frame elements, to improve its thermal insulation and, accordingly, to significantly extend the service life without repair.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pin 5 is made of polymeric or composite materials.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pin 5 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of: polypropylene, polyamide or textolite. The physical and chemical properties of these materials allow their use in the construction of buildings based on the "geodesic dome" principle. In particular, polypropylene is resistant to water and aggressive environments (resistant to acids and alkalis, except for strong oxidizing agents such as HNO3, H2SO4, chromium compounds). It conducts heat poorly - thermal conductivity is 0.15 W / (m*K);

[0041] Then, the outer 3 and inner 4 parts of the connector are joined to the ribs 1. This connection is made using a tongue-and-groove joint at a right angle, which greatly simplifies the production of these parts and significantly reduces the cost of the structure. Each of these parts is marked for ease of assembly, so a specialist does not need to look at the instructions for proper assembly when assembling the building. Then, other connectors are mounted in the same way, depending on whether they will be adjacent to the building base or located above it; and the second ends of the ribs 1 are connected to them using a tongue-and-groove connection. Then the process is repeated.

[0042] After the wooden frame of the building is assembled, it is covered with external shells - insulation, a vapor-permeable membrane and architectural PVC film, or metal or plastic roofing materials.

[0043] In the prototype, when assembling the building frame, clamps in the form of screws or other hardware are usually used to connect metal connectors to the ribs, which are screwed into their ends. Thus, each of the metal connectors requires at least 10-12 clamps, which increases the number of installation operations by the same amount. When mounting the building frame using the rib connector according to the invention, such clamps are not required - the ribs are attached using a "tongue and groove" connection.

[0044] Table 1 shows the thermal conductivities of the main building materials used in the assembly of the building frame with the help of connectors according to the invention and prototype (sources: - https: / / budportal.com.ua / articles / teploprovodnost-i-plotnost- osnovnyh- stroitelnyh-materialov and htp: / / www.m- business.com.ua / indexl. php?page-page373&det~).

[0045] Table 1

[0046] As can be seen from Table 1, the thermal conductivity of polypropylene and textolite is within the range of thermal conductivity of wood in general, and is almost identical to that of plywood. That is, when operating the connectors according to the invention, there can be no question of cold bridges inside them - they are simply tom apart by a polypropylene pin. The thermal conductivity of different types of polyamide fibers is within the range of thermal conductivity of wood, or may slightly exceed it. At the same time, the thermal conductivity of aluminum and steel (the main building materials from which the connectors of the house frame are mounted according to the prototype) will be from 116 to almost 1500 times higher than the thermal conductivity of polypropylene. Accordingly, when the temperature drops in the prototype building frame, cold bridges will quickly appear in the connectors, which will significantly impair thermal insulation and reduce the final service life of the building at least several times.

[0047] The use of the connectors according to the invention allows solving one of the problems that usually occurs in the construction of geodesic domed buildings - difficulties with the insertion of doors and window openings. This is due to the fact that the structural elements are triangular and very rarely are right triangles. Accordingly, when installing doors and windows, they are at an acute angle to the floor, which makes it very difficult to install them properly. Here, ribs of rectangular shape with spikes and grooves at the ends are always connected to the outer and inner parts of the connector at right angles, and by cutting off a part of the sphere from the dome structure with a vertical plane, an opening is formed arched shape, which allows for the use of standard metal-plastic or aluminum windows and simplifies door installation.

[0048] Thus, the use of the connectors according to the invention achieves the desired technical result, namely: such connectors are simple in design and assembly; provide connection of structural elements at right angles, which facilitates the installation of doors and windows; are inexpensive to manufacture; significantly reduce the number of operations during its manufacture and installation; avoid "cold bridges" and thus improve the thermal insulation of the entire building.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Connector of the ribs of the supporting frame of the geodesic dome containing:• the outer and inner parts of the connector, which look like hexagonal plates with a through circular hole in the center and two rows of radial rectangular grooves located along the diagonals inside and outside the plate;• a pin made to connect the said outer and inner parts of the connector through the said through circular hole with nuts, and• ribs of rectangular shape in the form of plates with spikes and grooves at the ends, made with the possibility of their insertion into the specified two rows of radial rectangular grooves of each of the specified outer and inner parts of the connector; characterized in that said ribs of rectangular shape with spikes and grooves at the ends are connected to said outer and inner parts of the connector at a right angle, and said pin is made of a material with low thermal conductivity; wherein said outer and inner parts of the connector and the ribs of rectangular shape, which are in the form of plates with spikes and grooves at the ends, are made of wood.

2. A connector for the ribs of the bearing frame of a geodetic dome according to claim 1, characterized in that it additionally contains two rectangular-shaped support shoes with grooves made to connect the outer and inner parts of the connector, having the shape of a truncated hexagon and containing two rectangular grooves on their base.

3. A connector for the ribs of the supporting frame of a geodesic dome according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the outer and inner parts of the connector and the ribs of rectangular shape, which are in the form of plates with spikes and grooves at the ends, are made of plywood.

4. A geodesic dome support frame rib connector according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that said pin is made of polymeric or composite materials.

5. The geodesic dome support frame rib connector according to claim 4, characterized in that said pin is made of a material selected from the group consisting of: polypropylene, polyamide or textolite.

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