Faceted Node Block and Shell System for Scalable Frame Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular node systems lack versatility and efficient load-bearing capabilities in forming open frame structures, as they do not offer scalable and user-selectable configurations for interconnecting elongate frame elements with differential load-bearing characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A modular node system utilizing concavely and convexly faceted node block and node shell components that can be easily assembled to form various frame structures, allowing for scalable and versatile connections between elongate frame elements, with the node block featuring a tetra-facet cradle for attachment to three frame elements and node shells with different globular configurations for joining multiple node blocks, enhancing load-bearing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing modular node systems are used to interconnect frame elements, then basic frame structures can be formed, but versatility and load-bearing capabilities are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The node system is segmented into two distinct components: node blocks (with concave faceted cradles) and node shells (with convex faceted surfaces). This segmentation allows the system to achieve versatility through different component combinations while maintaining strong load-bearing capabilities through the interlocking faceted interfaces between components and frame elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The node shell components are designed to nest within the concave cradles of node blocks, creating a nested configuration. This nesting arrangement enables scalable frame structures where multiple node blocks can be joined together through intermediate node shells, providing both versatility in configuration and distributed load-bearing robustness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If modular node systems are designed for basic connectivity, then assembly is simple, but scalable and user-selectable configurations are not available
Solution Approach 1:
The node blocks and node shells are designed as universal components that can be combined in multiple configurations to create different frame structures. The faceted interfaces provide multi-functionality, allowing the same basic components to serve various structural purposes through different arrangements and combinations, achieving scalability without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Strength
If traditional node connections are used, then frame elements can be connected, but distributed load-bearing robustness cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the node system into node blocks and node shells with faceted interfaces, the load-bearing function is distributed across multiple contact surfaces rather than concentrated at a single connection point. This segmentation maintains ease of assembly through modular components while achieving distributed load-bearing robustness through the multi-faceted interlocking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The faceted surfaces of both node blocks and node shells incorporate curved geometric forms that distribute contact forces across multiple points. The convex and concave faceted surfaces create distributed contact areas that enhance load-bearing robustness while maintaining relatively simple assembly through the complementary fitting of these curved surfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular, faceted-component node system for uniting adjacent ends of elongate frame elements at selectively different types of frame-element-junction nodes in a frame structure including (a) a first type faceted node component adapted for attachments to it of ends of plural, elongate frame elements, operable as a singularity to form in a frame structure a first-type frame-element-junction node, and a second type faceted node component for joining, and cooperating with, different pluralities of the first-type node component to form, selectively with such component pluralities, in a frame structure a plurality of different, second-type frame-element-junction nodes—the first and second type node components including, respectively, concave and convex, angularly faceted surface regions that are complementary to one another, and that accommodate facet-to-facet, matching-facet-coextensive, selective joinder of the two component types.