ROLLABLE FRAMEWORK

Description

TECHNOLOGICAL AREA

The invention relates to a mechanism that can be used as post-disaster emergency structures, exhibition stands, industrial tents, or roof shells to meet the shelter needs of architectural, military, and non-governmental organizations.

This invention is a rollable framework design based on the RF (Reciprocal Frame) system, which takes the form of a roll in the most closed situation and becomes a vault in the most open position.

STATE OF THE ART

RF systems are self-supporting structures consisting of three or more rods (nexors) and requiring no center support to form roofs, bridges, or similar structures. They have been used in various architectural structures for centuries. It was also used in the Leonardo Da Vinci Bridge. The invention described in this specification achieves a vaulted form by giving the RF system freedom of movement with joints and nexors.

In previous studies, Saidani and Baverel (1998) described a deployable system from RFs, which consists of only the rotation of nodes of the structure (Saidani & Baverel, 1998). It is not possible to obtain a vault form from these structures.

Moreover, Chilton et al. (1998) parametrically analyzed static and retractable RF geometries and their structural behavior (Chilton et al., 1998). However, a design to obtain a vault structure could not be put forward.

Parigi and Sassone (2010) investigated 4-nexor planar movable RFs having a single degree of freedom with rotational and sliding hinges (Parigi & Sassone, 2010). However, in this study, two-dimensional structures are created.

Apart from the previous kinetic studies, a self-supporting bridge designed by Leonardo Da Vinci with an RF system (Popovic Larsen, 2007) has a similar form to the current invention. However, the Da Vinci Bridge is a static system with simple joints where the nexors are superimposed on top of each other.

Shigeru Ban and Cecil Balmond designed the Forest Park Pavilion, a fluctuating eave of intertwined bamboo boards spanning an area of about 11×11 meters for the Rice University campus (Shigeru Ban Architects, 2002). Pizzigoni designed an RF using precast concrete elements for the Italian Pavilion at the Shanghai 2010 World Expo (Pizzigoni, 2009). In both designs, the structures are static and simple joints are used.

In the literature search, a vault structure is described in the US patent document U.S. Pat. No. 4,074,477A. The RF system is not used in the mentioned vault structure.

In the literature search, a helically tensioned integral structure is mentioned in the Chinese patent document CN110552428A which is not related to the RF system.

In the literature search, the Chinese patent document CN108916512A describes a frame structure for a vaulted tent. The mentioned structure is related to the conventional tent system and does not use the self-supporting RF system.

In previous kinetic studies, a three-dimensional RF using rotational and sliding joints has not been studied. As far as static studies are concerned, the invention shares a similar form with the Leonardo Da Vinci Bridge, although Da Vinci Bridge is a static structure with simple joints.

As a result, there is a need for a new rollable framework that surpasses the state of the art, addresses its disadvantages, and provides a solution.

Short Description of the Invention:

The invention is a rollable framework that exceeds the state of the art, addresses its disadvantages, and incorporates extra advantages.

The invention aims to present a rollable framework that transforms into a vault form by giving the RF system freedom of movement with joints and nexors.

Another objective of the invention is to create a rollable framework with an RF system, which can be easily transported by folding and takes the form of a vault when unfolded.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a rollable framework with a self-balancing structure, which takes up little space during carrying and transportation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying figures so that the features of the invention will be more clearly understood. However, this is not intended to limit the invention to these particular arrangements. On the contrary, it is also intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents of the invention that may be included within the field defined by the appended claims. The shown details are presented solely for the purpose of illustrating the preferred arrangements of the present invention and should be understood as providing the most useful and easily understandable definition of the methods' configuration as well as the rules and conceptual features of the invention. In these drawings;

FIG. 1A Top view of a module consisting of four nexors connected with cylindrical joints.

FIG. 1B Front view of a module consisting of four nexors connected with cylindrical joints.

FIG. 2 The view showing the directions and angles of the nexors in the module.

FIG. 3A Top view of the module used in the invention.

FIG. 3B Perspective view of the module used in the invention.

FIG. 4A Top view showing the possible movements of the module used in the invention.

FIG. 4B Right view showing the possible movements of the module used in the invention.

FIG. 4C Front view showing the possible movements of the module used in the invention.

FIG. 5A Top view showing the formation of the arch form by combining the modules used in the invention and its movements.

FIG. 5B Front view showing the formation of the arch form by combining the modules used in the invention and its movements.

FIG. 6A View showing the nexors to be joined to reduce the freedom of movement in the arch form.

FIG. 6B View showing the joined nexors to reduce the freedom of movement in the arch form.

FIG. 7A Top view showing the movement of the arch form in the y-plane.

FIG. 7B Right view showing the movement of the arch form in the y-plane.

FIG. 8A Top view showing the movements of the arch form in the x-plane.

FIG. 8B Right view showing the movement of the arch form in the x-plane.

FIG. 9A Top view showing the movements of the vault form obtained with the invention.

FIG. 9B Front view showing the movements of the vault form obtained with the invention.

FIG. 9C Perspective view showing the movements of the vault form obtained with the invention.

The figures that will aid in understanding the present invention are numbered as indicated in the accompanying drawing, and their names are given below.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES

• • 10. Modul
  • 11. Nexor
  • 12. Cylindrical joint
  • 13. Prismatic joint
  • 14. Overhead nexors
  • 15. Joined nexors
  • 16. Parallel nexors
  • 17. Non-parallel nexors
    • Y. Arch form
    • T. Vault form
    • x, y, z. Directions
    • β. Angle
    • X PLANE and Y PLANE. planes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the rollable framework is explained only for a better understanding of the subject matter, with examples that do not create any limiting effect. The specification describes a rollable framework based on the RF (Reciprocal Frame) system, which takes the form of a roll in its most closed state, and it takes the form of a vault (T) in its most open state.

For the invention, a two-degree-of-freedom RF module (10) consisting of four nexors (11) with circular cross-sections, where the nexors are radially symmetrical, and their ends touch the ground is created (Σfi=8 and λ=6, Σfi=connectivity sum, λ=degrees of freedom of space) (FIG. 1A, 1B). It is found that the angles (B) between the nexors (11) must be equal for the ends of the bars to touch the ground in the module (FIG. 2). However, it is observed that the angles between the nexors (11) are never 90° in the ground touching condition. In the condition where the nexors (11) are 90° to each other, it is observed that the two opposite nexors (11) are separated from the ground and become parallel to each other.

In the module (10) in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the nexors (11) are fully connected by cylindrical joints (12). In module (10) in FIGS. 3A and 3B, one prismatic joint (13) and one cylindrical joint (12) are used at opposite corners. When the motion of the module (10) in FIGS. 3A and 3B is analyzed, it is seen that two revolute joints become inactive (13), which reduces Σfi=6. Considering that the degrees of freedom of the module is still 2, the A of the mechanism is found to be equal to 4 (Σfi=6 and λ=4). In other words, in the motion from the first module (10) to the second module (10), the motion mode of the module has changed. Thanks to the use of two prismatic joints (13) in the second module, the non-parallel bars are transformed into square cross-section nexors (11), allowing only translational motion (FIG. 3A, 3B).

Accordingly, the module (10) of the invention consists of parallel bars (16) and non-parallel bars (17). In module (10), the non-parallel bars (17) are connected to the parallel bars (16) by cylindrical joints (12), and the parallel bars (16) are connected to the non-parallel bars (17) by prismatic joints (12). Thus, four nexors (16, 17) are connected to each other using two cylindrical joints (12) and two prismatic joints (13).

In the invention, when the modules (10) comprising two cylindrical joints (12) and two prismatic joints (13) are joined by sharing their nexors (16, 17) with the neighboring modules (10), an arch form (Y) is produced. In the resulting arch form (Y), the position and angle of each nexor (11) are affected by its neighboring nexor. For the framework, the parallel nexors (16) in the multiplicated modules (10) are positioned so that they are parallel to each other, while the non-parallel nexors (17) automatically take the necessary angles depending on the neighboring nexors (16, 17) and modules (10) (FIG. 5A, 5B).

It is observed that the multiplication scheme in FIGS. 5A and 5B has too many degrees of freedom, and the curvature of the arch (Y) is difficult to control. As a solution, eight overhead nexors (14) positioned side by side are joined with the adjacent nexors (14) to obtain four (14) joined nexors (15). In other words, the number of overhead nexors (14) is reduced from eight to four. Thus, in the newly created arch form (Y), the degree of freedom affecting the curvature of the arch is reduced to 1. It can be seen that the number of overhead nexors (14), which is eight in FIG. 6A, is four in FIG. 6B.

In the created arch form (Y), the mobility in the Y plane changes the curvature of the arch (FIG. 7A, 7B), while the degree of freedom in the X plane changes the width (the area covered) of the arch (FIG. 8A, 8B). Thanks to the joined nexors (15), the movement in the Y plane can be controlled, thus controlling the curvature. In the invention, the joined nexors (15) and the overhead nexors (14) are parallel nexors (16).

It has been observed that it is necessary to use different nexor (11) lengths to prevent the moving nexors from colliding with each other to achieve a rollable framework. While the lengths of the parallel nexors (16) remain constant, the lengths of the non-parallel nexors (17) are changed. Three different lengths of non-parallel nexors (17) are used in the invention. After the change in the lengths of the nexors, the modules (10) can be multiplied as many times as needed to obtain a rollable vault of the desired size. In its most closed form, the invention takes the form of a roll so that it can enter the truck during transportation, while in its most open state, it takes the form of a vault (FIG. 9A, 9B, 9C).