CABLE NETWORK FACADE COMPRISING CABLES MADE OF FIBER-REINFORCED COMPOSITE MATERIAL

Rope net facades consist of two groups of ropes forming a net of ropes. In the context of the invention, the ropes of the first group or first set of ropes are referred to as “first ropes”. They are generally oriented vertically, while the second ropes are oriented horizontally, and a net or grid of rectangular panels is formed. The intersection of a first rope and a second rope is called a node. According to the size of the fields, facade elements, mostly made of glass, are attached to the rope net. As a rule, the facade elements are connected to the rope net in the area of the nodes, since in this way the connection between the facade elements to the vertically running first ropes and the horizontally running second ropes can be achieved with a single construction element. In addition, this stabilizes the rope network.

In known rope net facades, the rope net forms a first plane and the facade elements form a second plane. Both planes run parallel to each other—typically at a distance of about 5 to 10 cm.

This distance is undesirable for aesthetic, practical and economic reasons: such a rope net facade requires a relatively large amount of installation space and accordingly reduces the usable building area.

In addition, the rope net offers attack surfaces for dirt and colonization by spiders, etc., and must therefore be cleaned regularly, which causes considerable expense. The rope net makes it difficult to access the facade elements from one side, which makes their cleaning more difficult.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a rope net facade that meets the highest aesthetic demands, satisfies all building permit requirements and, in addition, is easy to maintain and clean.

According to the invention, this task is solved by a rope net facade for a building comprising the features of claim 1, namely at least one array of first ropes and facade elements, wherein the first ropes consist of one or more lamellae of a fiber composite material, wherein the array of first ropes is prestressed, and wherein the facade elements are arranged in the plane spanned by the rope network.

The array of first ropes, which generally run in the vertical direction, are arranged and prestressed in the joints of two adjacent panes or other façade elements. The facade elements are connected in the area of their (side) edges with a first rope each. This can be done, for example, by bonding with silicone.

The prestressing and tensile strength of the first ropes are selected so that wind loads or other loads that would cause the panes to deflect are absorbed by the ropes and transferred to the surrounding supporting structure. As a result, the deflection of the panes is reduced to such an extent that the panes, which are connected to first ropes according to the invention, do not break even under wind loads.

According to the invention, this task is also solved—in particular if the height of the facade exceeds the selected pane height—by a rope net facade for a building comprising the features of claim 2, namely at least one rope net of first ropes and second ropes, facade elements and node elements for introducing the loads of the facade elements into the rope net, wherein the first ropes and the second ropes of the rope net cross each other in nodes, wherein the first ropes and/or the second ropes consist of one or more lamellae or fiber bundles of a fiber composite material, and wherein the facade elements are arranged in the plane spanned by the rope net.

The first ropes are generally more heavily loaded than the second ropes because of the force of gravity acting on the facade elements. This can be compensated for by varying the bearing loads of the ropes.

The first ropes (but also the second ropes) can be designed as a single strand or as two parallel and spaced strands. If the first ropes consist of two strands, then the second ropes extend between the spaced-apart strands of the first ropes.

By dividing the first or second ropes into two or more strands, some redundancy is created. In addition, because of the symmetrical structure of the rope network, there are no bending moments in the nodes.

Due to external conditions or boundary conditions, load transfer only in the direction of one rope may be required or desired. This can be controlled individually by different pretensioning of the rope sections. However, at least one rope section must be prestressed in a defined way.

In addition, it is possible to place the facade elements, as it were, in rectangles formed by the network, so that the facade elements are also arranged in the plane of the rope network. This also eliminates the loads from eccentric load application that necessarily result from a curtain wall glass façade according to the state of the art.

In other words, the first and second ropes run in the gaps or joints between the facade elements, and node elements are arranged to connect the facade elements to the ropes. Optionally, an intermediate layer which is effective in terms of building physics, such as thermal insulation, can also be arranged there.

According to the invention, the first ropes can be divided into two strands. The second ropes run between these two strands. This results in a symmetrical structure of the rope network with the consequence that all strands or ropes are equally loaded.

Another advantage of the arrangement according to the invention is that the facade elements are accessible from both sides without restrictions. In addition, the ropes of the rope network in the joints of the facade elements are protected from mechanical damage and attacks by corrosive media and in the best possible way.

Finally, the rope network facade according to the invention is very simple in design, it is easy to install; if necessary, individual facade elements can also be replaced.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the node elements have a receiving surface, wherein a recess for each of the two strands of the first ropes is provided in the receiving surface, and wherein a respective, preferably resiliently formed lug is arranged on one or two edges of the recess. The spring-loaded lug allows a predetermined contact pressure to be ensured for bonding, thus ensuring a high quality of manufacture combined with ease of handling.

In the installed state of the node element, the receiving surface is aligned horizontally so that it provides the “support surface” for two facade elements arranged next to each other in the horizontal direction. The two strands of the first ropes pass between the two facade elements arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. To prevent the strands of the first ropes from being damaged or scratched by the recess in the area of the base plate, resilient lugs are formed on both sides of the recess to effectively prevent the strands from kinking in the area of the base plate.

The resilient lugs extend parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first ropes and project beyond the receiving surface, preferably on both sides. Depending on the weight of the facade elements/panes to be placed, the resilient lugs can be selected in different lengths. This limits the twisting of the node element during installation when loaded on one side.

In order to effectively prevent buckling or an impermissibly high point load between the base plate and the horizontally extending second ropes, in a further preferred embodiment of the invention a tab or a projection rounded with a large radius is formed on the underside of the base plate. This projection rests on the horizontally extending second ropes, so that also at this point the horizontally extending second ropes are not kinked or otherwise mechanically overstressed.

It has proved advantageous if a width of the receiving surface of the node element is smaller than or equal to a thickness of the facade elements. This is because the node element according to the invention then disappears in the joint between the facade elements, as do the first and second ropes, and thus becomes virtually invisible.

Preferably, the node elements according to the invention are made of an elastic plastic. Suitable manufacturing processes include, for example, injection molding or 3D printing.

In the rope net facade according to the invention, the first and second ropes run in joints between the facade elements. These joints are preferably grouted with a permanently elastic sealing compound, such as silicone, so that the rope net facade according to the invention tightly seals off an exterior space from an interior space. In addition, the ropes are enclosed in the silicone joint and thus protected from damage.

In addition, the grouting of the facade elements causes the first and second ropes running in the joints and the facade elements to be connected to each other in a linear manner and not only in a point-like manner, whereby a comparative load transfer of loads acting orthogonally to the facade elements into the ropes is achieved.

In order to be able to connect the first and second ropes to a structure, the ropes have means for fastening. These means for fastening first and second ropes are fastened to a separate frame, wall and/or ceiling of a structure.

In an advantageous embodiment, the fasteners are prepared with a means for adjusting the length and pretension of the ropes and for ease of use during installation.

For this purpose, they may comprise a sleeve with an internal thread and a threaded ring with an external thread. This threaded ring can be screwed into the internal thread of the sleeve. The threaded ring forms a bearing surface for end pieces on the ropes.

By screwing the threaded ring more or less deeply into the sleeve, the position of the contact surface height is adjusted so that the ropes resting with their end pieces on the threaded ring have the desired pretension.

To ensure the best possible transmission of force between the means for fastening first and second ropes and the first and second ropes, the first and second ropes each have an end piece at their ends. The end pieces may have a through bore with an inner cone and at least one clamping piece for clamping the ends of the lamellae in the inner cone. The connections between an end piece, usually made of metal, and a rope or strand of the glass facade according to the invention can be made an inner cone and clamping pieces. However, other end pieces known from the prior art may also be used with the ropes according to the invention.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the end pieces have an internal thread for prestressing the ropes. The loosely pre-assembled ropes are then brought to the desired pre-tension by a tensioning screw which is screwed into the internal thread of the end piece. The threaded ring is then screwed into the sleeve until it rests against the underside of the end piece. The clamping screw is then unscrewed. This transfers the force exerted by the prestressed ropes to the sleeve via the end piece and the threaded ring.

The facade elements are usually made of glass, for example as insulating glazing with two, three or four glass panes, as toughened safety glass or as laminated safety glass. Of course, other facade elements can also be integrated into the rope net facade according to the invention. For example, composite panes of glass and plastic (bullet-proof transparent facade elements) or photovoltaic modules or translucent facade elements or opaque facade elements made of metal or other materials can be integrated into the rope net facade according to the invention.

Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention can be seen in the following drawing, its description and the patent claims. All features disclosed in the drawing, the description thereof and the patent claims can be essential to the invention both individually and in any combination with one another.

DRAWING

It shows:

FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a ropenet facade according to the invention formed as an irregular quadrilateral;

FIGS. 2, 3, 4
a, 4b, 5 and 6 different sections in the area of the joint cross;

FIG. 7 an isometric view of a joint cross with a node element according to the invention;

FIG. 8 an example of a joint cross according to the invention

FIGS. 9a, 9b, 10 and 11 the connection between the ropes and the masonry or a frame,

FIG. 12 a further example of a node element according to the invention, and

FIG. 13 a schematic representation of a further embodiment example of a rope net facade according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a highly simplified embodiment of a rope net facade according to the invention. The rope net facade comprises a frame 101, which in this embodiment example is formed as an irregular quadrilateral. First ropes 103, which extend substantially vertically, and second ropes 105, which extend substantially horizontally, are clamped in the frame 101. The first ropes 103 and the second ropes 105 form the rope net. Where the first ropes 103 and the second ropes 105 cross, nodes or nodes 107 are formed. In the figure, only one node 107 is provided with a reference sign for clarity.

The ropes 103, 105 are connected to the frame 101 by means of tensioning devices 141 and are generally prestressed.

The details of the anchoring of the first and second ropes 105 and 103, respectively, to the frame 101 are explained in more detail below in connection with FIGS. 9 to 11 by way of example.

As can be seen from the illustrated embodiment, not all of the first ropes 103 are aligned exactly vertically. The first ropes 103 are arranged in the manner of a line array, so that they do not have the same orientation. Similar is valid for the second ropes 105. Nevertheless, the first ropes 103 and the second ropes 105 form a rope network with, to a first approximation, right angles at the node.

The first ropes 103 essentially carry the weight loads. The second ropes 105 contribute to carrying wind loads or other loads acting orthogonally on the glass facade. Therefore, the load capacities of the first ropes 103 are usually higher than the load capacities of the second ropes. This can be achieved, for example, by making the first ropes 103 thicker than the second ropes 105. Another possibility is to divide the first ropes 103 into two strands 103.1, 103.2. This second variant is somewhat more complex than the first variant and is therefore illustrated and explained below with reference to FIG. 2 ff.

The first variant in which the first ropes 103 comprise one strand results from the second variant by mentally “omitting” one of the two strands. Because of the great similarities between the two variants, it is not necessary to explain the simpler first variant in detail; FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a node element for the first variant.

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of a partially exposed node 107.

In FIG. 2, it can be seen that in this embodiment, the first rope 103 comprises two strands 103.1 and 103.2. Each of these strands 103.1 and 103.2 comprises at least one lamella made of a fiber composite, preferably carbon fibers. The strands 103.1 and 103.2 are spaced apart from each other. The gap between the two strands 103.1 and 103.2 is dimensioned such that a second rope 105, which is also preferably manufactured as a lamella from a fiber composite material, can be passed through between them.

A node element 2 according to the invention is inserted into this node 107, which is formed by the two strands 103.1 and 103.2 of the first rope and the second rope 105. The node element 2 will be further explained below in connection with FIG. 8.

The node element 2 comprises a receiving surface 109 that is aligned with or parallel to the second rope 105. Reference is made to FIG. 8 to explain the details of the node element 2. The receiving surface 109 comprises two recesses (without reference signs). The two strands 103.1 and 103.2 run through these recesses.

To prevent the strands 103.1, 103.2 from being selectively overloaded or even kinked in the area of the recesses, lugs 3 are formed on the receiving surface 109. The lugs 3 are arranged so that they run parallel to two edges of the recess. The lugs 3 are preferably elastic and resilient. In particular, their cross section decreases with increasing distance from the receiving surface. This ensures that where the strands 103.1 and 103.2 are guided through the receiving surface 109 of the node element 2, no kinking of the former is possible. In the illustrated embodiment, the lugs 3 are symmetrical with respect to the receiving surface 109; they extend in both directions beyond the receiving surface 109.

In a corresponding manner, two lugs 4 are formed on the underside of the node element 2. The lugs 4 are spaced apart such that a horizontally extending first rope 105 (see FIG. 2) can be passed between the lugs 4. The lugs 3, 4 ensure that the first and second ropes 103, 105 respectively cannot be “injured” or damaged by the node element 2. Of course, other designs of the node elements 2 are conceivable and possible. The node elements 2 serve to connect the facade elements to the ropes without damaging the ropes.

Because the node element 2 is placed on a second rope 105 from above, lugs 4 need only be provided on the underside of the node element 2.

It is clear from FIG. 2 that the node element 2 is pushed onto the second rope 105 from above and the two strands 103.1, 103.2 are guided through the recesses and the lugs 3.

Two further facade elements 111 can be placed on the receiving surface 109 of the node element 2 to the right and left of the strand of the first ropes. This allows weight forces to be transferred from the facade elements 111 to the node element 2.

There is no direct contact between the lower edges of the facade elements 111 and the second rope 105. The same applies to the lateral edges of the facade elements 111 and the first rope 103.

Of the facade elements 111, which are located above the second rope 105, only the rear pane is shown. Typically, the facade elements are formed as laminated glass or insulating glass with at least one front pane and one rear pane and a frame. The two facade elements 111 below the second rope 105 show both panes of the laminated glass. The front panes, not shown, of an upper facade element 111 designed as laminated glass are placed on the receiving surface 109 of the node element 2, as are the rear panes shown in the upper part of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4a) and b) show sections along the line B-B from FIG. 3. In both sections, the second rope 105 and the facade element 111 designed as laminated glass are clearly visible. The facade element 111 consists of two glass panes 5 which have been joined together by an edge seal 6 in a manner known per se to form laminated glass or insulating glazing.

FIG. 4b) shows a variant in which a strip-shaped element 201 is arranged between the second rope 105 and two glass panes 5 of adjacent facade elements 11. The strip-shaped element 201 can be used to improve thermal insulation. However, it can also serve only visual/design purposes.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the two glass panes 5 of a facade element 111 have the same dimensions. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which the outer glass panes (on the left in FIG. 5) protrude slightly beyond the edge seal 6 so that the gap between the adjacent glass panes 5 is minimized. This reduces the visible gap.

The gap between the facade elements 111 is filled by a permanently elastic material, such as silicone. This results in a linear elastic adhesive connection between the ropes 103 or 105 and the facade elements 111. This connection is sufficiently strong to permanently connect the facade elements 111 to the rope net consisting of the first ropes 103 and the second ropes 105. However, this connection is also sufficiently elastic to be able to compensate for deformations, for example, due to wind loads or temperature-induced changes in length, and thus to equalize the load transfer to the ropes.

FIG. 6 shows a section along the line C-C through the embodiment according to the invention. In this illustration, it is clear, among other things, that the first ropes can comprise two strands 103.1 and 103.2. A distance between the strands 103.1 and 103.2 is such that a first rope 105 (not shown in FIG. 6) can be passed between said strands.

This rope net is symmetrical with respect to a symmetry plane parallel to the outer surface of the facade formed by the panes 5. The strands 103.1 and 103.2 are dimensioned and spaced apart so that they disappear in the joint between the facade elements 111 and do not protrude beyond the outer faces of the facade elements 111. In other words, the strands 103.2 and 103.1 are also enclosed on all sides by silicone, or another permanently elastic woven material, which fills the joint between the facade elements 111.

FIG. 7 shows a view from below of a node 107. From this view from below, it is clear that the first rope 105 passes under the node element 2. It is also clear that the two lugs 4 positively secure the node element 2 to the first or rope 105 to prevent slippage. It is thus not possible for the node element 2 to slip off the second rope 105 even when subjected to the greatest wind loads or other forces.

The passage of the strands 103.1 and 103.2 through the recesses in the receiving surface 109 of the node element 2 is also clearly visible in FIG. 7.

The rope network comprising the first ropes 103 and the second ropes 105 must be prestressed before the glass or facade elements 111 are inserted. At least one group of ropes 103, 105 must be prestressed in a defined manner.

Examples of embodiments of such pretensioning are illustrated with reference to FIGS. 9a, 9b and 10.

The two strands 103.1 and 103.2 end in an end piece 12, which has an internal bore with an internal cone 115 and an external thread 121 (FIG. 9a) or an internal thread 117 (FIG. 9b). The strands 103.1 and 103.2 are anchored in the end piece 12. For this purpose, for example, a gradient anchoring in a conical sleeve 115 is used to anchor the ends of the strands 103.1 and 103.2 by means of a potting compound in the inner cone 115 in a form-fit and material-fit manner. In principle, all types of fastening or connection between the strands 103.1 and 103.2 and the end piece 12 according to the prior art can be used in the invention.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b, the frame 101 is formed as a rectangular tube. A sleeve 10 is welded into the rectangular tube of the frame 101. The end piece 12 of the rope 103, 105 is inserted into this sleeve 10 from below. In this embodiment example, the end piece 12 has a continuous external thread 121.

A threaded bolt (not shown) is screwed in from above as an assembly aid. By means of a hydraulic hollow piston press or other tensioning device, the rope can be stretched to the desired pre-tension. Considerably long tensioning paths may have to be assumed here, so that the final fixation can only be used after tensioning if necessary. For this purpose, either an internally threaded sleeve (123 in FIG. 9a) is screwed in from the tensioning side until the collar 127 comes to rest on the welded sleeve 10, or alternatively—depending on accessibility—an adjusting ring 13 previously slid over the end piece 12 is turned against the end piece 12 from the rope side (in the figures from “below”). The adjusting ring 13 has a central stepped through opening through which the end or head piece 12 of a first rope 103 or a second rope 105 can be passed. Split load transfer plates 13a are disposed between the end piece 12 and the adjusting ring 13. They are inserted into the adjusting ring 12 before the latter is screwed into the sleeve 10, and reduce the through opening of the adjusting ring 13 to such an extent that the end piece 12 rests on the wedge plates 13a. Once the desired preload is achieved and the adjusting ring 13 has been rotated against the lower end of the end piece 12, the adjusting ring 13 takes over the transmission of the preload force and the clamping device not shown can be removed.

In FIG. 9a, a first rope with strands 103.1 and strands 103.2 is shown in drawing form.

The rope 103 can be clamped in the inner cone 115 of the end piece 12, for example, by means of two semicircular wedge plates (no reference sign). A similar construction is known from engine technology: There, spring plates are fastened to the stem of a gas exchange valve by means of two-split wedge plates.

FIG. 9b shows a further variant. This variant uses a clamping screw 129, not shown, which is screwed into an internal thread 117 at the upper end of the end piece 12. The clamping screw 129 is guided through a hollow piston press (not shown) and loaded at its upper end. Actuation of the hollow piston press thus moves the end piece 12 upward in FIG. 9b. This tensioning process is continued until the first rope 103 has the prescribed pretension. Then the adjusting ring 13 is turned into the internal thread of the sleeve 10 until it has come into contact with the end piece 13. Then the tensioning screw is unscrewed from the internal thread 117; the end piece 12 sits on the threaded sleeve 13a or the adjusting ring 13 and the tensioning process is completed. This tensioning operation is carried out with all first ropes 103 and all second ropes 105 in succession.

To prevent the strands 103.1 and 103.2 from being scratched or otherwise damaged on the threaded ring 13, an elastic damping element, similar to an O-ring, may be provided at the through opening of the threaded ring.

An orifice plate or orifice strips 14 may be arranged below the frame 101. Seals 15 are provided in the orifice strips xx 14 to ensure that the facade elements are guided in the frame 101 in a constraint-free but load-locking and weatherproof manner. It goes without saying that such an end piece 12 can also be designed in a comparable manner for a second rope 105 with only one strand or other rope structure.

FIG. 10 shows a section along line A-A from FIG. 9b.

FIG. 11 shows a drawing of an anchorage in the sleeve 10 in a solid construction. The load transfer from the sleeve 17 into the solid structure is effected, for example, by means of horizontal head bolt anchors. The interior of the sleeve is designed in the same way as in the embodiment example according to FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a node element 2 in which the receiving surface 109 comprises only one recess (without reference sign) through which a first rope 103 runs.

In order to prevent the first rope 103 from being selectively overloaded or even kinked in the area of the recess, lugs 3 are formed on the receiving surface 109. The lugs 3 are arranged to run parallel to two edges of the recess. The lugs 3 are preferably elastic and resilient. In particular, their cross section decreases with increasing distance from the receiving surface. This ensures that where the strands 103.1 and 103.2 are guided through the receiving surface 109 of the node element 2, no kinking of the former is possible. In the illustrated embodiment, the lugs 3 are symmetrical to the receiving surface 109; they extend in both directions beyond the receiving surface 109.

FIG. 13 shows, in a highly simplified manner, a further embodiment of a rope net facade according to the invention, cut free. Of the frame 101, only two horizontal cross members are shown. Between the crossbeams, a gaggle of first ropes 103 is attached. The first ropes 103 are prestressed. In this embodiment example, the rope net comprises only first ropes 103.

In this embodiment example, the facade elements 111 extend in a vertical direction from the lower cross member to the upper cross member of the frame 101. Therefore, second ropes 105 are dispensable.

The force application and transmission in this embodiment example are as follows:

The weight force of the pane is transmitted from the bottom edge of the pane, or façade element 111 to the bottom cross member of the frame 101. For this purpose, it is usually necessary to arrange intermediate pieces (not shown) between the pane and the frame; these are not shown.

The prestressed first ropes 103 effectively prevent or reduce deflection of the panes due to wind loads or other loads acting orthogonally on the glass facade. This makes it possible to securely hold even extremely large panes and to create a visually very restrained and aesthetically pleasing facade. The dimensions of the panes can be selected according to the maximum dimensions that can be manufactured. These are currently usually up to 18 m in length and up to 3 m in width. Thus, one pane covers an area of more than 50 m2.

With regard to the anchoring of the first ropes 103 to the frame 101, what has been said in connection with FIGS. 9 to 11 applies accordingly.

CABLE NETWORK FACADE COMPRISING CABLES MADE OF FIBER-REINFORCED COMPOSITE MATERIAL

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