CONNECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CUBIC STRUCTURES

Abstract

The present invention discloses connection systems and methods for cubic structures. The systems include structural members and connecting members, the structural members are configured to interconnect with another structural member by the connecting members, the structural members are provided with accommodating portions for accommodating the connecting members, the structural members include various structural members having different types of interconnection, and the connecting members include various connecting members adapted to the different types of interconnection of the structural members. The methods connect the cubic structures according to the systems. The present invention can be adapted to the connection of cubic structures in various scenarios, thereby promoting development of modular construction.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to modular manufacturing, and in particular to connection systems and methods for cubic structures.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

With the rapid development of digital manufacturing, modularization has become a trend in all walks of life. Modular manufacturing is like molecules that constitute a chemical substance. Each module is similar to a molecule (module and molecule are used interchangeably herein). Similar to a chemical substance which is an assembly of various molecules and different chemical substances can be produced by combining different molecules, modular manufacturing can produce different modular constructions by combining different modules. In the construction industry, modern construction methods tend to use off-site manufacturing and on-site assembly to reduce labor costs and time, and to be more sustainable in terms of waste reduction, transportation, on-site wet work, and overall energy consumption.

The use of molecular methods facilitates logistics and transportation, and improves the manufacturability of installation. Molecules can be of any material, such as steel, steel reinforced concrete, aluminum or composite material as the line components (or reinforcing bars); and steel bar reinforced concrete, plastic or composite material as the face components.

In the construction industry, molecules often exist in an orthogonal manner, where horizontal members are called beams and vertical members are called columns. However, using the current digital manufacturing techniques, members are not limited to the orthogonal manner, or the general “X-Y”, or the polar grid coordinate system positioning. Therefore, the key issue in facilitating the assembly process is to develop methods to connect different molecules together.

CONTENTS OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention relates to a connection system for cubic structures, the system includes structural members and connecting members, the structural members are configured to interconnect with another structural member through the connecting members, the structural members are provided with accommodating portions for accommodating the connecting members, the structural members include various structural members having different types of interconnection, and the connecting members include various connecting members adapted to the different types of interconnection of the structural members.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the structural members include hollow components, each hollow component includes a hollow tube having two ends each provided with an end plate, each end plate is provided with an opening, a mouth of the hollow tube is disposed at the opening of each end plate.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the opening has a length which is greater than a width of the opening.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the hollow components are hollow linear components or hollow curve components.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the connecting members include rigid strip-shaped connecting members or flexible strip-shaped connecting members, and the rigid strip-shaped connecting members or the flexible strip-shaped connecting members connect the hollow components that are stacked together through the accommodating portions accommodated in the hollow components.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the rigid strip-shaped connecting members include reinforcing bars, corresponding structural members are interconnected by overlapping one reinforcing bar with another reinforcing bar for a certain length; or

• • the corresponding structural members are interconnected by interconnecting one reinforcing bar with another reinforcing bar using a connector, wherein both ends of the reinforcing bars are provided with threads, and the connector has a threaded socket that matches the threads.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the connector and the reinforcing bars are made of a same material, or the connector is made of a material stronger than a material of the reinforcing bars, and a protruded portion is provided at a bottom of the connector.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the connecting members include a connecting plate for connecting the hollow components that are juxtaposed, the connecting plate is provided with raised portions having an opening, shape and arrangement of the raised portions are adapted to the openings in the end plates of the hollow components to which the raised portions are connected.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an asymmetric shear key is provided on the connecting plate, when the hollow components are hollow linear components, the connecting plate is a straight connecting plate, and when the hollow components are hollow curve components, the connecting plate is a curved connecting plate.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the structural members include solid components, each solid component includes opposite first and second end faces, the first end face is provided with a male connecting portion, the second end face is provided with a female connecting portion, and the male connecting portion and the female connecting portion are configured to respectively connect to a female connecting portion and a male connecting portion of other structural members that are stacked and interconnected with the solid component.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the structural members include solid components, each solid component includes opposite first and second end faces and a side face connecting the first and second end faces, the side face is provided thereon with a plurality of grooves extending from the first end face to the second end face, a plurality of wire loops is arranged at intervals along each of the plurality of grooves, when juxtaposed with another solid component, the wire loops of the juxtaposed solid components overlap each other to form interconnecting channels for accommodating the connecting members that interconnect the juxtaposed solid components.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the structural members include solid components, each solid component includes opposite first and second end faces and a side face connecting the first and second end faces;

• • the first end face is provided with a male connecting portion, the second end face is provided with a female connecting portion, the male connecting portion and the female connecting portion are configured to respectively connect to a female connecting portion and a male connecting portion of other structural members stacked and interconnected with the solid component;
  • the side face is provided thereon with a plurality of grooves extending from the first end face to the second end face, a plurality of wire loops is arranged at intervals along each of the plurality of grooves, when juxtaposed with another solid component, the wire loops of the juxtaposed solid components overlap each other to form interconnecting channels for accommodating the connecting members that interconnect the juxtaposed solid components.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the solid components that are juxtaposed against each other have a same thickness.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the solid components that are juxtaposed against each other include a primary solid component and a secondary solid component, the primary solid component being thicker than the secondary solid component.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the structural members include solid components, the solid components that are juxtaposed against each other include a primary solid component and a secondary solid component, the primary solid component being thicker than the secondary solid component;

• • the primary solid component includes opposite first and second end faces and a side face connecting the first and second end faces, the first end face is provided with a male connecting portion, the second end face is provided with a female connecting portion, and the male connecting portion and the female connecting portion are configured to respectively connect to a female connecting portion and a male connecting portion of other structural members stacked and interconnected with the solid component, the side face is provided thereon with a plurality of grooves extending from the first end face to the second end face, a plurality of wire loops is arranged at intervals along each of the plurality of grooves;
  • the secondary solid component includes opposite first and second end faces and a side face connecting the first and second end faces, the side face is provided with a plurality of grooves extending from the first end face to the second end face, a plurality of wire loops is arranged at intervals along each of the plurality of grooves;
  • when the primary solid component and the secondary solid component are juxtaposed, the wire loops of the primary and secondary solid components overlap each other to form interconnecting channels for accommodating the connecting members that interconnect the primary solid component and the secondary solid component.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the structural members include a plate-type member, and the plate-type member includes a central plate, and two side plates perpendicularly connected to two ends of the central plate respectively at a central position of the two side plates, the central plate is provided therein with a plurality of rod-shaped members extending along a length direction and arranged at intervals along a height direction, each rod-shaped member is provided at intervals along the length direction with a plurality of protruded rods protruding toward a thickness direction on a same side of the central plate, and each of the plurality of protruded rods has a protruding length shorter than a length of the side plates in the thickness direction on the same side of the central plate.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the connecting members include a connecting frame formed by connecting horizontal rod members and vertical rod members that are distributed in a staggered manner.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the accommodating portions are arranged at a center of the structural members, or the accommodating portions include a plurality of accommodating portions distributed at different locations of the structural members.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the structural members include polygonal cubes, the cubes each including an inclining face that is inclined at a certain angle to an adjacent face.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the structural members include polygonal cubes, and faces of the cubes include planar faces or curved faces.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a connection method for cubic structures, including:

• • providing structural members and connecting members according to any one of the above systems necessary for connection of the cubic structures;
  • interconnecting the structural members by the connecting members to form a structural member assembly;
  • filling a gap at an interconnection location of the structural member assembly with grout so that the structural member assembly forms a secured single structure, thereby forming the cubic structures by connection.

The present invention provides a connection system for cubic structures adapted to different scenarios, thereby facilitating the development of modular constructions.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order to understand in more detail the manner in which the above features of the present invention are understood, the present invention is briefly summarized above, and the present invention can be described more specifically by reference to the embodiments, some examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be noted, however, that the drawings show only typical embodiments of the present invention and should therefore not be considered to limit the scope of the present invention, as the present invention may allow for other equivalent embodiments.

FIGS. 1A-D show different cubic structures of the embodiments of the present invention, wherein (a), (b) and (c) in the figures represent a perspective view, a top view and a front view of the corresponding structure, respectively.

FIG. 1E shows different edge connections of a typical cubic structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A-G show an installation process of juxtaposed linear hollow components of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2H shows the state of the juxtaposed linear hollow components after installation, wherein (a) is a top view, and (b) is a front view.

FIG. 2I shows a perspective view of a connector.

FIGS. 2J-M show respectively a perspective view, a top view, a side view and a bottom view of a straight connecting plate of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A-F show an installation process of curve components of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3G shows the state of the curve components after installation, wherein (a) is an exemplary diagram, and (b) is a schematic diagram.

FIGS. 3H-M show diagrams of various curved connecting plates for the curve components of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A shows different designs of a hollow space.

FIG. 4B shows the state of a number of solid components after installation, where (a) is a front view and (b) is a top view.

FIG. 4C shows the connection of steel bars with a connector.

FIG. 4D shows the overlapping of threaded steel bars.

FIGS. 4E-J show an installation process of solid wire components of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A shows the wire loop connectors, where (a) is a top view and (b) is a front view.

FIGS. 5B-H show an installation process of a number of juxtaposed solid components of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A-G show an installation process and the state after installation of type 1 face components of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A-D show an installation process of type 2 face components of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7E shows the state after installation of the type 2 face components.

FIGS. 8A-D show an installation process of type 3 face components of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8E shows the state after installation of the type 3 face components.

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

The principles of the present invention and its advantages are best understood and illustrated by referring to FIGS. 1A-8E. In the following detailed description of the illustrative or exemplary embodiments of the present invention, specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosed embodiments.

Therefore, the following detailed description should not be taken as limiting, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Reference in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “embodiment” or “one or more embodiments” is intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-8E, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the present invention provides connection mechanisms and methods for cubic structures having common connection points, lines or contact faces, i.e., connection systems and methods for cubic structures. Molecules can be combined to form specified forms and dimensions. Once they contact each other, line components or faces can be at any angle. The modular system can also be used in prefabricated structures, such as prefabricated columns etc. Prefabricated components or modules can be made of concrete, steel, aluminum, wood or other construction materials. The prefabricated components can be 1D (beams or columns), 2D (faces) and 3D (cubes).

In general, the system of an embodiment of the present invention includes structural members and connecting members, the structural members are configured to interconnect with another structural member by the connecting members, the structural members are provided with accommodating portions for accommodating the connecting members, the structural members include various structural members having different types of interconnection, and the connecting members include various connecting members adapted to the different types of interconnection of the structural members. The accommodating portions may be arranged at the center of the structural members, or may include a plurality of accommodating portions distributed at different locations of the structural members.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-E, in an embodiment of the present invention, the molecule can be:

• • 1. a polygonal cube;
  • 2. each edge can be straight or curved;
  • 3. at least three edges form a face, and adjacent faces can be arranged perpendicular or obliquely to each other, i.e., the cube can include an inclining face that is inclined at a certain angle to an adjacent face;
  • 4. faces can be contour only (i.e. only edges), planar or curved;
  • 5. a molecule can be assembled with another molecule through edges, or faces, or both;
  • 6. molecules will be assembled together in sequence according to designs to form a large cubic structure.

In an embodiment of the present invention, all components may be hollow or solid, and straight or curved. When the components extend mainly in one dimension, they are called line components. When the components extend mainly in two dimensions, they are called face components. When the components extend mainly in three dimensions, they are called cube components. In addition, it can be understood that in the disclosure, all structural members include solid portions and hollow portions. Therefore, in the disclosure, a solid component refers to a component with more solid portions than hollow portions, and a hollow component refers to a component with more hollow portions than solid portions.

For the convenience of description, FIG. 2A exemplarily shows the three-dimensional directions used in the present disclosure, which include the mutually perpendicular X-Y-Z three-dimensional directions. In the present disclosure, the Z direction and the height direction can be used interchangeably, the Y direction and the length direction can be used interchangeably, and the X direction and the width or thickness direction can be used interchangeably. The directional terms “up”, “down”, “top”, “bottom” etc. are all based on the Z direction.

A line component can exist by itself or as edges of a cube component. The edges can be straight or curved. If they are straight, it can be horizontal like a beam, vertical like a column or inclined like a frame. This kind of edge component can also be curved or double-curved in one plane. Connection is to resist the force of the contacting faces. A single-point connection can transfer axial force and shear force, and torques can be transferred if the connection point of the contacting faces is more than a single point. The principles of the linear and curve components are the same, just the arrangements are slightly different.

For a hollow component, it may include a hollow tube having two ends each provided with an end plate. Each end plate is provided with an opening, and a mouth of the hollow tube is disposed at the opening of each end plate. Referring to FIG. 2A, the openings of the end plates can be set to have a length which is greater than its width, such as a rectangle or a rectangle with rounded corners. A top plate can be designed to allow lifting for installation, while a bottom plate can allow a cube assembly to stand freely during transport or in a storage space. Between the end plates, there is a guiding tube (hollow tube) made of plastic, metal or a helical spring-type material. The guiding tube serves two purposes:

• • 1) guide a connector component to connect to another connector component of another molecule during installation, and
  • 2) allow for filling with grout when required.

The connecting members can be rigid strip-shaped connecting members (reinforcing bars) or flexible strip-shaped connecting members (cables).

Both ends of the reinforcing bar (e.g., 101 shown in FIG. 2B) usually have threads, one end may be fixed to a connector (e.g., 102 shown in FIG. 2B) (as shown in FIG. 2B, the reinforcing bar with the connector as a whole is indicated by 100 in the application), and one end is a free end. The reinforcing bar can be interconnected to another reinforcing bar through the use of a connector, so that corresponding structural members are interconnected. The reinforcing bars may be made of steel or other materials. The connector has a threaded socket with one end connected to a reinforcing bar and the other end for connection with another threaded reinforcing bar. The connector can be made of the same material as the reinforcing bars or a stronger material. They are used to provide vertical continuity of the system. The bottom of the connector may be provided with a protruded portion (see FIG. 2I) to ensure that even if the reinforcing bar at the bottom breaks, the reinforcing bar at the top can still hold the connecting plate and maintain firmness of the system.

For line components that are not straight, i.e. when the structural members are hollow curve components, the reinforcing bars can be replaced with cables, with or without post-tensioning after installation. For cables, connecting cables consist of a pre-stressed/post-tensioned cable connector, the connector paired with the cable in the middle. They can be cable-cable connectors (cable-to-cable) or cable-reinforcing bar connectors (cable-to-reinforcing bar).

The connection process between edge components is as follows:

• • 1. Install a base molecule (named MN), lift a second molecule (named MP) close to the MN molecule with a crane or other means.
  • 2. If it is necessary to transfer a shear force between molecules, it can be realized through a shear key in the MP and MN molecules, or shear transfer can be enhanced by adding a part called a connecting plate. The shear key can be asymmetrical.
  • 3. If reinforcing bars are used for connection, the connecting reinforcing bars can first be connected/fixed in the MN molecule, or inserted into the openings/guiding tubes reserved in the MP molecule.
  • 4. If connection is through cables, the cables of the MP molecule should first protrude from the MP molecule and connect with the cables of the MN molecule, and then the MP is installed at a final position.
  • 5. If there are more than two edge components, it is better to use a connecting plate for the hollow components, or use an edge connection method for the solid components.

A connecting plate (e.g., straight connecting plate 103 shown in FIGS. 2D-E and J-M, or curved connecting plate 103a shown in FIGS. 3C-F and 3H-M) is used to connect edge members of adjacent molecules, i.e., the connecting plate is used to connect juxtaposed hollow components (i.e., adjacently arranged along the X or Y direction). The connecting plate is used for the following purposes:

• • 1. provide shear transfer or connection between adjacent edge members or molecules;
  • 2. control the arrangement of adjacent molecules and control the alignment/tolerance of different line components;
  • 3. extending direction can be adjusted to suit various situations;
  • 4. the connecting plate can be in any shape and size, if three line components are connected together, the connecting plate should have three openings, etc.

The connecting plate should have at least one opening and a shear key, named OS-key (i.e., the raised portions having an opening shown in the figures, the shape and arrangement of the raised portions are adapted to the openings in the end plates of the hollow components to which the raised portions are connected), i.e., each edge component has an OS-key. If another edge component of an adjacent molecule is to be connected, the connecting plate should be extended to provide another OS-key. In simple terms, two OS-keys for two adjacent edge components, and three OS-keys for three adjacent components, etc.

The connecting plate is a prefabricated part for controlling the arrangement of the edge components and molecules. If the connecting components are in a curved orientation, the connecting plate should be manufactured by 3D printing or casting to match the size and shape of the shear key.

The openings and the key can be of any shape. To facilitate lifting and transport, rectangular openings can be provided. This allows the use of twist locks commonly used in the container industry.

Two components are connected together by bolts and nuts, or reinforced with grout. At least one hollow space is reserved between the male and female components. Depending on design needs, the hollow space can be located in the middle or at the corners, and the hollow space in the components may have different sizes and locations to facilitate connection, see for example FIG. 4A.

For edge components made of solid portions, there is usually at least one guiding tube (the accommodating portion in the solid component) to allow reinforcing bar/cable to connect the MN and MP modules. Once the reinforcing bar/cable is installed, the guiding tube can be filled with a material to secure the reinforcing bar/cable in place. If the edge member is a steel reinforced concrete member, the reinforcing bar can be fixed to the guiding tube as a normal steel reinforced concrete structure because of grouting. The connection method of the edge components in this arrangement is the same as that for the hollow components described above

In an embodiment of the present invention, the solid components may include opposite first and second end faces, the first end face is provided with a male connecting portion (for example, four protrusions on the top face shown in FIG. 4F), the second end surface is provided with a female connecting portion (for example, four depressions on the bottom face shown in FIG. 4F), the male connecting portion and the female connecting portion are configured to respectively connect to a female connecting portion and a male connecting portion of other structural members stacked (i.e., arrange along the Z direction) and interconnected with the solid component. An example of the stacked linear components is shown in FIG. 4B.

The solid components may also include opposite first and second end faces and a side face connecting the first and second end faces, the side face is provided thereon with a plurality of grooves extending from the first end face to the second end face, and a plurality of wire loops (such as wire loops 301 shown in FIG. 5C) is arranged at intervals along each of the plurality of grooves. When juxtaposed with another solid component, the wire loops of the juxtaposed solid components overlap each other to form interconnecting channels for accommodating the connecting members that interconnect the juxtaposed solid components (as shown in FIG. 5G).

For an edge component made of solid portions but connected to an adjacent edge member, the construction process is as follows:

• • 1. provide grooves along the edge member;
  • 2. there should be closed bars or wire loops distributed along the grooves;
  • 3. when two adjacent edge members are juxtaposed, the closed bars or wire loops should overlap each other along the contacting faces (i.e., arrange along the Z direction);
  • 4. insert reinforcing bars with connectors/cables/reinforcing bars without connectors before filling with a material.

The assembly sequence of the solid components is generally as follows:

• • 1. install a component at the bottom (for example, 1002-1 in FIGS. 4E and 4F);
  • 2. install a component on top (for example, 1002-2 in FIG. 4F);
  • 3. install reinforcing bars;
  • 4. filling the holes (gaps where the structural members interconnect) with grout.

The connection of the solid components can also use steel bars and connectors to provide vertical connection. This connection may also use threaded steel bars with sufficient overlap length to provide vertical connection. Generally, tube opening space is reserved in the solid components.

For a plurality of juxtaposed solid components, the assembly sequence of the connection is:

• • 1. install a component,
    • a) insert reinforcing bars,
    • b) fill in with grout;
  • 2. install an adjacent solid component, repeat step 1;
  • 3. insert reinforcing bars into wire loop connectors;
  • 4. fill in with grout to provide shear transfer between columns.

Connecting Face Components

In addition to connecting the edges, the cube structures can also be connected through contact faces between cube molecules. The faces can be planar or curved, but two connecting faces should be contacting each other (i.e. parallel faces).

Type 1

This type of connection is developed for prefabricated face components, using in situ methods to combine the materials of the face components together. There are usually other components in the gap between the face components (such as a connecting frame, or the steel bar cage shown in FIG. 6A, which is formed by connecting horizontal rod members and vertical rod members that are distributed in a staggered manner.

The face components may include:

• • 1. at least two prefabricated members that also serve as a model for the in-situ parts;
  • 2. parts in the gap between the two faces (such as a steel bar cage);
  • 3. a material that is further filled in the gap, the material combines the two face components and parts together to form or appear as a whole.

Type 2

This type of components is developed for two face components to be combined together in the following installation sequence:

• • 1. install a face component on one side, with or without edge components;
  • 2. install a face component on the other side;
  • 3. use parts to connect the face components in the Z direction;
  • 4. insert reinforcing bars into wire loop connectors to connect the two face components in the X direction;
  • 5. fill the space in the wire loop connectors with grout.

Type 3

Another type of face components is also developed, the connection of this type of face components is similarly to type 2, but the two face components have two different functions, i.e., a primary face component and a secondary face component. The primary face component is usually thicker than the secondary face component because it is the primary component that transfers and resists structural action. It comes with or without an edge component. On the other hand, the secondary face component is designed not to bear torques, but can only bear axial and shear forces. Due to the different thicknesses of the two face components, there will be no symmetry about a plane.

The installation sequence for this type of face components includes:

• • 1. install face components on both sides;
  • 2. use parts to connect the face components in the Z direction;
  • 3. insert reinforcing bars into wire loop connectors;
  • 4. fill the space in the wire loop connectors with grout to complete the operation.

For faces that transfer only axial and shear forces, as well as in-plane and out-of-plane shear forces, grooves closed by circular bars or wire loops are used. Reinforcing bars or cables are inserted into the center of the loops before filling with materials. This connection cannot transfer any torques, but only axial and shear forces.

If cables are used on curved faces, the procedure is as follows:

• • 1. install a guiding tube having a cable inside a guiding tube;
  • 2. connect cables between MN and MP modules;
  • 3. a middle connecting plate may be installed along an edge of a molecule, so as to increase shear transfer along and across the faces;
  • 4. after the cables are connected, the space outside the guiding tube is filled up;
  • 5. once a post-tensioning point is reached, the space between the guiding tube and the cable can be filled with grout to form a bonded post-tensioning system.

For face-transferred torques, it requires the components to transfer a push-pull force. When dealing with this push-pull action, there are three methods as shown below.

In Situ Filling Method

The faces of the molecule are designed as permanent objects with connecting pins/closed-type reinforcing bars or wire loops etc. to ensure the forming of an assembly with the permanent objects after in-situ filling.

Compound Method

The faces are designed to resist designed torques. Two faces are combined into a composite face by means of the transfer of axial and shear forces by the faces. The contacting faces are designed to resist complementary shear of the composite material face portions. The push-pull components are resisted by means of the reinforcing bars/cables connection, and then grouted.

Asymmetric Section Method

The design of the face of one molecule for the face of another molecule is only designed for transport and installation purposes. The two faces are also connected by means of the transfer of axial and shear forces by the faces. The push-pull components are resisted by the reinforcing bars/cables, and then grouted.

Specifically, referring to FIGS. 2A-H, for the juxtaposed hollow linear components (when juxtaposed, generally, the juxtaposed hollow linear components are placed so that the openings on the end plates of the two components are arranged perpendicularly), the installation sequence includes:

• • 1. install other hollow parts 1001-2 on top of hollow parts 1001-1;
  • 2. insert reinforcing bars 101 with connector 102 (the overall of the two is shown in the figure as 100) into the accommodating portions of the hollow part 1001-2, i.e., the hollow tubes between the end plates;
  • 3. the reinforcing bars with connector 100 are in place;
  • 4. install a connecting plate 103 (the straight connecting plate shown in FIGS. 2J-M);
  • 5. the connecting plate 103 is in place;
  • 6. repeat steps 1-5 to continue installation of the hollow parts.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-F, for curve components (an example is a hollow component), the installation sequence is as follows:

• • 1. install curve components 1004-1 at the bottom;
  • 2. insert cables 105 with connector into the accommodating portions, i.e., the hollow tubes between the end plates;
  • 3. install a connecting plate 103a (the curved connecting plate shown in FIGS. 3H-M) which is adapted to the curve components 1004-1;
  • 4. the connecting plate 103a is in place;
  • 5. repeat steps 1-4 to continue installation of the curve components 1004-2.

FIG. 3G shows the form after installation.

Referring to FIGS. 4E-I, for juxtaposed solid linear components, the installation sequence includes:

• • 1. bottom solid components 1002-1 are in place;
  • 2. install top solid components 1002-2 in place on top of the bottom solid components 1002-1;
  • 3. insert reinforcing bars 201 (hereinafter, reinforcing bars and steel bars can be used interchangeably) with connector 202 (the overall of the two is shown in the figure as 200) into the accommodating portions, i.e. the central guiding tubes;
  • 4. the reinforcing bars with connector 200 are in place;
  • 5. fill the holes with grout 204.

Referring to FIG. 4J, a field installation process includes:

• • 1. insert a steel bar 201 with a connector 202 or a threaded steel bar 211 into a bottom column 1003-1;
  • 2. fill the hole with grout 204;
  • 3. install a top column 1003-2, insert another steel bar 201 or threaded steel bar 211 (should maintain a sufficient overlap length L with the previous threaded steel bar 211);
  • 4. fill the hole with grout 204.

Connectors

Referring to FIGS. 5B-H, for a plurality of juxtaposed solid components, the installation sequence is as follows:

• • 1. bottom solid components 1005-1 are in place;
  • 2. install a top solid component 1005-2 with wire loop connectors 301 on top of the bottom solid component 1005-1;
  • 3. insert steel bars 201 with connectors 202 (the overall of the two is shown in the figure as 200) into the accommodating portions, i.e., the guiding tubes at the four corners;
  • 4. the reinforcing bars with connector 200 are in place;
  • 5. fill the holes with grout 204;
  • 6. install an adjacent solid component 1005-2 with wire loop connectors (used interchangeably herein with wire loops) 301;
  • 7. insert reinforcing bars 200 into the wire loop connectors 301;
  • 8. fill the holes with grout.

FIG. 5A shows the form after installation.

Among them, the connecting members can adopt the steel bars 201 with the connectors 202 shown in FIG. 4C as mentioned above, or the threaded steel bars 211 shown in FIG. 4D, the threaded steel bars 211 for connecting two solid components need to have sufficient overlap length L.

As shown in FIGS. 6A-D, for type 1 face components, the installation sequence is:

• • 1. install a part (connecting frame) 302 (such as a steel bar cage) in the gap 304 (i.e., accommodating portion) between two face components (prefabricated members) 303;
  • 2. install the prefabricated members 303, which also serve as the in-situ components;
  • 3. fill the gap with a material 305 capable of combining the two face components 303 into one.

FIGS. 6E-G show the form after installation.

The prefabricated member includes a plate-type member 303, the plate-type member includes a central plate, and two side plates perpendicularly connected to two ends of the central plate respectively at a central position of the two side plates, the central plate is provided therein with a plurality of rod-shaped members extending along a length direction and arranged at intervals along a height direction. Each rod-shaped member is provided at intervals along the length direction with a plurality of protruded rods protruding toward a thickness direction on a same side of the central plate, and the protruding length of each protruded rod is shorter than the length of the side plates in the thickness direction on the same side of the central plate.

As shown in FIGS. 7A-D, for type 2 face components, the installation sequence is:

• • 1. install a face component 401 on one side;
  • 2. install another face component 401 on the other side;
  • 3. use steel bars 200 with a connector or threaded steel bars with overlap length (refer to FIG. 4D) to connect the face components 401 in the Z direction;
  • 4. fill with grout after the steel bars 200 are in place;
  • 5. reinforcing bars 101 may be inserted into wire loop connectors 301 to connect the two face components 401 in the X direction;
  • 6. fill the hole 106 at the wire loops 301 with grout.

FIG. 7E shows the form after installation.

As shown in FIGS. 8A-D, for type 3 face components, the installation sequence is:

• • 1. install face components on both sides, including a primary face component 501 and a secondary face component 502;
  • 2. use steel bars 200 with a connector (or threaded steel bars with an overlap length) to connect the face components in the Z direction;
  • 3. after the steel bars 200 are in place, fill the holes with grout;
  • 4. insert reinforcing bars 101 into wire loop connectors 301 to connect the two face components in the X direction;
  • 5. fill the hole 106 with grout.

FIG. 8E shows the form after installation. The thickness of the primary face component (i.e., the primary solid component) 501 is greater than the thickness of the secondary face component (i.e., the secondary solid component) 502. In addition, it can be seen from FIG. 8E that the main solid component 501 can have two kinds of accommodating portions, namely:

• • 1) hollow guiding tubes distributed on the edges of the end faces and extending from the top end face to the bottom end face for accommodating the reinforcing bars 201 with a connector 202, or the threaded reinforcing bars 211 with a certain overlap length L, so as to interconnect with other primary solid components in a stacking manner;
  • 2) wire loop connectors distributed on the side face for interconnecting with another structural component in a juxtaposition manner, such as the secondary solid component 502 shown in the figure.

The secondary solid component 502 may only include wire loop connectors distributed on its side face.

An embodiment of the present invention also provides a connection method for cubic structures, including:

• • providing structural members and connecting members, which are necessary for connecting the cubic structures, according to the system described above;
  • interconnecting the structural members by the connecting members to form a structural member assembly;
  • filling a gap at the interconnection location of the structural member assembly with grout, so that the structural member assembly forms a secured single structure, thereby forming the cubic structures by connection.

The present invention is capable of numerous modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

The features described herein may be combined to form other embodiments, and sub-elements of certain embodiments may also form other embodiments. The foregoing description of the present invention with preferred embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It is understood and apparent to those skilled in the art that further modifications to the embodiments of the present invention so described can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connection system for cubic structures, characterized in that the system comprises structural members and connecting members, the structural members are configured to interconnect with another structural member through the connecting members, the structural members are provided with accommodating portions for accommodating the connecting members, the structural members include various structural members having different types of interconnection, and the connecting members include various connecting members adapted to the different types of interconnection of the structural members.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the structural members comprise hollow components, each hollow component comprises a hollow tube having two ends each provided with an end plate, each end plate is provided with an opening, a mouth of the hollow tube is disposed at the opening of each end plate.

3. The system as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the opening has a length which is greater than a width of the opening.

4. The system as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the hollow components are hollow linear components or hollow curve components.

5. The system as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the connecting members comprise rigid strip-shaped connecting members or flexible strip-shaped connecting members, and the rigid strip-shaped connecting members or the flexible strip-shaped connecting members connect the hollow components that are stacked together through the accommodating portions accommodated in the hollow components.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the rigid strip-shaped connecting members comprise reinforcing bars, corresponding structural members are interconnected by overlapping one reinforcing bar with another reinforcing bar for a certain length; or the corresponding structural members are interconnected by interconnecting one reinforcing bar with another reinforcing bar using a connector, wherein both ends of the reinforcing bars are provided with threads, and the connector has a threaded socket that matches the threads.

7. The system as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the connector and the reinforcing bars are made of a same material, or the connector is made of a material stronger than a material of the reinforcing bars, and a protruded portion is provided at a bottom of the connector.

8. The system as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the connecting members comprise a connecting plate for connecting the hollow components that are juxtaposed, the connecting plate is provided with raised portions having an opening, shape and arrangement of the raised portions are adapted to the openings in the end plates of the hollow components to which the raised portions are connected.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that an asymmetric shear key is provided on the connecting plate, when the hollow components are hollow linear components, the connecting plate is a straight connecting plate, and when the hollow components are hollow curve components, the connecting plate is a curved connecting plate.

10. The system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the structural members comprise solid components, each solid component comprises opposite first and second end faces, the first end face is provided with a male connecting portion, the second end face is provided with a female connecting portion, and the male connecting portion and the female connecting portion are configured to respectively connect to a female connecting portion and a male connecting portion of other structural members that are stacked and interconnected with the solid component.

11. The system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the structural members comprise solid components, each solid component comprises opposite first and second end faces and a side face connecting the first and second end faces, the side face is provided thereon with a plurality of grooves extending from the first end face to the second end face, a plurality of wire loops is arranged at intervals along each of the plurality of grooves, when juxtaposed with another solid component, the wire loops of the juxtaposed solid components overlap each other to form interconnecting channels for accommodating the connecting members that interconnect the juxtaposed solid components.

12. The system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the structural members comprise solid components, each solid component comprises opposite first and second end faces and a side face connecting the first and second end faces; the first end face is provided with a male connecting portion, the second end face is provided with a female connecting portion, the male connecting portion and the female connecting portion are configured to respectively connect to a female connecting portion and a male connecting portion of other structural members stacked and interconnected with the solid component;the side face is provided thereon with a plurality of grooves extending from the first end face to the second end face, a plurality of wire loops is arranged at intervals along each of the plurality of grooves, when juxtaposed with another solid component, the wire loops of the juxtaposed solid components overlap each other to form interconnecting channels for accommodating the connecting members that interconnect the juxtaposed solid components.

13. The system as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the solid components that are juxtaposed against each other have a same thickness.

14. The system as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the solid components that are juxtaposed against each other comprise a primary solid component and a secondary solid component, the primary solid component being thicker than the secondary solid component.

15. The system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the structural members comprise solid components, the solid components that are juxtaposed against each other comprise a primary solid component and a secondary solid component, the primary solid component being thicker than the secondary solid component; the primary solid component comprises opposite first and second end faces and a side face connecting the first and second end faces, the first end face is provided with a male connecting portion, the second end face is provided with a female connecting portion, and the male connecting portion and the female connecting portion are configured to respectively connect to a female connecting portion and a male connecting portion of other structural members stacked and interconnected with the solid component, the side face is provided thereon with a plurality of grooves extending from the first end face to the second end face, a plurality of wire loops is arranged at intervals along each of the plurality of grooves;the secondary solid component comprises opposite first and second end faces and a side face connecting the first and second end faces, the side face is provided with a plurality of grooves extending from the first end face to the second end face, a plurality of wire loops is arranged at intervals along each of the plurality of grooves;when the primary solid component and the secondary solid component are juxtaposed, the wire loops of the primary and secondary solid components overlap each other to form interconnecting channels for accommodating the connecting members that interconnect the primary solid component and the secondary solid component.

16. The system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the structural members comprise a plate-type member, and the plate-type member comprises a central plate, and two side plates perpendicularly connected to two ends of the central plate respectively at a central position of the two side plates, the central plate is provided therein with a plurality of rod-shaped members extending along a length direction and arranged at intervals along a height direction, each rod-shaped member is provided at intervals along the length direction with a plurality of protruded rods protruding toward a thickness direction on a same side of the central plate, and each of the plurality of protruded rods has a protruding length shorter than a length of the side plates in the thickness direction on the same side of the central plate.

17. The system as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the connecting members comprise a connecting frame formed by connecting horizontal rod members and vertical rod members that are distributed in a staggered manner.

18. The system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the accommodating portions are arranged at a center of the structural members, or the accommodating portions include a plurality of accommodating portions distributed at different locations of the structural members.

19. The system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the structural members comprise polygonal cubes, the cubes each comprising an inclining face that is inclined at a certain angle to an adjacent face.

20. The system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the structural members comprise polygonal cubes, and faces of the cubes comprise planar faces or curved faces.

21. A connection method for cubic structures, characterized in that the method comprises: providing structural members and connecting members of the system according to claim 1 necessary for connection of the cubic structures;interconnecting the structural members by the connecting members to form a structural member assembly;filling a gap at an interconnection location of the structural member assembly with grout so that the structural member assembly forms a secured single structure, thereby forming the cubic structures by connection.