DEVICE FOR SECURING CONSTRUCTION MODULES

Abstract

The invention provides a system for fixing construction modules based on two fixing devices for assembling three-dimensional construction modules during building construction and complex construction elements for any use, in which first, essentially flat fixing devices comprise two pairs of rigid rods arranged vertically in each pair, one on top of the other, in a U-shape, both pairs of rods being arranged in a concentric manner, thereby defining a U-shaped hole in which bosses are placed, and second fixing devices comprising three pairs of rigid rods arranged vertically in each pair, one vertically on top of the other, with one pair defining an essentially right-angle and the other two pairs of rods being arranged symmetrically with respect to their bisector, thereby defining a hole in the form of an arrowhead in which bosses are housed.

Description

The present invention relates to a system for fixing construction modules. More specifically, the invention provides a fixing system based on fixing devices for the assembly of self-supporting modular elements or three-dimensional construction modules for the construction of buildings for any use, for example houses, offices, industrial buildings, bridges, complex lattices, dams and the like, as well as for fixing and joining simple slabs, pillars, etc.

The fixing system of the invention allows the assembly of construction modules both in height and laterally in a simple and reproducible way, such devices being fixed in specific and standardized positions of said modules, which allows to automate the construction from them.

On the other hand, the design of fixing devices of the invention allows them to be used for construction in seismic risk areas, since their configuration, avoiding the use of rigid plates, allows that the construction modules to which they are applied to withstand vibrations and bending that usually occur on these module fixings during this type of events.

For this, fixing devices of the invention, free of rigid fixing plates, are formed in a first configuration for their integration in construction modules sides for their vertical assembly and horizontal extension, and in a second configuration for their integration in module corners.

Currently, in the construction of buildings there is a need to optimize both the time and the cost of the works, for this reason in recent years construction technologies based on precast industry have been developed. Thus, there are construction systems based on prefabricated elements that allow construction in a three-directional way, in the form of volumetric elements or boxes.

These three-dimensional prefabricated construction modules allow construction in many different design configurations, both in plan and height. For this, said modules are usually designed as one-piece cubic cells and structurally self-supporting on any of their sides, so that their sides can be arranged in any desired orientation to define different spaces, both in the same plane, as well as in different planes. Typically, said modules include, integrated in at least one of their sides, embedded loading means that allow placement, orientation and transport of the same, such as platens suitably arranged in at least one ridge of modules, embedded and structurally integrated in corresponding recesses made in themselves.

This configuration based on platens of the already known fixing systems has various disadvantages essentially derived from the use of rigid metal supports arranged in corresponding grooves and which allow the joining of some modules with other adjacent and upper or lower modules by means of screws.

For example, document ES201100177 describes fixings of this type, using some stiffeners provided in upper module structure, which by cutting the flange of corresponding beam, form housings for the location and positioning of elements provided in the roof structure of lower module, the joining being materialized by means of a pin housed in locked through holes and provided in positioning elements. Other stiffening elements also collaborate in said joining, coinciding with corresponding supports or pillars position.

The use of rigid junctions for modules assembly in vertical and horizontal direction makes the constructions made with these modules not very flexible and become very affected by a seismic load, which limits vertical and horizontal extension of said constructions, preventing also an adequate load transmission.

To overcome this disadvantage, document ES 2362514 describes, for example, a flexible joining element for constructions intended to be arranged between adjoining parts of said construction to transmit vertical or horizontal loads comprising at least one body made of knitted and pressed yarn of steel, preferably stainless or galvanized, which supports vertical or horizontal loads transmitted between adjacent modules. The joining element described in this document comprises two coaxial cylindrical pieces of different diameter defining between them a volume wherein at least one, and preferably four or six of said bodies, is housed, innermost piece being intended to receive a positioning element fitted at its lower part in a first lower module and outermost piece intended to be embedded in immediately upper module, so that said body transmits lateral forces between said pieces and, therefore, between said first lower module and said second module immediately higher. Although this joining element gives flexibility to junction assembled between modules thanks to the use of a knitted steel cable, it is an element of complex manufacture using a number of elements such as cylindrical rings, washers, as well as braided steel cables, thereby considerably increasing its manufacturing cost.

The present invention solves the disadvantages of fixing elements known in the art, providing a flexible fixing system that allows the transmission of any load in any direction, for example of horizontal and vertical displacement, such as those produced during a seismic event, in a simple and reliable way, while facilitating a constructional simplicity both in height and laterally in a reproducible way, such devices being fixed in specific and standardized positions of said modules, which allows to automate the construction from them.

To this end, the invention provides a system for fixing construction modules formed on the basis of first fixing devices and second fixing devices.

First fixing devices are essentially flat and are made up of two pairs of rigid rods arranged vertically in each pair one above the other in a U-shape, both pairs of rods being arranged concentrically, namely, sharing the same longitudinal axis of symmetry. Pairs of rods thus define a U-shaped hole in which at least one boss is arranged, preferably four bosses, for the passage of two fixing screws.

Likewise, the fixing system involves the use of second fixing devices with a configuration similar to first fixing devices, in this case made up of three pairs of rigid rods arranged vertically in each pair, one vertically above the other, a pair of rods defining an essentially right-angle and the other two pairs of rods arranged symmetrically with respect to its bisector, defining a hole of an arrowhead form in which at least one boss is housed, preferably four bosses, for the passage of corresponding fixing screws.

First fixing devices are arranged in a variable number, depending on the construction module used, embedded in sides thereof, while second fixing devices are arranged embedded in corners of said sides.

In addition to constituting a flexible and load-transmitting joint, another additional advantage of the fixing system of the invention consists in the fact that rigid rods of fixing devices described herein constitute, where appropriate, a frame for the concrete with which the construction modules are manufactured, making their manufacture easier by providing fixing elements themselves with a frame for the same.

The invention is described below based on an embodiment thereof and with reference to the attached figures, in which:

FIG. 1: a schematic perspective view of first device of the fixing system.

FIG. 2: a schematic perspective view of second device of the fixing system.

FIG. 3: a schematic view of an example of arrangement of the fixing system on one side of a construction module.

FIG. 4: a schematic view of the application of the system of the invention to an illustrative construction module.

As mentioned above, the system of the invention is formed based on first fixing devices and second fixing devices, first fixing devices to be embedded in lateral sides of construction modules and second fixing devices in corners of said modules.

As shown in FIG. 1, a first fixing device (1) is made up of two pairs of rigid rods, an outer pair (11) and an inner pair (12).

Each pair of rods is then made up of two rods, one lower rod and one upper rod, arranged vertically one above the other, and both folded defining a U-shape, both pairs of rods (11, 12) being arranged concentrically relative to each other. As can be seen in this figure, the pairs of rods define also a U-shaped hole. This hole has at least one boss (3), preferably four bosses (3), for the passage of two fixing screws (not shown).

In the case of one boss, this is arranged on the longitudinal axis defined by inner rods (12).

In the preferred embodiment with four bosses, two of these bosses (3) are arranged in this U-shaped hole in correspondence with apexes of the base of the U defined by the pair of outer rods (11), while the other two bosses (3) are arranged in arms of U-shaped hole spaced from the first, in the folding area of the pair of inner rods (12), the four bosses defining apexes of a square.

Second fixing device (2), shown in FIG. 2, is made up in this case of three pairs of rigid rods (21, 22, 23), an outer pair (21) and two inner pairs (22, 23), each pair also made up of two rods, one lower rod and one upper rod, arranged vertically one above the other.

One pair of rods (21) is shaped defining a right-angle, while the other two pairs of rods (22, 23) are shaped defining equal acute angles and are arranged symmetrically and equidistant with respect to angle bisector of the pair of outer rods (21), thus defining a hole in an arrowhead shape.

As in the device described above (1), this arrowhead hole houses at least one boss (3), preferably four bosses (3).

In the case of one boss, it is arranged in the inner angle of outer rods pair (21).

In the preferred embodiment with four bosses (3), one of them is arranged in inner angle of outer pair of rods (21) and the other three in correspondence with apexes of outer acute angles defined by outer pairs of rods (22, 23), the four bosses (3) defining apexes of a square, for the passage of corresponding fixing screws (not shown).

As shown in figures, bosses (3) include perimeter circular flanges in their lower and upper part extending over lower and upper surfaces defined by pairs of rods in order to facilitate threading of fixing screws once fixing devices are embedded in sides and corners of construction modules.

As seen in FIG. 3, where an example of the fixing system arrangement is shown on one construction module side, in order to provide integrity to fixing devices once they are embedded in their locations on said construction module side, system of the invention provides metal plates (4) equipped with four through holes defining a square and in correspondence with perimeter circular flanges of bosses (3) of fixing devices (1) and (2), plates (4) being arranged at the level of outer and inner surfaces of module side.

In a preferred embodiment, the aforementioned rigid rods are made of galvanized or corrugated steel to ensure bending and corrosion resistance of the same.

Likewise, in another preferred embodiment, bosses (3) are fixed to rigid rods at their contact points by welding.

EXAMPLES

The following example illustrates the application of the system of the invention to a four-sided construction module.

FIG. 4 shows this example of application to a four-sided construction module constituting a hollow cube where two adjacent sides sharing a common ridge have been eliminated.

FIG. 4a shows arrangement of fixing devices (1, 2) for upper and lower sides and in FIG. 4b for lateral sides.

Thus, in this example, fixing devices (1) are used arranged at the semi-ridges of sides, in this case four devices (1) for each side, and fixing devices (2) at apexes of each side.

From above description of the fastening system, following advantages, among others, are derived:

Fixing devices act as loading and unloading elements and are ideal for carrying out a precision assembly, additionally facilitating the accommodation of temporary or permanent devices, self-assembly and subsequent maintenance.

On the other hand, the system of the invention allows easier exchange of damaged or deteriorated elements in structures, as well as promote fixing of modular elements intended for interior modulation.

Likewise, the system of the invention provides construction structures that comprise it with the ability to increase and decrease, thanks to the possibility of exchanging and sizing construction elements that are part of them and that transmit intervening loads, elements such as pillars, slabs, walls, etc., forming complex definitive structures.

Claims

1. A system for fixing construction modules comprising characterized in that it comprises first fixing devices and second fixing devices, wherein first fixing devices are essentially flat and are made up of two pairs of rigid rods arranged vertically in each pair one above the other in a U-shape, both pairs of rods being arranged concentrically, defining a U-shaped hole in which at least one boss is arranged for the passage of fixing screws andwherein second fixing devices also essentially flat are made up of three pairs of rigid rods arranged vertically in each pair one vertically above the other, a pair of rods defining an essentially right-angle and the other two pairs of rods arranged symmetrically with respect to their bisector, defining a hole in the shape of an arrowhead in which at least one boss for the passage of fixing screws is housed.

2. A system for fixing construction modules according to claim 1, wherein first fixing devices and second fixing devices house in each case four bosses.

3. A system for fixing construction modules according to claim 2, wherein bosses of first fixing device define the apexes of a square, two of them being arranged in the U-shaped hole in correspondence with the apexes of the base of the U defined by the outer pair of rods, while the other two bosses are arranged in the arms of U-shaped hole spaced from the first, in the folding area of the pair of inner rods.

4. A system for fixing construction modules according to claim 2, wherein bosses of the second fixing device define the apexes of a square, one of them being arranged in the arrowhead hole in the inner angle of the outer pair of rods and the other three in correspondence with the apexes of the outer acute angles defined by the pairs of outer rods.

5. A system for fixing construction modules according to claim 1, wherein bosses include perimeter circular flanges in their lower and upper part that extend over lower and upper surfaces defined by pairs of rods in order to facilitate threading of fixing screws once fixing devices are embedded in sides and corners of construction modules.

6. A system for fixing construction modules according to claim 4, wherein metal plates are provided with through holes in correspondence with the perimeter circular flanges of bosses of the fixing devices and, the plates being arranged at the level of the outer and inner surfaces of a module side.