Patent Application
20190383015
The invention relates to a lattice structure as claimed in claim 1 as well as a method for producing a lattice structure as claimed in claim 14.
Lattices are known which are used as structural elements in the form of flat or corrugated carrying or protective lattices. Intersections of these lattices are welded, secured with clamps and/or provided with additional wire material in order to give these intersections tensile and/or shear strength so that corresponding lattices are only deformed to a small degree under load. Particularly in the case of additional connection elements such as clamps or wires, this involves a high manufacturing outlay. Moreover, in particular welding processes often entail structural changes which can generate punctiform weak points of the corresponding lattice.
For example, AT 409 506 B discloses a lattice structure which is composed of rod-shaped top and bottom assemblies between which connection rods are welded in. Corresponding intersections embodied by weld points cause a high manufacturing outlay and furthermore involve structural changes.
The object of the invention lies in particular in providing a generic lattice structure with advantageous properties in terms of producibility and/or load-bearing capacity. The object on which the invention is based is furthermore to generate durable connection points of a lattice structure with a low degree of outlay. The object on which the invention is based is furthermore in particular to enable low-cost production of durable connections between an inner lattice and a lattice edge. In particular, these objects are achieved according to the invention by the features of claims 1 and 14, while advantageous implementations and further developments of the invention can be inferred from the subordinate claims.
The invention relates to a lattice structure, which is in particular at least substantially weld-free and/or solder joint-free, in particular a steel lattice structure, with at least one longitudinal element and with at least one edge element which runs perpendicularly or obliquely, in particular at an angle, with respect to the longitudinal element, is embodied as a single wire, rod, wire strand, tube or profile and forms in particular at least a portion of a lattice edge, wherein the longitudinal element is wound multiple times around the edge element for its fastening to the edge element in a fastening region of the edge element.
As a result of the implementation according to the invention of the lattice structure, advantageous properties can be achieved in terms of particularly simple and/or low-cost producibility. Longitudinal and/or transverse elements of a lattice structure can in particular be fastened easily and/or reliably and/or at low-cost to a lattice frame. A weld-free connection, in particular a winding, of wires, strands, rods, profiles or the like, which is protected against unwinding and/or rotation can advantageously be provided. A durable lattice structure can furthermore be provided. In particular, durable connection points with good shear or tensile strength of a lattice structure can be realized at low cost. Moreover, an action of high temperatures, which could potentially bring about a structural change, on a lattice structure, for example, in the case of welding and/or soldering, can be avoided. Coatings and/or surface structures of wires, strands, tubes and the like used advantageously remain largely or entirely undamaged and/or uninfluenced so that high corrosion resistance can be achieved in particular in connection regions.
In particular the lattice structure is suitable and/or configured for use in the reinforcement, protection and/or security sector. For example, the lattice structure for reinforcements can be inserted into concrete and/or asphalt and/or be used in mining as reinforcement. It is, however, also conceivable that the lattice structure can be used as slope stabilization, cover, protective lining, in particular as avalanche protection, as a stone guard, as at least partially building cladding, protective element, separating element, fence, vandalism protection or the like, in particular installed parallel, perpendicular or obliquely with respect to the ground.
In particular, the lattice structure is implemented, preferably apart from any coating, at least partially, advantageously at least in the majority or entirely from metal, in particular from steel and/or from stainless steel. The lattice structure advantageously has a coating which is in particular corrosion-resistant and/or provides protection from corrosion. For example, the lattice structure can be galvanized, in particular hot-dip galvanized and/or have an aluminum-zinc coating and/or a metal oxide coating and/or a ceramic coating and/or a plastic coating. The term “at least in the majority” should be understood in particular as at least 55%, advantageously at least 65%, preferably at least 75%, particularly preferably at least 85% and particularly advantageously at least 95%, in particular, however, also entirely. The term “configured” is to mean in particular specifically programmed, designed and/or equipped. The fact that an object is configured for a specific function should be understood in particular in that the object satisfies and/or performs this specific function in at least one application and/or operational state.
The lattice structure advantageously has at least one transverse element which is implemented as a single wire, rod, wire strand, tube or profile and crosses the longitudinal element in at least one crossing region in particular perpendicularly, as a result of which a high load-bearing capacity can advantageously be achieved. In particular, the longitudinal element and the transverse element cross in the crossing region at an angle of at least substantially 90° or at an angle of at least substantially 60°. However, any other desired angle such as, for example, approximately 10°, approximately 20°, approximately 30°, approximately 45° or approximately 70° or values therebetween are conceivable. The longitudinal element and/or the transverse element preferably runs at least substantially parallel to a main plane of extent of the lattice structure. The longitudinal element and the transverse element in the crossing region are advantageously connected to one another in particular in a weld-free manner. The longitudinal element and the transverse element in the crossing region are preferably connected non-positively and/or positively. The term “at least substantially” should be understood in this context in particular in that a deviation from a predefined value corresponds in particular to less than 15%, preferably less than 10% and particularly preferably less than 5% of the predefined value. The term a “main direction of extent” of an object should be understood in particular as a plane which is parallel to a largest lateral surface of a smallest imaginary cuboid which still fully encloses the object and runs in particular through the center point of the cuboid. The term “at least substantially parallel” should be understood here in particular as an alignment of a direction relative to a reference direction, in particular in a plane, wherein the direction with respect to the reference direction has a deviation in particular smaller than 8°, advantageously smaller than 5° and particularly advantageously smaller than 2°.
In particular, the lattice element has a plurality of longitudinal elements which are realized in particular at least substantially identical to one another and a plurality of transverse elements which are realized in particular at least substantially identical to one another and/or to the longitudinal element. It is of course conceivable that longitudinal elements and/or transverse elements are implemented to be different from one another and/or that the lattice structure has several different types of longitudinal elements and/or several different types of transverse elements. The longitudinal elements preferably run at least substantially parallel to one another. The transverse elements particularly preferably run at least substantially parallel to one another. The longitudinal elements and the transverse elements advantageously form several in particular rectangular, advantageously square meshes. However, other geometries are also conceivable, such as, for example, triangular or pentagonal or hexagonal or polygonal, in particular regular or irregular mesh geometries. The term “at least substantially identical” objects should be understood in this context in particular as objects which are constructed in such a manner that they can satisfy in each case a joint function and be different in terms of their construction, apart from production tolerances, at most by individual elements which are insignificant for the joint function, and advantageously objects which are implemented to be identical apart from production tolerances and/or in the framework of production engineering possibilities, wherein the term identical objects should in particular also be understood as objects which are symmetrical to one another.
The longitudinal element and/or the transverse element and/or the edge element is at least partially, in particular at least in a majority implemented from a metal, in particular from steel and/or stainless steel, in particular from a high-strength steel. For example, the high-strength steel can be spring steel and/or wire steel and/or a steel which is suitable for wire cables. The longitudinal element and/or the transverse element and/or the edge element advantageously comprises at least one wire which advantageously extends over a corresponding length of the longitudinal element and/or of the transverse element and/or of the edge element and/or is implemented in one piece. In particular, the longitudinal element and/or the transverse element and/or the edge element and/or the wire has a tensile strength of at least 800 N mm−2, advantageously of at least 1000 N mm−2, particularly advantageously of at least 1200 N mm−2, preferably of at least 1400 N mm−2 and particularly preferably of at least 1600 N mm−2, in particular a tensile strength of approximately 1770 N mm−2 or of approximately 1960 N mm−2. It is also conceivable that the longitudinal element and/or the transverse element and/or the edge element and/or the wire has an even higher tensile strength, for example, a tensile strength of at least 2000 N mm−2, or of at least 2200 N mm−2, or also of at least 2400 N mm−2.
The term “wire” should be understood in this context in particular as an elongated and/or thin and/or at least machine-bendable and/or flexible body. The wire strand preferably has at least two, in particular also several, such as, for example, three or four or five or ten or even more, in particular identical, wires advantageously wound around one another. The wire advantageously has, along its longitudinal direction, an at least substantially constant, in particular circular or elliptical cross-section. The wire is particularly advantageously implemented as a round wire. It is, however, also conceivable that the wire is realized at least section-wise or entirely as a flat wire, a square wire, a polygonal wire and/or a profile wire. For example, the wire can be implemented at least partially or also entirely from metal, in particular a metal alloy, and/or organic and/or inorganic plastic and/or a composite material and/or an inorganic non-metallic material and/or a ceramic material. It is, for example, conceivable that the wire is implemented as a polymer wire or a plastic wire. In particular, the wire can be implemented as a composite wire, for example, as a metal-organic composite wire and/or a metal-inorganic composite wire and/or a metal-polymer composite wire and/or a metal-metal composite wire or the like. It is in particular conceivable that the wire comprises at least two different materials which are arranged relative to one another and/or are at least partially mixed with one another in particular according to a composite geometry. The wire is advantageously implemented as a metal wire, in particular as a steel wire, in particular as a stainless steel wire. If the longitudinal element and/or the transverse element and/or the edge element has several wires, these are preferably identical. It is, however, also conceivable that the longitudinal element and/or the transverse element and/or the edge element has several wires which are different in particular in terms of their material and/or their diameter and/or their cross-section. It is conceivable that the wire is produced from a composite material. In particular, it is conceivable that the wire comprises at least two different materials. The wire preferably has an in particular corrosion-resistant coating and/or sheathing such as, for example, a zinc coating and/or an aluminum-zinc coating and/or a plastic coating and/or a PET coating and/or a metal oxide coating and/or a ceramic coating or the like.
The edge element is preferably embodied as a single wire or a rod. The edge element advantageously has an at least substantially constant and/or a circular or elliptical cross-section. It is, however, also conceivable that the edge element is implemented as a tube or a profile, in particular with a constant or a changeable cross-section. The edge element preferably has a higher bending stiffness than the longitudinal element and/or than the transverse element. It is also conceivable that the edge element is implemented at least substantially identical to the transverse element and/or to the longitudinal element. The term that an object has an “at least substantially constant cross-section” should in particular be understood such that, for any desired first cross-section of the object along at least one direction and any desired second cross-section of the object along the direction, a minimal surface area of a difference surface, which is formed if the cross-sections are placed on top of one another, is at most 20%, advantageously at most 10% and particularly advantageously at most 5% of the surface area of the larger of the two cross-sections. It is imaginable that the edge element and the longitudinal and/or transverse element are implemented at least partially in one piece. The term in one piece should advantageously also mean in one part. The term “in one part” should in particular mean formed in one piece. This one piece is preferably produced from a single blank, a mass and/or a cast, particularly preferably in an injection molding process, in particular a single- and/or multi-component injection molding process.
The longitudinal element is advantageously wound around the edge element at least twice, preferably at least three times, preferably at least four times and particularly preferably at least five times. If the longitudinal element has several wires or the like, it is in particular conceivable that these wires are wound around the edge element and/or interlaced and/or twisted in the fastening region individually or jointly. The longitudinal element is preferably wound tightly in the fastening region. It is in principle conceivable for the windings described herein that these are left-handed or right-handed. A flat lattice structure can advantageously be provided by means of the selection of a suitable winding. It is furthermore conceivable that windings are embodied to be multiple and/or multi-layered, comprising, for example, at least one inner winding with a first direction of lay and/or a first winding angle and at least one second winding with a second direction of lay and/or a second winding angle. It is conceivable that, in particular if the edge element and the longitudinal element and/or transverse element are implemented at least partially in one piece, these are connected by a loop, form a transition into one another via a loop and/or form a loop, wherein preferably at one end of the loop, the longitudinal element and/or the transverse element forms a winding which can be wound in particular around the edge element. As a result of this, a type of knot loop can advantageously be implemented in particular at one end of a longitudinal, transverse and/or edge element.
Windings of adjacent longitudinal elements preferably run in opposite directions along the corresponding edge element to which the longitudinal elements are fastened. Windings of adjacent transverse elements particularly preferably run in opposite directions along the corresponding further edge element to which the transverse elements are fastened. As a result of this, tensions in the lattice can be advantageously avoided. As a result of this, a flat lattice can particularly advantageously be provided. It is also conceivable that windings run in the same direction and/or a direction point-symmetrical and/or mirror-symmetrical in relation to a lattice center point and/or an axis of symmetry of a lattice is selected. Windings can furthermore differ in terms of their direction of lay.
In particular the lattice structure has a length and/or a width of at least 0.5 m, advantageously of at least 1 m, particularly advantageously of at least 2 m, and preferably of approximately 3 m and/or of at most 10 m, advantageously of at most 5 m, particularly advantageously of at most 4 m. However, any other desired dimensions are conceivable which deviate, for example, by a factor of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 or even more or any other desired factor from the values indicated here.
In an advantageous implementation of the invention, it is proposed that the edge element has at least one, in particular one-sided or two-sided, flattening in the fastening region. The edge element is in the fastening region preferably pressed flat and/or compressed. The flattening advantageously has a cross-section which is different from a circle or an ellipse. In particular, the longitudinal element is wound around the flattening in particular with a high density. The longitudinal element advantageously abuts on the flattening in the fastening region. The flattening preferably has, in particular in a view parallel to a lattice plane and perpendicular to the edge element, a curved, in particular circular-arc-shaped, advantageously concave, surface. The flattening is particularly preferably implemented as an indentation that is concavely curved from opposite sides. In particular, the surface of the flattening has a radius of curvature of at least 1 cm, advantageously of at least 2 cm and particularly advantageously of at least 2 cm and/or of at most 20 cm, advantageously of at most 10 cm and particularly advantageously of at most 8 cm. As a result of this, a slipping and/or an unwinding in a connection region can advantageously be avoided. Moreover, this allows providing a connection with a high load-bearing capacity, which is producible by winding.
In particular, the flattening, in particular a center of the flattening, is arranged offset relative to the winding, in particular to a center of the winding, in a longitudinal direction of extent of the element having the flattening, for example, of the edge element, of the longitudinal element and/or of the transverse element, and/or of the winding. The term a “longitudinal direction of extent” of an object should be understood in particular as a direction which is parallel to a largest side edge of a smallest geometrical cuboid which still fully encloses the object. The term a “center of the flattening” should be understood in particular as a point of the flattening which forms a center point of an extent of the flattening in the longitudinal direction of extent of the element which has the flattening, for example, of the edge element, of the longitudinal element and/or of the transverse element. The term a “center of the winding” should be understood in particular as a point of the winding which forms a center point of an extent of the winding in the longitudinal direction of extent of the winding. In particular, an offset of the center of the winding and of the center of the flattening in the longitudinal direction of extent is at least 15%, preferably at least 20%, advantageously at least 25%, preferably at least 30% and particularly preferably at least 40% of a total longitudinal extent of the flattening and/or the winding. In particular, the offset, as seen from the center of the flattening, is realized in a direction in which the element which forms the winding, in particular the winding-around element, for example, the longitudinal element, the transverse element and/or the edge element, adjoins the winding. In particular, the offset, as seen from the center of the flattening, is realized in a direction in which a longitudinal component, oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction, of a tensile force is directed, which, in the case of traction and the element which forms the winding, in particular the winding-around element, for example, the longitudinal element, the transverse element and/or the edge element, acts on the element which forms the winding, in particular the winding-around element, for example, the longitudinal element, the transverse element and/or the edge element. As a result of this, a lattice structure with high stability, in particular against breaking, displacement of joints and/or twisting can advantageously be achieved.
In a particularly advantageous implementation of the invention, it is proposed that the longitudinal element is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the edge element, in particular to the flattening, in particular in the connection region. In particular, the longitudinal element in the fastening region is wound around the flattening in a positive-locking manner. As a result of this, a rotation of a connection, in particular in a case under load, can advantageously be prevented.
It is furthermore proposed that the longitudinal element is embodied as a wire strand. In particular, the wire strand has several, in particular two wires which extend in an interruption-free manner over a length of the longitudinal element. The longitudinal element as a whole is wound around the edge element. In particular, wires of the longitudinal element that is embodied as a wire strand are wound around the edge element in accordance with their twisting while maintaining a strand geometry. As a result of this, a high load-bearing capacity of a lattice surface and/or of an edge connection can be achieved.
It is furthermore proposed that the lattice structure has a further edge element which runs perpendicularly or obliquely, in particular at an angle, to the edge element. The edge element and the further edge element are furthermore advantageously implemented to be at least substantially identical. The further edge element is preferably embodied as a single wire or as a rod, but it can also be embodied as a wire strand, a tube, a profile or the like. The lattice structure preferably has a plurality of edge elements which are in particular connected to one another and which jointly form the lattice edge in particular fully. The lattice structure advantageously has four edge elements. It is, however, also conceivable that the lattice structure has three or five or six or even more edge elements which are arranged in particular regularly and/or with identical angles to one another. The lattice structure is preferably rectangular, in particular square. The lattice structure can, however, also be triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, polygonal or implemented in a different manner, for example, implemented to be elliptical or circular or irregular. The longitudinal element preferably runs parallel to at least one edge element of the lattice structure, in particular to two edge elements of the lattice structure running in parallel and/or arranged oppositely. The transverse element particularly preferably runs parallel to at least one edge element of the lattice structure running in particular perpendicular to the longitudinal element, in particular to two edge elements of the lattice structure running in parallel and/or arranged oppositely. As a result of this, a stable and/or resilient frame for a lattice can advantageously be provided in a low-cost manner.
An edge of a lattice structure which can advantageously be produced at low cost and in particular has a high load-bearing capacity can be provided if the edge element in an edge connection region of the further edge element is wound in particular tightly multiple times, in particular at least twice, advantageously at least three times, particularly advantageously at least four times and preferably at least five times around the further edge element. The edge element is preferably connected to the further edge element in a non-positive and/or positive manner, in particular a weld-free manner.
A lattice edge which can be produced at low cost and/or easily with rotationally fixedly connected edge elements can be provided if the further edge element in the edge connection region has at least one flattening. The further edge element in the edge connection region is preferably pushed and/or pressed flat. The edge element is particularly preferably wound around the flattening and in particular bears against it, as a result of which unwinding and/or rotation can advantageously be prevented.
A dimensionally stable and/or twisting-resistant lattice edge can be provided if the edge element and the further edge element are connected to one another by means of a mutual winding around. A winding of the edge element around the further edge element advantageously has a different direction of lay than a winding of the further edge element around the edge element. The edge element advantageously has, in particular in an analogous manner to the further edge element, an edge connection region and/or a flattening.
Pressure-resistant and/or shear-resistant and/or tensile-strengthened intersections can be realized in particularly low-cost manner if the transverse element in the crossing region passes through the longitudinal element. The wires of the longitudinal element in the crossing region preferably run at least partially spaced apart from one another and/or form a passage for the transverse element. In particular, the transverse element in the crossing region is pushed into the longitudinal element and/or through it. It is also conceivable that the longitudinal element in the crossing region is at least partially wound around the transverse element and/or at least partially engages around it. The wires of the longitudinal element in the crossing region preferably clamp the transverse element at least section-wise. In particular the transverse element in the crossing region is connected in a non-positive and/or positive manner to the longitudinal element.
It is furthermore proposed that the transverse element, for its fastening to the further edge element in a fastening region of the further edge element, is wound multiple times, in particular at least twice, advantageously at least three times, particularly advantageously at least four times and preferably at least five times around the further edge element. In particular, the further edge element in a further fastening region has a flattening around which the transverse element is wound. It is also conceivable that the longitudinal element and the transverse element are fastened to the same edge element, in particular in the case that these enclose in each case an angle which is different from a right angle with the edge element. For example, the lattice structure can have diamond-shaped meshes which are generated in that longitudinal elements and/or transverse elements are fastened obliquely in particular to the same edge elements.
In a preferred implementation of the invention, it is proposed that the lattice structure has a plurality of longitudinal elements embodied as wire strands and a plurality of transverse elements which are embodied as a single wire, rod, wire strand, tube or profile and which form a lattice together with the longitudinal elements, and has a plurality of edge elements which run around the lattice and are embodied as a single wire, rod, wire strand, tube or profile, wherein the longitudinal elements, the transverse elements and the edge elements are connected to one another by twisting, guiding in one another and/or winding around, in particular in a weld-free manner and/or solder point-free manner and/or free from materially engaged connection points. The lattice structure or at least a sub-structure which comprises several meshes and at least a part of an edge element is advantageously free from weld points and/or solder points and/or adhesive points and/or other materially engaged connection points. As a result of this, a lattice structure can be provided which can be produced at low manufacturing outlay and has resilient and rotationally fixed intersection and edge connection points.
It is further proposed that a longitudinal and/or a transverse element in at least one fastening region and/or an edge element in at least one edge connection region at least partially forms a winding-around element, which winds multiple times around itself and/or around a longitudinal, transverse and/or edge element, wherein at least the winding-around element is at least partially pressed flat. As a result of this, a load-bearing capacity and/or a rotationally secured fixation of the weld-free connection can advantageously be further increased, and in particular a securing against unwinding can be further improved. A “winding-around element” is in particular to be understood as an element, preferably a longitudinal, transverse and/or edge element, which forms a winding while being preferably wound around the longitudinal, transverse and/or edge element and/or around a further longitudinal, transverse and/or edge element which is different from the longitudinal, transverse and/or edge element. A “winding-around element” is in particular to be understood as an element which winds around a further element at least twice, preferably at least more than twice, in particular to its full extent. The fact that a winding-around element is “at least partially pressed flat” should in particular mean that the winding-around element has at least one at least partially pressed-flat winding. A “pressed-flat” winding is implemented in particular as a winding which, after manufacture, has been acted upon with a force that presses the winding flat. Herein in particular a winding cross-section of the winding changes. In particular, a cross-section of the longitudinal, transverse and/or edge element which forms the winding may additionally change in this case. It is alternatively conceivable that, in the event of flat-pressing, only the winding cross-section changes and the cross-section of the longitudinal, transverse and/or edge element which forms the winding remains at least substantially the same. In particular, the pressed-flat winding-around element is pressed flat in a direction that is perpendicular to a winding axis which the winding-around element is wound around. In particular, a winding and/or a winding-around element has, after a flat-pressing, in at least one spatial direction which preferably runs at least substantially parallel to a force direction of a flat-pressing force, a smaller extent than before the flat-pressing. The extent of the winding and/or of the winding-around element in the spatial direction is, after flat-pressing, in particular smaller by at least 10%, preferably smaller by at least 30%, preferably smaller by at least 50% or particularly preferably by 100% smaller than before flat-pressing.
It is furthermore proposed that a longitudinal and/or a transverse element in at least one fastening region and/or an edge element in at least one edge connection region at least partially forms a winding-around element which is wound multiple times around itself and/or a longitudinal, transverse and/or edge element, wherein the winding-around element forms a braking element which is configured in particular to delay, by means of an unwinding at least of a part of a winding of the winding-around element, an acceleration acting on the winding-around element and/or on the lattice structure, for example, as a result of an impact of a load on the lattice structure. As a result of this, in particular an advantageous braking action of the lattice structure can be achieved, as a result of which in particular an advantageous force diversion and/or absorption of force of a force, which acts, for example, as a result of an impact of a load on the lattice structure, can be achieved. In particular the braking element is configured at least for an absorption of a force acting on the lattice structure by means of an irreversible deformation of the braking element. The irreversible deformation comprises an at least partial unwinding at least of one winding-around element and/or at least of a winding in at least one fastening region and/or edge connection region. In particular the element wound around by the braking element is free from a flattening. In particular the braking element is free from pressed-flat partial regions.
It is furthermore proposed that at least one longitudinal element forms at least partially a closed loop. As a result of this, a fastening region of the lattice structure can advantageously be created which advantageously can be configured for an external fastening and/or a connection of individual longitudinal, transverse and/or edge elements to one another. The term a “closed loop” should be understood in particular, in particular in the context of nodes, as a form which forms an eye. In particular, a loop is realized as a type of node which does not tighten in particular in the case of a tensile load.
It is furthermore proposed that the closed loop, for the formation and/or fastening of the lattice structure, engages in a further closed loop, which is at least partially implemented by a further longitudinal element, and/or in an external fastening element. As a result, in particular an advantageous connection of individual longitudinal, transverse and/or edge elements to one another, in particular for the formation of the lattice structure, and/or an advantageous connection of the lattice structure to an external structure which is different from the lattice structure can be created.
The invention further relates to a method for producing a lattice structure, in particular a steel lattice structure, with at least one longitudinal element and with at least one edge element which runs perpendicularly or obliquely to the longitudinal element, is implemented as a single wire, rod, wire strand, tube or profile and forms in particular at least a portion of a lattice edge, wherein the longitudinal element is wound multiple times, in particular at least twice, advantageously at least three times, particularly advantageously at least four times and preferably at least five times around the edge element for its fastening to the edge element in a fastening region of the edge element.
As a result of the method according to the invention, advantageous properties can be achieved in terms of particularly simple and low-cost producibility. In particular, longitudinal and/or transverse elements of a lattice structure can be fastened easily and/or reliably and/or at low cost to a lattice frame. A weld-free connection, in particular a winding, of wires, strands, rods, profiles or the like which is secured against unwinding and/or rotation can advantageously be provided. A lattice structure having a high load-bearing capacity can furthermore be provided. In particular, it is possible to realize points of a lattice structure having a high load-bearing capacity and/or shear resistance and/or tensile lattice structure at low cost. Moreover, an action of high temperatures, which could potentially bring about a structural change, on a lattice structure, for example in the event of welding and/or soldering, can be omitted.
It is furthermore proposed that the edge element is pressed flat at least section-wise prior to winding around with the longitudinal element in the fastening region in particular in order to produce the flattening. The edge elements of the lattice structure in their fastening regions and/or edge connection region are pressed-flat and/or provided with at least one flattening before corresponding elements, for their fastening, are wound and/or bent around the corresponding region.
It is furthermore proposed that, at least in the fastening region, at least one longitudinal element which forms at least one winding and/or at least one transverse element of the lattice structure which forms at least one winding and/or in at least one edge connection region of the edge element at least one edge element which forms at least one winding is pressed flat at least section-wise. As a result of this, a lattice structure with further improved stability, load-bearing capacity and/or securing against unwinding can advantageously be created. In particular, the longitudinal, transverse and/or edge element which forms the winding is pressed flat in a plane which runs at least substantially parallel to a main plane of extent of the lattice structure. It is alternatively conceivable that the longitudinal, transverse and/or edge element which forms the winding is pressed flat in a plane which runs at an angle, in particular at least substantially perpendicular to the main plane of extent of the lattice structure. The term a “main plane of extent” of a structural unit should be understood in particular as a plane which is parallel to a largest lateral surface of a smallest imaginary cuboid which still fully encloses the structural unit and runs in particular through the center point of the cuboid.
It is furthermore proposed that, in particular in at least one method step, at least two longitudinal elements are twisted to form a wire strand, wherein at least one lay of the wire strand, in particular during stranding, is widened. As a result of this, a wire strand can advantageously be produced which provides intermediate spaces for underlaying of transverse elements during production of the lattice structure. As a result of a widening during stranding, subsequent widening of lays of the wire strand, for example, as a result of pulling apart, can advantageously be avoided. As a result, a particularly uniform wire strand, in particular a wire strand with particularly uniform widenings, can advantageously be produced, as a result of which in particular a more rigid wire strand can be generated. A generally more rigid system of longitudinal and transverse elements and thus in particular a more rigid lattice structure can advantageously be enabled. In particular, improved clamping of transverse elements in the widened lays of the wire strand at crossing regions can be achieved. In particular, a regular sequence of lays of the wire strand is widened. In particular, for widening immediately before a twisting of the region to be widened, a widening element is pushed between the longitudinal elements to be twisted so that the widening element is clamped between the longitudinal elements after a twisting of the region to be widened. After completion of the entire wire strand, all of the widening elements are removed so that a wire strand with a number of widened lays that corresponds to the number of widening elements is created.
It is furthermore proposed that the wire strand with the at least one widened lay is stiffened by pressing, hammering, compacting and/or processing by means of a drawing die. As a result of this, a particularly rigid lattice structure can advantageously be enabled. In particular, the widened lay of the wire strand can be stiffened prior to and/or after underlaying of the transverse elements by pressing, hammering and/or compacting. A particularly uniform form of the widened lays of the wire strand can be achieved by processing, in particular drawing through, of the wire strands with the widened lays by a drawing die.
A high level of cost efficiency in terms of a production of a lattice structure and/or advantageous properties in terms of a production of a lattice structure having a high load-bearing capacity can be achieved with a production device which is configured for a production of the lattice structure and/or for carrying out the method for producing a lattice structure.
In general, connections described herein between components of the lattice structure as well as resultant geometries should be regarded as being able to be transferred as desired to other components of the lattice structure. Thus, for example, transverse elements and/or edge elements can be connected and/or arranged and/or implemented in an analogous manner to longitudinal elements and/or vice versa.
The lattice structure according to the invention and/or the method according to the invention should here not be restricted to the applications and embodiments described above. In particular, the lattice structure according to the invention and/or the method according to the invention, in order to satisfy a functionality described here, may have a number of individual elements and/or components and/or units and/or method steps which deviates from a number stated here. In particular, the method according to the invention may contain specific method steps in which at least one of the features described above of the lattice structure according to the invention is generated and/or added and/or implemented, in particular by a suitable manufacturing method or a suitable manufacturing step.
Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. Three exemplary embodiments of the invention are represented in the drawings. The drawings, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them to form expedient further combinations.
In the drawings:
In the present case, lattice structure 10a is a steel lattice structure. Lattice structure 10a can be used to a greater extent, for example, as reinforcement, protective lattice, cover, slope stabilization, building cladding, fence element or the like. Lattice structure 10a is implemented to be weld-free in the present case. Lattice structure 10a is implemented from a high-strength steel. Lattice structure 10a is furthermore hot-dip galvanized. Lattice structure 10a has wound and plugged, in particular non-positive and/or positive connections between their individual elements.
Lattice structure 10a has at least one further edge element 20a running perpendicularly to edge element 16a. In the present case, lattice structure 10a has two further edge elements 20a, 22a running parallel to longitudinal element 12a. Edge elements 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a form in each case a portion of a lattice edge 24a. Edge elements 16a, 18a form an upper and lower edge of lattice structure 10a, while further edge elements 20a, 22a form lateral edges of lattice structure 10a. Edge elements 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a jointly form lattice edge 24a.
Lattice structure 10a furthermore has at least one transverse element 38a, 44a which crosses longitudinal element 12a in at least one crossing region 40a. In the present case, longitudinal element 12a and transverse element 38a cross at least substantially perpendicularly. Lattice structure 10a has a plurality of transverse elements 38a, 44a running in particular parallel which, on the grounds of clarity, are not all provided with reference numbers. Transverse elements 38a, 44a are arranged at uniform distances. Transverse elements 38a of lattice structure 10a are, in the present case, implemented to be at least substantially identical. It is, however, as mentioned above, also conceivable that a lattice structure comprises different transverse elements.
Transverse element 38a is wound, for its fastening to further edge element 20a in a fastening region 42a of further edge element 20a, multiple times around further edge element 20a. Transverse element 38a forms, in fastening region 42a of further edge element 20a, a tight winding 52a. Transverse element 38a is connected to opposing, in particular lateral edge elements 20a, 22a of lattice structure 10a.
Longitudinal element 12a is, in the present case, embodied as a wire strand 198a. Longitudinal element 12a comprises two wires 48a, 50a twisted with one another. Wires 48a, 50a are implemented as high-strength steel wires. Wires 48a, 50a have, in the present case, a tensile strength of approximately 1770 N mm−2, wherein this value should, however, be understood to be purely exemplary. Wires 48a, 50a are furthermore implemented as round wires. Wires 48a, 50a have, in the present case, a diameter of in each case approximately 2 mm, wherein other, in particular significantly larger or smaller diameters are of course also conceivable. Longitudinal elements 12a, 14a of lattice structure 10a are implemented in the present case to be at least substantially identical to one another. Wires 48a, 50a are wound running next to one another in winding 54a. It is, however, also conceivable that single wires of a wire strand are wound independently of one another around an edge element, for example, in opposite directions. As described above, it is also conceivable that a longitudinal element is embodied as a rod, single wire, profile, tube or the like and/or comprises several different wires, in particular also composite wires, flat wires, oval wires or the like.
Transverse element 38a is embodied as a single wire. Transverse element 38a is embodied as a high-strength steel wire. Transverse element 38a has, in the present case, a diameter of approximately 3 mm. As mentioned above, it is, however, also conceivable that a transverse element 38a is embodied as a rod, tube, a wire strand, a profile or the like.
Edge elements 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a are, in the present case, embodied as single wires. Edge elements 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a are embodied as round wires. Edge elements 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a have a diameter of in each case approximately 4 mm, wherein other diameters are of course conceivable. Edge elements 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a are implemented from high-strength steel wire. As mentioned above, it is nevertheless also conceivable that single or all edge elements 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a are implemented as wire strand, tube, profile, rod or the like. In the present case, edge elements 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a are implemented to be at least substantially identical. Depending on the geometry and/or application, it is, however, for example conceivable that transversely and longitudinally running edge elements 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a are different, for example, in terms of a length and/or a diameter and/or material properties and/or structure.
Transverse element 38a passes in crossing region 40a through longitudinal element 12a. Wires 48a, 50a of the longitudinal element 12a clamp the transverse element 38a fixedly in a crossing region 40a. Longitudinal element 12a and transverse element 38a are connected in crossing region 40a in a non-positive manner. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that a longitudinal element and a transverse element in a crossing region are twisted with one another and/or wound around one another and/or interlaced with one another.
Longitudinal elements 12a, 14a and transverse elements 38a, 44a jointly form a lattice 46a of lattice structure 10a. Edge elements 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a run around the lattice 46a. Longitudinal elements 12a, 14a, transverse elements 38a, 44a and edge elements 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a are connected to one another by twisting, guiding in one another and/or winding around in particular in a weld-free manner. Lattice 46a is delimited by lattice edge 24a. Lattice structure 10a is free from adhesively bonded connection points and/or crossing points and/or edge connection points.
Lattice structure 10a has, in the present case, meshes in particular of 60×60 cm2 size, in particular square. Lattice structure 10a furthermore has a length of approximately 3 m. Lattice structure 10a furthermore has a width of approximately 3 m. Lattice structure 10a is furthermore implemented to be at least substantially flat. In particular, longitudinal elements 12a, 14, transverse elements 38a, 44a and edge elements 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a of lattice structure 10a run in a joint plane and/or parallel to a joint plane. It is, however, also conceivable to provide edge elements with corresponding curvatures in order to generate arched lattice structures. Entirely different dimensions of a lattice structure are furthermore conceivable. A lattice structure can be shaped to be longitudinal, round, elliptical or otherwise. Moreover, a lattice structure can have any other surface, for example, a surface which is smaller or larger than the surface shown by way of example here by a factor of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 or 100.
Edge element 16a is wound multiple times around further edge element 20a in an edge connection region 30a of further edge element 20a. Edge element 16a and further edge element 20a are connected to one another by means of mutual winding around. A winding 34a of edge element 16a around further edge element 20a has a different direction of lay than a winding 36a of further edge element 20a around edge element 16a. The mutual winding around of edge element 16a and of further edge element 20a prevents a relative rotation of edge elements 16a, 20a to one another. In the present case, edge elements 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a are connected to one another in each case in pairs by means of mutual winding around. A dimensionally stable lattice edge 24a can thus be provided. In the present case, edge elements 16a, 20a in edge connection region 30a have a constant cross-section.
Production device 68a has a plurality of reels 70a with raw material for longitudinal elements 12a, 14a auf. Production device 68a furthermore has at least one reel 72a with raw material for transverse elements 38a, 44a. Production device 68a furthermore has corresponding reels with raw material for edge elements 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a, for example, a reel 74a with raw material for upper and lower edge elements 16a, 18a. The raw material is, according to the implementation of lattice structure 10a, wire strand and single wires. Depending on the properties of a lattice structure, profiles, rods, tubes or the like can, however, be used in an analogous or correspondingly adapted manner as raw material.
Blanks 78a of longitudinal elements 12a, 14a are guided in a parallel manner. In a first processing region 76a, in each case a blank 80a for a transverse element 38a, 44a is laterally underlaid. In a second processing region 82a, in each case a blank 84a for an upper or lower edge element 16a, 18a is laterally underlaid.
In a third processing region 86a, further, in particular lateral edge elements 20a, 22a are pressed flat in order to generate corresponding flattenings to which transverse elements 38a, 44a can be connected.
In a fourth and fifth processing region 88a, 94a, in each case an edge element 16a, 18a is wound around a corresponding further edge element 20a, 22a in order to generate a part of the mutual winding around.
In a sixth and seventh processing region 90a, 92a, in each case transverse elements 38a, 44a are wound around corresponding further edge elements 20a, 22a, wherein, as mentioned above, adjacent windings are generated running in opposite directions.
Winding unit 128a is configured for a winding around of edge element 22a with a transverse element 130a for its fastening to edge element 22a. After fastening of transverse element 130a to edge element 22a, a forward feed in manufacturing direction 110 is performed and a next transverse element 132a is fastened to edge element 22a. Edge element 22a is initially realized as a continuous blank and is subsequently cut to size, in particular in an eighth processing region 96a, according to a size of lattice structure 10a.
Winding unit 128a has a guide element 134a which guides longitudinal element 22a in the longitudinal direction. Winding unit 128a furthermore has a movably mounted fixing element 136a which fixes transverse element 130a during winding. In the present case, fixing element 136a pushes transverse element 130a into a fixing guide 138a. For the purpose of fixing, fixing element 136a and fixing guide 138a can be moved towards one another. For the purpose of a forward feed, fixing element 136a and fixing guide 138a can be moved away from one another.
Winding unit 128a has a bending element 140a which is configured for a bending of a protrusion 142a of transverse element 130a around edge element 22a. Further transverse element 132a has an as yet unbent protrusion 144a. Bending element 140a is mounted circumferentially partially around edge element 22a. Prior to a next forward feed, bending element 140a is pivoted into a starting position and bends, during subsequent pivoting around edge element 22a, next protrusion 144a around edge element 22a. Winding unit 128a has a further fixing element 146a which is configured for a lateral fixing of transverse element 130a. Further fixing element 146a is mounted movably. Further fixing element 146a can be pivoted about a pivot axis perpendicular to a lattice plane in particular to release transverse element 130a for a forward feed.
Winding unit 128a has a further bending element 148a which is configured for a lateral bending of protrusion 142a after its first bending around edge element 22a. Further bending element 148a bends protrusion 142a in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction of edge element 22a. Protrusion 142a is fixed in a fastening region 150a by further fixing element 146a. Protrusion 142a and/or transverse element 130a are initially fixed by fixing element 136a and further fixing element 146a. Protrusion 142a is subsequently bent by means of bending element 140a around edge element 22a. Thereafter, protrusion 142a is laterally bent out by means of further bending element 148a.
Winding unit 128a has a winder 152a which is configured for multiple winding of protrusion 142a around edge element 22a. Winder 152a generates windings 52a, 58a of transverse elements 38a, 44a, 130a, 132a of lattice structure 10a around edge elements 20a, 22a of lattice structure 10a. Winder 152a is mounted pivotably laterally via edge element 22a and bent-over protrusion 142a. A pivot axis of winder 152a runs parallel to the longitudinal direction of edge element 22a. Winder 152a has a rotatably mounted winding element 154a. Winding element 154a has a receiving region 156a for edge element 22a and protrusion 142a. Receiving region 156a is implemented to be U-shaped. For the purpose of winding, further bending element 148a is initially pivoted back into a starting position. Further fixing element 146a is furthermore pivoted back into a starting position. As a result of this, protrusion 142a is accessible for winder 152a. Receiving region 156a is furthermore pivoted via edge element 22a and protrusion 142a. Winding element 154a is subsequently rotated in order to wind protrusion 142a multiple times around edge element 22a. After multiple winding of protrusion 142a around edge element 22a, winder 152a is pivoted back into a starting position for the purpose of a forward feed.
In the eighth processing region 96a, there is performed a cutting to size in accordance with a size of lattice structure 10a as well as a forward feed of a cut-to-size preliminary structure 98a of lattice structure 10a.
In a ninth processing region 99a, preliminary structure 98a is rotated by 90°. In the present case, preliminary structure 98a is raised, rotated and lowered onto a transport track.
In a tenth processing region 100a, upper and lower edge elements 16a, 18a are pressed to generate corresponding flattenings 28a.
In an eleventh and twelfth processing region 102a, 108a, lateral edge elements 20a, 22a are wound around upper and lower edge elements 16a, 18a in order to generate a second part of the mutual winding around.
In a 13th and 14th processing region 104a, 106a, longitudinal elements 12a, 14a are wound around corresponding edge elements 16a, 18a. All of the connection points of lattice structure 10a are completed after having passed through 14th processing region 106a. Completed lattice structures 10a are subsequently stacked and where applicable subsequently coated. The blanks used of longitudinal elements 12a, 14a, transverse elements 38a, 44a and edge elements 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a are, however, already advantageously correspondingly coated and/or surface-treated. As a result of an omission of welded and/or soldered connections, corresponding coatings and surfaces are not damaged during production of the lattice structure, as a result of which in particular a high degree of corrosion resistance, in particular connection points, can be achieved.
Where necessary, a further processing region is configured at a suitable point, in which processing region edge elements are provided with flattenings for edge connection regions, for example, by means of pressing.
Six further exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in
The first alternative lattice structure 10b has a plurality of transverse elements 38b, 44b, which are not all provided with reference numerals on the grounds of clarity. The transverse elements 38b, 44b are embodied as wire strands. The longitudinal elements 12b, 14b and the transverse elements 38b, 44b are implemented to be at least substantially identical to one another. The transverse elements 38b, 44b pass. in crossing regions 40b, 114b, through longitudinal elements 12b, 14b.
The edge element 16b is embodied as a single wire. In the present case, all edge elements 16b of the first alternative lattice structure 10b are embodied as single wires. The edge elements 16b respectively have, in fastening regions 26b, 42b for longitudinal elements 12b, 14b and transverse elements 38b, 44b, flattenings 28b, 60b, around which longitudinal elements 12b, 14b and transverse elements 38b, 44b are wound with a high density, as a result of which in particular a rotationally fix connection can be provided.
Edge elements 16c, 18c, 20c, 22c form a rectangular, in particular square lattice edge 24c. Longitudinal elements 12c, 14c run perpendicular in relation to an upper and lower edge element 16c, 18c, 20c, 22c of lattice structure 10c. Longitudinal elements 12c, 14c are connected to upper and lower edge element 16c, 18c. Longitudinal elements 12c, 14c run parallel to one another. Transverse elements 38c, 44c run obliquely in relation to lateral edge elements 20c, 22c of second alternative lattice structure 10c. Transverse elements 38c, 44c are connected to lateral edge elements 20c, 22c. Longitudinal elements 12c, 14c and transverse elements 38c, 44c form parallelogram-shaped, in particular diamond-shaped meshes. It is also conceivable that longitudinal elements are arranged obliquely in relation to upper and lower edge elements. It is furthermore conceivable that both longitudinal elements and transverse elements are arranged obliquely in relation to edge elements to which these are fastened. For example, diamond-shaped meshes can be generated in this manner, the tips of which point in each case towards an edge element.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2016 124 850.9 | Dec 2016 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2017/083573 | 12/19/2017 | WO | 00 |
