Patent Application
20190376244
Pillars have long been known in civil engineering for supporting higher positioned components. These are usually realized in the form of columns which comprise a uniform cross section or a narrowing, that is to say a tapering, from the base up to the superstructure. For the support of overhangs with a larger-area extent, a load-branched structure with an enlarged span is necessary which conducts forces from a larger surface to the pillar insofar as the superstructure has not been realized in a self-supporting manner or dynamic loads occur. The use of crossbeams or cantilever beams, in particular in conjunction with multiple columns or the use of framework structures is usual for this purpose.
CN 102259166 A discloses a spherical cast node, on which multiple connection flanges are distributed over the surface in order to enable the connection of struts. Said cast node is provided, in particular, for application in framework structures. A disadvantage in this connection, however, is the costly production and the inflexible design, that is to say the lack of subsequently being able to adapt to the positioning, size and number of the connection flanges as the angles and positions can be different depending on the realization of the respective application
The object underlying the invention is, consequently, to provide a pillar which comprises an enlarged span and is flexibly adaptable to the conditions of the respective application. A further object of the invention is to achieve the aforenamed object with components which are as identical as possible or are designed in as identical a manner as possible and require as small a space as possible.
Secondary objects are an esthetic appearance and cost-efficient producibility.
Said object is achieved by a free pillar, also designated below in general as a pillar, with the features of claim 1.
It is provided according to the invention that a free pillar having a shaft, a load-branching node provided at the upper end of the shaft and at least two cantilever arms which are each connected at one end to the load-branching node and at the other end support the superstructure, is characterized in that the load-branching node includes a dome surface and a number of cantilever arm connections which corresponds to the number of cantilever arms, and that the cantilever arm connections are arranged in such a manner that the center axes of the cantilever arm connections and of the shaft meet at a common point of intersection. As a result of such a design, a relatively intricate look can be achieved for the pillar structure, in particular when using steel as the material. Consequently, only a relatively small installation surface is required and, above all in connection with a corresponding equally relatively intricate superstructure, there is only a small amount of shading of the regions located below.
Preferred embodiments of the pillar are characterized in that the dome surface comprises a form which is at least symmetrical to a plane of symmetry running through the center axis of the shaft or rotationally symmetrical to the center axis of the shaft. Forms such as pyramids, cones and domes are generated in this connection, which enables a correspondingly symmetrical arrangement of the cantilever arms or of the cantilever arm connections. The symmetrical design about the center axis improves the introduction of force to the shaft, as a result of which the flow of forces is able to be optimized. In dependence on the design and the design requirements, the forms of the dome surface can comprise rounded edges and/or, for example, can be realized as truncated pyramids or cones. The surfaces with which the cantilever arm connections are connected to the dome surface are simplified in said design. A 3D trim can be necessary, nevertheless, in the case of, for example, ellipsoidal dome surfaces.
A particularly preferred embodiment of the pillar is characterized in that the dome surface is realized substantially in the form of a spherical segment, and that the cantilever arm connections are connected to the dome surface via circular surfaces, as a result of which the common point of intersection of the center axes lies in the center of the spherical segment. In place of the simple tubular portions, realizations where the run-out angle of the cantilever arms is able to be adjusted variously with reference to the dome surface are naturally also possible as a result of corresponding 3D trimming. The spherical segment is a special form of the rotationally symmetrical realization of the dome surface, through which simple tubular portions can be used as cantilever arm connections and the run-out angles of the cantilever arm connections are able to be adjusted arbitrarily with reference to the shaft, an alignment of the center axes according to the invention being ensured at the same time. It is preferred, in this connection, that the segment height is smaller than or equal to the radius, in a particularly preferred manner smaller than or equal to half the radius, of the dome surface. In order to be able to arrange the at least two cantilever arm connections on the dome surface without them having to be directly connected together, the minimum height of the dome surface has, however, in this case, to fulfill the following condition, where hk stands for the height of the spherical segment, rk for the radius of the spherical segment and dA for the diameter of the cantilever connection to the dome surface:
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the dome surface is generated from a steel plate by means of a forming process. Corresponding methods for the forming of steel plates are known per se to the expert. An advantage of said preferred embodiment is that correspondingly produced dome surfaces comprise substantially more constant wall thicknesses than dome surfaces produced, for example, by steel casting.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the dome surface is situated in the upper region of the load-branching node and includes the connections to the cantilever arms entirely.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the dome surface is arched upward and outward.
In further embodiments of the invention, the pillar is characterized in that the cantilever arms are connected to the cantilever arm connections by means of screw flanges. In dependence on the span and on the ratio between the shaft height and the overall height of the pillar, long cantilever arms are necessary where applicable. In order to simplify the assembly and the alignment of the cantilever arm connections to the dome surface here, said connections are realized separately from the cantilever arms. The connection of the cantilever arms to the cantilever arm connections is then effected by means of screw flanges, in particular inside flanges, for which, where applicable, another assembly opening has to be provided on at least one of the two component parts.
In alternative embodiments to the aforenamed, above all in the case of relatively small pillar heights, the pillars are characterized in that the cantilever arm connections are realized in one piece with the cantilever arms. As a result, the number of parts is reduced, which reduces expenditure on transport and production.
Further embodiments of the pillar are characterized in that the load-branching node includes a transition, wherein the dome surface is connected to the shaft by means of the transition, and wherein the transition compensates for different diameters and/or cross-sectional forms of the shaft and of the dome. With regard to the design, identical cross-sectional forms of the shaft and the dome surface are, as a rule, preferred, in the majority of cases round or with a polygonal cross section, it being possible, however, for the diameters to differ, the corresponding dimension, such as edge length, periphery, inner circle, etc., in the case of polygons also being included here with the diameter as designation in the application. Different diameters can be provided for the cantilever arm connections, for example on account of the space requirement on the dome surface when a smaller diameter is sufficient for the support load for the shaft.
In the case of embodiments of the pillar with transition, the pillar can be characterized in that the transition comprises a continually changing diameter and/or cross section. For example, conical transitions, which widen the shaft diameter upward to the diameter of the dome surface, are generated for this purpose in the case of round cross sections. As an alternative to this, to generate a mushroom-shaped appearance the transition can also be realized as a solid level plate or as a cone directed downward from the upper shaft end.
Embodiments of the pillar are characterized in that the parts of the load-branching node are welded together. When using steel as material for the components of the pillar, the latter are welded together in a preferred manner, in particular the parts of the load-branching node can be connected in this way to form an assembly, as a result of which expenditure on transport and assembly is able to be reduced.
For reinforcement, in embodiments of the invention pillars can be characterized in that bulkhead plates are provided in the load-branching node. In particular, in the case of larger diameters, the rigidity of the components can be improved in this manner without increasing the thicknesses of the walls.
Embodiments of the pillar are characterized in that the cantilever arms are realized as tubing with a constant or conical cross section. In the simplest and most cost-efficient production, the cantilever arms can be produced from tubes with a constant diameter. Cantilever arms, which taper conically upward and at the same time enable a weight saving, are also sufficient on account of the force progression and in view of the design.
Embodiments of the pillar according to the invention are characterized in that the cantilever arms are curved or molded in 3D. Above all for design reasons or also in order to ensure specific clear widths, such as vertical clearance at a certain width of span between two pillars, the cantilever arms can also comprise a curved progression. 3D molded cantilever arms are to be understood as cantilever arms, the center axis of which is molded in more than one direction over the length of the cantilever arm.
Pillars of embodiments according to the invention are characterized, in particular, in that the shaft is realized as a spirally welded tube. Arbitrary diameters and tube lengths which enable a constant or also conical cross-sectional development are both easily possible as a result.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the outline of the center line of at least 2 cantilever arms does not extend parallel to the outline of the center line of the lane of the bridge structure.
Further areas of applicability of the teachings of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, claims and the drawings provided hereinafter, wherein like reference numerals refer to like features throughout the several views of the drawings. It should be understood that the detailed description, including disclosed embodiments and drawings referenced therein, are merely exemplary in nature intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, its application or uses. Thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the present disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
The invention is explained in more detail below by way of schematic drawings, similar-type components being provided with identical reference symbols, in which in detail:
The difference consists in that in
In contrast to this, in
The different features of the invention can be combined with one another in an arbitrary manner and are not restricted to just the examples of embodiments which are described or shown.
It should be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, methodologies and/or functions between various examples may be expressly contemplated herein so that one skilled in the art would appreciate from the present teachings that features, elements and/or functions of one example may be incorporated into another example as appropriate, unless described otherwise above.
1 (Free) pillar
2 Shaft
3 Load-branching node
31 Dome surface
32 Cantilever arm connection
33 Transition
4 Cantilever arm
5 Superstructure
6 Screw flange
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2017 200 671.4 | Jan 2017 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2018/050943 | 1/16/2018 | WO | 00 |
