JP7828064B2 - Space truss structure and modules used therein - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a space truss structure and a module used therein.

Traditionally, space truss structures have often been used for roof structures and other purposes because they are lightweight and can form large spans.

The inventor previously filed a patent application for an invention that describes a modular framework for a space truss structure and the unit modules used therein. The modular framework is constructed by connecting unit modules, as shown in Figures 32 and 33, to construct a space truss structure. The unit modules are formed by frames 3 with elongated joint surfaces 2 at the ridges of a regular tetrahedron. The ends of these frames 3 with elongated joint surfaces 2 are connected to form a tetrahedron-shaped frame, called a tetramodule 1. The frames 3 with elongated joint surfaces 2 are then joined together at their elongated joint surfaces 2 to form a space truss structure. (Patent Application No. 2021-188771)

The frame 3 can be made of a variety of cross-sectional shapes as long as it has an elongated joint surface. It is possible to select from flat plates, hollow pipes, H-shaped or other steel sections, angle bars, and channel bars, and components with strength appropriate for the application can be used.

According to the above invention, the unit modules can be used like blocks, making it possible to prefabricate the construction of space truss structures.

To combine unit modules to build a space truss structure, the frames that form the ridges of the regular tetrahedrons can be joined to the elongated joint surfaces of members with elongated joint surfaces. This makes it possible to build a space truss structure by combining only unit modules, without using any members other than the unit modules as connecting members, allowing for simple and quick assembly with minimal labor.

Furthermore, when combining the unit modules, the frames that form the ridges of the regular tetrahedrons overlap each other, creating a double layer that increases strength, and this acts as the diagonal members of the space truss structure, making the space truss structure itself robust.

Alternatively, the diagonal strength can be obtained by stacking frames that form the ridges of a regular tetrahedron, allowing the unit modules to be formed with thin frames, thereby reducing the weight of the unit modules themselves.

As shown in Figure 32, a space truss structure assembled from the tetra modules 1 is constructed by joining frames 3, each having elongated joint surfaces 2, of tetra modules 1 together, forming a complementary quadrangular pyramidal truss frame region B within the space truss structure.

When four tetramodules 1 are combined so that their vertices converge to a single point, as shown in Figure 34, one of the elongated joint surfaces 2 of the frame 3 corresponding to the side that forms the surface facing the vertices of the tetramodule 1 forms a square frame A that surrounds the set of vertices that converge to a single point, and a complementary quadrangular pyramidal truss structural area B is formed here.

To further explain this complementary quadrangular pyramidal truss structure region B, when two tetramodules 1, which are unit modules of a regular tetrahedron structure, are joined at their ridgeline frames 3 via their elongated joint surfaces 2, the frames 3 where these elongated joint surfaces 2 overlap become diagonal members, while the other frames 3 are aligned horizontally or vertically, with their elongated joint surfaces 2 facing outward. When these are combined, a square frame A is formed at the base of the complementary quadrangular pyramidal truss structure region B.

Incidentally, the volume of the complementary quadrangular pyramidal truss structure region B is the same as the combined volume of two tetramodules 1.

When forming a plate-like truss structure using a pyramidal truss frame such as that shown in Figure 34, if the tetra modules 1 rotate relative to one another, there is a risk that the square frame that forms the base of the pyramidal truss frame area will become deformed, resulting in an unstable structure.

It is possible to improve the degree of static indetermination of the space truss and contribute to structural stability by placing beams around the perimeter to restrict relative rotation, or by replacing the joints with rigid welded truss members that are fixed at both ends, but this would lose the advantage of using modules like blocks, which allows for prefabrication in the construction of space truss structures.

On the other hand, if the space truss structure needs to be repaired due to bending or deterioration caused by aging or the application of forces such as earthquakes, the following two methods can be considered.

One method is to replace the frames 3 with the elongated joint surfaces 2 that make up the tetra module 1 one by one, and rebuild the tetra module 1 inside the space truss structure. The other method is to remove the tetra module 1 that needs repair and replace it with a new tetra module 1.

Compared to the former, the latter requires less effort and time and is safer to install, but still requires the tedious task of fitting the Tetra Modules 1 one by one.

The object of the present invention is to provide a space truss structure and modules used therein which overcome the disadvantages of the above-mentioned conventional examples, improve the strength and rigidity of a truss structure having a quadrangular pyramidal region when assembling a space truss structure using tetrahedron-shaped framework tetramodules, and further enable easy replacement and repair of modules in a constructed truss structure , thereby increasing work efficiency.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention as set forth in claim 1 is a space truss structure assembled from tetramodules, which are regular tetrahedron-shaped frameworks formed by forming the ridge lines of regular tetrahedrons with frames having elongated joint surfaces and connecting the ends of these frames having elongated joint surfaces, and the gist of this is that a module is incorporated in which a frame having a length that is √2 times the length of the frame that makes up the tetramodule is erected at the opposing tops of the two joined tetramodules.

According to the present invention described in claim 1, the ridge portions of a regular tetrahedron are formed with frames having elongated joint surfaces, and the space truss structure is assembled from tetramodules, which are regular tetrahedron-shaped frames formed by connecting the ends of these frames having elongated joint surfaces. Therefore, when assembling the modules to build a space truss structure, the frames that form the ridge portions of the regular tetrahedron can be joined at the elongated joint surfaces of members having elongated joint surfaces. This makes it possible to build a space truss structure by combining only modules, without using components other than the modules as connecting members. This allows for simple and quick assembly with minimal labor, and because it can be formed by combining only modules, it improves prefabrication.

Furthermore, when combining the modules, the frames that form the ridges of the regular tetrahedrons overlap each other, creating a double layer that increases strength, and this acts as the diagonal members of the space truss structure, making the space truss structure itself more robust.

In addition, by joining the slender joint surfaces of the frames that form the ridges of each module, modules can be stacked not only laterally but also vertically to assemble a stable multi-layered truss structure.

Furthermore, a stable truss structure with variable shape can be constructed by simply connecting modules, making it easy to accommodate specification changes and space requirements after construction.

Depending on the number of modular spaces required, it can be applied to a variety of modular spatial structures, from small prefabricated structures such as greenhouses, lodges, and shelters to large structures such as buildings.

Since the framework of a structure can be constructed by combining only modules, the production and management of components is easy, and when assembling, it is sufficient to connect modules of the same shape in the same pattern, which improves construction efficiency and reduces costs.

When two tetrahedron-shaped frames, called Tetra Modules, are joined together at the ridgeline of the members with slender joint surfaces, the frames where these slender joint surfaces overlap become diagonal members, while the other frames are aligned horizontally, vertically, and orthogonally with their slender joint surfaces facing outward. When these are further combined, complementary quadrangular pyramidal truss structure areas are formed within the space truss structure, making it possible to assemble a stable truss structure using only Tetra Modules.

Furthermore, in the quadrangular pyramid truss structure area, a frame with a length √2 times that of the frame is placed diagonally across the square frame that forms the base of the pyramid, dividing the square of the pyramid into trusses (triangles), eliminating the squares that would cause structural instability, resulting in a structure with excellent strength and rigidity.

The gist of the present invention described in claim 2 is that a frame having a length equal to √2 times the length is spanned across the corners of a square frame, which is the base face of a quadrangular pyramidal truss frame region that is formed complementary to the regular tetrahedron frame region within the tetramodule itself that is constructed within the space truss structure.

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 2, the frame with a length of √2 times the length that spans the diagonal corner of the square frame that forms the base of the complementary quadrangular pyramidal truss structure area is a connecting member that connects two tetramodules together. By assembling a space truss structure using a module that connects these two tetramodules as a single module, the frame with a length of √2 times the length can be placed without having to be added separately to the space truss structure later, enabling the construction of a prefabricated space truss structure.

The present invention described in claim 3 is based on the idea that when the ridges of a regular tetrahedron are formed with frames having elongated joint surfaces, and the ends of these frames having elongated joint surfaces are joined to form tetramodules, which are regular tetrahedral structures, and the frames having elongated joint surfaces are joined together at their elongated joint surfaces to form a space truss structure, two tetramodules of the resulting space truss structure are replaced with octamodules, which are octahedral structures formed by connecting two tetramodules together and adding frames parallel to each other that are √2 times longer.

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 3, when the space truss structure needs to be repaired due to bending or deterioration caused by aging or the application of forces such as earthquakes, two tetra modules can be replaced at a time, thereby improving work efficiency.

The present invention as set forth in claim 4 is summarized as follows: as a module for use in a space truss structure , the ridge portions of a regular tetrahedron are formed with frames having elongated joint surfaces, and the ends of these frames having elongated joint surfaces are connected to form a tetramodule, which is a regular tetrahedron-shaped structure; and two tetramodules, each having frames having elongated joint surfaces, are connected to each other by joining their elongated joint surfaces, and the opposing top portions of these tetramodules are connected to each other with frames having a length that is √2 times the length of the frames forming the tetramodule, to form an octamodule, which is an octahedron-shaped structure.

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 4, when tetra modules 1 are joined together as shown in Figure 29, if tetra modules 1 A and B rotate left and right around rotation axis X at the joint, frame 3a acts as a member that prevents the two joined tetra modules 1 from rotating relative to each other.

Also, in Figure 29, the presence of frame 3a causes OPQR to form a tetrahedron.

In addition to strengthening the module itself, the pyramidal truss structure area is further strengthened by cross-hatching a frame with a length that is √2 times the length of the frame across the corners of the square frame that forms the base of the pyramidal truss structure. This divides the square of the pyramid into trusses (triangles), eliminating the squares that would cause structural instability, resulting in a structure with excellent strength and rigidity.

In this way, when the ridges of the regular tetrahedron are formed with frames having elongated joint surfaces, and the ends of these frames with elongated joint surfaces are connected to form a tetramodule, which is a regular tetrahedron-shaped structure, and the frames with elongated joint surfaces are connected to each other by joining their elongated joint surfaces to form a space truss structure, the quadrangular pyramidal truss structure area is a module in which a frame with a length that is √2 times the length of the frame can be spanned across the diagonal corners of the square frame that forms the base, making it possible to form a space truss structure that is rich in strength and rigidity.

As described above , the space truss structure of the present invention and the modules used therein can be formed by combining only the modules, without using any connecting members other than the modules, and by using the modules like blocks, it is possible to prefabricate the construction of the space truss structure, and it is possible to improve the strength and rigidity of the truss structure having a quadrangular pyramid region. Furthermore, when repairing a constructed truss structure, two tetra modules can be replaced at a time, which increases work efficiency.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a space truss structure of the present invention, and is a perspective view from the front of two √2 octamodules combined in parallel. FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a space truss structure of the present invention, and is a perspective view from the rear of two √2 octamodules combined in parallel. FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of the space truss structure of the present invention, and is a perspective view from the rear when √2 octamodules are added to the left and right of the structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a truss structure obtained by extending the truss structure shown in FIG. 3 in the lateral direction as a minimum unit, showing one embodiment of the space truss structure of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the space truss structure of the present invention, which is a further development of the plate-like truss structure assembled as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a space truss structure of the present invention, and is a perspective view of a truss structure deployed as a minimum unit by combining √2 octamodules in an orthogonal direction. FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a space truss structure of the present invention, and is a front view of the truss structure in which the √2 octamodules are deployed so as to translate vertically and horizontally. FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a space truss structure of the present invention, and is a front view showing an example of the minimum structural unit that forms a truss structure by translation, consisting of four √2 octamodules. FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a space truss structure of the present invention, and is a perspective view showing an example of the minimum structural unit that forms a translational truss structure consisting of four √2 octamodules. This is a perspective view of one embodiment of the space truss structure of the present invention, in which the minimum structural unit that forms the translational truss structure, consisting of four √2 octamodules, is deployed so that it translates vertically and horizontally. This figure shows one embodiment of the space truss structure of the present invention, and is a front view showing the minimum mirror-image structural units (left-handed and right-handed structural units) that form a truss structure with three-fold rotational symmetry, consisting of three √2 octamodules. This is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the space truss structure of the present invention, showing the minimum mirror-image structural units (left-handed and right-handed structural units) that form a truss structure with three-fold rotational symmetry consisting of three √2 octamodules. This figure shows one embodiment of the space truss structure of the present invention. It is a front view showing an example of a truss structure in which a √2 frame is automatically formed within every octahedron by combining both the minimum left-handed and right-handed mirror-image structural units that form a truss structure with three-fold rotational symmetry consisting of the √2 octamodule shown in Figure 9. FIG. 12 shows one embodiment of the space truss structure of the present invention, and is a perspective view of a truss structure in which six left-handed structural units are arranged around the minimum right-handed structural unit that forms a truss structure with three-fold rotational symmetry consisting of three √2 octamodules as shown in FIG. 11 . FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tetra module used in the space truss structure of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tetra module used in the space truss structure of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a regular tetrahedron. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the center and vertices of a regular tetrahedron. This is a perspective view showing an example of a frame having a tetra module elongated joint surface made from angle iron. This is a perspective view showing an example of a frame having a tetramodule elongated joint surface formed from H-shaped steel. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a frame having a tetramodule elongated joint surface made of a channel material. FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of a joint member used in a tetra module used in the space truss structure of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a joint member used in a tetra module used in the space truss structure of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the connection of joint members to each other. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the joining of a joint member to a frame having an elongated joining surface. FIG. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a √2 octamodule used in the space truss structure of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the √2 octamodule used in the space truss structure of the present invention, viewed from another angle. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the assembly of a √2 octamodule used in the space truss structure of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a √2 octamodule used in the space truss structure of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a joint member of a √2 octamodule used in the space truss structure of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a joint member used to assemble the √2 octamodules used in the space truss structure of the present invention. This is a plan view of a space truss structure assembled with tetra modules. This is a perspective view of a space truss structure assembled with tetra modules. This is a plan view showing that in the case of a tetramodule frame structure, a square pyramidal truss frame area is formed inside. FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a space truss structure of the present invention, and is a perspective view of a space truss structure assembled with tetramodules in which part of the space truss structure is replaced with a √2 octamodule. FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a space truss structure of the present invention, and is a plan view of a space truss structure assembled with tetramodules in which part of the space truss structure is replaced with √2 octamodules. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a √2 octamodule used in the space truss structure of the present invention, in which frames having a length that is √2 times the length can be joined together before joining. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a joined frame showing an example in which frames having a length equal to √2 times the length can be joined together using the √2 octamodule used in the space truss structure of the present invention.

The following describes in detail the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. First, the modules used in the present invention include the tetramodule 1, which is a regular tetrahedron, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, and the second module, an octamodule, as shown in Figure 26. This octamodule is an octahedron-shaped structure in which two tetramodules are connected by joining the opposing tops of two tetramodules, each of which has a frame length that is √2 times the length of the frame that forms the tetramodule. (This second module will be referred to as the √2 octamodule 15 below.)

A frame that is √2 times longer than the frame that forms the tetramodule means that if the frame that forms the tetramodule is 1, its length is √2.

The term "module" used here refers to the individual units that are combined as blocks to build a truss structure. These modules are prefabricated in advance and then combined to build the structure.

Tetramodule 1 is a regular tetrahedron, which, as shown in Figure 17, consists of three equilateral triangular faces A, four vertices B, and six sides C. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 18, the angle between the center D of the regular tetrahedron and the line E connecting the vertex B of the regular tetrahedron is 109.5 degrees.

The elongated joint surface 2 of the frame 3 is a surface obtained by planarly scraping away the sides C (ridge lines) of a regular tetrahedron, and the angle of this plane relative to the center D of the regular tetrahedron is such that there is no inclination in the width direction of the elongated joint surface 2. The width of the elongated joint surface 2 depends on the degree of scraping away, but is not particularly limited.

The tetramodule 1 in Figures 15 and 16 is a regular tetrahedron, but more accurately, it is assumed to be a regular tetrahedron, with the ridges of the tetrahedron formed from frames 3 with elongated joint surfaces 2, and the ends of these frames 3 with elongated joint surfaces 2 connected with joint members 4 to form a regular tetrahedron-shaped structure. The equilateral triangles of the tetrahedron form the openings. All frames 3 are the same length.

The frame 3 with the elongated joint surfaces 2 serves as the axis of the regular tetrahedron-shaped structure, with a total of six of them being joined together by joint members 4. The "shape" of the regular tetrahedron-shaped structure refers to the fact that the tetramodule 1 has a total of six elongated joint surfaces 2, and that at the four vertices there are equilateral triangular flat surfaces 7 that form the ceilings of the joint members 4, making it a tetrahedron in total, but it is roughly tetrahedron-shaped.

The frame 3 having the elongated joint surface 2 is shown as a rectangular, elongated flat plate made of strip-shaped timber, but as long as the surface facing outward when assembled into a regular tetrahedron-shaped frame is the elongated joint surface 2, various cross-sectional shapes can be used, including flat plates, hollow pipes, H-shaped or other steel sections, angle members, and channel members.

Figure 19 shows an example of a frame 3 made from angle bars 11, Figure 20 shows an example made from H-shaped steel 13, and Figure 21 shows an example made from channel bars 14.

The material of the frame 3 with the elongated joint surfaces 2 can also be selected from a variety of materials depending on the intended use of the completed space truss structure, including metals such as steel and aluminum, wood, and synthetic resin. For marine structures, highly corrosion-resistant titanium can also be used.

The material of the joint member 4 can also be selected from a variety of materials depending on the application, including metals such as steel and aluminum, wood, and synthetic resins.

An example of a joint member 4 used to assemble a frame 3 having elongated joint surfaces 2 is shown in Figures 22, 23, and 24. The shape of the joint member 4 is not particularly important as long as it can be assembled into a regular tetrahedron structure using frames 3 having elongated joint surfaces 2. However, it is preferable that three joint pieces 5 for the frame 3 having elongated joint surfaces 2 are spread out at 120° angles from each other in a plan view, and that these joint pieces 5 are connected to each other by top or side panels 6. In the example shown, the joint pieces are connected to each other by side panels 6. The side panels 6 are not necessary.

In order to avoid interfering with the mutual joining of the tetramodules (unit modules) 1, the end faces of the rectangular, elongated joint surfaces 2 are not covered by the ceiling of the joint member 4, and the ceiling 7 of the joint member 4 has an equilateral triangular opening, or as shown in the figure, a top plate with a roughly equilateral triangular (hexagonal) shape in plan view. The ends of the joint pieces 5 and the side panels 6 are continuously connected to each edge (side) of this ceiling 7.

Although not shown in the figure, if the ceiling portion 7 of the joint member 4 is made up of a top plate, a through hole for bolt connection may be provided in the center.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 21, multiple joint members 4 (four in the figure) can be joined together by welding or other means to form a larger mass.

To join the frame 3 having the elongated joint surface 2 to the joint member 4, the joining piece 5 of the joint member 4 and the rectangular elongated joint surface 2 are joined by overlapping them and then fixing them together, or by forming a slit in the frame 3 having the elongated joint surface 2 and inserting the joint piece 5 into this slit and clamping it in place. The joining piece 5 and frame 3 are fixed together by fastening with bolts and nuts, welding, etc.

Figure 25 shows examples of joining both on the inside (see a) and the outside (see b).

When the joining piece 5 is joined on the outside of the frame 3 having the elongated joining surface 2, the joining piece 5 of the joint member 4 is flush with the elongated joining surface 2 so that it does not protrude, and the presence of the joint member 4 does not interfere with the overlapping joining of the frames 3 having the elongated joining surface 2.

Tetra modules 1 are joined together by overlapping frames 3 each having an elongated joint surface 2 at the elongated joint surface 2.

These tetramodules 1 can be joined and fixed together in a number of ways: by fixing the frames 3 having the elongated joint surfaces 2 together at the frame 3; by connecting the joint members 4 together without fixing the frames 3 having the elongated joint surfaces 2 together; or by using both methods.

Furthermore, when overlapping frames 3 each having an elongated joint surface 2, they can be fixed together at the frame 3 by fastening with bolts and nuts, welding, concave-convex joints, crimping with bands, etc.

As shown in Figures 26 to 28, the √2 octamodule 15 is an octamodule with an octahedral structure in which two tetramodules 1 are connected to each other by joining the elongated joint surfaces 2 of frames 3, each of which has a tetramodule 1 as the first module, and the opposing top portions 8 of the two tetramodules 1 are connected to each other by frames 3a having a length √2 times (approximately 1.4 times) the length of the frame 3 that forms the tetramodule 1.

To join the frame 3a to the tetra module 1, a joint member 4' having a joining piece 5 similar to the joint member 4, as shown in Figure 30, can be used as the joining member.

Furthermore, like frame 3, frame 3a can be made with a variety of cross-sectional shapes, and it is possible to select from flat plates, hollow pipes, H-shaped or other steel sections, angle bars, and channel bars.

Furthermore, when combining √2 octamodules 15, an assembled truss structure can be formed using the joint member 4', as shown in Figure 30.

Next, we will explain how to form a space truss structure using such tetramodules 1 and √2 octamodules 15.

There are two ways to form a space truss structure using two modules, a Tetramodule 1 and a √2 Octamodule 15: using the √2 Octamodule 15 as the main module, or connecting Tetramodules 1 to the √2 Octamodule 15. In either case, connecting √2 Octamodules 15 together is the same as connecting Tetramodules 1 together, in that frames 3 with elongated joint surfaces 2 are joined together at the elongated joint surfaces 2.

As mentioned above, the √2 octamodule 15 is made by connecting two tetramodules 1 with a frame 3a that is √2 times longer. When two √2 octamodules 15 are joined together so that both tetramodules 1 that make up this √2 octamodule 15 are joined together, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the frame 3a spans across the corners of the square frame A, which is the base face of the quadrangular pyramidal truss frame area B that is formed complementary to the regular tetrahedron frame area within the tetramodule 1 itself constructed within the space truss structure.

In the illustrated embodiment, frames 3a are arranged parallel to one another within a square frame A, acting as braces.

Figure 3 shows the state shown in Figures 1 and 2 expanded by adding √2 octamodules 15 to the left and right. The added √2 octamodules 15 and the structure shown in Figures 1 and 2 form a square frame A, which is the base surface of the quadrangular pyramidal truss structural area B, and the frame 3a of the added √2 octamodule 15 is cross-hatched across the diagonal corners of this square frame A.

Figure 4 shows the structure shown in Figure 3 unfolded by translating it laterally. In this case, complementary triangular pyramidal regions are automatically formed, but complementary non-triangular pyramidal regions remain periodically on both the top and bottom surfaces.

Figure 5 shows a truss structure, seen from an angle, that is a further development of the plate-like truss structure assembled as shown in Figure 4. In this figure, the square frames A' that are not arranged are staggered against the rows of square frames A in which frames 3a are arranged parallel to one another.

Figure 6 shows a group of √2 octamodules 15 arranged at right angles to each other, which are then translated horizontally to form a row, and this row is then translated again. Two √2 octamodules 15 form the minimum structural unit.

In this example of Figure 6, the truss structure forms a fully triangulated complementary tetrahedral region.

Figure 7 shows the √2 octamodule 15 unfolded by translating it vertically and horizontally. In this case too, the truss structure forms a fully triangulated, complementary tetrahedral region.

In addition, in the plate-like truss structure shown in Figures 6 and 7, the jagged spaces formed around the periphery can be eliminated by fitting a single tetra module 1 into them.

Figure 8 shows the minimum structural unit for forming a translational truss structure consisting of √2 octamodules 15. In Figure 8, four √2 octamodules 15 are joined to form two parallel frames 3a, forming the first two complementary tetrahedral regions, one above the other.

Figure 10 shows a truss structure in which only the minimum structural units shown in Figure 8 are extended to form a planar tessellation.

The minimum structural unit with three-fold rotational symmetry consisting of three √2 octamodules 15 shown in Figures 11 and 12 is formed into left-handed and right-handed mirror image structural units, with complementary tetrahedral regions formed above and below each other. The three frames 3a of the three √2 octamodules 15 are joined to each other and intersect perpendicularly in the octahedral region containing the two complementary tetrahedrons formed above and below.

In Figure 13, by simultaneously using the minimum structural units (left and right structural units) with three-fold rotational symmetry consisting of three √2 octamodules 15 shown in Figure 11, at least one √2 frame 3a is automatically placed inside every octahedral region.

In Figure 14, when the mirror-image structural units (left and right structural units) are combined simultaneously, the six surrounding "left-handed structural units" are arranged with rotational symmetry around the "right-handed structural unit." Both the top and bottom surfaces are fully triangulated, and at least one, and up to three, √2 frames are arranged inside every regular octahedron region. This makes it possible to form the strongest octet truss, with a planar tessellation, using only √2 octamodules 15.

Next, we will explain how to use the √2 Octa Module 15 to repair and reinforce a truss structure constructed with Tetra Modules 1.

If you have a truss structure constructed with Tetramodules 1, as shown in Figures 29 and 30, and you need to repair or reinforce a portion of it, you can replace two of the Tetramodules 1 in the resulting space truss structure with √2 Octamodules 15. (Figures 35 and 36)

As mentioned above, the √2 octamodule 15 is made by joining two tetramodules 1 together. Two tetramodules 1 are removed from the damaged part of the existing space truss structure, and the √2 octamodule 15 is inserted in its place.

Or add √2 Octa Module 15 to the periphery to expand an existing space truss structure.

By incorporating the √2 octamodule 15 in this way, the frame 3a of the √2 octamodule 15 is cross-hatched across the corners of the square frame A, which is the base face of the quadrangular pyramidal truss structural area B, which is formed complementarily to the regular tetrahedron structural area inside the tetramodule 1 itself constructed inside the space truss structure, thereby increasing the strength of the structure.

In addition, if the space truss structure needs to be repaired due to bending or deterioration caused by aging or the force of an earthquake, two tetra modules can be replaced at once, improving work efficiency.

When assembling the √2 octamodules 15 together, it is possible to stack the frames 3a on top of each other and connect them using these frames 3a, as shown in Figures 37 and 38.

In this case, the √2 octamodule 15 is positioned outside the frame 3a, formed from angled steel, to connect the opposing tops of the two tetramodules.

In this way, when assembling √2 octamodules 15 side by side, the overlapping frames 3a can be fixed together.

In this way, by interconnecting the frames 3a, two tetrahedrons, which are half the area of a square pyramid, are joined together. Compared to the automatic generation of complementary square pyramids and the automatic generation of tetrahedrons, which are half the area of complementary square pyramids, the two tetrahedron areas OPQR of the octahedron module (see Figure 19) can form a "double bond" between the tetrahedrons using the √2L material.

The tetrahedral region OPQR contained within the octahedral module of the √2 octamodule 15, unlike two regular tetrahedral modules, forms a tetrahedral region that cannot be separated from the octahedral module. Just as with regular tetrahedral modules that are continuous through the interconnections of struts at the ridge lines, the interconnection of √2L materials provides mechanical stability to the entire truss structure.

Also, as shown in Figure 13, three frames 3a are orthogonal to each other to form a plate-like truss structure, and the four tetrahedron regions OPQR form a regular octahedron, forming the strongest octet truss.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Tetramodule 2...Elongated joint surface 3, 3a...Frame 4, 4'...Joint member 5...Joint piece portion 6...Side panel 7...Ceiling portion 8...Top portion 11...Angle member 13...H-shaped steel 14...Channel member 15...√2 octamodule A...Square frame B...Square pyramidal truss frame region C...Regular octahedron frame region D...Regular tetrahedron frame region a, b, c, d, e...Part of square frame

Claims (4)

This is a three-dimensional truss structure assembled from tetrahedron-shaped framework tetramodules, each of which has a ridge line formed by a frame with elongated joint surfaces and the ends of which are connected together, characterized in that a module is incorporated into the opposing tops of the two joined tetramodules, each of which has a frame with a length that is √2 times the length of the frame that makes up the tetramodule . The space truss structure of claim 1, wherein the frame having a length of √2 times is spanned across the corners of a square frame that is the base face of a quadrangular pyramidal truss frame region that is formed complementarily to the regular tetrahedron frame region inside the tetramodule itself that is configured inside the space truss structure . A space truss structure characterized in that, when the ridge lines of a regular tetrahedron are formed with frames having elongated joint surfaces, and the ends of these frames having elongated joint surfaces are joined to form tetramodules, which are regular tetrahedron-shaped structures, and the frames having elongated joint surfaces are joined together at their elongated joint surfaces to form a space truss structure, two tetramodules of the formed space truss structure are replaced with octamodules, which are octahedron-shaped structures formed by connecting two tetramodules to each other and adding frames parallel to each other and having a length that is √2 times the length of the tetramodules. A module for use in a space truss structure, characterized in that the ridge portions of a regular tetrahedron are formed with frames having elongated joint surfaces, and the ends of these frames having elongated joint surfaces are connected to form a tetramodule, which is a regular tetrahedron-shaped structure.Two tetramodules are connected to each other by joining the frames having elongated joint surfaces, and the opposing tops of these tetramodules are connected to each other with frames having a length that is √2 times the length of the frames forming the tetramodule, to form an octamodule, which is an octahedron-shaped structure .