Node for a space frame

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016264187-A1
Application number	US-201514645092-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 11, 2015
Priority date	Mar 11, 2015
Publication date	Sep 15, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A node is disclosed. The node may have a core. The node may also have a projection extending from the core. Further the node may have a structural member attached to the projection. The node may also have a top cover having a top recess. The top recess may be configured to receive the structural member. Additionally, the node may have a bottom cover having a bottom recess. The bottom recess may be configured to receive the structural member. In addition the node may have a fastener to connect the top cover and the bottom cover.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A node, comprising:
a core; a projection extending from the core; a structural member configured to be attached to the projection; a top cover including a top recess configured to receive the structural member; a bottom cover including a bottom recess configured to receive the structural member; and a fastener to connect the top cover and the bottom cover.

2 . The node of claim 1 , wherein, the structural member is a first structural member having a first longitudinal axis, the projection is a first projection, the top recess is a first top recess, the bottom recess is a first bottom recess, and the node further includes:
a second projection extending from the core; and a second structural member configured to be attached to the second projection, the second structural member having a second longitudinal axis, wherein
the top cover has a second top recess configured to receive the second structural member, and
the bottom cover has a second bottom recess configured to receive the second structural member.

3 . The node of claim 2 , wherein the first longitudinal axis is inclined relative to the second longitudinal axis.

4 . The node of claim 1 , wherein
the structural member has a node attach portion disposed at a first end of the structural member, and the projection is configured to slidingly receive the node attach portion of the structural member.

5 . The node of claim 4 , wherein the core includes a cover plate having a cover edge and the projection is attached to the cover edge.

6 . The node of claim 5 , wherein the projection includes:
a body portion extending from the cover edge to a body portion end, the body portion including an outer surface; and a lead-in portion attached to the body portion and extending from the body portion end to an outer end, the lead-in portion having a first cross-section at the outer end and a second cross-section at the body portion end, wherein the first cross-section is smaller than the second cross-section.

7 . The node of claim 6 , wherein the lead-in portion includes:
a curvilinear surface extending from the outer end to the body portion end; and a transition edge at the body portion end, the transition edge being attached to an edge of the outer surface of the body portion.

8 . The node of claim 1 , wherein the top cover includes:
a top cover plate having a top cover edge; and a side section attached to the top cover plate at the top cover edge.

9 . The node of claim 8 , wherein the side section includes:
a recess portion including the top recess extending from a recess leading edge to a recess trailing edge; and a transition portion extending from the recess portion to the top cover edge.

10 . The node of claim 9 , wherein the transition portion includes a transition edge disposed adjacent the top cover edge and the transition edge is welded to the top cover edge.

11 . The node of claim 10 , wherein the side section is a first side section, the recess leading edge is a first recess leading edge, the recess trailing edge is a first recess trailing edge, and the top cover plate further includes:
a second side section having a second recess portion extending from a second recess leading edge to a second recess trailing edge; and a web section having a web leading edge, a web trailing edge, and a web outer edge, wherein
the web leading edge is attached to the first recess trailing edge, and
the web trailing edge is attached to the second recess leading edge.

12 . The node of claim 11 , wherein the web section has a generally triangular shape.

13 . The node of claim 8 , wherein
the top cover plate has a first hole, and the bottom cover has a second hole configured to threadingly receive the fastener passing through the first hole.

14 . The node of claim 8 , further including a gap between the top cover and the bottom cover.

15 . A method of fabricating a node, comprising:
fabricating a top cover having a top recess; fabricating a bottom cover having a bottom recess; fabricating a core having a projection; fabricating a structural member having a node attach portion with a non-circular cross-section; attaching the node attach portion of the structural member to the projection; assembling the core on the bottom cover so that an outer surface of the structural member is received in the bottom recess; assembling the top cover so that the outer surface of the structural member is received in the top recess; attaching the top cover to the core using a first fastener; and attaching the bottom cover to the core using a second fastener.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein fabricating the top cover includes:
fabricating a top cover plate having a top cover edge; fabricating a side section including the top recess; and attaching the side section to the top cover edge.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the side section is a first side section, the top recess is a first top recess extending from a first recess leading edge to a first recess trailing edge, the top cover edge is a first top cover edge and fabricating the top cover further includes:
fabricating the top cover plate with a second top cover edge; fabricating a second side section having a second top recess extending from a second recess leading edge to a second recess trailing edge; fabricating a web section having a web leading edge and a web trailing edge; attaching the second side section to the second top cover edge; attaching the web leading edge to the first recess trailing edge; and attaching the web trailing edge to the second recess leading edge.

18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein fabricating the side section includes:
fabricating a blank of sheet metal; stamping a recess portion having a generally semi-cylindrical shape; and stamping a transition portion extending from the recess portion and having a transition edge configured to abut the top cover edge.

19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein fabricating the structural member includes:
cutting a piece of annular rolled stock of material to a predetermined length extending from a first end to a second end, the structural member having a generally circular cross-section; and hydroforming the node attach portion extending from the first end to a distal end disposed between the first end and the second end.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein fabricating the node includes:
sliding the node attach portion onto the projection; welding an edge of the node attach portion to an outer surface of a body portion of the projection.

Assignees

• Caterpillar Inc

Inventors

• Gami Rahul N
• Yadav Ajay Dnyandeo
• Huff Richard K
• NEAL Jarrod Delane
• Robinson Matthew M
• Miller Tad W
• Brenner Brandon C
• Holthaus David William
• Bell Jacob Warner
• Noble Michael H
• Ormiston Edward Patrick
• Mallampalli Hemant Prasad
• Marchione Thierry A
• Spengler Michael R

Classifications

• E04B1/1903

  Connecting nodes specially adapted therefor · CPC title

• B62D25/00

  Superstructure {or monocoque structure} sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for {(having impact absorbing means B62D21/15; running-boards, steps, or the like as superstructure sub-unit B60R3/00)} · CPC title

• B62D27/02 Primary

  rigid · CPC title

• B62D65/02

  Joining sub-units or components to, or positioning sub-units or components with respect to, body shell or other sub-units or components · CPC title

• B23K31/02

  relating to soldering or welding · CPC title