Load-bearing space lattice structure, lightweight construction element and process for the preparation thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a novel load-bearing space lattice structure, lightweight construction elements comprising such structure, and a process for the preparation of such lightweight construction elements. The structure is characterized by comprising faces or edges of truncated octahedrons in a space-filling arrangement. Such structures have an optimum ratio of surface area to volume and can therefore be realized with a minimum expense of material. Lightweight construction elements containing such structures, e.g., as a sandwich core, are superior to conventional elements with honeycomb cores in terms of strength properties. For the preparation of such structures, it is proposed to assemble them from molded parts represented by the faces of truncated octahedrons cut in half and arranged in a space-filling manner.

1 . A load-bearing space lattice structure, characterized by comprising faces or edges of truncated octahedrons in a space-filling arrangement. 
   
   
       2 . The structure according to  claim 1 , characterized by consisting of one layer of truncated octahedrons. 
   
   
       3 . The structure according to  claim 1 , characterized by consisting of two or more layers of truncated octahedrons. 
   
   
       4 . The structure according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the layers are flat. 
   
   
       5 . The structure according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the layers are warped. 
   
   
       6 . The structure according to  claim 1 , characterized in that at least part of the surface elements are thinned out in the middle region. 
   
   
       7 . The structure according to  claim 1 , characterized by at least partially consisting of rod-like edge elements. 
   
   
       8 . A sandwich-type lightweight construction element, comprising two cover layers and a space lattice structure according to  claim 1  provided between. 
   
   
       9 . The lightweight construction element according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the space lattice structure is represented by a layer of truncated octahedrons connected with cover layers through their respective exposed squares. 
   
   
       10 . The lightweight construction element according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the space lattice structure is represented by at least two layers of truncated octahedrons in a space-filling arrangement, the truncated octahedrons being connected with the cover layers through their respective exposed squares. 
   
   
       11 . The lightweight construction element according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the space lattice structure is represented by at least two layers of truncated octahedrons, wherein said layers of truncated octahedrons are separated by at least one intermediate layer and the truncated octahedrons are connected with the cover layers or the intermediate layer through their respective exposed squares. 
   
   
       12 . The lightweight construction element according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the space lattice structure is represented by at least three layers of truncated octahedrons, wherein at least one inner layer has a height of the truncated octahedrons that differs from that of the outer layers. 
   
   
       13 . The lightweight construction element according to  claim 12 , characterized in that three layers of truncated octahedrons of which the middle layer is twice as high as the outer layers are provided. 
   
   
       14 . The lightweight construction element according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the space lattice structure is represented by half truncated octahedrons in a space-filling arrangement. 
   
   
       15 . The lightweight construction element according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the surface elements of the space lattice structure are at least partially thinned out in the middle region thereof. 
   
   
       16 . The lightweight construction element according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the space lattice structure is represented by a framework whose elements are in the edges of the truncated octahedrons. 
   
   
       17 . The lightweight construction element according to  claim 16 , characterized in that the elements of the framework are at least partially thinned out in the middle region thereof. 
   
   
       18 . The lightweight construction element according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the bonding between the exposed square faces and the cover and intermediate layers is effected by adhesive bonding, riveting or welding. 
   
   
       19 . The lightweight construction element according to  claim 18 , characterized in that fixing aids for the bonding are provided on the exposed square faces and/or the cover or intermediate layers. 
   
   
       20 . The lightweight construction element according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the cover and intermediate layers consist of metal, plastic material or cardboard. 
   
   
       21 . The lightweight construction element according to  claim 20 , characterized in that said plastic material is reinforced by fibers, non-woven or woven fabrics. 
   
   
       22 . The lightweight construction element according to  claim 8 , characterized in that said space lattice structure consists of metal, plastic material, fiber-reinforced plastic material, paper or cardboard. 
   
   
       23 . A process for the preparation of a lightweight construction element according to  claim 8 , comprising the following steps:
 providing sheet materials for the cover and intermediate layers;   preparing molded parts as sandwich cores represented by the faces of truncated octahedrons cut in half and arranged in a space-filling manner;   interconnecting two sandwich cores by connecting square faces to form a structure of whole truncated octahedrons;   connecting the structure obtained with a cover layer on one side and a cover or intermediate layer on the other side through square faces.   
   
   
       24 . The process according to  claim 23 , further comprising the bonding of further sandwich cores with the structure before the bonding with cover or intermediate layers. 
   
   
       25 . The process according to  claim 23 , further comprising the bonding of one or more further sandwich cores with the intermediate layer and the bonding of the outer sandwich core with a cover layer.