FR3119110A1 - Wooden box making machine for house construction and related manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

Wooden box making machine for house construction and related manufacturing method The invention relates to a machine for manufacturing a wooden construction element (100) intended for building construction, the machine comprising: - a frame (10), - support means defining at least one location (21, 22) for manufacturing a wooden construction element, said support means extending in a longitudinal direction and having at each longitudinal end a rectangular opening whose dimensions correspond at least to the external dimensions of an assembled or manufactured construction element, - pivoting means (30) of the support means relative to the frame, said pivoting means being arranged to pivot the support means along a longitudinal axis, said pivoting means comprising a wheel (31, 32) at each longitudinal end , each wheel being connected to the support means, - wheel guide means (40) arranged on the periphery of said wheels, - Means for actuating the pivoting means. Figure of the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Wooden box making machine for house construction and related manufacturing method

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of machines for manufacturing a wooden frame element for the construction of a wooden frame house, in particular wall elements, floor elements or roof elements.

State of the art

In the state of the art, it is known to manufacture panels consisting of two side plates, each consisting of oriented slats. The plates are held apart from each other so that the space between them can be filled with insulating cellulose fibres.

In particular, these panels have very satisfactory mechanical and thermal insulation properties at a reasonable cost, which explains the growing interest in timber frame constructions.

In addition, constructive solutions have been proposed to facilitate the assembly of the panels on the construction sites of the houses.

For example, patent application FR 2 928 947 is known relating to panels which can serve alternatively as wall panel, floor panel or roof panel. The panel includes:
- two parallel plates facing each other,
at least two structural elements forming spacers between the plates, each structural element possibly being a reinforcing element,
- openings on the transverse faces,

the space between the plates being filled with an insulating material, such as cellulose fibers,

This embodiment makes it possible to produce a single type of construction element in order to construct a timber frame building of the detached house type. In particular, this type of panel makes it possible to propose a unique embodiment for making walls, partitions, floors or house roofs. They have a unique structure suitable for various uses, whether for walls, floors or roofs.

However, the manufacture of wooden house construction element requires bulky machines and therefore premises offering a large storage volume for said machines, raw materials and manufactured panels.

These machines are also very expensive because the market for wooden houses is not developed enough (insufficient number of annual constructions) to bring down its cost.

The present invention therefore aims to lower the manufacturing cost and facilitate the manufacture of wooden house construction elements. In particular, it aims to provide a manufacturing machine with a reduced cost of purchase, use and maintenance compared to art.

Solution provided by the invention

According to a first aspect, the present invention relates according to its most general acceptance to a machine for manufacturing a wooden construction element intended for building construction, the machine comprising:
- a parallelepipedic frame,
- support means defining at least one manufacturing location of a wooden construction element, said support means extending in a longitudinal direction and having at each longitudinal end a rectangular opening whose dimensions correspond at least to the external dimensions of an assembled or manufactured construction element, each opening having two plate sides and two wafer sides,
- means for pivoting the support means relative to the frame, said pivoting means being arranged to pivot the support means along a longitudinal axis, said pivoting means comprising a wheel at each longitudinal end, each wheel being connected to the means of support,
- means for guiding the wheels arranged on the periphery of said wheels,
- Means for actuating the pivoting means.

The machine according to the invention has the advantages of manufacturing panels faster and easier for the operator while limiting costs.

By construction element is meant a panel, or a box or a rectangular beam comprising three main wooden components: two wooden plates or two wooden rafters spaced by one or more intermediate component(s). The panel is for example of the type comprising:
- two parallel plates facing each other,
at least two structural elements forming spacers between the plates, each structural element possibly being a reinforcing element,
- openings or windows on the transverse faces.

According to variant embodiments, the manufacturing machine may also comprise one or more of the following characteristics:

- the support means define two superimposed manufacturing locations, making it possible to receive two wooden construction elements per machine,

- the support means comprise longitudinal beams connecting the wheels, each end of the beam being arranged on the periphery of an opening at a non-zero distance from one edge side; this characteristic allowing to leave enough space to screw or point the wooden components to each other,

- said non-zero distance from the edge side is for example between 10 and 30 centimeters,

– the support means comprise two support panels, each panel being carried by a wheel of the pivoting means, each panel having at least one location for manufacturing a wooden construction element,

- the support means comprise two support discs, each disc being carried by a wheel of the pivoting means, each disc having at least one location for manufacturing a wooden construction element,

- the support means comprise adjustment means in the transverse position of the components of the construction element; this characteristic allows adjustment of the position of the spacer components or beams with respect to the transverse ends or edges of the plates,

- the support means comprise a template for positioning the components of the construction element,

- the support means comprise quick-clamping means of the vice type for non-definitively joining components of a construction element, for example of the clamp type,

– the support means comprise transverse beams making it possible to receive the components of the construction element to be manufactured; preferably said quick clamping means being connected to the transverse beams,

- the support means include sliding means so as to facilitate the insertion of the components on the support means, for example bearings or rollers,

- said sliding means being able to be arranged on the longitudinal beams,

- the guide means comprise satellite pulleys distributed angularly along the periphery of the wheels,

- preferably each wheel of the pivoting means is arranged vertically and the guide means comprise three sets of pulleys: two pulleys in the low position guiding and supporting the weight, and one pulley in the high position guiding the rotation of the wheel,

- the actuating means comprise at least one belt extending around at least one wheel,

- means for insufflating insulating material, making it possible to fill the construction element with insulating material.

According to a second aspect, the invention proposes a vehicle comprising a manufacturing machine according to one or more of the characteristics of the first aspect.

The vehicle is a machine made up of a chassis fitted with wheels used for transport. The vehicle may be a trailer arranged to receive said manufacturing machine or a motorized vehicle provided with a transport platform, which is arranged to receive said manufacturing machine.

Preferably, the vehicle further comprises a store of components constituting construction elements.

According to a third aspect, the invention proposes a method of manufacturing a wooden construction element intended for building construction, the construction element comprising first and second wooden components spaced apart by one or more intermediate components, the method using the manufacturing machine according to one or more of the characteristics of the first aspect and comprising the following steps:
- inserting and positioning the first wooden component on the support means and via a rectangular opening up to a stop position,
- insert and position one or more spacer components via said opening by sliding them onto the first component,
- insert and position the second wooden component via said opening up to a stop position,
- fixing said components together using an assembly tool so as to obtain a construction element.

Preferably, there is proposed a method of manufacturing a wooden construction element intended for the construction of a building, the construction element comprising a first and a second wooden plates, and two beams each comprising windows distributed along of these, the method using the manufacturing machine according to one of the preceding claims and comprising the following steps:
- inserting and positioning the first wooden plate on the support means and via a rectangular opening up to a stop position,
- insert and position the two beams via said opening by sliding them on the first plate,
- Tighten said beams by resting on at least one interior face of a window,
- insert and position the second wooden plate via said opening up to a stop position,
- fixing said components together using an assembly tool so as to obtain a construction element.

According to another exemplary embodiment, there is proposed a method for manufacturing a wooden construction element intended for the construction of a building, the construction element comprising a first and a second wooden rafters, and several spacers to distribute the along these, the method using the manufacturing machine according to one of the preceding claims and comprising the following steps:
- inserting and positioning the first wooden rafter on the support means and via an opening to an abutment position,
- insert and position the spacers via said opening by sliding them over the first chevron,
- insert and position the second wooden rafter via said opening up to a stop position
- tighten the assembly by resting on an upper face of the second chevron,
- fixing said components together using an assembly tool so as to obtain a construction element.

Preferably said components are fixed by screwing or gluing.

Description of figures

The present invention will be better understood on reading the following description, referring to non-limiting examples of embodiments illustrated by the appended drawings where

there shows a perspective view of a manufacturing machine according to one embodiment, the machine having two construction element locations;

there shows a side view along a longitudinal direction of a wooden construction element;
there shows a schematic front view along a transverse plane of the support means and the pivoting means according to a first embodiment, the featuring two building element slots;

there shows a top view along a longitudinal plane of the support means in accordance with the , a wooden plate being illustrated by a dotted rectangle;

there shows a schematic front view along a transverse plane of the support means and the pivoting means according to a second embodiment, the featuring two building element slots;

there shows a partial perspective view of a manufacturing machine according to one embodiment, showing guide means cooperating with a pivot wheel of the support means;

there shows a partial perspective view of a manufacturing machine in accordance with , showing actuating means cooperating with the pivot wheel of the support means;

there illustrates the main manufacturing steps of a construction element.

Description of an embodiment

There represents a manufacturing machine 1 intended for the manufacture of wooden construction element 100 of the wood panel type for the modular construction of buildings, in particular individual houses. Preferably, the construction elements to be manufactured are always identical.

With reference to the , the construction element 100 consists of two generally rectangular wooden plates, a first plate 101 and a second plate 102 parallel facing one another. For example, the plates have a height of approximately 2500 millimeters and a width comprised approximately between 900 and 950 millimeters, for example 926 millimeters. Their thickness, which is defined as being the smallest dimension of the plates with regard to the other dimensions (length, width), is approximately between 15 and 20 millimeters, preferably is 18 millimeters. These dimensions are of course given as an indication and may vary without departing from the scope of the invention. According to one embodiment, the plates consist of several layers of compressed wooden strips then glued using resin and wax, called “OSB” plates.

The two plates are spaced from each other by beams 103 arranged between said plates so that the construction element forms a hollow box. The beams 3 extend in planes substantially perpendicular to the planes defined by each of the plates 101, 102, as can be seen in . The beams 103 are mounted on the opposite long edges of each of the plates, flush or not along said edges.

Each beam 103 comprises at least two parallel rafters 132 spaced apart from each other by spacers 133, of rectangular shape. The two rafters are joined respectively to each internal face of the plates 102 and 103. The spacers 133 are arranged at predetermined positions, and distributed at substantially regular intervals over the length of the rafters 32 so that each beam has windows 131 between the spacers . The windows 131 place the interior space of the construction element in communication with the exterior environment, or with the interior space of another construction element when they are juxtaposed by their respective edges. With reference to the , the beam 103 comprises five spacers.

The thickness of the rafters 132 and the spacers 133, which is defined as being the smallest dimension of the rafters and the spacers with regard to their other dimensions (length, width), is approximately 60 millimeters. The rafters 132 have a length of approximately 2500 millimeters and a width of approximately 60 to 100 millimeters. The spacers have a length of approximately 300 millimeters and a width of approximately 180 millimeters. These dimensions are also given as an indication and are in no way limiting.

The interior space of the construction element is intended to be able to be filled with an insulation material such as cellulose fibres. The injection of cellulose fibers takes place for example through an orifice made in one of the plates.

The production machine 1 shown in comprises a frame 10 of parallelepipedal shape. Preferably, the chassis has dimensions allowing it to be transported on a trailer or a vehicle having a transport surface.

Referring to Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5, the manufacturing machine comprises means 20 for supporting the construction elements to be manufactured. The support means form a frame intended to receive the components of the construction elements to be manufactured or assembled. According to the embodiments represented in FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 8, the support means 20 form two superimposed manufacturing locations 21, 22 in order to manufacture or assemble two construction elements.

At each longitudinal end of the machine, the support means 20 has for each location a rectangular opening 210, 220 whose dimensions correspond at least to the external dimensions of an assembled or manufactured construction element. Each opening has two plate sides 230 and two wafer sides 240. Referring to Figures 3 and 5, the position of the support means is such that the plate sides 230 extend horizontally, and the wafer sides 240 extend vertically. During operation of the machine, the position of the sides of the openings change according to the rotation of the support means via the pivoting means.

According to a first embodiment shown in Figures 3, 4 and 8, the support means 20 comprise longitudinal beams 25 and transverse beams 27 in order to support the plates and beams to be assembled.

With reference to the , the support means comprise, for each location, four longitudinal beams 25: two beams per edge side of a rectangular opening. When the support means 20 are pivoted around the longitudinal axis A1, one or the other of the two pairs of longitudinal beams 25 make it possible to support the construction element. Location beams, shown vertically in Figures 3 and 8, connect the longitudinal beams 25 between the two locations or between a location and the periphery of a pivot wheel.

The transverse beams 27 connect the longitudinal beams 25. With reference to the , three transverse beams 27 connect the two longitudinal beams 25.

Preferably, each longitudinal beam 25 is arranged at a non-zero distance from a long edge of a wooden plate, see . According to one embodiment, each longitudinal beam is spaced from a long edge of a wooden plate by a distance at least equal to the width of a beam. This feature allows the beams to be screwed close to the long edges of the wooden plates.

With reference to the , each end of beam 25d of a longitudinal beam 25 is arranged on the periphery of an opening at a non-zero distance from a side of edge 240 of a rectangular opening 210.

According to a second embodiment shown in , which may be complementary to the first embodiment, the support means 20 comprise support discs 28 carried by the pivoting means, in particular the pivoting wheels 30 which will be described below. The support discs are partially visible in FIGS. 5 and 6. Each support disc 28 is placed in the center of a pivot wheel 30 and is carried by the latter. Each disc has two cutouts corresponding to the openings of the locations defined above. Preferably, the edge sides 240 of the openings 210, 220 have a shape complementary to the final outer shape of the long edges of the box to be manufactured or assembled. The support discs support the weight of the boxes. They are for example made of a plastic or metallic material. Each disk has a thickness comprised for example between 1 and 20 centimeters.

According to an embodiment not shown, the support means of each location comprise means for adjusting the transverse position of the components of the construction element. For example, the position of the rafters or joists relative to the long edges of the wooden plates can be adjusted. According to one embodiment, the adjustment means are arranged on the transverse beams 27.

In addition, according to an embodiment not shown, the support means of each location comprise quick clamping means for joining components of a construction element in a non-definitive manner. According to one embodiment, the clamping means are clamps whose fixed part is connected to the support means. According to a variant embodiment, the clamping means are connected to the adjustment means in the transverse position.

Again according to an embodiment not shown, the support means comprise means for sliding the first and second wooden plates in order to facilitate their insertion on the support means. For example, the longitudinal beams include rollers.

The manufacturing machine 1 comprises means 30 for pivoting the support means 20 with respect to the frame 10. The pivot means make it possible to pivot the armature of the support means along the longitudinal axis A1.

Said pivoting means 30 comprise two wheels 31, 32, each wheel being arranged at each longitudinal end of the machine, and is connected to the frame of the support means 20.

The machine 1 further comprises means for guiding the pivoting means. Referring to Figures 1 and 6, the guide means are arranged between the frame 10 and the wheels 31, 32. They comprise satellite pulleys distributed angularly equally along the circumference of the wheels 31, 32, see Figures 6 and 7. Pulleys are preferably spaced 120 degrees apart. The axes of the pulleys run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machine.

According to one embodiment, the guide means comprise two lower guide means 42 and an upper pulley 49. The lower guide means make it possible both to guide the wheels and to support their weight. With reference to the , the lower guide means 42 and the upper pulley 49 respectively have the general shape of a cylinder having on its surface a circumferential groove 43 whose width is arranged to receive the circumferential surface of a wheel.

In addition, each lower guide means further comprises two additional pulleys 44 (a single additional pulley is visible on the ) whose axes of rotation extend substantially radially relative to a wheel so that the tread of each auxiliary pulley rolls on a front or rear face of a wheel.

With reference to the , the manufacturing machine comprises actuating means which consist of a belt 51 driven by an electric motor (not visible). Preferably, a groove is arranged on the circumferential surface of one of the two wheels so as to receive the belt 51. The belt 51 extends along the circumference of said wheel.

We will now describe the method of manufacturing a construction element associated with the above manufacturing machine in a particular embodiment comprising two manufacturing locations, with reference to the . The construction element comprises a first 101 and a second 102 wooden plates, and two beams 103 each comprising windows distributed along them.

The process provides:

- a step of inserting and positioning the first wooden plates 101 on the support means 20 and via the rectangular openings 210, 220 up to a stop position, see figure 8a,

- a step of inserting and positioning the beams 103 via said openings by sliding them on the first plates, see figure 8b, then,

- a step of tightening said beams by resting on at least one interior face of a window,

- a step of inserting and positioning the second wooden plates via said openings up to a stop position, see figure 8c,

- a step of fixing said components together using an assembly tool so as to obtain a construction element.

The pivoting means allow the operator to effortlessly pivot the construction element or elements to be manufactured, facilitating and improving the speed of manufacture of said elements.

Claims (12)

Machine for manufacturing (1) a wooden construction element (100) intended for building construction, the machine comprising:
- a frame (10) of parallelepipedal shape,
- support means (20) defining at least one location (21, 22) for manufacturing a wooden construction element, said support means extending in a longitudinal direction (L) and having at each longitudinal end a rectangular opening (210, 220) whose dimensions correspond at least to the external dimensions of an assembled or manufactured construction element, each opening having two sides of plates (230) and two sides of edge (240),
- pivoting means (30) of the support means (20) relative to the frame, said pivoting means being arranged to pivot the support means along a longitudinal axis, said pivoting means comprising a wheel (31, 32) at each longitudinal end, each wheel being connected to the support means,
- wheel guide means (40) arranged on the periphery of said wheels,
- actuating means (50) of the pivoting means. Manufacturing machine according to the preceding claim, in which the support means (20) comprise longitudinal beams (25) connecting the wheels (31, 32), each end of the beam (25d) being placed on the periphery of an opening at a non-zero distance from a wafer side (240). Manufacturing machine according to one of the preceding claims, in which the support means (20) comprise means for adjusting the transverse position of the components of the construction element. Manufacturing machine according to one of the preceding claims, in which the support means (20) comprise quick-clamping means of the vice type for joining components of a construction element in a non-definitive manner. Manufacturing machine according to one of the preceding claims, in which the support means (20) comprise sliding means so as to facilitate the insertion of the components on the support means. Manufacturing machine according to one of the preceding claims, in which the support means comprise two support panels, each panel being carried by a wheel of the pivoting means, each panel having at least one location for manufacturing a construction element in drink. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, in which the guide means comprise satellite pulleys (42, 49) distributed angularly along the periphery of the wheels (31, 32). Manufacturing machine according to one of the preceding claims, in which the actuating means (50) comprise at least one belt (51) extending around at least one wheel (31, 32). Manufacturing machine according to one of the preceding claims, comprising means for insufflating insulating material. Vehicle comprising a manufacturing machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims.
Method of manufacturing a wooden construction element (100) intended for the construction of a building, the construction element comprising a first and a second wooden plates (101, 102), and two beams (103) each comprising windows (131) distributed along them, the method using the manufacturing machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9 and comprising the following steps:
- inserting and positioning the first wooden plate (101, 102) on the support means (20) and via a rectangular opening (210, 220) up to a stop position,
- insert and position the two beams (103) via said opening by sliding them on the first plate (101, 102),
- tighten said beams (103) by resting on at least one inner face of a window,
- inserting and positioning the second wooden plate (101, 102) via said opening up to a stop position. Method of manufacturing a wooden construction element (100) intended for building construction, the construction element comprising first and second wooden rafters (132), and several spacers (133) to be distributed along these, the method using the manufacturing machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9 and comprising the following steps:
- inserting and positioning the first wooden rafter (132) on the support means (20) and via a rectangular opening (210, 220) up to a stop position,
- insert and position the spacers (133) via said opening by sliding them over the first chevron,
- insert and position the second wooden rafter (132) via said opening up to a stop position
- Tighten the assembly by resting on an upper face of the second chevron (132).