Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a hub connector for mechanically and electrically connecting together panels of a modular building structure. The invention also relates to a modular building structure comprising panels electrically interconnected by a plurality of hub connectors.

Description of related art

[0002] Hub connectors for connecting panels of a modular building structure already exist.

[0003] US2019382998 discloses for example a modular geodesic domeshaped building structure comprising: a plurality of triangular unit modules constituting a unit structure and a connection structure body of a geodesic dome-shaped building structure; a pair of inner beams which are disposed on both opposing sides of the triangular unit module; a connector which is disposed in a corner area between the pair of inner beams and connected to the pair of inner beams by a first coupling member; and a pair of outer beams which are disposed on outer surfaces of the pair of inner beams, respectively and connected to the connector and the inner beams by a second coupling member.

[0004] KR101539324 discloses a double-layered geodesic dome-shaped structure. The double-layered geodesic dome-shaped structure comprises: a frame structure formed as a plurality of length members connected in a geodesic dome-shaped form; a surface structure installed in an upper portion of the frame structure and connecting a plurality of triangle surface members to form an outer wall with a geodesic dome-shaped form and an inner wall installed in a lower portion of the frame structure. The inner and outer walls form a separation space therebetween.

[0005] Other types of hub connectors for modular geodesic dome-shaped building structure are also disclosed for example in US 9,903,107 and US 5,031,371.

[0006] These hub connectors merely ensure mechanical connections of rods of a framework structure.

[0007] An aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a hub connector configured support and to electrically connect panels together of a modular building structure.

[0008] Another aim of the present invention is to provide a hub connector that simplifies the assembly process of a modular building structure comprising panels made of multiple panes.

[0009] A further aim of the present invention is to provide a modular building structure comprising panels mechanically and electrically connected together through a plurality of hub connectors.

Brief summary of the invention

[0010] These aims are achieved by a hub connector for a modular building structure comprising a plurality of panels mounted on a framework structure. The hub connector includes a supporting unit comprising:

- rod connecting members adapted for mechanically connecting framework rods of the framework structure to the supporting unit,

- electrical modules configured to be electrically connected to an electrical panel connector of corresponding panels of said plurality of panels, and - an electrical circuit for electrically connecting together said electrical modules.

The electrical circuit comprises a conducting path surrounding the rod connecting members through 360°.

[0011] In an embodiment, the supporting unit comprises at least three rod connecting members.

[0012] In an embodiment, the supporting unit of the hub connector comprises panel connector anchoring portions configured to hold a panel connector of corresponding panels of the modular building structure.

[0013] In an embodiment, the hub connector further comprises an axially actuable unit mounted in the supporting unit and comprising a platform. The actuable unit is configured to move linearly in an axial direction between a retracted position and an extended position.

[0014] In an embodiment, each of the plurality of panels of the modular building structure comprises an upper pane, an intermediate pane and a lower pane. The supporting unit of the hub connector comprises a first set of panel connector anchoring portions configured to hold panel connectors of the upper panes of corresponding panels, and a second set of panel connector anchoring portions configured to hold panel connectors of the intermediate panes of said corresponding panels. The platform of the axially actuable unit comprises a third set of panel connector anchoring portions configured to hold panel connectors of the lower panes of said corresponding panels.

[0015] In an embodiment, the axially actuable unit of the hub connector comprises: a shaft extending upwardly from the centre of the platform, elongated locking members disposed around the shaft and extending upwardly from the platform, and a compression spring mounted around the shaft. The supporting unit comprises a through-hole and peripherical elongated cavities extending from an upper part to a lower part of the supporting unit. The through-hole and peripherical elongated cavities are arranged to cooperate with the shaft and the elongated locking members respectively.

[0016] In an embodiment, the hub connector further comprises an upper central locking portion comprising locking surfaces. Each elongated locking member comprises a distal locking portion configured to cooperate with a respective locking surface. The axially actuable unit is brought to its extended position by the thrust applied by the compression spring on the platform when the platform is rotated with respect to the supporting unit to disengage the distal locking portion of respective elongated locking member from the corresponding locking surface.

[0017] In an embodiment, the supporting unit of the hub connector further comprises electrical module lodgings inside which are mounted the electrical modules electrically connected to the electrical circuit. The electrical modules are preferably regularly spaced apart from each other through 360°.

[0018] In an embodiment, the electrical circuit of the hub connector is a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) extending through 360° around a central portion of the supporting unit. The PCB comprises connecting portions regularly spaced apart from each other through 360° in correspondence with the position of the electrical modules for electrically connecting each module to the PCB.

[0019] In an embodiment, the PCB comprises a plurality of concentric electrical tracks. Each module comprises a pin connector having a plurality of pins. Each corresponding pin of the pin connector of each module are connected to the same electrical track

[0020] In an embodiment, the rod connecting members of the hub connector are configured to connect framework rods at regular angle intervals.

[0021] Another aspect of the invention relates to a modular building structure comprising a plurality of hub connectors as described above. The hub connectors interconnect framework rods through their respective rod connecting members to form a framework structure. The modular building structure further comprises a plurality of panels connected to corresponding hub connectors.

[0022] In an embodiment, each panel of the plurality of panels comprises an upper pane, an intermediate pane and a lower pane. At least one of the upper pane, intermediate pane and lower pane of each panel comprises an electrical panel connector electrically connected to a corresponding electrical module of a corresponding hub connector.

[0023] In an embodiment, at least one of the upper, intermediate and lower panes of each of the plurality of panels are transparent. The upper and lower panes are preferably transparent and the intermediate pane preferably comprises the electrical panel connector.

[0024] In an embodiment, at least one of the upper, intermediate and lower panes of each of the plurality of panels is a smart glass configured to change from transparent to translucent or opaque and vice versa. The intermediate pane is preferably the only smart glass among the upper, intermediate and lower panes. [0025] In an embodiment, the modular building structure further comprises at least one power source and a control unit electrically connected to each of at least one of the upper, intermediate and lower panes of the plurality of panels. The control unit is configured to send a control signal to any of said at least one of the upper, intermediate and lower panes of the plurality of panels to power a selected number of upper, intermediate or lower panes as a function of the respective position of the plurality of panels.

[0026] In an embodiment, each of at least one of the upper, intermediate and lower pane of the plurality of panels is a smart glass configured to change from transparent to translucent or opaque and vice versa. The control unit comprises a processor configured to execute a program to control the appearance of each smart glass as a function of the position of the sun.

[0027] Another aspect of the invention relates to a hub connector for a modular building structure comprising a plurality of panels mounted on a framework structure. The hub connector includes a supporting unit comprising:

- rod connecting members adapted for mechanically connecting framework rods of the framework structure to the supporting unit,

- electrical modules configured to be electrically connected to an electrical panel connector of corresponding panels of said plurality of panels, and

- an electrical circuit for electrically connecting together said electrical modules.

The supporting unit comprises at least three rod connecting members. Brief description of the drawings

[0028] The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description of several embodiments given by way of examples and illustrated by the figures, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a modular building structure comprising hub connectors and panels connected to the hub connectors according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 shows the modular building structure of Figure 1 without the panels;

- Figures 3a to 3h show different top views of Figure 1 according to different shading patterns as a function of the position of the sun;

- Figure 4 shows a schematic view of electrical connection between different panels and two hub connectors;

- Figure 5 shows a perspective top view of a panel assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a supporting unit of the hub connector according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 shows a top view of the supporting unit of Figure 6 with framework rods connected to the supporting unit;

- Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a distal portion of a framework rod connected to a rod connecting member; - Figure 9 shows an elevation view of the rod connecting member of Figure 8 with a section of the framework rod;

Figure 10 shows a top perspective view of the supporting unit with a printed circuit board (PCB) and electrical modules connected to the PCB;

- Figure 11 shows a perspective view of one electrical module of Figure 10;

- Figure 11a shows an exploded view of the electrical module of Figure 11;

- Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a panel connector;

- Figure 12a shows an exploded view of the panel connector of Figure 12;

- Figure 13 shows a perspective view of the electrical module of Figure 10 partially mounted in the housing of the panel connector of Figure 12;

- Figure 13a shows a cross-sectional view of Figure 13;

- Figure 14 shows a bottom perspective view of Figure 10 with a panel connector connected to one electrical module;

- Figure 15 is an exploded view of the hub connector according to an embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 16 shows an elevation view of the hub connector of Figure 15 with the axially actuable unit in a retracted position; - Figure 16a shows an axial cross-sectional view of the hub connector Figure 16;

- Figure 17 shows an elevation view of the hub connector of Figure 15 with the axially actuable unit in an extended position;

Figure 17a shows an axial cross-sectional view of the hub connector of Figure 17;

- Figure 18 shows a perspective view of a panel connector according to an embodiment of the invention, and

- Figure 19 shows an elevation view of the hub connector and portions of upper, intermediate and lower panes of a panel connected to the hub connector according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of several embodiments of the Invention

[0029] According to an embodiment of the invention and with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3a-3h, the modular building structure 200 comprises a plurality of hub connectors 10 which interconnect framework rods 118 of a framework 150. Panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e, 110f are mounted on the framework 150 and are mechanically connected to their corresponding hub connectors 10. Each hub connector 10 also electrically interconnects panels as described in detail subsequently to control a selected number of panels as a function of their respective position.

[0030] Although, in the illustrated embodiment shown in particular in Figures 1 and 3a-3h, the panels have a triangular shape, the panel may have a polygonal shape with N sides, wherein N may be for example a number selected between four and eight according to the chosen design for the modular building structure. [0031] In a preferred embodiment, each panel 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e, 110f of the modular building structure comprises, as described in detail subsequently, a smart glass 114 configured to change from transparent to translucent or opaque and vice versa. With reference to Figure 4, the modular building structure comprises at least one power source 130 connected to electrical terminals of a smart glass 114 and a control unit 140 electrically connected to each smart glass 114 through corresponding hub connectors 10.

[0032] The control unit 140 is configured to send a control signal to any smart glass 114 to power a selected number of smart glasses 114 to change their appearance from transparent or translucent to opaque and vice versa as a function of the position of the sun to shade a corresponding portion inside the modular building structure. Different type of sensors configured to measure different parameters of the local weather may equipped the modular building structure. Data from these sensors may be fed to the control unit to adapt the signal control according to the local weather conditions.

[0033] As shown in Figures 3a-3h, each smart glass of all the panels covering the entire framework structure 150 (Figure 2) is selectively power as a function of the control signal sent by the control unit which may vary in the course of a sunny day as a function of the position of the sun. For example, Figure 3a shows the modular building structure 200 before sunrise where none of the smart glasses is powered and are therefore in a transparent state. Figure 3h shows the modular building structure when the sun is at its zenith where only smart glasses at the top of the modular building structure are powered to change their appearances from a transparent to an opaque state. [0034] Figure 5 shows a panel assembly 100 of the modular building structure 200 of Figure 1. The panel assembly 100 comprises five panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e although most panel assemblies of the illustrated embodiment of Figure 1 comprises six panels110a 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e, 110f. Each panel comprises an upper pane 112, an intermediate pane 114 and a lower pane 116 of triangular shape.

[0035] The intermediate pane 114 of each panel of the modular building structure is a smart glass as described above and the upper and lower panes 112, 116 of each panel of the building structure are preferably transparent. In other embodiments, the intermediate pane is transparent and at least one of the upper and the lower panes 112, 116 is a smart glass.

[0036] A corner of each panes 112, 114, 116 of each panel is connected to a supporting unit 14 of the hub connector 10, as described in detail subsequently, while the other two corners of each panes 112, 114, 116 of each panel are connected to respective two other hub connectors (not shown) in the same way.

[0037] Likewise, an extremity of five framework rods 118 (or six framework rods depending of the panel assemblies of Figure 1) are connected to the supporting unit 14 of the hub connector, as described in detail subsequently, while the other extremity of the framework rods 118 are connected to respective five (or six) other hub connectors as shown in Figure 2.

[0038] Referring to Figure 6, the supporting unit 14 of the hub connector comprises rod connecting members 16 configured to receive a distal end portion of the framework rods 118 as shown in Figure 7. The connection between the distal end portion of a framework rod 118 and the corresponding connecting member 16 is well illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. [0039] The upper portion of the connecting member 16 comprises a slot 16a into which a disc-shaped distal portion 119 of the framework rod 118 is fitted. The disc-shaped distal portion 119 is connected to the framework rod 118 through a segment 120 having a rectangular cross-section. Referring to Figure 9, the framework rod 118 is first rotated to align the segment 120 with a straight portion 17a of the groove 17 leading into the slot 16a. The framework rod 118 is then pushed downwardly until the disc 119 is entirely fitted into the slot 16a and the segment 120 is located into a circular portion 17b of the groove, whereupon the framework rod 118 is axially rotated through approximately 90° to lock its disc-shaped distal portion 119 into the connecting member 16.

[0040] As shown particularly in Figure 7, the supporting unit 14 of the hub connector 10 comprises five rod connecting members 16 that are regularly spaced apart from each other by an angle of 72° for a panel assembly comprising five panels while the supporting unit may comprise six connecting member that are regularly spaced apart from each other by an angle of 60° for a panel assembly comprising six panels. The number of rod connecting members 16 may be different from five and six depending on the shape of the panel to be supported by the hub connectors. The supporting unit 14 of the hub connector 10 may for example comprise only 3 or 4 rod connecting members. The supporting unit 14 further comprises rod supporting surfaces 19 (Figure 6) against which a segment of each framework rod 118 rests. Protective shells 30 for electrical connection are disposed around the supporting unit 14.

[0041] The main structure of the supporting unit 14 has a skeleton profile in a plastic material to reduce weight and is produced by an additive manufacturing or moulding process. The rod connecting members 16 are manufactured separately and are fitted into cavity 18 of the main structure of the supporting unit 14 as shown in Figure 10. [0042] The hub connector 10, according to a preferred embodiment as shown in Figure 15, is made of two main parts, the supporting unit 14 as described above and an axially actuable unit 60 connected to the supporting unit 14 and comprising an anchoring platform 66 configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position.

[0043] As mentioned earlier, the hub connector 10 of Figure 15 is adapted to hold a corner of five triangular panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e (or six triangle panels depending of the panel assembly) of the modular building structure 200 as shown in Figure 1 while the other two corners of these five (or six) triangular panels are held by respective two other hub connectors 10 of the modular building structure 200.

[0044] The hub connector 10 comprises a cap 12 mounted on an upper central locking portion 46 of the supporting unit 14. The central locking portion 46 comprises magnet holes 49, illustrated for example in Figure 10, to receive magnet (not shown) configured to cooperate with magnets arranged on the internal surface of the cap 12 at corresponding locations to enable an easy and rapid fixation of the cap 12 to the supporting unit 14.

[0045] The cap 12 as shown in Figure 15 comprises rectilinear portions 12a and openings 12b therebetween. The rectilinear portions 12a are configured to be aligned with an upper edge 32 of each protective shell 30 with a small gap in the radial direction for fixation of a panel connector as described below.

[0046] The rectilinear portions 12a advantageously comprise sealing lips which adhere to portions of the upper panes 112 of the panels to prevent water from running into the support unit 14. The openings 12b of the cap are shaped to partially surround a segment of the corresponding framework rods 118. Referring to Figure 1, sealing bars 122 are mounted on the modular building structure 200 on the framework rods. Each sealing bar 122 extends from one opening of the cap of one hub connector 10 to a corresponding opening of the cap of another hub connector to prevent water from leaking into the supporting unit through the openings 12 of the cap of Figure 15.

[0047] Referring to Figure 19, a corner of the upper pane 112 of each panel is connected to the supporting unit 14 of the hub connector through a first panel connector 96, illustrated in Figure 18, comprising a locking portion 96a locked on a first set of panel connector anchoring portions 32 corresponding to the upper edge of protective shells 30. A corner of the intermediate pane 114 of each panel is connected to the supporting unit 14 of the hub connector through a second panel connector 80 locked to a second set of panel connector anchoring portions 34 located on both sides of each protective shell 30 as particularly shown in Figure 6 and described in more detail subsequently. A corner of the lower pane 116 of each panel is connected to a third set of panel connector anchoring portions 68 located on the anchoring platform 66 (Figure 15) of the axially actuable unit 60 in an extended position through a third panel connector 98 identical to the first panel connector 96 and comprising a locking portion 98a locked to a corresponding anchoring portion 68.

[0048] With reference to Figure 7, an electrical module lodging 29 is arranged inside each protective shell 30. As shown in Figure 9, an electrical module 20 is mounted inside each lodging of the protective shell 30. A Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 38 is mounted upside down against PCB resting portions 42 of the supporting unit 14 and extends through 360° around the upper central locking portion 46 of the supporting unit. The PCB 38 comprises connecting portions 40 regularly spaced apart from each other through 360° in correspondence with the position of the electrical modules 20 for electrically connecting each of these modules 20 to the PCB 38 which comprises three concentric electrical tracks (not shown). [0049] Referring to Figures 11 and 11a, each electrical module 20 comprises a first electrical module housing 22 having a pin connector mounting portion 24 (Figure 13a), a pin connector 26 screwed on this mounting portion 24 and a gasket 28. The pin connector 26 comprises three pins electrically connected to their respective electrical track of the PCB 38. Two pins of the pin connector 26 are connected to the electrical terminals of the power source 130 to power each intermediate pane 114 of each panel of the modular building structure while the third pin is electrically connected to the control unit 140 to selectively power intermediate panes as a function of their respective location.

[0050] The panel connector 80 of Figure 12 is an electrical panel connector configured to electrically connect the intermediate pane 114 of each panel 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e, 110f to the PCB 38 of the hub connector 10. In this respect, the electrical panel connector 80 comprises a second electrical module housing 84 comprising a pin connector mounting portion 86 and a pin receiving connector 88 screwed on the pin connector mounting portion 86. The pin receiving connector 88 comprises three pin sockets configured to mate with the corresponding pins of pin connector 26. The second electrical module housing 84 is mounted on a base 90, two elongated locking members 82 extending upwardly from the base along both sides of the second electrical module housing 84.

[0051] The base 90 is made of an upper and a lower portion 90a, 90b. The lower portion 90b comprises a gasket receiving portion 92 into which a gasket 94 is mounted. The gasket 94 comprises a front opening 94a through which electrical wires of the intermediate pane 114 (not shown) go through to be connected to corresponding sockets of the pin receiving connector 88. [0052] As shown in Figures 13 and 13a, the first electrical module housing 22 is fitted inside the second electrical module housing 84 of the electrical panel connector 80 such that both pin connector 26 and pin receiving connector 88 are mating to achieve electrical connection. The gasket 28 of the electrical module 20 seals the interface between the first and second electrical module housings 22, 84 in order to prevent water from leaking into the second electrical module housing, thereby preventing hazardous shortcuts.

[0053] With reference to Figure 14, when two elongated locking members 82 of the electrical panel connector 80 of the intermediate pane (not shown) of the panel are anchored to the anchoring portions 34 of the supporting unit 14 (Figure 6), electrical connection is achieved between the pin connector of the electrical module 20 and the pin receiving connector of the electrical panel connector 80.

[0054] Referring to Figure 15, the axially actuable unit 60 comprises a shaft 62 extending upwardly from the centre of the platform 66 and elongated locking members 65 disposed radially with respect to the shaft 62 and extending also upwardly from the platform. Each elongated locking members 65 comprises a distal locking portion 65a. A compression spring 64 is mounted around the shaft 62.

[0055] As particularly shown in Figures 10 and 16a, the supporting unit 14 comprises a through-hole 44 at its centre and peripherical elongated cavities 54 extending from an upper portion to a lower portion of the supporting unit 14. The through-hole 44 and peripherical elongated cavities 54 are arranged to cooperate with the shaft 62 and the elongated members 65 respectively. The compression spring 64 is partially lodged into a cylindrical spring receiving portion 50 in the supporting unit 14 and partially lodged into an annular recess 67 in the platform 66 of the axially actubale unit 60 when the latter is in a retracted position as illustrated in Figure 16a.

[0056] In this configuration, the diameter of the cylindrical spring receiving portion 50 is greater than the diameter of the through-hole 44. The upper side of the compression spring 64 presses against an annular surface 52 of the cylindrical spring receiving portion 50 while the lower side of the compression spring presses against the bottom surface of the annular recess 67.

[0057] The upper central locking portion 46 of the supporting unit 14 comprises locking surfaces 48 as shown for example in Figure 10. Each elongated locking member 65 comprises a distal locking portion 65a configured to cooperate with a respective locking surface 48. The axially actuable unit 60 can be brought to its extended position by the thrust applied by the compression spring 64 on the platform 66 when the platform 66 is rotated, for example in a clockwise direction, with respect to the supporting unit 14 to disengage the distal locking portion 65a of respective elongated locking member 65 from the corresponding locking surface 48.

[0058] In the extended configuration, the distal looking portion 65a of each elongated locking member 65 are in contact with corresponding stop surfaces 56 located in the lower part of each peripheral elongated cavities 54 as shown in Figure 17a.

[0059] The specific configuration of the hub connector 10 eases the assembly process of the panels on the framework structure 150 as the axially actuable unit 60 of the hub connector 10 is in a retracted position when the first and the second panes 112, 114 of each panel are connected to the supporting unit 14 of the corresponding hub connector 10 from the inside of the framework structure as the axially actuable unit 60 does not stand in the way of the first and second panes.

[0060] Once the first and second panes 112, 114 are secured to the supporting unit 14 of the corresponding hub connector 10, the platform 66 of the axially actuable unit 60 is rotated with respect to the supporting unit 14 to bring the axially actuable unit 60 in its extending position where the panel connector 98 of the lower pane 116 can be anchored to the corresponding panel connector anchoring portion 68 of the platform 66.

[0061] Various modifications and variations to the described embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the supporting unit of the hub connector may be adapted to connect panel of different shapes, for example panels of polygonal shapes having four, five, six, seven or height sides. The supporting unit may therefore be adapted to be connected to different numbers of framework rods depending on the shape of the panels.

[0062] In addition, although the intermediate panes of the panels of the modular building structure have been described as smart glasses configured to change from transparent to translucent or opaque and vice versa, the intermediate panes may be instead photovoltaic panels or PVT panels. Besides, the upper or lower pane of the panels may be electrically powered instead of the intermediate pane. Furthermore, although the panels have been described as comprising three distinct panes, the panels may comprise only two or may even be consisting of one pane. Reference list

Hub connector 10

Cap 12

Rectilinear portion 12a

Opening 12b

Supporting unit 14

Rod connecting members 16

Slot 16a

Groove 17

Straight portion 17a

Circular portion 17b

Cavity 18

Rod supporting surface 19

Electrical module 20

First electrical module housing 22

Pin connector mounting portion 24

Pin connector 26

Sealing 28

Electrical module lodging 29

Protective shell 30

First set of panel connector anchoring portions 32

Second set of panel connector anchoring portions 34

Printed circuit board 38

Concentric electrical tracks

Connecting portions 40

PCB resting portion 42

Through-hole 44

Upper central locking portion 46

Locking surfaces 48

Magnet hole 49

Spring receiving portion 50

Annular surface 52

Peripherical elongated cavities 54

Stop surface 56

Axially actuable unit 60

Shaft 62

Compression spring 64

Elongated locking members 65

Distal locking portions 65a Anchoring platform 66

Annular recess 67

Third set of panel connector anchoring portions 68

Electrical panel connector 80

Elongated locking members 82

Distal locking portions 82a

Second electrical module housing 84

Pin connector mounting portion 86

Pin receiving connector 88

Base 90

Upper portion 90a

Lower portion 90b

Gasket receiving portion 92

Gasket 94

Front opening 94a

Panel connectors 96, 98

Locking portion 96a, 98a

Panel assembly 100

Panels 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e, 110f

Upper panes 112

Intermediate panes 114

Lower panes 116

Framework rods 118

Disc-shaped distal portion 119

Segment 120

Sealing bar 122

Power source 130

Control unit 140

Framework structure 150

Modular building structure 200