Modular core wall construction system

Abstract

A prefabricated modular building system having a core wall, one or more utility runs that are disposed within the core wall and that have a first connector at one end, one or more panelized partitions attachable to the core wall via a plug-in fastener device, and one or more utility run extensions that are housed within the partition and that have at one end a second connector mateable to the first connector.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 548,457, filed on Feb. 27, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a modular building system wherein a building's utilities are distributed from a prefabricated core wall that is equipped with a computer-based controller for managing the utilities. BACKGROUND [0003] The US housing construction industry is one the largest sectors of the economy. This sector includes building additions or alterations to existing homes, construction of custom homes, and on-site assembly of modular and prefabricated houses. The types of businesses servicing this sector include custom builders, general contractors, design builders, engineer-constructors, joint-venture contractors, turnkey contractors, and construction management firms. These different businesses face considerable competition, especially relating t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] Applicants have discovered a novel system for building construction in which prefabricated modules having an integrated control system are used to distribute, at least in part, the building's utilities. This system brings together concepts of modular construction with efficient mechanical planning and integrated computer-based controllers to create a unique system for residential construction. Integration of a controller directly into a core wall that houses a utility distribution system increases building efficiency, flexibility, and cost effectiveness over conventional building techniques. Moreover, these modules are readily adaptable to a wide variety of spatial arrangements and, therefore, can be used to optimize the building's interior layout. In addition, unlike other modular approaches in which a complete prefabricated room is shipped, the present invention provides for a compact, easily transportable package of an essentially flat core wall with all essential services preinstalled and attachable prefabricated panelized partitions.

Problems solved by technology

These different businesses face considerable competition, especially relating to construction costs and job scheduling.

Transportation of these prefabricated “boxes of air” from the fabrication site to the installation site is difficult and uneconomical because the units are not compact.

Although these modular units can be incorporated into the structure of a residential building's interior layout, they are inflexible with respect to their spatial arrangement and are not designed with consideration of the building's interior layout as a whole.

Thus, they are not adaptable to a variety of architectural layouts or features of the building and are principally designed to service only rooms adjacent to the modular unit.

Due to their limited flexibility, modular units known in the art ineffectively utilize the space available within the building.

In addition, these modular units are not readily adaptable to the wide variety of spatial arrangements that are required to maximize the utility and effectiveness of the interior space of both new construction and renovated residential buildings.

However, controlling the building utilities remotely incurs an extra and needless degree of complexity and cost.

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