ANCHORING DEVICE FOR PREFABRICATED MODULAR BUILDINGS

Abstract

Anchoring device for prefabricated modular buildings, comprising a first anchoring system (1), for connecting a prefabricated unit to a foundation, and a second anchoring system (2), for mutually connecting two prefabricated units of a dwelling. The first (9) and second connectors (19) comprise a truncated pyramid-shaped end (12) for receiving the pillars (P) of the prefabricated unit, and the fixing of the connectors is carried out by adding structural resin (10) from the upper face of the pillar (P) through a tube (11) inserted into the pillar (P). [Figure 1]

Description

Title of the invention: ANCHORING DEVICE FOR PREFABRICATED MODULAR CONSTRUCTIONS Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of construction, and more specifically to the field of the construction of prefabricated modular buildings.

[0002] The subject of the invention is an improved anchoring device for modular building systems comprising prefabricated units which, among other advantages, facilitates the joining between said prefabricated units. Furthermore, unlike the current state of the art, the device allows access to the connecting elements between the units from above the pillars, and thus allows the finishing of the interior and the facade of the building to which the prefabricated units are connected, without the need to act on the nodes for their connection. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0003] Currently, in the anchoring systems on foundations available on the market for prefabricated units with more than four pillars, the central anchors lack space between the pillars. Thus, during the positioning of the units, a misalignment between the facades of the adjacent prefabricated units may occur.

[0004] Connections between pillars are generally made using bolts and dowels, and by means of set screws. To access connections of the first type, two anchor access points are required to make the junction. In the case of anchors between indoor prefabricated units, it is necessary to leave a portion of the floor slab unfinished to allow access from both sides of the junction between the pillars. In the case of connections that use set screws, access is made from one side of the junction between the pillars.

[0005] Anchoring systems of the first type comprise welded connections on the anchor plate, and lack means to facilitate positioning tasks. This makes these tasks particularly complex when there are more than four pillars per prefabricated unit. It is therefore necessary to use auxiliary means such as levers, nails, etc., to allow the pillars to penetrate the connections of the anchor plates, which increases the risk for the workers and the prefabricated unit itself.

[0006] The anchoring systems between the conventional units that exist on the market, those of the first type, generally involve bolted junctions that require a Access from both sides of the junction. This prevents the facade closures of the prefabricated units from being fully installed in the factory, as the junction area must be left open. This means that facade closure work must subsequently be carried out on site, leaving open areas through which rain can penetrate, etc.

[0007] Furthermore, current anchoring systems often lack mechanisms at the joints that allow adjustment between the units, in order to ensure proper alignment. Again, this requires further work to correct misalignments between the units. In addition, the lack of means to facilitate positioning complicates this task, and often requires the use of levers, nails, etc., to carry out the operation.

[0008] As regards current joining solutions using regulating screws, although they improve the safety of assembly and alignment work, access to these regulating screws must be provided through one of the joined faces. Thus, these faces must be finished later on site, and the prefabricated units leave the factory with a much lower quality finish compared to adjustment solutions which do not require access from any face.

[0009] Several patents relating to anchoring systems of this type are known in the current state of the art. For example, document ES2761652A1, by the same inventor, relates to an anchoring system for anchoring a prefabricated unit to a building foundation and a system for joining two prefabricated units of a building. Document ES2670471A1 describes an anchoring and joining assembly for modular constructions which allows factory-made modules to be anchored to the building foundation, and to join the modules which form it, and thus prevents existing spaces with current systems.

[0010] Document US2018251996A1 describes a plate system for mounting a structure on a foundation by alignment, with a plurality of slots and screws. Finally, document ES2375562T3 relates to an adjustment device for a base intended to be inserted into the ground, comprising two mounting plates which are positioned opposite each other.

[0011] For this reason, improved anchoring systems are needed to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks. The present invention aims to find solutions to said drawbacks. SUMMARY

[0012] The subject of the invention is an anchoring device for prefabricated modular buildings which makes it possible to anchor a modular unit to a foundation and to anchor the mutual junction of two modular units to a building. This anchoring is carried out using plates and, welded to them, end fittings in the form of truncated pyramid to facilitate on-site assembly between the pillar and the fitting, using screw systems that provide spaces to allow precise alignment.

[0013] For this, the device comprises a first anchor, intended to join a prefabricated unit to a building foundation, and a second anchor, intended to join two prefabricated units of a building.

[0014] The first anchor, intended to join a prefabricated unit to a building foundation, comprises a lower plate adjustable in height relative to the building foundation using a set of threaded rods and nuts. The first anchor further comprises an upper plate with through holes which allow the passage of the threaded rods, in order to connect the two anchor plates.

[0015] The diameter of the holes in the top plate provides a margin for movement of the top plate relative to the bottom plate.

[0016] The top plate further comprises two welded fittings. The adjustment between the fittings and each of the pillars of the prefabricated unit is carried out thanks to the space which is located between the external faces of the fittings and the internal faces of the pillars. The fixing of the pillars on the fittings of each prefabricated unit is carried out by adding structural resin from the upper end of each pillar of the prefabricated unit. In addition, each fitting has a truncated pyramid-shaped end which resembles a small roof in order to facilitate the on-site assembly between the pillar of the prefabricated unit and the fitting.

[0017] Thus, the first anchor comprises two plates, the lower plate being larger than the upper plate to ensure that, if the upper plate should move relative to the lower plate during positioning of the prefabricated unit, it remains in full contact with the lower plate.

[0018] As already mentioned, the height of the bottom plate can be adjusted relative to the foundation using nuts and anti-loosening washers. These components, by exerting additional pressure between the contact surfaces, ensure extreme strength and better protection against loosening of the joints, thanks to their spring system. In addition, threaded rods pass through the bottom and top plates. As soon as the appropriate height of the bottom plate is reached, it is fixed to the foundation using a fluid anchoring mortar.

[0019] By securing the junction in the anchor plate fittings by adding a structural resin to the upper face of each pillar, it is possible to finish the entirety of each prefabricated unit, including the enclosure and facade cladding, which improves the fixings compared to the bolt rods and regulating screws of the systems currently marketed on the market.

[0020] A truncated pyramid or four-sided shape is incorporated at the end of the connectors to enable the pillars to easily find these ends of the connectors during positioning of the prefabricated units for assembly of the pillars on site.

[0021] The second anchor, for the mutual connection of two prefabricated units, comprises a first plate, which can be welded to each pillar, with a vertical screw in each pillar, which allows the fixing of a second anchor plate, which in turn carries two welded upper connections to allow the fixing of the lower pillars. The pair of upper connections comprises a truncated pyramid end intended to receive the pillars of the upper prefabricated unit.

[0022] Advantageously, with the second anchor, the junction is first made by screwing the second anchor plate with the fittings onto the first plate, welded onto each of the pillars of the lower prefabricated units, by means of the vertical screw of each lower pillar. As soon as the upper prefabricated units have been removed, the final fixing is made by adding structural resin.

[0023] This second anchor provides a means of fixing prefabricated units from inside the pillar, without needing to access any of the pillar faces, allowing the facade cladding and interior of the units to be finished in the factory. This prevents rain from entering the building during the on-site assembly phase and ensures that interior work in the prefabricated units is carried out without access to the pillar faces from inside the dwellings.

[0024] In addition, by incorporating spaces between the outer walls of the fittings and the inner walls of the pillars, precise alignment between the prefabricated units is facilitated, thereby avoiding the need for additional work to correct misalignments between the units. In order to achieve the fixing of the second anchor, structural resin is added via a tube from above and inside the pillars.

[0025] In addition, two inclined planes are included on the upper connections of the junctions so that, during the positioning of the prefabricated units, the pillars easily find the ends of the connections for their final placement without the need for auxiliary elements. This design also allows access to the nuts to ensure a pre-stressed connection using a torque wrench.

[0026] The fundamental difference between this device and the prior art lies in its ability to adjust the positioning of the modules and their fixing without intervening from the outside or inside of the module, which allows the modules to be fully finished in the factory. Indeed, the truncated pyramid-shaped tip which penetrates the pillars has a smaller section than the inside of the pillar, which allows a some flexibility in positioning. The last essential point is that the structural adhesive can be poured from the top of each module pillar in order to cause the integration of the junction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0027] In order to complete the present description and to facilitate the understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, there is attached, as an integral part of said description, a set of drawings in which, by way of illustration and not limitation:

[0028] [Fig.l] illustrates an overall perspective view of the anchoring device during use.

[0029] [Fig.2] illustrates a detail of the first anchor during its use, from which a side section with the anchor already assembled is extracted.

[0030] [Fig.3] illustrates a detail of the second anchor during use.

[0031] [Fig.4] illustrates a side view of a longitudinal section of the first anchor during its use.

[0032] [Fig.5] illustrates a side view of a longitudinal section of the second anchor during use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Below, with the aid of the above-mentioned drawings, there is shown a detailed explanation of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the subject matter of the present invention.

[0034] The anchoring device for prefabricated modular buildings described comprises a first anchor (1) for connecting a prefabricated unit to a building foundation and a second anchoring system (2) for mutually connecting two prefabricated units of a building. [Fig.l] illustrates an overall perspective view of the anchoring device during use.

[0035] The first anchoring system (1), detailed in [Fig.2], consists of a first lower anchoring plate (3), adjustable in height relative to the foundation of the building (not shown in the figure) using leveling means (4), in this preferred embodiment, composed of threaded rods, nuts and oversized anti-loosening washers.

[0036] The first anchoring system (1) further comprises a first upper anchoring plate (5), fixed on the first lower anchoring plate (3) by means of the leveling means (4). As soon as the first upper (5) and lower (3) plates have been correctly leveled in height, a fluid anchoring mortar is applied, in order to solidify the first lower plate (3) on the foundation and the first upper plate (5) on the first lower plate (3) using the leveling means (4).

[0037] In the detail of [Fig.2], the solid connection between the first lower plate (3) and the first upper plate (5) by means of the threaded rods of the leveling means (4) can be observed. In addition, the system of nuts, washers and threaded rods that allows the adjustment of the first lower plate (3) in terms of height is visible. The first upper plate (5) comprises through holes (6) with a diameter greater than that of the corresponding holes on the first lower plate (3). This allows the plate and connection assembly to move into a position that allows the positioning of the plates (3, 5) in their theoretical position, and to absorb any deviation that may have occurred during the work of integrating the rods into the concrete slab. The first upper plate (5) is fixed to the first lower plate (3) using a set of oversized nuts (7) and washers (8).

[0038] The first upper plate (5) further comprises first connectors (9), as illustrated. There is a peripheral space of at least 5 mm between each of the first connectors (9) and an internal face of a pillar (P) of the prefabricated unit, which allows relative movement of the prefabricated units in order to ensure facade alignment.

[0039] The fixing of the pillars (P) of the prefabricated unit on the foundation is carried out by adding structural resin (10) from an upper face of the pillar (P) by means of a tube (11) inserted into the pillar (P) for this purpose.

[0040] Each of the first fittings (9) comprises a truncated pyramid-shaped end (12) for receiving the pillars (P) of the prefabricated unit, as illustrated in [Fig.4]. Thus, during the positioning of the prefabricated units, the pillars (P) can be placed on the first fittings (9) for their final positioning without the need for auxiliary elements.

[0041] Advantageously, the fixing system which uses the addition of structural resin (10) allows the enclosure and facade cladding to be carried out in the factory, which prevents rain from entering the housing during the assembly phase of the units on site. This also allows interior work to be carried out in the prefabricated units, since it is unnecessary to access the interior of these units for the adjustment and fixing operations between the pillars (P) and the first fittings (9).

[0042] [Fig.3] illustrates the second anchoring system (2) between two prefabricated units of a housing. It can be observed that a pair of second lower plates (13) comprises first screws (14), oblong holes (15), a through hole (16) and a welded nut (17) on a bottom of the second lower plates (13).

[0043] A junction plate (18) comprises second welded connectors (19), which each comprise, at their end, the truncated pyramid shape (12).

[0044] The fixing of a junction plate (18) on the pillars (P) of the prefabricated unit is carried out by screwing the second nuts (20) onto the first screws (14). The adjustment of the position of the junction plate (18) and its second connections (19) is carried out using the clearance created by the oblong holes (15).

[0045] Conversely, the connection between the pillars (P) and the junction plate (18) is made by bringing the ends together in the form of a truncated pyramid (12), so that, during the mutual positioning of the prefabricated units, the pillars (P) can easily find the ends of the second connections (19), without the need for auxiliary elements or risky operations for workers, etc.

[0046] There is a gap between the pillars (P) and the second connectors (19) to allow the adjustment of the upper prefabricated units, so as to align their facades. The fixing of these connectors is carried out by adding structural resin (10) from the upper face of the pillar (P) by means of the tube (11) inserted into the pillar (P) for this purpose.

Claims

1. Claims Anchoring device intended for prefabricated modular constructions, comprising: • a first anchoring system (1) intended to join a prefabricated unit to a foundation, which in turn comprises: • a first lower anchor plate (3), adjustable in height relative to the foundation using leveling means (4), and • a first upper anchoring plate (5) comprising through-holes (6) for the passage of the leveling means (4), in which the through-holes (6) have a larger diameter which allows the movement of the first upper plate (5) relative to the first lower anchoring plate (3), • wherein the first upper anchor plate (5) is fixed to the first lower anchor plate (3) by a set of nuts (7) and washers (8), • wherein the first upper anchor plate (5) comprises two welded connections (9), and • in which each of the fittings (9) comprises a screwing system intended to fix a pillar (P) of the prefabricated unit; and • a second anchoring system (2) intended for the mutual connection of two prefabricated units of a dwelling, which in turn comprises: • a pair of second bottom plates (13), each of which comprises first screws (14), oblong holes (15), a through hole (16) and a welded nut (17) on a bottom of the second bottom plates (13); and • a junction plate (18) with second welded connections (19); the anchoring device being characterized in that the first fittings (9) and the second fittings (19) comprise, at their end, a truncated pyramid shape (12) intended to receive the pillars (P) of the prefabricated unit, and in which the fixing of the fittings is carried out by adding structural resin (10) from the upper face of the pillar (P) by means of a tube (11) inserted into the pillar (P).

2. Anchoring device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing of a joining plate (18) on the pillars (P) of the prefabricated unit is carried out by screwing second nuts (20) onto the first screws (14).

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