Assembly-Type Brick Set With Hourglass Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional brick construction methods require skilled labor, are time-consuming, and difficult to dismantle, with structures prone to damage and collapse due to cement mortar cracking.
Innovation Solution
An assembly-type brick set featuring hourglass-shaped brick holes and interlocking joints that allow for vertical stacking without bonding agents, providing structural rigidity and ease of assembly and disassembly, enabling unskilled individuals to construct stable and reusable brick structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional brick construction methods using cement mortar are used, then brick structures can be bonded together, but the construction process requires substantial technique and construction time, and is extremely difficult for an unskilled person to perform
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the brick structure into modular components (bricks with holes and separate joints) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation eliminates the need for on-site cement mortar application and allows unskilled persons to simply stack pre-fabricated modules together, dramatically reducing construction time and technical requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a separate joint component as an intermediary element that connects bricks without requiring cement mortar. These joints are inserted into holes in the bricks and provide mechanical connection through friction and geometric interlocking, eliminating the need for skilled mortar application while maintaining structural integrity.
2Ease of operation
If cement mortar is used to bond bricks, then bricks can be connected, but it is difficult to separate bricks which have been bonded, making it difficult to reuse bricks when a constructed wall is dismantled
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system transitions from a permanent chemical bond (cement mortar) to a reversible mechanical connection. The joints can be inserted and removed from the brick holes multiple times, allowing the structure to be dynamically assembled and disassembled while maintaining adequate connection strength during use through friction and geometric interlocking.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables recovery and reuse of brick components. By using removable joints instead of permanent mortar bonds, bricks and joints can be separated and reused in other constructions, eliminating waste and reducing material costs for future projects.
3Reliability
If cement mortar is used to bond bricks, then brick structures can be formed, but cement mortar is prone to cracking in response to external impact, meaning that damage to part of a brick structure can cause the entire brick structure to collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The structure is segmented into discrete brick and joint modules connected by removable joints rather than continuous mortar bonds. This segmentation creates independent load paths, so that damage to one joint or brick does not propagate through the entire structure, preventing catastrophic collapse from localized damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The design anticipates potential damage by using joints that can absorb and distribute impact forces through friction and geometric interlocking. The hourglass shape with wider ends provides a cushioning effect that prevents stress concentration, and the modular nature allows damaged components to be replaced without affecting the entire structure.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional brick stacking methods are used, then brick structures can be constructed, but careful work by a trained expert is necessary for evenly stacking the bricks, evenly applying cement mortar, and maintaining even spacing between bricks
Solution Approach 1:
The brick holes and joints are designed with standardized dimensions and geometric features that create natural alignment during assembly. The hourglass shape of the joints and corresponding holes provide self-aligning characteristics, ensuring even stacking and spacing without requiring expert skill or complex measurement procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular brick and joint components are designed to self-align and self-position during assembly. The geometric features of the joints (hourglass shape with wider ends) and corresponding holes automatically guide proper placement and spacing, eliminating the need for expert intervention to ensure even stacking and consistent gaps between bricks.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is an assembly-type brick set. More specifically, the present invention is an assembly-type brick set which not only maximizes structural rigidity and fastening performance but is also able to, by excluding use of brittle bonding agent such as concrete mortar, prevent damage and collapse of a wall even in cases of severe shaking, such as during earthquakes. This assembly-type brick set comprises a brick portion in which is formed at least one brick hole which penetrates a brick body vertically, and a joint which is inserted into the brick hole, wherein: the brick hole is formed in the shape of an hour glass wherein the diameter of a middle portion is smaller than a top diameter and a bottom diameter; the joint is formed so that its top portion fits into the bottom of the brick hole, and its bottom portion fits into the top of the brick hole; a plurality of brick portions is provided stacked vertically adjacent to each other; and, an assembled brick structure is achieved by inserting the joint between the adjacently stacked brick portions.