Building Block with Groove Interlock for Rapid Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building blocks for temporary or emergency housing are cumbersome, require advanced construction techniques, and struggle with corner construction and water sealing, especially in emergency situations where time and resources are limited.
Innovation Solution
A load-bearing building block with interconnecting means on all sides, using a groove and complementary element for form closure, allowing for rapid assembly of mortarless, demountable walls that are water-sealable without additional elements, and can be made from lightweight, thermally insulating materials like recycled plastic and mineral additives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional building blocks with screws and interlocking mechanisms are used, then structural strength is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring nuts and bolts which are difficult and time-consuming to use in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes screws, nuts, and complex interlocking mechanisms from the building block system. Instead, it uses simple stacking with friction-based connection, extracting the problematic fastening elements while maintaining structural integrity through the groove-and-protrusion geometry that provides form closure without mechanical fasteners.
Solution Approach 2:
The building blocks are designed to self-connect through their geometric features (grooves and protrusions) without requiring external fastening elements. The friction between stacked blocks and the interlocking geometry automatically provide the necessary connection strength, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for tools or additional components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If modular building blocks with interlocking mechanisms are used, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity worsens due to requiring additional accessories like nuts and bolts
Solution Approach 1:
The building blocks are designed as universal units that can be used in multiple configurations and applications. The same basic block design with grooves and protrusions can create walls, corners, and various structural arrangements without requiring different types of blocks or additional fastening components, achieving versatility through simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the interlocking mechanism and the building block into a single integrated unit. The grooves and protrusions are built-in features of the block itself rather than separate components, merging the connection mechanism with the structural element to reduce overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If corner construction is enabled in building blocks, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity worsens due to requiring additional accessories
Solution Approach 1:
The building blocks incorporate asymmetric groove placements and protrusion geometries that enable corner construction. By strategically positioning grooves at specific angles and locations on the block surfaces, the design allows corners to be formed using the same basic block type, creating geometric adaptability without adding specialized corner components or fasteners.
4Reliability
If water sealing is achieved in mortarless construction, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture worsens due to requiring precise interconnecting means
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible sealing elements such as gaskets or sealing films within the interconnecting grooves and joints of the building blocks. These flexible membranes conform to the groove geometry and fill gaps between stacked blocks, providing effective water sealing through simple geometric features rather than complex manufacturing processes or rigid密封 structures.
Data Source
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AI summary
A building block is described for use in the construction of building structures such as walls, more in particular a building block for use in the building of housing, such as temporary or emergency housing or weirs, dams as well as to the building structures such as walls, more in particular housing, such as temporary or emergency housing or weirs, dams themselves. The invention also relates to a method for use in same, e.g. to make a wall. The block has interconnecting means in at least one side surface of the building block for interconnecting the block adjacent to its side surface, with the interconnecting means of a similar block by use of a first complementary element, wherein said interconnecting means comprise a groove and the first complementary element is slidable in a first dimension along the groove and has a two-dimensional form closure when installed in the groove.